5 Games You Don't Want to Miss This Weekend

This is the first full weekend of football this year and I am sure everyone is looking forward to sitting in front of the TV and just watching football all weekend. But unfortunately the Saturday slate of games is pretty weak. There is only 1 game featuring two ranked teams....OSU vs USC.

Sunday should be better but even there you have questions because you just don't know which games are going to be worth turning on.

So I am going to give my best 5 games to watch this weekend. Enjoy the weekend!


Saturday:

Notre Dame at Michigan

Two programs that everyone loves to hate which were down in the past couple years. As much as many of us would LOVE for these programs to always struggle I think they are both heading in the right direction.

This is a tougher game for Notre Dame then people think. Michigan still gets good recruiting classes and still has athletes. And let's really consider who Notre Dame has beat in the past couple seasons...UCLA, Duke, Stanford, San Diego State, Michigan (last year), Purdue, Stanford, Washington, Navy, Hawaii, and Nevada.

WOW...that is weak!

Now Michigan was terrible last season and I think Rich Rod is a terrible coach who will NEVER win a Big Ten Championship (he couldn't win consistently in the Big East...how is he going to succeed in the Big Ten) but he will have limited success.

I think Notre Dame is highly over rated and they will lose by double digits today in the Big House.


USC at Ohio State

Not sure what to make of this game. Freshman quarterback headed into very hostile environment in a retribution game from last seasons beat down by USC in LA.

But Ohio State is replacing starters all over the field and struggled mightily with Navy last week. Remember though that Navy is better than many D-1 teams so that shouldn't have been a huge surprise...they are good.

I just don't see how Ohio State can win this game. They obviously have the motivation but I don't think they have the players. I am not sure what the numbers are but I would imagine they are replacing at least 12 starters on both sides of the ball....not good when you struggle in Week 1 and then get USC in week 2.

USC by 10.


Sunday:

Miami at Atlanta

The two biggest surprises last season start the season against each other. Personally I am down on both teams although the more I look at Atlanta the more I like. As for the first week....I think it is a crap shoot. You can pick any game and you will probably find something to question between the two teams.

This game is no different. Atlanta has a great running game, a solid passing game, and a average (or worse) defense. Miami is an average team across the board but they have the attitude.

In this game...the first week of the season...I take the Dolphins.


Washington at NY Giants

In my personal opinion the Redskins are going to be a team that surprises this year. No one is picking them to win the the division or even compete for that matter. But remember this....Jason Campbell is (I believe) entering his FIRST season in something like 7 or 8 where he is working with the SAME OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR as the year before.

That is going to be HUGE. Then you add into that a full year of DeAngelo Hall and the addition of Albert Haynesworth and I think this team makes the playoffs.

In week 1 though they have to travel to the Meadowlands (where Eli generally struggles) to play the defending division champs. Questions abound the Giants offense...can Jacobs carry more of the load and stay healthy? Who steps up and replaces Plaxico Burress? Can the offensive line stay healthy for another entire season?

That is a lot to wonder about....I think they do okay against the Skins in week 1 though and I have the G-Men.


Chicago at Green Bay

Jay Cutler gets his first crack at an actual defense with his stellar receiving core. Against one of the better pass defenses in the league last season too boot. Fortunately for Cutler he has Matt Forte in the backfield with him and with the Packers moving to a 3-4 I think he could have success this week.

But will that be enough? Chicago was one of the WORST pass defenses in the league last season and there is no reason to think they will be much better this year. Aaron Rodgers could have his best game of the season in week 1 this year.

I like the Packers at home but it should be a good close game.