"Splitsville"

There's a "split" in dsg-land, folks, and politics and social issues are going their own way!

That's right. Sports talks heads to the right, politics and social issues to the left. In other words, this blog will pretty much be now sports and sports-related issues. And, my new blog, "VE Mod" will tackle politics and social issues--to encourage civil & intelligent debate on those hot-button issues that are WAAAY more important that sports in the grand scheme of things. Both really don't belong in one blog, so that's why we have splitsville.

I'll continue to post jokes on both, and some food for thought on both, but you can count on sports talk here at "dsgvince", and politics and social issues at the following address: http://vinceemod.blogspot.com

So, with that out of the way, sports fans, let's get a little more fired up about the upcoming college football season, shall we??!! The first AP poll came out Saturday (August 22nd), and to nobody's surprise, Florida's number-1. I have yet to really chime in on my picks for the upcoming season, so guess what? Here they are.

>My Top 5: 1) Florida 2) Oklahoma 3) Texas 4) USC 5) Alabama.

>My top 1st-game match-up: Georgia at Oklahoma State. How often do you see UGA leave its own part of the country for any non-conference game? Very rarely. They did trek to Arizona State last season and did win, but only beat a very average Sun Devils team. This OK State monster is a lot different--in what could be the nation's most prolific offense with the 3-headed monster of WR Dez Bryant, QB Zach Robinson and RB Kendall Hunter. The Cowboys must win at home, and the Bulldogs must win--or folks will think they really can't play west of the Mississippi River against any real competition. Very intriguing season opener.

>"The Red River Rivalry" winner? Oklahoma. Those that know me know I have no love for either of these stories programs--so no "homer" talk here, folks. I think both of these teams are very evenly matched, but my decision comes down to this: Oklahoma's defense is a notch better--with 9-returning starters (8 of those up front) to Texas's 6 (with only 4 of those up front). It'll be close, but I see the Sooners pulling out a 4-point victory, 28-24.

>Heisman winner: Colt McCoy, Texas. Last year's winner Sam Bradford won't have the secret-service protection he enjoyed last season--as OU re-tools its offensive line, and Tim Tebow won't put up the gaudy numbers he did 2-years ago because, like last year, he'll play only into the 3rd-quarter of many of his 2009 games--much like last year. McCoy has an experienced line that will protect him in the pocket, and will pancake folks when he decides to run. Colt by a nose over Tebow.

>BCS Title Game: Florida vs. Oklahoma. And, like last year, Florida wins handily.

Got your whistle whetted yet?