It's back time to BTFU baby

First off before getting into college football gotta say loving the US Open, I have been yelling at my TV more than I can remember loved watching 17 yr old Duval with an AMAZING backstory pull out the huge win, and seeing the US crowd completly back the french player when he was playing an America that never happens.  One thing I could do without Chris Fowler seriously dude STFU and let the real experts talk.

Now, onto the topic at hand it's college football season baby, and I can't wait for Saturday.  Boilers have a TOUGH opener traveling to Cincinnati for a tough road game.  More on that in a bit plus a prediction.  Interesting to see how the Boilers do, lots of questions led by a brand new coach.  Guest picking this week is Topolk, his Clemson Tigers have the game of the week a tough match up with Georgia.  Make sure you give Topolk's blog a read, I will tell ya found some great music via his blog.  Now, onto the picks!

Liberty Flames at Kent State Golden Flashes(DG)
Phats- For those that don't know our new coach was KSU's coach last year this should be an easy W for the Flashes
Kent State 35 Liberty 10

Topolk- As NC has become for my home, I want to cheer for the home team but Kent State will probably extinguish the Flames with little trouble.
Liberty 13, Kent State 38

William & Mary Tribe at West Virginia Mountaineers(Angel Jr)
Phats- Typical first week opponent for a power team should be over by halftime
West Virginia 59 William and Mary 7

Topolk- West BAH GAWD Virginia wins this one running away. The Tribe won't have anything to stop that high powered Mountaineer offense.
W&M 10, West BAH GAWD Virginia 62


Murray State Racers at Missouri Tigers(Nutz)
Phats- This would be a great basketball match up and I might even take the Racers if that were the case but this is football, Missouri should take it
Missouri 35 Murray State 14

Topolk- Where is Murray State? Who knows. Who's going to be watching this game? Who knows? Why the hell is Missouri and SEC team now? Who kno...oh yeah. Money.

Murray State 14, Missouri 40

 

Elon Phoenix at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets(Emily)

Phats- Yawn boring next!
Georgia Tech 52 Elon 0

Topolk- Another NC school. While Liberty will probably hang with Kent State for a bit, the Phoenix will be completely out classed by GT.

Elon 9, Georgia Tech 41

 
Austin Peay Governors at Tennessee Volunteers(Tiggy)
Phats- Should be a nice W before the SEC beats em down
Tennessee 41 Austin Peay 10

Topolk-  Is this the year Tennessee returns to form? Under new coach Butch Davis, just maybe. It may be a bit before he gets his offensive system completely installed, but he should be able to turn the Vols around. Which is great, that fanbase deserves better than what they've gotten for the past 6 years.

Austin Peay 7, Tennessee 30

New Mexico State Aggies at Texas Longhorns(Cheryl, Gary)
Phats- How is Texas suppose to be this year?  Won't matter they will win this one convincingly
Texas 31 New Mexico State 7

Topolk- N. Mexico State 18 (yes, 18), Texas 39

Idaho Vandals(Shife) at North Texas Mean Green
Phats- I am ready to VTFU and this is a winnable game for the lovable group from Moscow.  I am going with the Vandals mostly because Shife is my Blog BFF
Idaho 41 North Texas 34

Topolk- I'm sorry. I can't support a team who's nickname is the "Mean Green." Here's to the Vandals going 1-0.
Idaho 27, North Texas 17

Wyoming Cowboys at Nebraska Cornhuskers(Travis)
Phats- I am tempted to take the Cowboys here because of my buddy Travis' digs at cheerleader :) but I am not dumb Huskers might start slow but they will win this one
Nebraska 31 Wyoming 17

Topolk- Man, this game sounds like it will be horribly boring. Here's to the tailgates in Lincoln being stocked up on their corn liquor.

Wyoming 17, Nebraska 35

Texas Tech Red Raiders(Jef, Fuzz) at SMU Mustangs
Phats- Remember the pony express?  That was a LONG time ago
Texas Tech 28 SMU 17

Topolk- Guns up?

Texas Tech 44, SMU 30

Boise State Broncos(Duck) at Washington Huskies
Phats- Is Washington still good??  Boise State I read is an early pick as a possible BCS team again.  I think this will be a tough opener but the Broncos will come through.
Boise State 28 Washington 24

Topolk- Hmm. Vegas is calling for the upset. Even so, I have no faith in Washington. I'll put my money with Chris Petersen.

Boise State 34, Washington 28

Alabama Crimson Tide(Gary, Cheryl) vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Phats- I will give it up to Bama they play tough openers, this one in Atlanta.  The ACC is a big pretender they talk like they can hang with the big boys but never usually do.  Don't see the Hokies staying within 3 scores in this one sorry boys.
Alabama 38 Virginia Tech 17

Topolk- Somehow, someway, Virginia Tech got convinced to come back to Atlanta to play Alabama in the Chick Fil-A Kickoff Game AGAIN. Sadly, history will repeat itself and Hokie fans will be making that long trip home with their feathers tucked between their legs.

Alabama 34, Virginia Tech 17

Georgia Bulldogs at Clemson Tigers(Topolk, Emily) 
Phats- Great first week match up, Clemson is the only ACC team I think can hang with the big boys out there, and this is a great opportunity.  Infact I think if the Tigers can survive this they have a great shot at making it to the title game.  Here is the problem UGA is good, and won't be scared of Clemson, or playing at Clemson.  I have gone back and forth with this and my gut says Georgia wins a thriller sorry guys :(
Georgia 28 Clemson 24

Topolk- This game has a lot of questions... Can Georgia score on the road? Will Clemson be able to effectively run the ball? How will Georgia's depleted secondary handle Clemson's talented receivers? Will Clemson's defense continue to improve in Jeff Veneables (DC) second year? While I doubt we'll get all of the answers, it should be fun to watch. If nothing else, it'll be better than the last time Georgia came into Death Valley...

Georgia 30, Clemson 38

Purdue Boilermakers at Cincinnati Bearcats
Phats- Well the Hazell era begins and it's going to be a tough game on the road against a team that is projected to finish high in their conference, a sold out stadium should be a good one.  I am not sure what to expect yet from this team I think they will be more disciplined that is for sure.  My heart, gut, and head for the first time in awhile are all in line, and regardless of the spreads which NONE favor us I feel like we can win this game.  Big key will be good start, and limit turnovers and I think the Boilers come out with a HUGE W to start the season
Purdue 28 Cincinnati 17

Topolk-Can one of the worst teams in the B1G knock off the second best team from Island of Misfit Teams that is the American Athletic Conference? Well, probably. I'm going to give Cincinnati the edge here only because they're playing at home.
Purdue 20, Cincinnati 31 

Hail Hail to old Purdue all Hail to our old gold and black
Hail Hail to old Purdue our friendship may she never lack
Ever Grateful, ever true thus we raise our song a new FIRE UP!
Of the days we've spent with you, all Hail our own Purdue
GO BOILERS!

Almost

Well, it's finally time this coming weekend college football returns, and I for one can't wait.  Look for the first picks of the season on Thursday, I have a guest blogger lined up whose team has a huge game this weekend.  We have a tough opener, hell we have a tough schedule, we travel to Cincinnati this weekend to play the bearcats it'll be interesting to see what happens.  For those that don't know we have a new coach, new staff, new attitude.  It's been great reading articles on the progress, and interesting to hear players talk about how now they have to be disciplined and can't be late to practices like they were in the past.  No wonder we had so many penalties under Danny Hope!  So, the big problem facing Coach Hazell in his first year is the schedule, ESPN, and other sites have our schedule ranked 3 or 4th toughest in the COUNTRY.  Everyone agreeing we play the toughest schedule in the B1G so lets take a look at it including my predictions

At Cincinnati- Tough opener for Hazell and the gang, but I like our chances.  Not saying we're going to win but I think we'll be in this one even though everyone is counting us out. 

Indiana State- Home opener a team not from Division 1 or whatever the hell they call the divisions now.  Sycamores are a dangerous team but should be a W.  For those that don't know ISU is where Larry Bird went to college.

Notre Dame- Under the lights at Ross Ade always electric last year a MISSED(HORRIBLY MISSED) delay of game call on ND and we might have won at ND last year.  Not sure what's gonna happen with this one but can't wait.

At Wisconsin- Camp Randall is the toughest place to play in America, or one of them, and the trend lately doesn't support us doing well in this game.

Northern Illinois- Homecoming!!  Taking on last year's cinderella the team that crashed the BCS party and return their 'Heisman" candidate QB.  Last time we played NIU at home we lost hope this is different :)

Nebraska- Easy W right Travis??  haha first time we will play the Husker's in football since they have been added to the B1G never easy to take on a power and they travel really well could be a long day at Ross Ade

At Michigan State- We have had some epic battles with MSU with some CRAZY comebacks

Ohio State- This might sound odd but for some reason Purdue teams don't fear OSU we have won the last two times they have come to Ross Ade, and last year we should have won at the horseshoe we had them beat til our now fired coach made some weird choices and lost in OT.  This could be another thriller

Iowa- Oddly enough the Hawkeyes became our protected rival when they went to divisions got a huge win there last year should be another close one.

At Penn State- Will the sanctions catch up to them a little more this year?  I think so this is winnable. 

Illinois- Such a mystery team last year they sucked the year before opened 6-0 before losing to us who knows what we'll get when we play them

at Indiana- The battle for the Old Oaken Bucket the Boilers OWN this series, iu is suppose to be better but better than what god awful?!  Hazell keeps the bucket in West Lafayette in his first year you heard it here first.

When it comes down to it this is a TOUGH schedule I am hoping for 6-6 and getting a minor bowl which would be successful in Hazell's first year, but that's going to be hard to see.  I think the Cincy game is HUGE start off with a win and who knows what happens.  I do know we start Saturday bring it on, and BOILER UP!

Phats

Getting you prepared

OK it's almost that time where this blog goes pretty much all sports, so I am preparing you for that with something that's vital for all of you to know. The words to Hail Purdue the greatest fight song in all of sports!! Now this video is the pregame from the Notre Dame game(man Ross Ade is electric at night) and this shows all of our fight songs, Fighting Varsity, Hail Locomotive, For the Honor of Old Purdue, and the greatest of all Hail Purdue which is the one I am sharing the words for. First game is Aug 31st at Cincinnati I expect you to know them by then :) It should be noted that the band has always said FIRE UP after anew, but the fans have changed it to Boiler Up and I cave to peer pressure and use the Boiler Up.

HAIL PURDUE
To Your Call Once More We Rally; Alma Mater Hear Our Praise.
Where The Wabash Spreads Its Valley; Filled With Joy Our Voices Raise.
From The Skies In Swelling Echoes Come The Cheers That Tell The Tale
Of Your Vict'ries And Your Heros, Hail Purdue! We Sing All Hail!
Hail, Hail To Old Purdue! All Hail To Our Old Gold And Black!
Hail, Hail To Old Purdue! Our Friendship May She Never Lack.
Ever Grateful, Ever True, Thus We Raise Our Song Anew;(BOILER UP!)
Of The Days We've Spent With You, All Hail Our Own Purdue!(GO BOILERS!)

 I am telling you this gives me goosebumps everytime I hear Hail Purdue, GO BOILERS!

The Train is Coming

Well, the calendar has turned to August so that means Boilermaker football is almost here and I CAN'T wait!!! Practices actually started yesterday and the first game is just weeks away. Heads up I will be doing a pick em on here again each week would love to have you all help and guest pick again makes it more fun. As for the Boilers fans are excited for the first time in year's mostly because our AD finally pulled the plug on our inept coach Danny Hope, and hired a guy who has done a fantastic job getting Boiler Nation excited in Coach Hazell, formerly of Kent State(yes DG that kent state!) Since he was hired he spent time getting the students excited about the upcoming season, he went to the cafeteria and ate with them, hung out with the Paint Crew at a basketball game, went to a frat/sorority party and then he attacked the community, speaking whenever possible to the fanbase and it worked ticket sales are way up. When it comes to the season having a winning one will be hard, getting to 6-6 isn't impossible but need to survive a brutal stretch that includes the B1G's toughest OOC schedule, and quite possibly one of the toughest OOC schedules in the country. Getting to a bowl game even a crappy one I firmly believe he will have earned his paycheck. I will go more in depth on a later post of the upcoming season. So, what time you rooting for I need to know so I know who to pick, and how's your team looking? What a monster first game match up of Clemson vs UGA that's going to be a blockbuster, and I bet a CRAZY atmosphere. Hope everyone has a great week, it's back to work for me in a few :( boo!! Phats