GAMEDAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!!!

I am back after a long hiatus of working, travelling and making sure Santa Claus would find us in Amelia Island. We had a wonderful Christmas with our 3 year old and 5 year old kids. The Magic of Christmas was alive and well in the Tanner household. We hope that yoour Christmas was equally special.

I am back on my Blog to make a few gameday predictions now that the more meaningful games are upon us. The games today:

OUTBACK

Florida has a shot at redemption after getting clobbered by Iowa last year. With a new coach and a better defense, Florida should be able to get it done. It will be close, but the Gators will edge Iowa 30-27.

CITRUS (or the Capitol One if you prefer)

Auburn will send Barry Alvarez out with a memorable blow out. Kenny Irons will run wild and the big Auburn receivers will have some big plays. Wisconsin will give up points by the bunches. Auburn 44- Wisconsin 17.

COTTON

Alabama's anemic offense against Texas Tech's defense that can usually get away with allowing 40 points because they can count on their offense to score 41. Alabama's bad ass 500 pound gorilla defense against Texas Tech's pass-happy, we throw it 60 times per game, offense. This is a curious match-up. I believe that Texas Tech will struggle to make time to throw the ball. I think Alabama's front seven will be in the Tech backfield so much that that they might as well break the huddle with the Red Raiders. On the other hand, Alabama has not scored much lately and it may not take many points to beat them. Or, maybe there are some good defenses in the SEC and that is part of the reason that Alabama has had trouble scoring. I know, I know, the popular national theme is that the SEC offenses lack imagination and that they basically suck. So how will anyone explain this outcome... Alabama 39 - Texas Tech 10.

GATOR BOWL

The second best team from the Big East will play what may be the best team from the ACC (can anyone explain the FSU whipping?) If the real Va Tech team shows up, the high flying Louisville Cardinal offense will be grounded. The Hokies will score plenty against UL, so if they perform even only mediocre on defense and special teams, they will win easily. VPI 31-Louisville 20.

FIESTA

The two "supposedly best two loss teams in CFB history" face off in Tempe. THis one will be close and all we will learn at the end of the day is that one will become the Greatest two-loss team ever and the other will become the greatest three-loss team ever. If it weren't for all of this BS hype, I would find this game between two evenly matched teams more compelling. I will look for a well executed gameplan from both teams with a few key big plays making the difference. I like Weis, so I am picking Notre Dame to emerge victorious 24-20.

SUGAR

Kyle King has the break down. If Georgia comes ready to play on the defensive side of the ball like they did against LSU in the SECCG, it will be over early for the West Virginia Mountaineers. DJ Shockley and crew will score more than 20 points which gives Georgia an historical 45:1 chance at winning. I know WVU has a lot of young talent and an exciting Freshman QB in Pat White. However, this senior-laden Georgia squad will go out as the winningest bunch in UGA history by manhandling the couch-burners 34-16.

Tomorrow I will make predictions on the Orange and Rose Bowls.

GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!