Opening Weekend
Opening Weekend The 2008 NCAA Football season is now underway. Week one is beginning on Thursday night and extending through Monday. What a great way to kick-off the season. There are definitely some interesting match-ups for this Labor-Day weekend. 

Clemson-Alabama - Let's start with this intriguing match-up in the Georgia Dome. Clemson comes in with a preseason # 9 ranking and is a 4 1/2 point favorite. This is actually a perfect opening game for Nick Saban and Alabama. All the pressure is on Clemson, easily the better team on paper. If Alabama loses, they were not supposed to win. If they win, it will be an excellent confidence booster for the Tide's Sept. 27 game against #1 ranked Georgia.

Look for Clemson to overcome the pressure, take the Tigers minus the 4 1/2.

Michigan State-Califonia - The Michigan State Spartans travel to Berkley to take on the Golden Bears. California is a 4 1/2
point favorite at home. Both Michigan State and Cal will try to control the game on the ground and match up closely. The Spartans with RB Javon Ringer and the Gloden Bears with mobile QB Kevin Riley and RB Jahvid Best. This one could be decided by special teams.

The Spartans Javon Ringer should control the return game, go with the Spartans plus the 4 1/2.

Tennessee-UCLA - New UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel opens at home as a 7 1/2 point underdog. There are huge holes on both sides of the ball for each of these teams. Tennessee has a talented group of wide receiver options for QB Jason Crompton to chose from on offense. UCLA will have to play perfect, mistake free football to have a chance at a victory.

Tennessee should win, but this one will be closer then most think, take UCLA getting 7 1/2.

In the immortal words of former boxing referee, Judge Mills Lane, "Let's get it on!"