College Football Picks - Week 1

The 2009 College Football Season is here. While PSU and Pitt hardly have difficult games to open, many of the marquee schools do. How about Georgia vs. Oklahoma St. to start off the season. Brian Sakowski of inthebleachers.net and I encourage you to make your selections each week. Remember you don't have to sign in to post your picks, just do it as anonymous, but note your name in the copy.

Georgia vs. Oklahoma St.
Oregon vs. Boise St.
Alabama vs. Va. Tech
Miami vs. Florida St.
Akron vs. PSU

Mike - Okla St., Oregon, Alabama, Florida St., PSU
Brian - Okla St., Oregon, Alabama, Florida St., PSU

2009-10 European Football Preview

The European Football (Soccer) Leagues are just starting their 09-10 campaigns. The group stages of the Champions League are scheduled to begin September 15th. This summer saw three of biggest stars in the world change teams, with Cristiano Ronaldo Kaka, and Ibrahimovic all joining new teams in Spain. It looks to be a very interesting and entertaining year across the continent. Here are the 2009-10 RizzoSports.com Football predictions.

Spain (La-Liga)

1. Real Madrid – The amount of money Real spent this summer was mind-boggling. They’re built with one objective in mind, and that is to over take Barcelona. Well some people are worried about them getting all these superstars to gel, we think they’ll be motivated to defeat Barcelona, and that will be enough for the Title.

2. Barcelona – Everyone will be gunning for them this season, but it’s hard to repeat, of course there is only one way to go from here. They’ll finish close to the top, and far ahead of #3.

3. Villarreal - Spain is seriously Madrid, Barcelona and that’s it. 10 teams could fight for the third and fourth spots, we'll guess and go with Villarreal.

4. Atletico Madrid – Will Aguero take a step forward or backwards – we’ll see.

England (Premier League)



1. Chelsea – The biggest news from Chelsea this summer is the arrival of coach Carlo Ancelotti. This team has a ton of veterans and they look hungry for the League Title. We think they have it wrapped up with games to spare.

2. Manchester City – That’s right City, not United. It’s a risky pick trust us, but City have the advantage of only focusing on the league title. Adebayor will be prove to be the signing of the summer in England.

3. Manchester United – The departure of Ronaldo will be too much to make up in just one year.

4. Arsenal – It seems like all the experts are picking Arsenal to be out of the top four and Liverpool to win the title. Well don’t trust them, in a dramatic finish, the Gunners are too much for Reds and take the fourth spot, again.

Italy (Serie A)

1. Juventus – It will be a title chase for the ages in Italy, but Juventus will emerge on top. Deigo will be the star man, and with a midfield that has the likes of Melo, Sissoko, Marchisio, and Camoranesi, who needs to worry about the defense. Last time I checked Buffon was still in goal, and look out for a monster year from Iaquinta.

2. Inter - One of the greatest runs in Serie A history will come to an end this season, which is funny because this might be the best Inter team yet.

3. Roma – Roma is not deep, but their first eleven awfully strong when healthy. If they stay healthy the can do great things, and finish third.

4. AC Milan – Milan will reinforce their squad in January with a couple of big transfers. They’ll hold off Napoli and Palermo for fourth.

Germany – The German League has been stellar recent in years, but they take a step back this year, as Schalke wins the title over defending champs Wolfsburg. While Bayern struggles through the season.

France – It’s Gourcuff and Bordeaux on top followed by PSG. Lyon takes a step backwards and all the French teams struggle in the Champions League.

Champions League – It’s so difficult to pick a winner, since the Champions League comes down to the draw, especially the first round of match play. I think there are only five teams who can win it.

- Real Madrid – All they have to do is live up to their potential. We still think the circus atmosphere around the team will be to much, and they won’t make it to the final.

- Juventus – Certainly the surprise pick, but Diego will prove he’s (brace yourself) every bit as good as Messi, and lead Juventus to the final.



- Barcelona – The Champions League has to be the hardest trophy to win back to back, and for that matter alone it’s tough to pick them of the the Trophy. However wouldn’t Barcelona vs. Inter be the dream final this year.

- Inter – Last we picked them to win it, and they didn’t but if their defense can stay healthily, they might just finally win this thing.

- Chesela – They are probably the safest bet to win it. A veteran squad should finally hoist the trophy they've been aiming for for years.

No Need for Preseason Polls

The thing I dislike about college football is the preseason polls. Since teams don’t play everyone on the field, it’s difficult to prove who the better team is over the course of the season. The preseason rankings create a preconceived notion of who is good, and who is not. Originally college football rankings did not come out until October. Last year every major preseason poll had Georgia as the top team, however by the end of the year finished outside the top 10. Penn State is ranked number eight, but could miss a chance at the BCS title game if two of the seven teams ahead of them finish with same record as PSU. With no Big East team in the preseason top 25, the league has poor reputation even before an official game played.