Week 1 (In order of day & time)

You read theSAC.com, individual SAC school websites & D2football.com releases for this season and undoubtedly your D2Football preview magazine is starting to come in the mail, so what else do I need to say? Let's play football!

Thursday

Glenville State (0-0, 0-0 WVIAC) @ Carson-NewmanBo Cordell throwing for 400 or Jonas RandolphBrandon Haywood at quarterback, who like half of the team, battled injuries last season. Expect at least two quarterbacks in the stats after the game is over. Hall of fame head coach Ken Sparks will have to get some work for others, especially with the big layoff.

(Side note rant #1Bill YeomanTyron Douglas is ready to become the feature back with the graduation of standout Nate Inman. He showed the makings of a star towards the end of 2011, rushing for over 100 yards in three of final five games. Brandon Baker will be a very solid co-star, with an unknown to us at this point sure to emerge soon. Time will tell if the Eagles can develop the one, big-play wideout. Jason Brown hopes to be that, averaging 40 yards per catch last year, before getting hurt.

Defensively, losing seven starters along with two more linebackers in preseason (according to Sparks), will definitely have a new look. Oliver Davis and Tarvin Jones anchor the secondary and will need to lead this young unit on opening night. The Eagles ended up in the cellar in the SAC in turnover margin last year. Yes sometimes you can pin that on offensive mistakes but this C-N defense will provide a huge boost by picking up a few more takeaways, especially in the first game of the year to relieve pressure from Haywood and company.

Glenville St returns two experienced quarterbacks in 2012. Whoever gets the nod Thursday will have their hands full, with not much in the cupboard as far as returning skill players. Junior Derrick McRae is the Pioneers returning leading rusher with 95 yards in nine games but senior Prediction : Carson-Newman 42, Glenville St 23

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Mars Hill (0-0, 0-0 SAC) @ Western Carolina (FCS) (0-0, 0-0 So-Con)
8:00 p.m. - Cullowhee, N.C.
SAC Members Picks = WC (15) over MHC (4)
Spread = Mars Hill (+23)
Last season (@WC) = Western Carolina 52, Mars Hill 31

I am looking forward to talking to Lion head coach Tim Clifton to find out exactly how the past offseason was. I know it was relaxing because he got the proverbial monkey off his back, winning his first SAC championship but with that comes the loss of sleep over the loss of Jonas Randolph. The SAC, in my opinion, picked up the biggest, most significant moment in league history (any sport) with Randolph winning the Harlon Hill. He is the greatest ever in this league. No conversation. But to the joy of seven SAC coaches, he is out of eligibility.


(Side note rant #2Danny WoodheadJon Richt and a pair of super sophomores. Richt attempts went up last year, even with Randolph carrying the ball a baffling 366 times. The Lions need leadership and Richt has to be as good off the field as he is on it. This team will be much more balanced and Richt must continue to improve his decision making. The Lions will try to blend a young offensive line as well to block for sophomore back Shaikel DavisDimitri HolmesRudy CabralMark Speir will try to win his debut in Cullowhee. Gone is starting tailback Shaun WarrenDeja Alexander.

The Catamount defense shows seven juniors and seniors on the two-deep but that might not be a good thing. Every opponent scored 30 points or more last season. Coach Spier has brought in Coastal Carolina defensive coordinator Curtis Walker Prediction : Western Carolina 38, Mars Hill 21


As mentioned, I will have the Saturday games coming up tomorrow. Sorry for the delay, but it is a mad rush to get everything together around here like I'm sure it is most places. As always, would enjoys the rants, raves, or any other comments. Thanks for reading!

-Ryan ( @RyanBrown_PxP )