After some great memorial tributes by the NFL and by colleges all throughout the country on Sunday, we return to normalcy. But, as mentioned last week, we should never forget that day a decade ago, where thousands lost their lives in such tragedy. As an aside, I'll tell you where I was that fateful day a decade ago, as my friend and fellow blogger Jason Weimer did on his. I was in high school at the time, with myself being blissfully oblivious to the things going on in D.C., Shanksville and New York. I was coming from gym class to my civics class, which is appropriate, as this was definitely something to be aware of. When I came in, I saw the television was on, which was incredibly odd, as we only have them on during the morning news and maybe to watch a movie. But, I knew we weren't going to watch a movie, and I was just shocked trying to take it all in. I was wondering what had happened, was it an accident? Was there miscommunication? What all was going on? Until the anchorman said terrorism, and we all know what happened from there. So, that's my look back at the events of a decade ago. Hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to comment on where you were a decade ago. Sports brought us out of those times, and they shall do it again. Here now are the ten best football games of the week!
#1 Oklahoma at #5 Florida State, 8 p.m., ABC
This is one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. It pits the Big 12 favorite versus the ACC favorite. Plus, it could be a revenge game, as Florida State looks to come back from the absolute beating it took a year ago in Norman, where they got decimated 47-17. So, now it is time for the Sooners to travel into Tallahassee where a raucous crowd awaits. Plus, this is going to be the first time in a decade since College Gameday visits Florida State, and that will amp the crowd up even more. This is a very interesting game full of unique stats. As Florida State has lost 4 or more games every year for the past 6, and Oklahoma has lost 7 of 11 games versus top five opponents since the 2004 National Championship game. So, very interesting. This game will be pivotal in the national title hopes for each team, as neither conference is all that strong and it will probably eliminate either team from national title contention. Oklahoma has all the experience, but Florida State has revenge and home field advantage. In my mind, it's a toss up, but a slight edge going to Oklahoma.
Pick: Oklahoma 26, Florida State 24
#3 LSU at #25 Mississippi State, 8 p.m. Thursday, ESPN
A good matchup between two SEC West schools, which could help determine who is playing for the SEC title in December. Mississippi State has already lost once in the division, last week to Auburn in a shootout. LSU has had one great win, coming in the season opener against Oregon where they turned the "blur" offense into a standstill. Mississippi State has been improving under Dan Mullen, and were supposed to be the sneaky pick to win the SEC West. Well, the offense is still not quite there, and LSU is just an elite team.
Pick: LSU 38, MSU 13
#18 West Virginia at Maryland, noon, ABC
While Maryland debuted their beautifully hideous unis on Labor day, they did so and whipped Miami 32-24. Score wasn't quite an indicator of how Miami played. West Virginia has had two cupcake opponents at home, and got off to sluggish starts in both games. If West Virginia gets off to another sluggish start, they could be looking at a big deficit. Maryland is coming into its own with new head coach Randy Edsall, and will pull off the upset.
Pick: Maryland 28, West Virginia 24
#16 Ohio State at Miami (FL), 7:30 p.m., ESPN
We'll call this the NCAA violators bowl. Miami is in the same boat as Florida State is, trying to come back from a woeful loss to their opponent last season. Miami wants to try and get back to prominence and they can probably do that at home versus a fairly mediocre Ohio State team, as Ohio State has had difficulty getting off and running, and they had difficulty putting away a MAC team in Toledo. Miami will have Jacory Harris back at quarterback here as well, so that will be a big boost, and that will vault them over the Buckeyes.
Pick: Miami 23, Ohio State 17
Penn State at Temple, noon, ESPN
I'm putting this one in here, as it has a slight chance to be an upset pick. Penn State looked awful against Alabama, but then again most teams do. Penn State still hasn't figured out its quarterback situation, and they had trouble going against Temple the last time they played, and that was in Happy Valley. Granted the crowd will be mostly for Penn State, but still. Temple has played two excellent games thus far, going a combined 83-14 against their two opponents thus far. Temple has reason for excitement with new head coach Steve Addazio who faced Penn State's offense last season while he was Florida's offensive coordinator. Addazio has more inisght and I think they can pull off the upset.
Pick: Temple 22, Penn State 21
NFL picks
Kansas City at Detroit, 1 p.m., CBS
Kansas City looked just awful against Buffalo last week, where they gave up 41 points to a Buffalo team which really should not score that many again this season. Plus, Kansas City's running game, its bread and butter were shut down early because they were behind so much so early. Kansas City needs to keep the game close in order to win. Detroit won last week in Tampa Bay, which is a very impressive victory. Detroit needs Matthew Stafford to stay healthy, and for him to be at home not cramping up like he did in the 100 degree heat in Florida will be a good thing. Detroit is a team on the rise, and with them playing at home, it's definitely a good thing.
Pick: Detroit 30, KC 20
Chicago at New Orleans, 1 p.m., FOX
Both teams put up impressive numbers in their week one games. Chicago scored 30, while keeping the ball very balanced between Matt Forte running it and Jay Cutler passing it. It also didn't hurt that Chicago forced three turnovers against Atlanta. Chicago will need that kind of performance again out of their defense to have a shot against New Orleans, who is notoriously tough at home over the past few seasons. New Orleans put up 38 points against a really good Green Bay defense and can easily put up some lofty totals again with the way Drew Brees slings the ball.
Pick: New Orleans 31, Chicago 20
San Diego at New England
New England just destroyed the Dolphins on Monday night, tying the longest touchdown from scrimmage in NFL history and Tom Brady throwing for over 500 yards for the first time in his career. New England has also scored 30 or more points nine straight games. San Diego on the other hand looked pretty good against Minnesota on Sunday, but now they've got a new kicker and Luis Castillo, one of their fine defensive ends is gone for the season. My thinking is that New England will torch the Charger secondary much like they did against Miami.
Pick: New England 38, San Diego 21
Philadelphia at Atlanta
Atlanta looked pitiful in their loss to the Bears on Sunday, only getting 12 points mainly in garbage time. However, that game isn't going to be a mark of their season. Philly looked impressive against St. Louis though, scoring 31 points and the secondary and defensive line proved to be dangerous. However, the linebacking corps and offensive line still need work to be done, as St. Louis' running backs totaled 154 yards against the Eagles and Vick was rushed plenty, which is a bad sign. The big storyline coming into this game is Vick's return to Atlanta for the first time as a starter. Vick returned before and lit up the Falcons throwing and running for a touchdown in 2009. Atlanta will feature a heavy dose of Michael Turner and if the Eagles can't hold him to under 120 yards, this will be a loss for the Eagles. I think that Vick is going to be charged up emotionally coming back to the place where he was drafted and signed his first $100M deal. So, he will carry the load and be spectacular.
Pick: Philly 34, Atlanta 26
St. Louis at New York Giants
The Giants couldn't shut down Tim Hightower and Rex Grossman on Sunday, which is a shock, as almost everyone considered New York to be a much better team than Washington. But, rivalry game, and away in a hostile environment, but now the Giants are back home to face a depleted Rams team, which has their top wide receiver and running back both injured. Plus, their quarterback in questionable against the Giants, but is looking like he'll play. New York is at home and should be energized playing on Monday Night, so go with the Giants.
Pick: New York 24, St. Louis 17
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