Greetings From Monroe...

(RUSTON, LA)- It is hot and humid and the Mids have come to Ruston hoping to improve to 2-1. Last week, Navy had trouble getting the vaunted triple-option going against Georgia Southern, coached by former Navy assistant, Jeff Monken.

This week, they take on Louisiana Tech, coached by 40-year old Sonny Dykes, who actually thinks the triple-option could come back as a regualr staple of offense for college football teams.

"I think it makes perfect sense for the service acadamies to run it, but also look at what Paul Johnson has done at Georgia Tech,'' Dykes said. "Things are cyclical and I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more teams go to it.''

Dykes employs the spread and has been trying to settle on a quarterback as Colby Cameron, a freshmen, gets the nod this week. Tech struggled on defense last week as Texas A&M pulled away in the second half and ran for 216 yards against the Bulldogs.

Navy is number-five in the country in total defense and tops in pass efficiency defense. One question for Navy will be the health of saftey Emment Merchant. The senior left last week's game with a concussion, but did make the trip to Ruston. Starting tackle Matt malloy did not, also suffering from a concussion occuring in week one.

Offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper hasn't lost confidence in the offense at all. In fact, he knows what needs correcting and those errors that have happened are easy fixes.

"It's about execution. It's easy to see on film where some plays have been breaking down so we feel confident that we can make those corrections and execute better. Last week, we simply wanted to make sure didn't do something to lose the game because our defense was playing outstanding football. Sometimes as a coordinator, you have to keep that in mind too, you may not be playing well, but you can do something to put your defense in a bad spot too,'' Jasper said this week.

Navy has been strong in both games on defense. This week will be a test of tackling for Navy against the short posession passing game of Tech.

"We have to tackle people and get them to the ground on first contact. Its a fundamental part of every game but if you don't tackle well this week, small short gains become big plays,'' Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green said.

Linebacker Jerry Hauburger agrees and thinks there could be some plays there for the defense to make.

"If you follow your assignment and the guys up front keep playing the way they have you know there will a tipped ball or two and a chance to make a big play, Im hopeing to make one,'' Hauburger said.

KEY MATCHUPLouisiana Tech defensive end Matt Broha against Navy offensive tackle Ryan Bassford. Broha has 3.5 sacks through two games, and the best way to slow down ana ggressive defensive end is by running at him. If the Mids control Broha they should be able to make some plays on the edge.

REMEMBER HIM?Phillip Livas, an all-WAC performer from last year is back again. Last year he returned a punt 85-yards for a touchdown against the Mids in Annapolis. His entire career at Tech is filled with highlight film plays.

NOTES: Kickoff is set for 7pm eastern time and will be available on ESPN3.com and the Navy Radio Network. For a list of stations and internet options go to Navysports.com. The Mids are actually staying in Monroe, the home of Louisiana-Monroe which is coached by former Army Coach Todd Berry who took over from former Navy coach Charlie Weatherbie. Navy is 32-20 in the road in the past eight seasons. Wyatt Middleton will make his 38th straight start for the Mids. Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo will be seeking his 20th career win saturday night. This is the first time the Mids have visited Louisiana without the game being in New Orleans. Navy has won only twice in the Pelican State, one of the wins a 1955 Sugar Bowl win against Mississippi.

NFL PICKS 2010

There is nothing scientific about making predictions. It's glorified guessing. I struggled with wild cards, but the division winners were easy for me to come by. Here goes nothing.

NFC EAST
Dallas- Hard for me to pick the worst coached team in this division, but talented.
Washington- This could be a 3-way tie at 8-8.
Philadelphia- If Kolb steals one here and there they better this rating.
N.Y. Giants- O is decent, D-suspect. Not the division to be suspect on D.

NFC North
Green Bay- Rodgers invigorates cheese heads. Defense just needs to be average.
Minnesota- Yes they have Favre, Peterson, but will Brett be content to handoff?
Detroit- They will be much better.
Chicago- Martz, Cutler could spell end of Lovie in Chi-town.

NFC South
New Orleans- Clear class of the division.
Atlanta- Ryan could be good enough to help Falcons contend for wild card.
Carolina- Unproven QB play complimenting good run game and a questionable D.\
Tampa Bay- Much more bad than good.

NFC West
San Francisco- In Singletary we trust. Alex Smith key to SF's fortune.
Arizona- Might Max Hall be playing by week eight?
St.Louis- Steven Jackson is worth a few wins, and Bradford gives reason for hope.
Seattle- Pete Carroll, yeah.

Wild Cards Minnesota, Atlanta
Champ- Green Bay

AFC East
New England- As long as they have Brady and Moss and Belichick, my choice.
N.Y. Jets- Revis returns, but will Sanchez get better?
Miami Dolphins- Chad Henne to Brandon Marshall good enough to vault past NY?
Buffalo- C.J. Spiller yes, Trent Edwards, no.

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens- Offensive weapons, but is D good enough for 16 games+?
Cincinnati Bengals- Does Palmer have enough left to use tremendous weapons?
Pittsburgh Steelers- If they are close when Big Ben returns, could win division.
Cleveland Browns- Jake Delhomme and Josh Cribbs, a chance to improve.

AFC South
Indianapolis Colts- Until Houston beats them, they win it.
Houston Texans- I love this team, but is Kubiak the coach to get them over the top?
Tennessee Titans- Decent team, tough division.
Jacksonville Jaguars- If they get all eight home games on TV thats a plus.

AFC West
San Diego Chargers- Default winner?
Oakland Raiders- Most improved team in AFC this year.
Denver Broncos- Who will Kyle Orton throw to now?
Kansas City- Some good young players, but will they grow up fast enough?

Wild Cards- Houston Bengals

Champion Ravens.....


Super Bowl

Green Bay over Baltimore

WEEK TWO COULD BE BEST OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON

You name the game, it has meaning, intrigue, great storylines, and most important high entertainment value for the college football fan this week.

Lets start with say, Miami at Ohio State.

Two potential Heisman candidates collide here as Miami's Jacory Harris and Ohio State Terell Pryor square off on the national stage. High profile wins are a premium for Miami with the ACC still in the rears looking up at its BCS colleagues. The Canes are on the verge of getting back to college football's top level. Randy Shannon had a tough task when he took over, and while he was a player on those renegade Miami teams, he has them playing first class football. If Harris plays within himself and doesn't try to be a hero, Miami has enough speed on defense to contain Pryor, but tackling will be a premium for Miami.

For Ohio State, will Brandon Saine be as good as he was last week against Marshall? They don't need him to be Beanie Wells, but if they get that kind of ground production, they will be in business and takes some of the load of Pryor.

I think this is the game of the week. I think Miami wins in a close one, 27-24.

Other great contests this week include:

Penn State at Alabama. We can never forget the Barry Krause stop on the cover of Sports Illustrated from the Sugar Bowl, but this one will be higher scoring that that 14-7 classic. Likely no Ingram for Alabama, no problem. Penn State will be very good...in November. Saban and the Tide at home..26-13.

Florida State at Oklahoma Christian Ponder kicked off the Jimbo Fisher era in style and will do well again in week two. I know this isn't Samford, but Oklahoma better be more interested than they looked last week against Utah State. Seminoles 27 Oklahoma 14..

QUICK SLANTS:As a Harris Poll voter, which determines a percentage of the BCS, Im glad we don't vote until a couple of weeks have gone by. You get an idea of what a team will be like and thus a realistic ranking to start with.

Right now, two non-bcs teams, Boise State and TCU, are in the top-five in the polls already out. Oregon State had chances in Arlington against TCU. Boise also gets the Beavers. Give Mike Riley credit for taking his Beavers where few will fear to tred.

SEC Fans watched in horror as Florida and LSU played two of the poorest halves of football in those programs history on Saturday. With so many good head-to-head matchups in the SEC this year, its very possible no SEC will go unbeaten. Of course Florida fans may say last week should be an incomplete grade since they couldn't get the snap to the QB on a consistent basis. I liked what I saw from South Carolina and Georgia and even Tennessee showed a pulse against inferior competition. However, what Ole Miss did in the second half against Jacksonville State can only be described as Twilight Zone.

Stock Rising. The soon to be departed Mountain West teams, UTAH and BYU. Fresno State, a future MWC member, Michigan, LSU super man Patrick Peterson, and new ECU Coach Ruffin McNeil.

Stock Declining: Tim Tebow haters, THE BIG EAST, Reggie Bush Heisman memorabilia, College Football in Washington State.

PUT A CLOCK ON IT.CBS College Sports better get Adam Zucker and Brian Jones ready for some filler time. Navy welcomes former assistant coach Jeff Monken and Georgia Southern to Annapolis Saturday. Both teams run the triple-option. While many first week games nearly took four hours of TV time, this one will likley be over in under 3. The over-under on total passes in the game is 10. I like the under.

Last week my colleague Joe Miller was 7-1-1 in his college football picks. We will have his picks and mine against the spread coming up Friday.

Listen to Miller and Medhurst Wednesday night at 10pm on 105.7 THE FAN in Baltimore and at www.1057thefan.com. Boise State play-by-play voice Bob Behler will join us at 11pm eastern time tonight.