SnoTap College Football Picks Week 1 - Don't Clown Clowney

You really could not have scripted a better first night for college football. It featured multiple exciting games with the instant classic between Ole Miss and Vanderbilt,  the shootout overtime thriller in The Valley between Rutgers and Fresno State and Utah holding on to beat Utah State in a rivalry game. South Carolina also beat North Carolina into submission, but no one seemed to care about the win. Rather, they focused on the poor performance from Jadeveon Clowney.

Other than Johnny Manziel, he has the biggest microscope on him for the 2013 season. People expect Clowney to put up absurd numbers every week he goes out there.  He struggled last night and there were a couple reasons why...

1.) Clowney admitted to having a stomach bug and playing in 90+ degree heat with the bubble guts is pretty damn hard plus this explains some of the conditioning issues that people loved to point out last night. I ran outside in 90 degree heat today with humidity and thought I might die by the end of it. I cannot imagine what Clowney was feeling like on Thursday.

2.) Something that needs to be flushed out quick is teams are going to not run plays to Clowney. North Carolina played a quick, up-tempo offense that features more screens, hitches and other short passes making sure Clowney did not get enough time to attack the quarterback. They will not be the only team to do it this year.

It is a lot harder to manage expectations when dealing with a lineman versus a running back. Even if Clowney has three tackles, he basically made the Tar Heels change parts of their offense because he is that much of a distraction off the edge. That's a win to me, and oh by the way, South Carolina looked scary without him playing at 100 percent.... Terrifying for the rest of the SEC and the nation.

Grab Beers & Bros (For those unfamiliar, these are what I deem marquee games that everyone should watch start to finish) 

5. Georgia at 8. Clemson 7 pm ABC - OH BABY. I love everything about this game. I am fans of both teams, I am a fan of actually playing at a college atmosphere and it is going to be great to hear Brett Musberger... 'YOU'RE LOOKING LIVE FROM DEATH VALLEY.'  As for the game, expect a ton of offense as Georgia does not bring back much on their defense and Clemson is an average one at best especially going against Georgia's offense.  I expect an absolute classic, and when it comes down to it, I am going to take the home team as Tajh Boyd leads a last-second drive for the win in a classic.  CLEM 45-41

12. LSU vs. 20. TCU (Played in Dallas) 8 pm ESPN - Another real fun game this weekend as the coaches have been trading barbs at each other for the last month, it makes you think this should be an annual rivalry. TCU has not revealed what they are doing with their quarterbacks so expect to see both Casey Pachall and Trevone Boykin. LSU has a young defense that will need to learn quick facing off against the Horned Frogs as they only return four starters from last year's team. Their offense led by Zach Mettenberger will be fine though.  I really want to pick against the Tigers, but I cannot see the SEC falling flat on their fact twice in the first week. LSU 20-17

Channel Flip Worthy (Basically, the second-tier of games worth paying attention to on Saturday)
1. Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (Played in Atlanta) 4:30 pm ESPN - When Frank Beamer came out and said this week that 'Alabama is the best team they will ever play', it says something to me.  A.) Bama might be better than expected if that's possible.  B.) It is a built-in excuse in case the Hokies catch the #BEATEMDOWN. I want a good game here, but I am fully expecting we will get a close first half with Bama slowly but surely pulling away.  BAMA 34-16

Rice at 7. Texas A&M 12 pm ESPN - This game is only worth watching when Johnny Manziel is set to make his season debut in the second half after the NCAA slapped his wrist for the autograph scandal. If Kyle Field does not play 'Hate Me Now' or 'Haterz Everywhere', I have lost faith in America.  The Aggies will roll.  TAMU 48-14

22. Northwestern at California 9:30 pm ESPN2 - Fun game to watch at the bars and socialize with no one. This is a big game for the Wildcats. They can set the tone for the season and show they are the real deal if they can go out west and beat Cal in Week One. California is starting a true freshman Jared Goff at quarterback and I cannot see him being able to handle the Cats in the first week of the season. If he does, watch out Ohio State. This one is still close. NW 30-24

11. Florida State at Pittsburgh 7 pm ESPN (Monday) - The first game for the Panthers in the ACC and they do not start easy hosting Florida State. Jameis Winston will get put on the main stage to start his career as Florida State's quarterback and his bandwagon could get full by the end of the first game. I like Paul Chryst but I cannot see any sort of upset here. FSU 42-24

Upset Special (Self Explanatory) 
Mississippi State vs. 13. Oklahoma State (Played in Houston) 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2 - This one feels like I am stealing money. People do not give the Bulldogs much credit but Dan Mullen has done an impressive job with this team. Tyler Russell and LaDarius Perkins are back making a lethal QB/RB combo and Oklahoma State still does not know who their quarterback is plus not bringing many starters back. I feel like the Pokes are last year's Michigan State getting hype from a good season last year.  MSU 31-26

18. Boise State at Washington 9 pm FOX Sports 1 - I am curious as to why people think Boise State will be good again this year. They only bring back nine starters in total although one of them is Joe Southwick at quarterback. They head to Seattle where the Huskies will be opening a new stadium and all Washington has heard this offseason is how they disappointed in the last couple of years. They get off on the right foot this weekend. WASH 24-17

A palate cleanser for your Netlix binge watch (The games that might not be great, but if you need a break from other stuff, here you go) 

Temple at 14. Notre Dame 2:30 pm NBC - The Irish should not have any issues with Temple, but this game is worth watching to see Tommy Rees leading the team again. I predict a couple defensive touchdowns for the Irish as well. ND 52-10

Wyoming at 18. Nebraska 7 pm Big Ten Network - The Cowboys tend to play the big boys tough and they get Brett Smith back from injury, but when it's all said and done, Taylor Martinez will be too much for the Cowboys defense.  NEB 35-20

Nevada at 21. UCLA 9 pm Pac-12 Network - After Chris Ault retired, it will be interesting to see Brian Polian and how he runs the team against a tough UCLA team. Brett Hundley will pass and run wild on one of the poorer defenses in the nation.  UCLA 55-28

Ohio at 9.) Louisville 2:30 pm ESPN (Sunday) - Some people believe Ohio can pull the upset and I cannot see it whatsoever. I mean they are a good team, but they do not have Teddy Bridgewater. LOU 31-14

LA-Monroe at 16. Oklahoma 6 pm - This one is not on television, but Bruce Feldman's article about Louisiana-Monroe wanting to be 'the Gonzaga of college football', makes me think this game will be much closer than people believe it will be on Saturday.  Sooners in a tight one. OKLA 38-34

Sleep off your hangover (Self explanatory, stay safe Tappers) 
Buffalo at 2. Ohio State 11 am ESPN2 - OSU 45-10
Nicholls State at 3. Oregon 3 pm FOX Sports 1 - ORE 63-7
Toledo at 10. Florida 11:21 am ESPN3 - UF 41-6
New Mexico State at 15. Texas 7 pm LHN Network - UT 55-14
Central Michigan at 17. Michigan 2:30 pm Big Ten Network - MICH 30-10
UMass at 23. Wisconsin 11 am Big Ten Network - UW 38-13
Eastern Washington at 25. Oregon State 5 pm Pac-12 Network - OSU 34-17

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SnoTap College Football Preview: B1G Legends

Finally, the college football previews are beginning on SnoTap. We are trying something new looking at divisions/conferences as a whole versus breaking down every team. We look at the power six conferences, Notre Dame and independents and mid-majors. 

After multiple years of still writing out Big Ten, I finally have succumbed to using B1G for all my posts moving forward. This is a conference wanting a seat at the biggest of big boys table, but they are still some paces away from truly being there. Ohio State and Michigan will probably not leave the top 15 all year, but there is not that third and fourth team who can bet there with them.  Hence there is the problem with the league as a whole.

END OF AN ERA as the legends and leaders are dead after next year along with a new realignment. For whatever it's worth, we did not do any cross divisional games in the ACC and that was probably a mistake. We make up for it here a bit.

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB Vernric Mark (Northwestern) - One of the many that can be classified as an underrated player in college football.  Mark rushed for over 1,300 yards last season and him with Kevin Colter ran the zone-read option as good as a college football team can do. Mark is also a dynamic returner who can easily change the game on Special Teams as well. Mark might be a player who ends up on award ballots by December. Mark is a truly forgotten player because people tend to forget about Northwestern

QB Devin Gardner (Michigan) - Another player just like Mark getting slept on by the national media. It is hard to believe a Michigan quarterback is slept on, but Gardner is not nearly as sexy as Denard Robinson meaning the media does not seem to care about him as much. Funny enough, Gardner is easily a better quarterback. Gardner can run at times, but he is more of a passer than anything else. He only has one starting receiver coming back, but Devin Funchess seemed like a go-to receiver by the end of last season. Dead serious if Gardner has a big year, he could be a Heisman candidate and a surefire first-round draft pick if he comes out.

RB Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska) - Another sophomore who had a breakout season last year for the Cornhuskers. Abdullah rushed for over 1,100 yards with eight touchdowns and nine games where he rushed over 70 yards. I would not say he had an inconsistent year, but he definitely disappeared at some points of the season like Ohio State and Georgia.  Although, I contend this is more of the fault of the Nebraska's offensive coordinator as he did not get the same carries as he did in other games. Abdullah should have a big year for the Huskers.

LB Max Bullough (Michigan State) - Penn State always called themselves 'Linebacker U' and it probably still holds true today yet the Michigan State Spartans seem to be making a run at the crown in the B1G. Every year they seem to have one linebacker that stands out compared to the other teams in the B1G, and Bullough is the next one. He played a large part in making Michigan State one of the best defenses in the nation last season. Bullough had 111 tackles last season with 12.5 Tackles For Losses and 2.5 sacks.

OT Taylor Lewan (Michigan)  - It is hard to talk about an offensive lineman and their impact to a team, but Lewan might be the best offensive lineman in college football. People will talk about Lewan as the guy who held his own for the most part against Jadevon Clowney.  He will anchor the Michigan line protecting Gardner and creating lanes for Fitzgerald Touissant, a Van Wilder team member. Lewan should be a top five if not top three draft pick next season.

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH (Six, OSU-Michigan is too important but the Leaders division is stacked in B1G terms)

Saturday October 5th- Ohio State at Northwestern - Looking at back on what I said about Ohio State, I am starting to wonder if I overvalued them a bit. Sometimes when you start writing about a team, you invest too much stock in them. I also think I might be doing the same thing with the Northwestern Wildcats. I will explain in a second here, but I feel this could be a fascinating, high-scoring matchup of two of the B1G's best.  

Saturday October 26th - Nebraska at Minnesota - Upset alert for the Cornhuskers. The Gophers figure to be an alright team again this year and could make some traction yet they will probably need to win most of their games at home. Nebraska will get some fan assistance as Big Red travels extremely well, but the Gophers could be rounding into form right around this time.

Saturday November 2nd - Michigan at Michigan State - This is becoming the second-best rivalry in the B1G. Both of the teams clearly have no love lost for each other and they tend to play some classics even if one team tends to win multiple games in a row. Michigan broke State's four-game winning streak last year in a defensive struggle in Ann Arbor.  The Wolverines have not won in East Lansing since 2007 and the Michigan offense v. Michigan State defense will be the main focus once again.

Saturday November 9th - Nebraska at Michigan - Tough break for the Wolverines as they come home to face Nebraska. People always make a big deal about this matchup because it is two of the most iconic programs in history of college football. The Cornhuskers clamped the vice on Michigan last year holding them to nine points in Lincoln last season. This game could have Big Ten Championship implications being this late in the season.

Saturday November 23rd - Michigan State at Northwestern - These two teams tend to play some wild games. Look up the head-to-head and you will find they always play down to the wire classics. Northwestern and Michigan State will likely be contending for the second spot in the B1G or if the all the cards fall into place, one of these teams could be looking at the top spot in the Leaders division.

Saturday November 30th - Ohio State at Michigan - Am I the only one whom wishes this would be played in late October. I realize the pageantry that comes with The Big Game being played at 11 am on ABC. It has been going on since I can remember watching college football, but with the Big Ten Championship the following week, it is very possible we will get a repeat game of these two teams.  Personally, I feel like this could dent Ohio State's chances at going undefeated for the season more than anything else on their schedule.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO PONDER
Might Michigan be a sneaky National Championship contender? - How the hell is Michigan ranked number 17? I realize preseason rankings do not mean much, but the Wolverines seem to have what it takes to be a top team in college football. They have the quarterback, offensive line, running back and a defense which are all the major parts of having a very successful team. Looking at their schedule, they do have some tough road games against Penn State, Michigan State and Northwestern, but their two toughest opponents, Notre Dame and Ohio State, come to Ann Arbor.

Could Northwestern make a BCS Bowl? - Remember how I said doing these previews could make you fall in love with a team quickly... Um it's happening with Northwestern. The Cats bring back 15 total starters, eight on offense and seven on defense.  The only concern might be they only bring back one starter on the offensive line.  They host both Ohio State and Michigan and I would be stunned if they do not win one of those games.  Ryan Field can be an extremely tough atmosphere when the Wildcats are a good football team. Pat Fitzgerald's next step is getting this team to a BCS Bowl and if everything breaks right, he might get there.

How important is this year for Bo Pelini? - I am going to answer my own question and say very important. The Cornhuskers have had good seasons under Pelini, but it is not to Nebraska standards. In a weird way, Nebraska is like the UCLA basketball where the expectations are SKY HIGH. Pelini has yet to be in a BCS bowl and if Nebraska does not get there with a senior quarterback and Abdullah coming back, the natives could get extremely restless. Quick hot take on Nebraska: They only bring back four starters on an average defense, I would be extremely concerned if I was a Cornhusker fan.

What's Andrew Maxwell or other Michigan State's quarterbacks ceiling? - Weirdly enough, Michigan State tends to pump out pretty good quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins, Jeff Smoker, Drew Stanton alike and Maxwell did not come close to these players last season. People overvalued Michigan State last August thinking Maxwell would be Cousins in his first year of starting at quarterback. Now Maxwell lost his job during the season and there is a four player race for quarterback for the 2013 season. The biggest game for Maxwell or the other competing will probably be the road trip to Notre Dame on the 21st of September.

Minnesota going bowling for the second straight year? - I would keep an eye on the Gophers for another year. Sure they have to face both Michigan schools on the road, but a lot of their tougher games are at TCF Bank Stadium. Truth be told, the Gophers need a signature win at home this season that Jerry Kill can build on for the coming years.  They have Penn State, Nebraska and Wisconsin at home, all three could be major wins for the program.

PROJECTED FINISH
1.) Michigan
2.) Northwestern
3.) Michigan State
4.) Nebraska
5.) Minnesota
6.) Iowa

Yes I think Nebraska is overrated to start the year and I feel like Northwestern will make a push this season. But Michigan is the team to beat this season in the Leaders Division.

Charlie.

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SnoTap Buzz: Monday July 29th

The Philadelphia Phillies are talking about giving Chase Utley an extension. Utley has not played more than 150 games in a season since 2009 BUT HEY LETS GIVE HIM MONEY!!!! (SB Nation) 

Scott Boras worries there could be precedence set with the Ryan Braun and Alex Rodriguez that could harm baseball. Charlie Tritschler worries he agrees with Scott Boras and fears the consequences, he expects to get struck by lightening. (FOX Sports) 

Milwaukee Brewers announce 10 dollar voucher for food, drink and merchandise during the month of August to apologize for the bad season and the whole Ryan Braun fiasco. I think I am going Sunday so maybe we need a post on what I should spend my 10 dollars on... Hmm.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) 

Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald wants yellow cards for targeting instead of ejections. I think this is a brilliant way to do things because really if they do it twice and they are both egregious they should not be playing plus it can atone for a dumb referee mistake. (Bleacher Report) 

Stanford head coach David Shaw wants to see improvement on grad rates versus increasing the stipends for college players. Personally, they should be concerned with getting both improved. Players do need more money and they should graduate more often. It is not a 'Let's worry about this bad thing instead of this one.' (CBS Sports) 

Houston Astros traded Jose Veras to Detroit for a prospect and player to be named later. After his year with the Brewers, I thought he would never be a guy a team trades for. Can't wait for Veras to blow a game in October. (ESPN) 

Charlie.

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