The HBS: Money Buys Happiness (Mini College Football Preview Included)
By: Mike Asti and George Gerbo
College Football Predictions: Big 12 Winner
By: Jared Ramos
Now I’m sure some people will be surprised that I am picking WVU to win the Big 12, but they shouldn’t be. The Mountaineers have as much fire power on the offensive side of the ball as anyone in the country. They return eight starters to an offense that averaged nearly 38 points per game last year. Add the fact that the Big 12 isn’t exactly known for their defense and you will begin to see why I have WVU as favorites in the Big 12.
College Football Predictions: Pac-12 Winner
By: Jared Ramos
The Pac-12 will be a little bit more competitive this season, but when it boils down there are only two teams that have a realistic chance at winning the Pac-12. Right now those teams are Oregon and USC. Read more 
The HBS: Big “9” Just Doesn’t Have The Same Ring To It (Includes NCAA Football Preview)
By: Mike Asti and George Gerbo
Tonight marks the start of the college football season, and it couldn’t come any sooner. Under the cloud of multiple schools violating NCAA rules and facing sanctions, games kickoff tonight, but not without one more wrinkle to end the offseason. Texas A&M has announed their intention to leave the Big 12 conference, following this season. Mike and George examine this decision and the potential greater ramafications it will have on the Big “9”, after Colorado and Nebraska packed up last year, and the rest of the country. Also, the guys will give their picks for this year’s BCS games and National Championship.
In the back half of the show, the Howitzer and Buzz-saw wrap up the NFL preseason with thoughts on Michael Vick’s new contract in Philadelphia, Chris Johnson’s new deal in Tennessee, and Houston RB Arian Foster using Twitter to reveal details about his hamstring injury. Expect to see Mr. Foster taking a seat with the Buzz-saw at the end of the program. And, in a bit of MLB news, we’ll talk about Stephen Strasburg, who is scheduled to make his 1st ML start since last season’s Tommy John surgery, and discuss whether or not the Nationals are making a mistake by having him pitch this season.
We won’t ever pack up and leave for another conference without letting you know first. It’s The Howitzer and Buzz-saw Show. Conquering sports radio, one day at a time….
Heisman Watch – First Edition
By: Chris Haines
Luck decided to stay in school and is already the favorite to be the top pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Can this pro ready QB finish out his college career with a Heisman?
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford, Sr:
Last year’s Heisman runner up decided to stay for his senior year to hopefully lead his team to a national championship and to win the Heisman this year. Luck passed for 3,338 yards and 38 TD’s last year. A problem for Luck is the Cardinal are filled with young receivers which could lead to miscommunication in the early part of the season. Despite the youth of receivers, Luck still has the tools to be a great QB this year and in the NFL. Luck has drawn a lot of comparisons to another Stanford grad in John Elway. As long as Luck doesn’t go down the road Jake Locker went, Luck will be tearing defenses apart once again. Read more
Handicapping The Field
By: Jared Ramos
The college football season is about to kick off in a matter of weeks. With that said, it’s time to handicap the field and take a look at a couple of the early favorites, some teams that will give you more bang for your buck and a couple of potential sleepers. All lines are from bodog.
The Favorites:
Oklahoma-9/2: Oklahoma returns eight starters on offense and seven starters on defense. It should surprise no one that Oklahoma is the early favorite to win it all and is preseason number one.
Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles are both preseason candidates to win the Heisman Trophy. Last season Jones threw for 4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns. Bryoles, Jones top target had 1,622 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. You should expect both Jones and Broyles to put up similar numbers, especially with a shaky running game this year. Oklahoma will have to find a way to replace DeMarco Murray who graduated. Roy Finch looks like the early favorite to replace him. If Finch is the starter he should have easy sledding as Oklahoma returns all five offensive linemen from a year ago.
The defense of the Sooners does have a few question marks, but overall is very good. The defensive line returns three starters from a year ago and the linebacking core boost one of the best linebackers in the country in Travis Lewis. Unfortunately for Oklahoma, Lewis is going to miss the first two months of the season with an injury. The secondary of Oklahoma has the most question marks as they need to find a replacement for Jamal Flemming, who dropped out of school. Read more
Pre Season SEC Rankings
By: Chris Haines
As is usually the case, the SEC will be once again the best conference in the country and have a few national title contenders in Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and South Carolina. Winds of change have come to the SEC east as South Carolina is the team to beat instead of Florida or Georgia. Vanderbilt has the only new head coach in the conference with James Franklin coming over from Maryland. Franklin has brought a winning attitude to Nashville and has people hoping that attitude can lead Vandy to a bowl game this year. In the west, it’s the same contenders as usual with Alabama, LSU and Arkansas. The conference looks to have a few Heisman contenders in South Carolina RB Marcus Latimore and Alabama RB Trent Richardson. Auburn maybe the defending conference and national champs, but with only six starters returning the Tigers will have a tough time defending both championships. I see South Carolina taking the east and Alabama escaping from the west. My pick for the SEC champion is really a toss-up as I see South Carolina and Alabama both evenly matched, the Gamecocks could possibly be undefeated with a not to difficult schedule, if there is such a thing in the SEC. While Alabama has to get past LSU, Arkansas, and dark horse Mississippi State to maintain a perfect record. For now I’ll be the one that goes out on a limb and say the ‘Cocks take the SEC crown.
Read more
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