This week marks a first for me and my family in a lot of different ways.  I was hoping to give my predictions on the upcoming football season for both Carolina and Clemsux.  However, I have decided that each Wednesday I will preview the upcoming game and give my predictions on the outcome.

1. My daughter will turn a year old on Thursday.  Seems like yesterday we were at the doctors office and heard those words “go pack your bags and be back here at 7pm.”  The next afternoon God gifted Erin and I with a miracle from him.  Carragin Victoria Freeman was born September 3rd at 3:15pm.  I always have heard people say don’t blink because it flies by.  How true those words are even today.

2.  Over this past year Carragin has never been sick.  Sure there has been once or twice where she was not quit herself, but she never had to go to the doctor other than regular visits.  Of all weeks she picks her birthday week to get a stomach bug.  She has popped more the last three days than she has her whole first year on this planet.  I have changed more diapers than I can count.  My wife is the true hero as she has been there to help her through this bug.  Today has been better, but we are hoping for a good night so she is up for a fun day on her bday tomorrow.

3. Tomorrow is also the start of the college football season.  Is it really here or am I just dreaming.  South Carolina opens up tomorrow night at NC State.

my prediction- Carolina will enter the game on the heels of losing there last three games from last year in rather embarrassing fashion.  NC State on the other hand comes into the game winning 5 out of their last 7.  What does that mean? Nothing at all. Last year was last year.  On offense the advantage goes to State. There ability to control the ball and an experienced QB could mean trouble for Carolina.  On defense, the advantage goes to Carolina.  Though the Gamecocks will be without 3 of their starters for game 1, remember they do have Eric Norwood.  The young Gamecocks defense will make some plays and win the turnover battle.  In the end Carolina will win 31-17.

As for Clemson.  The Tigers enter this season with hopes of winning the National Championship (as every year), CJ Spiller winning the Heisman, and Dabo winning coach of the year honors.  However, we all know that none of this is going to happen.  Like the Gamecocks, Clemson has many question marks.  The tigers will be starting a QB that has never taken a snap in college.  The offense line should be improved but who knows.  Saturday will unveil a brand new style of defense which will keep Clemson in most games this year. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Rick Stockstill who coaches Clemson’s opponent in week one.  Middle Tenn. State will bring the silver an blue down to Death Valley to try and pull off the upset.  Though they have a solid team, I just don’t see Clemsux losing this one.  The game will be close in the first half, but in the end Clemson pulls off the victory 24-14 leaving Clemson fans with more questions than answers.

What we do know is that College Football is here.  And all God’s people said

AMEN!!!!