Football

Cyclones- I am not sure what that was on Saturday, but it didn't look much like football. Arnaud made horrible decisions and in the spread the quarterback needs to make excellent decisions. The defense was put in tough spots by the offense so it was hard to tell how well they really did. This weekend will be a measuring stick for 'Clones and a must-win if they have any hope of six wins and a bowl game. If they play like they did Saturday they will get smoked just as bad. I'm guessing they play better and I'm going to go out on a big limb and say they snap their horrendous road losing streak. I honestly think they have a better chance winning this game coming off a loss than coming off a win. Arnaud will throw for a couple TD's and a couple INT's. If the INT's come first ISU has no shot. Prediction: ISU:27 Kent State: 24

Bears- It looked like Arnaud suited up for the Bears Sunday night. With as bad as Cutler played it is amazing the Bears still were in a position and should have won that game Sunday night. The Packers played well (much better than the Bears), but the defense needs to hold onto that lead with 2 minutes left. Turner got away from the game plan that allowed them to compete with anemic quarterback play. GIVE THE BALL TO FORTE!!! He was their entire offense last year and now Cutler comes and he is nowhere to be found. Cutler should be an improvement from last year in the respect that when they do throw Cutler will stretch the field. The Bears don't have the receivers to throw the ball 50 times per game. The Bears toughest part of the schedule is their first three games. The have the defending Super Bowl Champions coming to Soldier Field and then they travel to Seattle. There is a very good chance they start the season 0-3 and the Packers and Vikings start the season 3-0. The schedule will even out throughout the course of the year, but with Urlacher out for the year the last thing Chicago needs is an 0-3 start to destroy any confidence that is left over. The Bears need to win one of these next two games. Wishful Prediction: Bears 19 Steelers 17

Thoughts from College Football:

There are a number of teams starting off hot and coming out of nowhere with young players. Michigan, Miami and UCLA are familiar teams with unusual low expectations from some that are exceeding them right now. Michigan and Miami have young QB's that are playing very well. Jacory Harris from Miami has vastly improved from last year and looks like he could be a real good player for a couple of years. IF Miami finishes this brutal stretch undefeated look for Harris to be a Heisman candidate.

Big XII Thought:

Baylor will be going to a bowl game this year. Coming off a victory at Wake Forest and now coming home to Connecticut they should have victories over some decent competition and will be prepared for the Big XII season. They will get 3-4 wins in conference and be traveling to a bowl game for the first time in awhile. Congrats to Art Briles.

NFL:

The league is competitive and that is why it is so fun to watch. Outside of the Lions and Rams, any team could win any week. MNF looked like it was a doubleheader snoozer and then turned into two great games. The Bills and Raiders showed signs off life and both should have had victories.

Most Impressive Teams:
Jets
Philly
Dallas
*I cannot include any team that plays the Lions-Sorry Saints

Disappointing Teams
Texans
Cardinals
Panthers
*Lions-you are exempt from this list

With the 16 game season, don't expect the same teams that are hot right now to be hot in four weeks or eight weeks and vice versa. I'm very interested to see which teams backup their first performances of the year, which ones take a step back and which ones make a statement in the second week.

*The Lions will win a game this year. Look for the game against the Packers to be close. I'll be rooting for them.