College football season is here, and not a day too soon! Nine games are on the docket, but one is clearly the main attraction. #16 Oregon will visit the blue turf to take on the #14 Boise State Broncos in a west coast showdown. Both teams are known for their electric offense, not to mention their vibrant color schemes. It will be a test of wills on the field, and a test of retinas on the TV screen. Oregon is coming off a 9-3 season and looks to challenge USC and Cal for the Pac-10 title this year. Boise State, a perennial WAC favorite, is coming off what seemed like another ho-hum undefeated season. Fans can expect fireworks as these two teams duke it out in front of a national audience. Thursday night’s matchup should have a bowl game feel to it.
On the Ducks’ side, the main story is the departure of 14 year head coach, Mike Belotti. Belotti made the jump to the Athletic Director’s office, leaving former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly at the helm. The player to watch will be RB LeGarrette Blount, who gained 1,000+ yards last season splitting carries with Jeremiah Johnson. With Johnson gone, Blount figures to be the feature back for Oregon.
For the Broncos, the key to their attack will likely be the passing game. Kellen Moore returns at QB and has two weapons at the wideout spots in Austin Pettis and Titus Young, who was suspended for the majority of last season, but figures to be a deep threat for the Boise State offense. It will be on the defensive side of the ball where Boise’s fate will lie. If the Broncos can stifle the Oregon offensive attack, they should find a way to put enough points on the board to outlast the Ducks.
This is a huge season opener for both teams, as one loss typically will take a team out of the national championship picture. The winner, on the other hand, will likely vault into the top twelve, on the strength of the season’s biggest victory of Week 1. Grab your popcorn, as T.O. would say, because these two teams from the Northwest are sure to put on a show!
MCeezy’s Prediction: Boise State 30 – Oregon 21
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:26 am
This game has all the makings of either being a real barn-burner or a complete bore ! However I doubt that it’ll be as bad as what’s being anticipated ‘tween the ‘Noles and Canes on Labor Day. I’d rather watch paint dry or hit a titty bar for that matter !
Alan Parkins
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:55 am
Dyslecix Prediction: Oregon 34 – Boise St 27
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:58 am
I only watch ’em . I don’t pick ’em . That’s as good as it gets for me . Lost far too much money as a kid back in the UK betting on the ponies. I won some then I’d lose far more than I wanted with some of my bets.
Alan Parkins
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:58 pm
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September 4th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Guess it wasn’t really the shootout everyone predicted. Although, Boise also stymied the Ducks a lot more than expected.
September 4th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Where a Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian sex tape when you need one ?
Can’t say that the game between the Canes and ‘noles will be all that different either.
Here’s a link to my take on it .
http://americansportsblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/a-bedtime-story-and-fairy-tale-all-rolled-up-into-one/
Alan Parkins