College football had the entire Labor Day weekend to itself prior to the pros getting started this Thursday night, and the games ran the gauntlet from outstanding (see: Rick Neuheisel’s debut in the Rose Bowl Monday night) to downright awful (see: everything NC State did).

I would be lying if I said watching “Beamerball” backfire was not the highlight of the weekend. I think I speak for the fans of every team who has played against VT and had to suffer through the nauseating commentary about Hokie special teams when I say, thank you Skip Holtz.

Where did the “Beamerball” phenomenon come from? It implies that no one else tries on special teams. Is every other team whose head coach doesn’t coach special teams uninterested in blocking kicks? And why does nobody consider the softness of the Big East competition most of those blocks came against? Who started this insanity? There must have been a Tech grad working for ESPN at all those Thursday night games in Mordor (read: Lane Stadium) slipping this info to the talking heads and giving rise to the ridiculousness that is “Beamerball.” I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!

In other news, Clemson was held to ZERO yards rushing. So much for the most explosive backfield in the country. Usually, the Tigers prolong the meltdown for later in the season when it is as painful for their fans as possible. It was nice of Nick Saban to end the suspense early.

Speaking of suspense, USC really kept the fans guessing in Scott Stadium on Saturday. Will they score on the next play, or will they wait until the one after that? In all honesty, I’ve never seen a college football team that good. My view of the field from the Hill is the same as playing College Football ’08. The difference this week was that the Trojans looked like a team from Madden ’08.

And the best part is that Al Groh was just as impressed as I was. In fact, he admitted as much to his team when he approved an offensive game plan that consisted of only shotgun sets and a defensive game plan based on not giving up big plays. He intentionally kept Lalich as far away from the defensive line as possible and granted the receivers ten yard cushions every play from scrimmage. Obviously, Al’s plan to inspire confidence in his offensive linemen and cornerbacks is lost on me. Although, it sounds to me like the players did not catch on either.

The good news for Tech, Clemson, and UVA is that they all play in the worst BCS conference in the country. ACC play should be incredibly mediocre, painful to watch, and completely up for grabs, so get pumped!

Picks couldn’t have gone better (Bald Spot selections in bold):

Jacksonville State 14 @  Georgia Tech 41
Charleston Southern 7 @ Miami 52
N.C. State 0 @ South Carolina 34
Wake Forest 41 @ Baylor 13
Boston College 21 @ Kent State 0
Clemson 10 vs. Alabama 34 (Georgia Dome)
James Madison 7 @ Duke 31
Delaware 7 @ Maryland 14
McNeese State 27 @ North Carolina 35
Southern California 52 @ Virginia 7
Virginia Tech 22 vs. East Carolina 27

I should probably just retire now, but here are next weeks picks (winners in bold):

The Citadel @ Clemson
Northwestern @ Duke L
Western Carolina @ Florida State
Georgia Tech @ Boston College
Maryland @ Middle Tennessee State Murfreesboro
Miami @ Florida
William & Mary @ N.C. State
Richmond @ Virginia
Furman @ Virginia Tech
Mississippi @ Wake Forest