Big John’s Big Thoughts – College Football Season Begins, Fantasy Busts

College Football Season Begins with a Bang

Pittsburgh and Utah started the season off strong. Pittsburgh and Utah went back and forth the entire game and gave every fan the excitement that they had been missing the past nine months. With ten minutes to go in the game, Utah looked to pull away with a 61-yard touchdown that put them up 24-10.

Wannstedt managed to rally the Pittsburgh troops and the Panthers answered with a 44-yard touchdown pass to get back in the game. Later, Pittsburgh marched down into field goal range to set up a game-tying field goal. Utah went nuts with the iceage and forced Hutchins to kick the field goal THREE TIMES!!! After missing the second attempt, Hutchins’ nerves were cool and he drilled the field goal, sending the game into overtime.

Sidenote: It is absolutely ridiculous that a team can call time out twice and force a kicker to kick three times. Just stupid.

Utah made overtime a quick affair by intercepting Pittsburgh on the very first play. Utah then pounded away with their run game until they were close enough to get a easy field goal. Utah’s Joe Phillips managed to convert and gave Utah the big win, and the very first upset of the year.

Congrats to Utah on the first upset of the college football season.

College Football Predictions

Here is who I will predict will play in the BCS bowl game and the eventual National Champion.

Sugar Bowl – Alabama vs. Texas
Orange Bowl – Connecticut vs. Virgina Tech
Rose Bowl – Iowa vs. Stanford
Fiesta Bowl – TCU vs. Nebraska

BCS Championship
Ohio State vs. Boise State

Boise State National Champion

Fantasy Busts

After giving you some sleepers candidates last week, here are some players I think you should avoid.

QB- Donovan McNabb Washington

I have not been sold on McNabb’s worth in the fantasy world. McNabb is going from a lineup with a great O-line and a lot of weapons to a team with a lot of question marks. You then mix in the fact that all of Washington’s running backs and wide receivers are aging/past their prime. All this equals a down year for McNabb. The best case scenario for McNabb is he preforms as a mid-pack quarterback. Not really worth it for what round you would have to grab him.

RB- Kevin Smith Detroit

This one is pretty simple. If the guy is fighting to just make the roster, it’s highly doubtful he will have an impact come fantasy football season. In the preseason, Smith has not looked like the same running back from last year as he recovers from a torn ACL. Thus putting his coaching staff in the position that it maybe better to cut ties with the running back. You also can add in Jahvid Best looking like the real deal in preseason. All this equals a mistake to grab Kevin Smith.

WR- Braylon Edwards New York Jets

Edwards’ fantasy star power took a hit this off-season with the addition of Santonio Holmes. Holmes should push Edwards back to the third wide receiver spot dropping his overall production. Edwards also still has the propensity to drop way too many passes. You finally have the fact that the Jets’ offense is a run-oriented team and it equals Edwards being a terrible choice this season.

TE- Greg Olsen Chicago

Greg Olsen has bean a sleeper candidate for a couple of years, yet never really fulfilled on his promise. Olsen’s fantasy impact took another hit this season with the addition of Mike Martz. Martz offenses use the tight end more as blocking specialist, rarely sending them out to make catches. This, and the addition of Brandon Manumaleuna, should cut down Olsen’s time and production on the field. Either way, it looks like Olsen will once again not live up to his pre-draft hype.

Kickers- John Kasay Carolina

Any kicker can turn into a bust or waste of a pick if you take him to early. If I had to choose one to stay away from it would be John Kasay. Kasay has been a solid fantasy starter for a while now. But with a new quarterback in Matt Moore leading the offense, his point total should drop off. Thus, making him a not so great option.

Kickers are stupid anyways in fantasy. Wait until your last pick and tell whoever is running the draft to give you the kicker with the hottest wife.

Defense- New York Giants

The Giants’ defense has been ranked by many fantasy services in the top ten defense once again. Yet the production of a couple key players should make you go in another direction. Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck have not been able to produce like they once did in their Super Bowl winning season. Add in a couple aging players who are getting old and fragile, equals a defense on it’s last legs. You also add in that they have to play four games against high scoring offenses in Philadelphia and Dallas. Don’t pick them.

Expect a rough season for the Giants D.

Games to Watch this Weekend

Kentucky vs. U of L
If you need coverage of this one, you need to go elsewhere. StraitPinkie.com knows nothing of this game and doesn’t really care about it.

3. Boise State vs. 10. Virgina Tech
A top ten match-up that will probably eliminate the team that loses from playing in the National Championship. Do you need any other reason to watch this game?

Cardinals vs. Reds
Last Chance for St. Louis to get back into the NL Central race. If the Cardinals lose any game in this series they virtually have no shot of wining the NL Central or even making the playoffs. The Cardinals do have their three best starters going in Carpenter, Wainwright, and Garcia, so they should have no excuse. Either way, if they are going to make a move it has to start this series.

Happy Tailgating everyone!