Red Raiders open the year against the War Eagles

 (ok, just Eagles)

Well thanks to the great A.D.s and college presidents who continue to throw out this BCS nonsense so that, and I quote "Every game counts!", Tech will open up this season against a FCS (that's Football Championship Subdivision, means they get to have playoffs) school. This should not be a knock against Tech, look around the country this weekend, or for that matter the next three weekends, there are a ton of "Who are they?" games. This is purely a reflection of this half-baked scheme that rewards unbeaten seasons regardless of who you play, unless you're Auburn, then you get hosed.

So, Tech will be taking on the Eastern Washington Eagles out of the Big Sky Conference. I hope the Tech coaches have made the Raiders watch the App State vs Michigan game several times this week. You overlook this team and they can bite you. The Eagles actually lost a close game to the App State team in the playoffs by only three points and come into this game ranked #8 in the FCS. They have a new coach which is nice, but they return 15 starters.

Key players

Matt Nichols - QB, Big Sky Conference Player of the year. Threw for over 3,700 yds and 34 TDs.

Aaron Boyce - WR, FCS All-American and caught 10 of those TDs and 1,308 yds.

Game Guess

Offensive explosion. You know that Tech's offense should be all over the field. But with the questions at secondary due to graduation and injury, I expect to see some offensive numbers from the Eagles. Game will be close at half and then Tech's talent and experience takeover. Plus it's night game in Jones Stadium where Tech is 26-5 in the last five years.

Fun with numbers

• Tech is 62-18-3 all-time in home season openers
• #12 is where Tech starts this season in the AP poll
• Eastern Washington lost to BYU in '07 (42-7) and to Oregon St (56-17) and West Virginia (52-3) in '06.

Other Big 12 Gueses (* means they'll cover)

Colorado over Colorado State - Feel sorry for CSU coach who's replacing a legend. Kind of can't win.

Iowa State over South Dakota - but it will be close

Kansas* kills Florida International - but who doesn't

Kansas State* over North Texas - UNT has NO defense

Missouri over Illinois - This is conference challenge game for Big 12. I'll take Mizzou

Wake Forest* over Baylor - Transition year for Baylor's new staff

OU over Chattanooga - If the line was 50pts, I'd still take OU

Ok State* over Washington State - OSU's offense can be deadly and WSU has new coach and offensive philosophy

Texas* over Florida Atlantic - two words, Talent and Muschamp

Arkansas State over Aggies - ASU scared UT last year and biggest concern is secondary which isn't an issue when facing the aggies.

Nebraska over Western Michigan - I have faith in Bo Pelini, but it will be a dog fight.