Friday, September 11, 2009

Hot Off The Grill - CFB Week 2



The beginning of the football season sees RSS debut our new feature "Hot Off The Grill." In previewing both College Football and the NFL we'll breakdown the weekend's biggest players, stories, and games by channeling our heritage at Randall Simon's Sausages. Our foam sausage friends will provide us with insight into what to watch this weekend as only they can. First up, the college kids are on the menu. Fire up the grill, get the tailgates ready and the sausages cookin, and follow me!

Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - #3 USC @ #8 Ohio St.

The game of the week is obviously in C-Bus as OSU looks (again) to finally shut everyone in the MSM up and win a big game. USC only has to look to the Longhorns who came into the Shoe and won a few years ago, but Texas had Vince Young, not a Freshman QB. The key to this game though is in the trenches. Ohio St. has gotten killed up front on both sides of the ball in recent years, which has led to their overall demise. Most people assume it's the skill positions where OSU is at a disadvantage, but it's a lack of quality and athleticism up front which is their biggest issue.

Matt Barkley looked good in his 1st start, but so would I with McKnight, Johnson, and Havili against San Jose State. If it stays close, Terrelle Pryor might make just enough plays to see it through, but if USC gets off to a hot start and takes the crowd out of it, the streets of Columbus will look like a scene from the Odyssey. A tough pick, the heart says Ohio State, the head says USC. PICK - Push?? Ok fine, Ohio State.

Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - #18 Notre Dame @ Meeeechigan

Our spotlight game features two resurgent powers, if you listen to most CFB pundits that is. I'm not ready to crown either of these teams yet after dispatching of Nevada and Western Mich. in Week 1. I'm also not sure how ND is #18 in the country, but that's another issue for another day. One of these teams is going back to earth quickly, my pick is that it's Michigan. The RichRod Era doesn't seem like it should be able to turn around so quickly. Jimmy Clausen and his great WR's will uncover Michigan's true weakness the past few years, it's secondary. PICK - ND

Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - #19 UNC @ UConn

Our spicy friend will provide us with the upset of the week throughout the season. This week, UNC is really the only ranked team in danger of losing this week at Connecticut. Yes, UConn lost Donald Brown and didn't look especially sharp in Athens (OH, not GA). However, if UNC thinks they are becoming an elite program, Butch Davis and co. will have to take a step back towards reality this week. PICK - UConn

Andouille's UTR Game - Purdue @ Oregon

The vastly underrated andouille gives us our Under The Radar Game of the Week, taking us to Eugene. Lost in the PunchGate saga is how poor Oregon played against Boise. They face another tough test Saturday as Purdue comes to town. Purdue looked dynamic in their opener, and with all of the controversy surrounding Oregon, this could be a solid win for the Big 10. Both of these programs could really use a win in an important non-conference game that you should keep an eye on this week. Pick - Purdue

Hot Dog Of The Week - Alabama RB Mark Ingram

The Bama Sophomore was the breakout star of Week 1 with his fantastic all-around performance in the Georgia Dome against Va Tech. Y2 likes his angry running style, and he could lead Bama to the top of the rankings. He gets a chance this week against FIU to pad the stats and start building towards a surprise Heisman campaign.

Extra Toppings -

-How will Boise State and BYU respond after huge wins last week? Tulane and Miami (OH) are two good opponents to continue the mojo for the BCS Busters.
-Spurrier's reign at South Carolina has probably been the biggest disappointment in college pig the last 5 years. They were more relevant under Lou Holtz for goodness sake! Another loss Between the Hedges at UGA will drive the Ol' Ballcoach closer to the golf course.
-Please resist the temptation to anoint the winner of the ND/UM showdown as a National Title contender.
-Also resist the urge to anoint Lane Kiffin a genius when they whomp UCLA in Knoxville.
-Texas' trip to Wyoming is the strangest road game this decade. Unless Colt McCoy and crew get mauled by buffaloes and grizzly bears at Yellowstone, there isn't a lot of danger in this fixture.
-Take a trip to Yellowstone before you die, it's worth it.
-Where has the Big East gone exactly??
-Idaho State continues Oklahoma's woes with a shocking win... a guy can dream right?
-I'm really hoping for an OSU win this weekend, not to be a C-Bus homer... but just to see the reaction of the Mark May's and Colin Cowherd's of the world. Go ahead and lose every other game this year Bucks, just win this one for me please.
-I'm also really hoping Troy finishes within 50 points of Florida.

Randall's Got His Eye On You... Jim Tressel

This week is a watershed game for the Sweater Vest. Whacked in 2 BCS Title games, whacked by USC... it hasn't been a fun time lately for Jimmy T in Columbus. If he fails to beat USC this weekend, don't be surprised to see the questions and doubts start to swirl around Tressel. He's nearly untouchable here in Columbus, but another big game loss could spell the beginning of the end of the Tressel Era at Ohio State. His poor coaching decision of going for a 4th & 2 last week instead of kicking a FG to go up 18 in the 4th was lost in the hoopla of the Navy escape. Another wrong move this week, or another blowout could have Randall's bat aimed squarely at Jim Tressel.

Hot Off The Grill returns soon with our look ahead at Week 1 in the National. Football. League. Enjoy the weekend!

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