It's Friday night at 11:18 and I'm entering my picks for the week. Loser? Maybe. But I've got to be fresh for a long day tomorrow. I just can't wait for the game. Anyway, here are my picks for the first weekend of the football season. Remember, my 5* is my favorite pick of the week, and the 1* is my 5th favorite. Here we go...
1* Tennessee +2` - (BTW this symbol: ` means half a point) Cal comes into Knoxville for a very good opening weekend matchup. Both teams are contenders for their conference. To tell you the truth, I can't fathom how Tennessee is a home dog in this game. Cal has a long travel to a hostile SEC environment, with an inexperienced QB. Seriously, I don't get it, how is Tenn a home dog? Cal has 15 starters and Tennessee 12. And Tenn has an experienced QB. Shit, just take Tennessee.
2* Utah +3 - I mentioned in my preview that I expect Utah to have a great season, and they will show it on Saturday. They go into UCLA as an underdog, but UCLA is going to struggle this season. UCLA has a very weak defense, a new QB, got LUCKY in numerous games last year with huge comebacks. Utah has a better QB, more talent across the board, and a far better defense. The reason UCLA is favored is in name only, as Utah is a much more solid team, and I expect an outright Utah win.
3* Arkansas +8` - I talked about this game in my preview. It appears that McFadden will be playing in this game, and that means he will take a lot of pressure off the new Ark QB. USC has just 11 starters back, with losing their entire offensive backfield, and Arkansas returns 19 players from a very underrated team from last season. With or without McFadden this game goes down to the wire, but with him I predict an Arkansas upset.
4* Utah St +12` - Wyoming is favored by 12` in what I see as one of their winnable games of the season. This really could be the only game they are favored all year. Utah St is far from a good team, but their skill players are tremendous. Wyoming has a nice offensive line, but lose a ton of production from last season. Wyoming fell apart at the end of last season, and they are nowhere near as good this season, and do not be surprised at an outright Utah St victory.
5* Nebraska -23` - Yes, I'm taking the Huskers as my pick of the week. This line sat at 21` earlier in the day, but even with 2 points added I love NU. LA Tech only has 2 starters back on defense, and have one of the worst defenses in the country. NU has a vastly improved offense and a top 10 defense. LA Tech also has a QB making his 1st start in an environment he's never seen. NU will not score less than 40 points, and LA Tech shouldn't score more than 14. Plus I will be there cheering on the Huskers, and NU goes home with at least a 30 point win.
Other games I like, but didn't make my top 5:
Houston -14` over Rice - Houston has an outstanding offense with senior QB Kolb, while Rice switches to a passing offense and should struggle to score.
Oklahoma -23` over UAB - UAB is in a rebuilding year and shouldn't score. Period. Oklahoma will put up at least 30 and will cover.
Pitt -4 Over Virginia - I really like Pitt this season, and in the 2nd year under Wanstedt should win this game easily.
Monday: Florida St +3` over Miami - Picked this one in my preview and I'm sticking to it. I just hope they always play this game on Labor Day, it would be a great tradition to keep.
That's it. Good luck, and go Huskers, Yellow Jackets, and Razorbacks!!!
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