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Thursday, August 31
Tulsa 38 @ (10) Oklahoma State 47: Both of these
teams from the state of Oklahoma finished last season with identical 10 – 3
marks, including lopsided bowl victories. Of course, Oklahoma State maintains
that they really won eleven games because their loss to Central Michigan was
mismanaged by the officials. Ironically, Central Michigan was Tulsa’s bowl
opponent and the officials had nothing to do with the way the Golden Hurricane dismantled
them 55 – 10. Many experts are picking
the Cowboys to win the Big 12 and they’ll be tested by a motivated Tulsa team
that failed to score at least forty points only three times last season. I’ll
take Oklahoma State, but this one could be a barn-burner.
(2) Ohio State 27 @ Indiana 17: Indiana returns nine
starters off a defense that competed pretty well at time last year. This is an
early conference road game for the Buckeyes and they’ll need to be ready to
play if they want to avoid an upset. The Ohio State offense was inconsistent a
year ago and laid an egg in the national semifinal against Clemson. The Indiana
coaching staff will have plenty of film to watch of teams that throttled the
Buckeyes. However, eight offensive and seven defensive starters return for
coach Urban Meyer, so anything less than a return to the playoffs would be a
disappointment.
Florida A&M 17 vs. Arkansas 31 (Little Rock, AR):
In what could be Arkansas’ last game in Little Rock, the Hogs open an important
season for coach Bret Bielema against an FCS opponent that already has a game
under its belt. These games are dangerous, but the Hogs were given a chance to
play on national television to start the season and jumped at it. With nothing
to gain and a lot to lose, they better come out sharp or it could be embarrassing.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a slow start from Arkansas, but they should win
this handily.
New Mexico State 27 @ Arizona State 34: Arizona State head coach Todd Graham is
firmly on the hot seat after the Sun Devils lost their last six games in 2016,
and in only one of them were they within three touchdowns. They were next to
last in the FBS in total defense and dead last defending the pass. New Mexico
State won only three games last season, but they should be better in 2017. This
is a dangerous game for Arizona State, especially with the Aggies having
nothing to lose. If Graham doesn’t improve the defense, it could be a tough
start for the season for the Sum Devils.
Hear my recent interview with legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg, where we discussed his agency, concussions, franchise relocation and philanthropy at http://thechtonsports.com/cold-hard-truth-sports-radio-show-1242017/
Also listen to our conversation with author and sports journalist Mike Carey, as we discussed his latest book "Bad News" about Marvin Barnes and reminisced about Mike's coverage of the Boston Celtics during their glory years with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge and Robert Parish. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/golongmedia/2017/02/08/the-cold-hard-truth-on-sports-radio-show
Don't forget to check out my new book, "Offsetting Penalties - A PK Frazier Novel" at Amazon.com and listen to me Friday's at 8:40 am EDT/ 7:40 am CDT on Lou in the Morning, streaming live on www.WPFLradio.com, 105.1 FM. Also check out www.thechtonsports.com for our podcasts and live broadcast on Tuesday's at 8:30 pm EST. I can also be reached via email at kevin@pkfrazier.com.
Friday, September 1
(8) Washington 37 @ Rutgers 17: Washington travels cross
country to open the season against a Rutgers team that lost its last nine games
in 2016 and possessed the worst offense in the FBS. However, the Scarlet
Knights have a number of grad transfers that should be able to add some life to
an anemic attack. The Huskies will be trying to build on last season’s Pac-12
title and playoff appearance, but they have some holes to fill on defense as
four starters went in the NFL draft. These two teams met in week one last
season with Washington coming out on top by a score of 48 – 13. It might be a
little closer this time around, but I don’t think Rutgers has closed the talent
gap enough to make it close.
Colorado State 31 vs. Colorado 28 (Denver, CO):
Unfortunately for Colorado, their in-state rivals already have a game under
their belt against another Pac-12 foe, Oregon State. Head coach Mike Bobo’s
Rams looked impressive in their new stadium as they put 58 points on the board against
the Beavers. Colorado lost nine defensive starters and also have a new
quarterback, so duplicating last season’s Pac-12 South crown will be difficult.
This game was a one-sided affair last year, with Colorado winning 44 – 7. I
look for a very different result this time around.
Utah State 10 @ (9) Wisconsin 34: Wisconsin was very
close to an undefeated season in 2016 and won the Big Ten West. The scary thing
is they bring back nine offensive and six defensive starters from a team that was
fourth in scoring defense among FBS teams. Utah’s defensive strength is against the pass,
but the Badgers prefer to run the ball, so the Aggies will be at a big
disadvantage. Looking ahead, Wisconsin has a favorable schedule and the talent
to run the table, since they don’t have to play Ohio State and Penn State. They
also host Michigan, so expect this team to be in the national mix come
Thanksgiving.
Hear my recent interview with legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg, where we discussed his agency, concussions, franchise relocation and philanthropy at http://thechtonsports.com/cold-hard-truth-sports-radio-show-1242017/
Also listen to our conversation with author and sports journalist Mike Carey, as we discussed his latest book "Bad News" about Marvin Barnes and reminisced about Mike's coverage of the Boston Celtics during their glory years with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge and Robert Parish. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/golongmedia/2017/02/08/the-cold-hard-truth-on-sports-radio-show
Don't forget to check out my new book, "Offsetting Penalties - A PK Frazier Novel" at Amazon.com and listen to me Friday's at 8:40 am EDT/ 7:40 am CDT on Lou in the Morning, streaming live on www.WPFLradio.com, 105.1 FM. Also check out www.thechtonsports.com for our podcasts and live broadcast on Tuesday's at 8:30 pm EST. I can also be reached via email at kevin@pkfrazier.com.