The Sports Network

By Scott Haynes, Senior College Football Editor

GAME NOTES: The most anticipated season-opener on the docket in 2010 takes place on Labor Day in Landover, as the third-ranked Boise State Broncos set out to prove their lofty ranking is warranted, as they take on the 10th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies at FedEx Field.

Head coach Chris Petersen has amassed an impressive 49-4 record in his four seasons at Boise State, including leading the Broncos to 26 wins in their last 27 games. Last season was banner year, with BSU becoming just the second team in NCAA history to record a 14-0 season, capped off by a 17-10 win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

This season will be Boise State’s last opportunity to terrorize the rest of the Western Athletic Conference, as the team will make the move to the more competitive Mountain West in 2011.

Virginia Tech has been a picture of consistency for some time and 2009 was more of the same, as the team posted 10 victories, the sixth straight season with double-digit wins. The Hokies finished 6-2 in league play last season, good for a second-place finish in the Coastal Division and capped off the year with a 37-14 whipping of Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

As a reward, head coach Frank Beamer was recently awarded a contract extension through the 2016 season.

“I appreciate Virginia Tech?s confidence in me leading this program. I believe that continuity has led to the consistency in our program, and we hope for even better days ahead.”

This marks the first-ever meeting between these two teams.

Coach Petersen is certainly aware of the pressure that will come each and every game for the Broncos, as they set out to burst the BCS bubble in 2010 and his confidence in star QB Kellen Moore and the rest of the offense is evident.

“Our whole offense is set up, and always has been, to make our quarterback as successful as anybody in the country and if we can do that, those other 10 guys can do that, then it’s going to bode well for our program. There’s going to be one guy who gets a lot of headlines because other guys are playing well around him and Kellen gets that.”

System quarterback or not, Moore is a special player that ranked second in the nation last year in pass efficiency (161.65) and TD passes (39). Even more impressive is the fact that Moore attempted 431 passes a year ago and had just three interceptions, setting a new NCAA record for the lowest percentage of passes (0.69) picked off.

It certainly helps to have a pair of All-American candidates on the outside in Titus Young and Austin Pettis. Both are poised for a huge 2010 after posting eye-popping numbers a year ago. Young was responsible for 79 receptions for 1,041 yards and 10 touchdowns and Pettis converted his 63 catches into 855 yards and a team-best 14 scores.

Senior Jeremy Avery will again be the primary ball carrier, but a healthy D.J. Harper will only further enhance a strong ground game that netted 186.1 yards per game in 2009.

Add a solid offensive line, and there’s very little this offense won’t be able to do this season.

The scoring offense for the Broncos was ranked first in the nation last year with 42.2 ppg, and that may have taken a little of attention away from a solid defensive unit. The Broncos finished first in the WAC and 14th nationally in scoring defense (17.1 ppg), and coach Petersen thinks it can only get better given the coaching staff he’s got supporting him and the players.

“We’re blessed to get Bob Gregory (Nickels/OLBs) back, with his history with us and with our defense, he’s as good as a coach as there is out there in the country. For him to come back and be a part of our staff was huge. I think Peter Kwiatkowski, our defensive coordinator…is a heck of a football mind. I’ve said this earlier, if we’re not as good on defense as we’ve been in the past it’s not because of our coaches, its because of some other things.”

Everything starts with a defensive line that moves fast and hits hard. Leading the way in the trenches is defensive end Ryan Winterswyk, a two-time First Team All-WAC selection. Winterswyk finished second in the league in both tackles for loss (17) and sacks (nine) last season. Fellow lineman Billy Winn can also cause problems up the field, placing second on the team with six sacks and 12.5 TFLs last year.

Returning linebackers JC Percy and Hunter White will be aided by plenty of returning talent in the secondary. One such player is Jeron Johnson, who finished first on the team in tackles in ’09 (91).

The Tech offense was set for a letdown in 2009, as ACC Freshman of the Year, Darren Evans was lost to a knee injury before the season even started. However, Beamer found his savior on the ground in the form of freshman Ryan Williams, who burst on the scene en route to Third-Team All- American honors, racking up 1,655 yards rushing (5.6 ypc) and a whopping 21 TDs. Williams was the workhorse for an offense that managed an impressive 208.2 yards rushing per outing. Not much should change in 2010, as Williams will try to build on his highly successful debut season, while Evans, by all accounts, is ready to return as well. With undoubtedly the best tailback tandem in the country, expect Tech to do what it does best and that is run the football. Williams came into camp this year in phenomenal shape and is chomping at the bit to get going.

“I feel good at 202,” said Williams. “I played half the season last season at 195-197, so I feel good with where I’m at. The weight works good for me right now.”

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor will once again resume his role under center and while the Hokies don’t throw the ball very much, Taylor did complete over 56 percent of his passes last season, for 2,311 yards and 13 TDs, so he is more than willing to air it out when given the opportunity. It certainly helps to have his top six pass catchers back in the fold, headlined by WRs Jarrett Boykin (40 receptions, 835 yards, five TDs) and Danny Coale (30 receptions, 614 yards, three TDs). Taylor will also have the luxury of three returning starters up front, led by right tackle Blake Christopher (6-5, 305), who was All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2009.

There is depth behind Taylor at QB as well and Beamer has confidence that both redshirt freshman Logan Thomas and redshirt sophomore Ju-Ju Clayton will be up to the challenge if called upon this year.

“We’re fortunate to have two quality back ups at quarterback, both of whom are at a stage that they can go in and win a game for us.”

It is expected year-in and year-out that Virginia Tech is going to put a stingy defense on the field and 2009 was no different, limiting foes to a mere 15.6 ppg, on 295.5 yards of total offense. The 2010 version returns just five starters, but talent abounds on this side of the football in Blacksburg and there is little doubt that Beamer will find the right additions to once again put an elite stop unit on the field. Mass defections along the line is a reason for some concern and someone will need to step up and make plays upfield. The linebacking corps has some losses as well, but the unit should hold its own, led by junior ILB Barquell Rivers, who finished 2009 with 96 tackles (6.5 TFLs). The secondary lost some talent too, but the hope is that seniors like CB Rashad Carmichael and S Davon Morgan can lead by example. Carmichael is regarded as one of the ACC’s best cover corners after collecting six INTs in 2009.

This game will probably live up to the hype. Tech is no stranger to big season-openers, following last year’s slugfest with national champion Alabama. Still, the changes on the defensive side of the ball couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the Hokies’ new look defense will be staring down the barrel of the most potent offense in the country. Fireworks are likely to ensue and in the end, Boise State may just pass its toughest road block en route to a national title shot.

FREE NCAAF PICK:  UNDER 51

FACTS & STATS: Site: M&T Bank Stadium (71,008) — Baltimore, Maryland. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Navy 0-0, Maryland 0-0. Away Record: Navy 0-0, Maryland 0-0. Neutral Record: Navy 0-0, Maryland 0-0. Conference Record: Navy 0-0, Maryland 0-0. Series Record: Navy leads, 14-6.

GAME NOTES: For the 21st time Maryland and Navy will clash on the football field, as the Terrapins and Midshipmen open their respective 2010 campaigns at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

The Terps won the most recent meeting between the two schools on the gridiron, defeating Navy, 23-20 back in 2005. However, the Midshipmen hold a 14-6 edge over Maryland in the all-time series and that includes a 3-2 edge over the Terps in matchups in Baltimore.

The Midshipmen are coming off a sensational season in which the team reeled off 10 victories, en route to its seventh straight Commander-In-Chief Trophy. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo set a school record with 18 wins in his first two seasons on the sideline for Navy and with the winning campaign in 2009 the Midshipmen have posted eight or more wins in seven straight seasons.

Ralph Friedgen will begin his 10th season on the sideline for Maryland, and the coach will be looking for a much improved team. Friedgen posted 10-win campaigns in his first three seasons in College Park, but last year was one of his worst at Maryland, as the Terps finished with a terrible 2-10 ledger. However, Friedgen’s team has performed well in season openers, winning six of nine, and five of its last six.

In 2010 Navy will go as far as quarterback Ricky Dobbs can lead them. Dobbs is coming off an amazing 2009 campaign in which he rushed for 1,203 yards and broke Tim Tebow’s record for rushing touchdowns scored by a quarterback with 27. What could be a scary thought is that Dobbs prepared throughout the off- season and heads into the opener looking to perfect the triple-option.

Dobbs will not be the only player carrying the ball for Navy in 2010, as coach Niumatalolo will use Aaron Santiago and Gee Gee Greene at slot back. However, if neither play can perform on a consistent basis there are plenty of options that can step in.

For a triple-option to be truly successful the offensive line must be top notch and fortunately for Navy that is the case, as seniors Jeff Battipaglia and Matt Malloy are back for their senior campaigns.

On top of the strong play offensively, the Midshipmen also put forth a tenacious effort defensively in 2009.

The front line will be anchored by Jabaree Tuani, who is entering his junior campaign. Tuani is looking to bounce back after suffering through a mediocre sophomore season.

The linebacking corps is very inexperienced heading into the new season. Senior middle linebacker Tyler Simmons is the lone returnee with any experience, as his 68 tackles ranked third on the team. Aaron McCauley will also get the nod to start the opener on the outside, and he will need to make an immediate impact.

It is quite the opposite situation in the secondary, where the Midshipmen return a wealth of veteran players. Senior rover Wyatt Middleton doubles as defensive captain and consistent playmaker. Middleton, a starter since his freshman year, collected 68 tackles a year ago.

The Terps had plenty of problems last season offensively, but there are some major components back for the upcoming season, beginning with Da’Rel Scott.

Scott, who was a First-Team All-ACC selection in 2008, had a terrible showing last year, finishing with just 424 yards. However, with three starters back on the offensive line, look for Scott to return to his 2008 form. If Scott is unable to get things going, there is a strong chance Davin Meggett could steal some carries.

The passing game will now be in the hands of junior Jamarr Robinson, who started two games in 2009 and saw time in five others. Robinson will certainly benefit from the play of junior wideout Torrey Smith, whose versatility earned him All-ACC Second-Team honors as both a receiver and return specialist. The other side of the field will be manned by senior Adrian Cannon, giving Robinson two dangerous targets.

Much like the offense, the defense for Maryland had trouble finding a groove in 2009. Unfortunately for coach Friedgen there is not much experience back, so it is unclear if this unit will be improved in the new season.

One of the few returning starters for this unit however, is linebacker Alex Wujciak. The 6-2, 230-pound senior is one of the top linebackers in the entire nation, coming off a season in which he ranked eighth nationally in tackles per game (10.92), en route to All-ACC First-Team honors.

Joining Wujciak at linebacker will be senior Adrian Moten, and sophomore Demetrius Hartsfield. Hartsfield has plenty of potential and could catch a few eyes in the opener.

The linebackers could be very busy this season, with three sophomores starting on the defensive line on Monday. Drew Gloster is the lone veteran up front, but out of the three underclassmen look for Justin Anderson to make the biggest impact.

Cameron Chism, who collected four interceptions a year ago, will be the leader in the secondary and is a solid option at corner. However, the big question mark lies at the other corner slot, which will be split between Trenton Hughes and Dexter McDougle. Both players will get plenty of chances to showcase their talents on Monday and throughout the season.

The Midshipmen are not a complicated team, their goal is to run their opponent into the ground. Maryland is coming off a very poor 2009 campaign and a win to start the new season off would be fantastic, but it is unlikely to happen. Dobbs and company should have this Navy squad in the win column by the final whistle.

FREE NCAAF PICK: OVER 48

Oddsmakers currently have the Golden Hurricane listed as 7-point favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total is sitting at 59.

2009 Team Records:
Tulsa: 5-7 SU, 4-6-1 ATS
East Carolina: 9-5 SU, 7-6 ATS

Tulsa most recently:
When playing in September are 8-2
When playing on grass are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing within the conference are 4-6

East Carolina most recently:
When playing in September are 5-5
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing within the conference are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tulsa’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tulsa’s last 5 games
Tulsa is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Tulsa is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
East Carolina is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
East Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Next up:
Tulsa home to Bowling Green, Saturday, September 11
East Carolina home to Memphis, Saturday, September 11

FREE PICK : OVER 59

Oddsmakers currently have the Cougars listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Huskies, while the game’s total is sitting at 56½.

2009 Team Records:
Washington: 5-7 SU, 7-5 ATS
BYU: 11-2 SU, 6-7 ATS

Washington most recently:
When playing in September are 2-8
When playing on grass are 1-9
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 3-7

BYU most recently:
When playing in September are 8-2
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 6 games
Washington is 7-15 ATS in its last 22 games
Washington is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games
Washington is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
BYU is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
BYU is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of BYU’s last 12 games
BYU is 7-15 ATS in its last 22 games

Next up:
Washington home to Syracuse, Saturday, September 11
BYU at Air Force, Saturday, September 11

FREE PICK: BYU -2

Oddsmakers currently have the Tigers listed as 9½-point favorites versus the Tar Heels, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.

2009 Team Records:
North Carolina: 8-5 SU, 5-6 ATS
LSU: 9-4 SU, 5-6-2 ATS

North Carolina most recently:
When playing in September are 5-5
When playing on grass are 5-5
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 8-2

LSU most recently:
When playing in September are 10-0
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
North Carolina is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
North Carolina is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of LSU’s last 18 games on the road
LSU is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LSU’s last 9 games
LSU is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games on the road

Next up:
North Carolina home to Georgia Tech, Saturday, September 18
LSU at Vanderbilt, Saturday, September 11

FREE PICK: LSU -9.5

Oddsmakers currently have the Badgers listed as 20-point favorites versus the Rebels, while the game’s total is sitting at 54½.

2009 Team Records:
Wisconsin: 10-3 SU, 6-6 ATS
UNLV: 5-7 SU, 3-8 ATS

Wisconsin most recently:
When playing in September are 9-1
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 9-1

UNLV most recently:
When playing in September are 5-5
When playing on turf are 4-6
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Wisconsin is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Wisconsin is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing UNLV
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Wisconsin’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Wisconsin’s last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of UNLV’s last 6 games
UNLV is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of UNLV’s last 6 games at home
UNLV is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games

Next up:
Wisconsin home to San Jose State, Saturday, September 11
UNLV at Utah, Saturday, September 11

FREE PICK: Wisconsin  -20

GAME NOTES: The 2010 season will kick off for two schools this Friday evening when the Toledo Rockets host the Arizona Wildcats at the Glass Bowl. Arizona’s visit to the Glass Bowl marks the first time that a Pac-10 school will travel to a school from the Mid-American Conference. However, this is not the first meeting between the two teams.

The Wildcats have won the previous two matchups against Toledo, including a 41-16 victory in 2008. The Rockets are winless in four tries against schools from the Pac-10.

The Wildcats clawed their way to an eight-win campaign in 2009 and also earned a spot in the Holiday Bowl against Nebraska. Even though Arizona was embarrassed by the Cornhuskers (33-0), it was still the first time since 1997-98 that an Arizona squad went to back-to-back bowl contests, proving this program is going in a positive direction. Coach Mike Stoops is hoping the Wildcats are capable of continuing their recent success as he begins his seventh season at the helm in Tucson.

On the home sideline there is Tim Beckman, who is entering his second year as the head man in Toledo. Beckman took over a Toledo squad that tallied just three wins in 2008, but under his tutelage the team showed vast improvement last year. However, down the stretch the Rockets dropped four of its last five matchups, finishing with just five wins on the year.

The Wildcats quietly put together a solid performance offensively last season, and there are plenty of key components back for Arizona to continue its offensive surge. After transferring from Michigan State, Nick Foles made it clear he was the man for the starting job under center in Tucson. The junior will be looking to build off his success from a year ago, but before the season even kicks off he is down a weapon, as DeLashaun Dean was suspended from the team for off-the-field conduct issues. That means Juron Criner will see more action throughout the season. Criner hauled in 45 receptions a year ago, and should open the year with a big showing on the road.

The balance of Arizona’s offense is what made this unit dangerous last season, and with the return of RBs Keola Antolin and Nic Grigsby the Wildcats should have a solid one-two punch to compliment the passing attack. Grigsby is the team’s outside burner that can break free for a long run, while Antolin is more of a between the tackles power back. Both players should see plenty of carries on Friday against a Toledo team that struggled defensively in 2009.

Arizona used speed as a weapon defensively this past season and it is likely the team will do the same in 2010. What makes this squad so quick is the tandem at defensive end in Ricky Elmore and Brooks Reed.

Reed led the defense in sacks back in 2008, and Elmore took that honor last season, so both are proven sack artists. Although just a freshman, Sione Tuihalamaka will start the opener for Arizona at tackle, giving the Wildcats even more speed up front.

While the frontline looks primed for a big season, the linebackers for Arizona are a big question mark as the campaign gets set to begin. Derek Earls will man the middle for Arizona, but sophomore Jake Fischer could be the best of the bunch.

Arizona’s defense was solid against the pass last season, and with the return of corners Robert Golden and Trevin Wade, the Wildcats should be ready to put forth another strong effort in 2010.

The Rockets were sensational with the football this past season, but the team will have to overcome the loss of quarterback Aaron Opelt. Coach Beckman tabbed Austin Dantin as the starter for Friday’s contest. The sophomore signal caller saw some time under center last year, but was inconsistent, throwing four touchdowns and four interceptions. However, any experience is good experience for a quarterback, and it also helped him build a rapport with Eric Page, who will likely be his go-to receiver this year.

Page, who led all freshmen in the country with 82 receptions and 1,159 yards, is a dangerous deep threat that will see plenty of opportunities in the opener.

Coach Beckman will also begin the season with a new starter at tailback in Morgan Williams. Williams is replacing DuJuane Collins, who had a solid career at Toledo. Williams saw plenty of time on the field, so he has the experience to be a dangerous back.

While the offense was dangerous all last year, the defense for Toledo was simply bad. Toledo was unable to do much right on defense, so the goal for coach Beckman’s squad this season is to improve drastically in all aspects. The strength of this unit will likely be up front where defensive end Alex Johnson returns. Johnson will be on the field Friday and will be joined by a solid tandem at tackle in Johnie Roberts and Malcolm Riley.

The sparkplug for the defense is without question linebacker Archie Donald. Donald, who is an All-MAC senior, has led the Rockets in tackles the last two campaigns, including 116 stops a year ago. There will be plenty of pressure on sophomore linebacker Dan Molls, who will open the year at the Mike position.

Under the microscope Friday will be the play of the defensive backfield, which was a troublesome area in 2009. Byron Best was a liability in his freshman season, but he has proven enough to coach Beckman to remain a starter for the time being. Also Jermaine Robinson will be back at safety, and is looking to improve on his freshman season.

The Rockets might be a tough team at home, but having to replace a quarterback and running back could be too much for the Rockets to overcome against a tough Pac-10 school. Look for Toledo to put up a fight, but the Wildcats should open the year with a victory on the road.

FREE PICK:  UNDER 60

Florida Atlantic is coming off a 5-7 season in 2009. The Owls ended the year on a positive note by coming out victorious in three of their final four matchups. FAU fared quite well in the Sun Belt Conference by going 5-3, which was good for a third-place tie last year.

The UAB Blazers fell to UCF by a score of 34-27 in their finale last season, making them losers of their final two games. The Blazers finished 4-4 in Conference USA action and 5-7 overall. UAB won three of their five contests in front of the home crowd, but struggled on the road with a 2-5 record.

Last November marked the second showdown between these two teams in a four- game series that will conclude next season in Boca Raton, Florida. Like Thursday’s game, last year’s battle took place at UAB as the Blazers defeated the Owls rather convincingly, 56-29.

Florida Atlantic brings to the table a solid offensive attack almost every time out, both on the ground and through the air. Last season, the Owls received over 1,800 rushing yards leading to 17 touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry. Running back Alfred Morris was the go-to guy on the ground, logging 1,392 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and punching in 11 touchdowns. The passing game was efficient last season as FAU quarterbacks averaged just a shade under 280 yards per contest. Rusty Smith and Jeff VanCamp split time under center to help the Owls connect on 26 passing touchdowns, while the offense averaged around 432 yards each time out in 2009.

The coaches at Florida Atlantic realize that the majority of the improvement must come from the defensive side of the ball if they hope to contend in the Sun Belt this season. In 2009, the Owls gave up over 100 points in all but the fourth quarter (77). In other words, the defense put the offense in a sizeable hole from the get-go. The pass defense, although not overly impressive, is far from the problem, letting up an average of 233 yards per game and 17 touchdowns last year. However, the run defense is the issue as foes were able to score a whopping 34 times in 2009 on the ground. Even more alarming is the fact that opponents averaged over 220 yards on the ground each time out.

The Blazers boasted one of the best rushing attacks in the country last year, averaging almost 230 yards per game while scoring 17 touchdowns, good for seventh nationally. UAB’s leading rusher was quarterback Joe Webb, who has graduated. The Blazers will now turn to sophomore RB David Isabelle to handle the load in a more conventional fashion. Isabelle seems up to the challenge as he rushed for 290 yards on 32 attempts last season, averaging a stout nine yards per carry. The passing game was mediocre at best, averaging a mere 197 yards per game. However, the offense did muster 22 touchdowns via the air, showing some promise as this new campaign is set to begin.

If the Blazers hope to rise to the top of their conference any time soon then they’ll have to follow suit with Florida Atlantic — get better defensively. With the departure of Webb at QB, the offense may quite possibly take a significant step backwards. This doesn’t give an already poor defense much room for error. In 2009, the Blazers gave up 455.2 yards per game to opponents, ranking them 114th in the country. It was especially hard to watch when UAB’s opponents would go to the air, as quarterbacks would throw for over 311 yards per game on the Blazers, garnering 27 passing touchdowns on the year. The rushing defense could use improvement as well, but in the long run it’s solid enough to come out on top at the end of the day, allowing 144 rushing yards per game last season.

Expect UAB to ride the home field advantage to a narrow victory on Thursday night behind a strong rushing attack.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UAB 42, Florida Atlantic 38

FREE PICK :  Florida Atlantic +14

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Kiffin, who was previously an assistant at USC, has taken over for Pete Carroll who once again has jumped to the NFL and will be handling the action with the Seattle Seahawks this year. The Trojans currently own a streak of 16 straight non-conference wins, yet no matter the score of this game or the rest of the outings on the schedule in 2010, there’s no reward for success because the team has been banned from postseason play due to NCAA violations.

Leaving Tennessee unceremoniously after just one year, where he had a mere 7-6 record and was 4-4 in SEC play, Kiffin is back in his old stomping grounds with a USC squad that finished 9-4 a year ago, but was a mere 5-4 in the Pac-10 after being such a dominant force in the league for so many years. The team alternated wins and losses for the last seven games and closed with a 24-13 win over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl, the first non-BCS bowl for the program since 2001.

Meanwhile the host Warriors, a team that is 19-15 in home openers at Aloha Stadium, they are kicking off a campaign against the Trojans for the third time since 1999, even though they are just 15-34 all-time against members of the Pac-10 Conference. Head coach Greg McMackin, who is no stranger to controversy himself, is beginning his third year as the lead man in Honolulu with a squad that put up a 6-7 mark last season. Against fellow members of the Western Athletic Conference, the Warriors posted a 3-5 mark a season ago as they went on to score a mere 22.8 ppg to mark their weakest effort in that department in more than a decade.

As far as the all-time series between these two schools is concerned, USC has taken all six previous encounters by outscoring the Warriors by a combined 297-67 dating back to 1930. The most recent battle took place in 2005 when the Trojans posted a 63-17 blowout, the third straight game in which USC logged at least 61 points, but that victory has since been vacated due to NCAA penalty.

On the watch list for the Maxwell, Manning and Davey O’Brien Awards heading into this season, quarterback Matt Barkley is the centerpiece around which the USC offense has been created. Barkley, who became the first true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback for USC, returns after completing close to 60 percent of his passes for 2,735 yards and 15 scores in 2009.

“The way he’s moving around in the pocket and the things that he’s seeing, obviously it’s not a game situation, but we are very excited about what he’s done for us over these 14 practices and what he can do for us in the future,” is what coach Kiffin said of Barkley’s progression during practices earlier this year.

One of Barkley’s main outlets will again be Stanley Havli, a three-year starter who to this point already has made more catches (84) than any other fullback in USC history. Joining Havli in the backfield is tailback Allen Bradford who gained 668 yards and scored eight times for the unit a year ago, not to mention C.J. Gable who has also contributed significant numbers during his career.

Starting half the season a year ago, wideout Ronald Johnson is expected to put up strong numbers in 2010 after reeling in 34 balls for three touchdowns in 2009. Also in the mix out on the wings are Brice Butler and Brandon Carswell, who combined for 25 receptions and a pair of scores after starting just four games.

In 2007, the scoring defense for the Trojans ranked second in the nation with just 16.0 ppg allowed and in 2008 the group was even more dominating as it limited foes to a mere nine points per contest to rank first in the country. But last year the group took a few steps back as they surrendered 19.9 ppg, placing them 22nd in the country, even though they were still first in the Pac-10. Part of the problem was giving up 55 points to Stanford, the most points ever scored against the Trojans, and that came during a stretch when the program was allowing an average of nearly 35 ppg and an unsightly 455.6 ypg.

The unit has lost five of its top 10 tacklers from a year ago, but getting things kicked off on the right foot is junior tackle Jurrell Casey who logged 59 stops, nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Even though the group was inexperienced in 2009, the Trojans have to be happy about getting guys like Malcolm Smith and Chris Galippo, the latter being an All-America selection, back at a couple of linebacker positions. Michael Morgan, who led the team with his 13 TFLs, is also back to patrol the middle of the field for the group.

The weakest part of the defense for the Trojans will be the secondary as the squad replaces all four defensive backs from a year ago, something that doesn’t exactly bode well as they kick things off against a pass-happy program like Hawaii. Even though he is inexperienced in terms of game action, cornerback Shareece Wright will be expected to provide some level of leadership seeing as how he is the only senior on scholarship in the defensive backfield.

After ranking just 28th in the nation in passing in 2008 with 251.3 ypg, the Hawaii offense went back to the drawing board to get the attack back on track and it appeared to get the job done in 2009 by ranking third in the country with 337.0 ypg through the air. However, unlike previous years when the team had a high profile gunslinger whipping the ball all around the field, the squad had to turn to Bryant Moniz after Greg Alexander was sidelined with a season-ending injury early on.

Moniz, who completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns and 10 picks, stepped into the role rather well given the circumstances. The good news is that the junior will have senior slot receiver Greg Salas to lean on yet again. A First Team All-WAC performer as a junior in ’09, Salas ranked fourth in the nation in receiving yards per game with 122.3, so he can clearly shoulder any load that the offense puts on him.

Losing Leon Wright-Jackson at the running back spot will be a tough hurdle to clear, but Alex Green should be able to pick up some of the slack after he gained 453 yards and scored twice as the second-best option a year ago coming out of the backfield. However, having Moniz and Alexander listed as the third- and four-best options, respectively, carrying the ball is not a luxury the offense should have in 2010.

In an effort to breath new life into the offense, coach McMackin has brought Mouse Davis back to the sidelines and is expecting the move to pay big dividends.

“We’re very fortunate to get the architect of the run-and-shoot to come back to Hawaii and coach our wide receivers. “He taught the run-and-shoot to me, June (Jones), Ron (Lee), and everyone else in the country who runs this offense. He’s been the single, most influential person in the passing game from high school to the professional level, in my opinion.”

As poor as the rushing attack was for the team a year ago, ranking 109th in the nation with just 100.5 ypg, the run defense was just as shaky with a monstrous 201.9 ypg allowed and that simply cannot be the case in 2010 if this group is going to advance in a positive direction. The pass defense should be a different story, given how well they performed in the final five games of the ’09 season. Mana Silva showed a nose for the ball with his six interceptions and will again be one to watch at the safety position, while Lemetrius Davis and Spencer Smith play close to receivers and make their presence felt.

While the defensive line gets some support from a couple of transfers, the area of most concern for the Warriors is at linebacker where the starters have a combined four games of experience. Redshirt freshman George Daily-Lyles, Paipai Falemalu and Corey Paredes will all be thrown into the fire and expected to produce as soon as possible in order to keep this team from being taken advantage of.

The pressure is on Kiffin to get this group of Trojans off to a fast start, even if the team is heading nowhere once the postseason rolls around. Expect the middle of the defense for the Warriors to be exposed and the visitors to take full advantage of that weak link. The score will not be as outrageous as it has been in recent meetings, but it will still favor USC.

FREE PICK :  USC -21

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Oddsmakers currently have the Crimson Tide listed as 4-point favorites versus the Longhorns, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

Colt McCoy ran for the only TD on the night as Texas defeated Nebraska 13-12 in Week 14. Texas failed to cover the 14-point spread, while the 25 points went UNDER the posted total of 47.

Hunter Lawrence booted two field goals for Texas in that win.

Alabama beat Florida 32-13 in the SEC championship game at the Georgia Dome in Week 14.

Alabama covered as a 5.5-point underdog in that contest, while the final score played OVER the 41-point total.

Team records:
Texas: 13-0 SU, 5-7-1 ATS
Alabama: 13-0 SU, 8-5 ATS

Texas most recently:
When playing in January are 5-2
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 10-0
When an underdog on the road are 5-5

Alabama most recently:
When playing in January are 2-2
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 10-0
When favored at home are 10-0

A few trends to consider:
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 6 games
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

FREE PICK : ALABAMA  -4