Your best friend is beating you 41-21 in the fourth quarter with four minutes to go. At this point you have two options: a) accept defeat gracefully or b) hit the reset button and act like this game never took place. Well, in Ann Arbor and South Bend, they are still looking for the reset button or for Aston Kutcher to jump out.

On paper, Michigan was supposed to destroy Appalachian State. Notre Dame had too much talent to lose to Georgia Tech. Yet, both of these perennial powerhouses have had their national-title dreams extinguished. Last weekend was a subtle reminder why the game is played between the hash marks and not the watermarks. After college football’s shakeup, many fans should sit down and reassess their favorite NFL teams’ ability.  Here are five teams that will be searching for the reset button come late December and early January.

1.) San Diego Chargers

How do you fire a coach who goes 14-2? Seriously, that was not a rhetorical question. If anybody would be ever so kind as to shed some light on the situation, I would be much obliged. This Chargers team trots out nine Pro Bowlers, led by the reigning NFL MVP. Furthermore, the team returns close to 80 percent of its starters. So…

Why will they need a reset button?

Simple: Norv Turner. If I was going to war, I would want Turner to draw up my battle strategy, not lead my troops. Once is an accident. Twice is a freak occurrence. Three times is a habit. After, fizzling out at Washington and Oakland, Turner was relegated to developing Alex Smith, until San Diego came a knocking. Under Turner’s reign San Diego will definitely make it back to the playoffs (as long as the team stays healthy), but look for the Chargers to continue to lose playoff games. Which makes firing Marty completely useless.

2) Miami Dolphins

Ted Ginn Jr.? Are you serious? Ginn is a potential game breaker, but hell, so are Terrance Copper and Lee Evans. Name the last first-round receiver not named Randy Moss or Keyshawn Johnson who made an impact as a rookie. Moss was actually surrounded by nurturing receiving talent like Chris Carter and Jake Reed; meanwhile, Johnson was placed in the perfect system. Yet, Ginn Jr. will have a productive year if he protects the ball. Besides, adding Joey Porter to the nucleus of Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas provides plenty of punch. So…
   
Why will they need a reset button?

Trent Green is smart and knows the system, but he can’t block for himself. Plus, I think he is still a little gun-shy since his last concussion. Look for Cam Cameron to draft a QB next year or roll with the rookie John Beck out of BYU. Either way, the Dolphins will be canned and shelved well before November.

3) Chicago Bears

Only Tammy Wynette stood by her man longer. How long do you stick with a fickle QB? Rex Grossman is talented but so was Lassie. When did fashioning yourself after Brett Favre become so hot? Grossman, Tony Romo, and Jay Cutler are probably going to wish they had emulated Elway, Montana, Young or Aikman when it’s over. Yet, as incorrigible as Grossman is, the Bears defense bails him out time after time. A Bears’ defense that  won 13 games on its way to the Super Bowl, and is returning Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Tommie Harris, Mike Anderson, and Nathan Vasher. So…

Why will they need a reset button?

Losing RB Thomas Jones. Besides, the defense no other Bear was more important and dependable. Instead, the reins have been handed over to Cedric Benson. Benson might be an adequate replacement, but Jones he is not. On the flip side, Jones might not be a feature back without a Benson-type back. Yet, beyond the obvious offensive ineptitude, the Bears’ only drawback will be Mike Brown. Brown is the Bob Sanders’s of the Bears’ defense. Without Brown, the defense is susceptible to teams with the ability to produce long drives. With Brown they are world beaters. Brown, stays healthy for the entire regular season, it won’t matter who is playing QB or RB. If he goes down well, there’s always next year.

4) Philadelphia Eagles

This entry brings me great pleasure as a Cowboys fan. The dismantling of the Eagles will be rewarding yet, won’t feel right. Donovan McNabb is healthy but his ego is fragile. Drafting a QB with the team’s very first pick was just flat out ridiculous. Yet, McNabb like a loyal follower, stated that it didn’t faze him and that he still has a job to do. Yeah, warm the car for the youngster. However, Jim Johnson is still the defensive coordinator, so the Eagles defense will be ready and willing. So…

Why will they need a reset button?

Cutting Jeremiah Trotter. The NFL is one of the few sports where leadership is greatly needed, and the Eagles will definitely miss their emotional leader. Leaders know how to rally everyone around them and focus on the task at hand. Brian Dawkins is definitely a solid leader, but Trotter was the heart and soul. While the new athletic players are physically superior to Trotter, Trotter was mentally stronger than any new player of the linebacking corps. This is why I feel cheated as a Cowboy fan. Our team was good but the Eagles were just as good and had the edge. The Eagles will struggle to a Wild Card berth, but still only be one or two games back in the division.

5) New England Patriots

Not since Madden ’06 has building a franchise been so easy. If somebody told me that in one offseason they grabbed Adalius Thomas, Randy Moss, Wes Walker, and Donte’ Stallworth without losing any notable player off last year’s AFC East Championship team, I would check their settings because trade override is definitely turned on. Plus, their team should not have any problems winning a Super Bowl. So…

Why will they need a reset button?

Don’t believe the hype. It is not that easy to assemble great talent. Ask the New York Yankees who shell out plenty of dollars every year only to lose to the Angels in the playoffs. The Patriots look fierce on paper, but what is missing from paper is the Asante’ Samuel’s holdout, the Rodney Harrison suspension, the usual Richard Seymour injury, and the simple fact that teams are better. The Patriots will make the playoffs but Tom Brady will be collecting his third postseason loss ever. Just because one team looks better on paper doesn’t always equate to a win. Just ask the slumping Irish and bite-less Wolverines.     

Against the Grain Pick of the Week

Kansas City over Houston

I am just not sold on Houston’s O-line being fixed overnight. In the preseason teams couldn’t wave at Matt Schaub let alone sack him. Schaub will be average in his first start but probably will lose a key turnover via QB pressure from a sturdy KC front four. Jared Allen will be well acquainted with Schaub by the end of the game. 

Tune in next week for the Week 2 AGP