2017 College Football Predictions Week #1 and a Cougar Note

First things first.  Last night the North Harrison Cougars defeated the Corydon Central Panthers in the 40th Big Cat Classic.  In addition to the rain and wind, which this series has seen before, there was an awkward sense in the wind and rain last night.  The Harrison County rivals were playing in Floyd County.  The final score was NH 28 CC 0.  For the second season in a row the Cougars held the Panthers scoreless.  It was NH’s 7th shutout in the the series that now stands, during the regular season, 23 wins for NH 17 for CC.  The Cougars are also 3 wins and 0 defeats against the Panthers in Sectional play over the years.  But who’s counting?  I am!  It was a great game last night, given the conditions.

The 2017 North Harrison Cougars have given up just 14 points in three games.  The school record for fewest points given up in a season is 104…10.4 per game…in 1980. The 1982 team gave up 10.9 points per game.  I hope that number goes down this year.  But…a W is a W and you take them how you can get them.  I’m greedy for these Cougars.  I can’t help it.  The Cougars are 20-4 in their last 24 games.  Great job by Coach Williamson and his staff and players not afraid to put forth the effort to get there.

On the College Football…

It feels like late October on the back porch this first Saturday morning in September.  Damp and cool, temps in the 50s here.  College Football is heating up.  The season begins in earnest and today is the day to speak the rights about it!

Let’s get it over with…drum roll…

Alabama beats Florida State…Until the crown is knocked off the noggin, can’t call against the Tide…not yet.  Brother Tim will be a happy man tonight.

Marshall beats Miami (OH)…Won’t be at The Joan tonight…I’ll be somewhere else “Nine Tonight”…some of you will get that…The Herd needs a W at home.  If they don’t win tonight a long season could be had again.  This is a program on the edge.

UCLA beats Texas A&M…Bruin qb Rosen made headlines with his mouth in summer…now his arm does.

Middle Tenn. beats Vandy…Hats off to teams like Boston College and Vandy and UK for going to the home of little brothers for a game.  Vandy on the road will not win this one.

Ole Miss beats South Alabama…How bad is it in Oxford?  We’ll see.  It doesn’t look good.  For four hours tonight all is forgotten and Joey Jones’ bunch see why.  Coach Luke, go get’em.

USC beats Western Michigan…The Trojans may be the team this year.  Nice trip for the MAC boys.

Kentucky beats Southern Miss…Won’t blow a 25 point lead this year against USM this year.  Hattiesburg is a tough place to visit.  UK wins.

Louisville beats Purdue…I don’t believe in statement games.  Every game matters.  But I do think Lamar Jackson can ring the bell at the fair tonight and start a new buzz for him and the Cards.

Texas beats Maryland…Coach Herman has his shot.  Austin is full of experts.  Good luck with that.

North Carolina beats Cal….Long trip for Cal.  Enjoy the pines around Keenan Stadium, it will be a nicer site than the scoreboard which will favor UNC and their basketball wearing uniforms.

NC State beats South Carolina...Playing in Charlotte.  Hope no one steals anything at The Belk Store.

Iowa beats Wyoming...I know I picked Wyoming to win the Mountain West.  They might start today with a good game.  I just think the Hawkeyes have too much home fire.  I want to go to Kinnick Stadium one day.  See just how big that water tower really is.

Feels odd to make these predictions when I won’t be watching college football in a stadium or looking at it on TV tonight while Bama beats the Seminoles.  Few things could get me away from that.  The right music is one of them.  My dear wife, Carrie, and I are going to see Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band tonight in Noblesville.  I won’t call it the venue by it’s given name I am too stubborn.  The place will always be Deer Creek to me.  That is where I saw my first Moody Blues with an orchestra show.

The chance to dance with Carrie and sing along to “Old Time Rock and Roll” is not to be wasted if opportunity and good fortune allows one to do such.

Have a good and safe Labor Day Weekend everyone…and if you get the chance…

Speak the Rights.

Danny Johnson

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