College Football Picks of the Week 11/21

Quick predictions and Heisman Watch.

Started to watch some College Basketball this week, and the Big East is 40-0 combined so far! That is insane.

There is no way Syracuse, who just waxed 12th ranked California and 4th ranked defending champions North Carolina, are the 6th best team in the Conference. The coaches of the Big East predicted that for the Orange. Better chance of finding diamonds in your basement.

Heisman Watch

The field really dwindled after last week. In our eyes, Golden Tate, Case Keenum, Ryan Matthews, and Jimmy Clausen all took gutshots to their hardware dreams. Here is the list of the survivors:

1. Mark Ingram RB, Alabama - 7 yards a pop and is smoking the SEC weekly. Big game against Florida wraps it up for him.

2. Kellen Moore QB, Boise St. - Leads the nation in TD passes and passing eff., Moore becomes the leading QB in this race.

3. Toby Gerhart RB, Stanford - This guy has plowed his way through Top 10 opponents, and into my Heisman Race. Leads the nation with 19 TD's and looks unstoppable now. He will destroy Notre Dame when they play.

4. CJ Spiller RB, Clemson - The guy is doing it all. Last week, ran, caught, and threw touchdowns. The ACC title game could really vault him with a great showing against a medicore Georgia Tech defense.

5. Jerry Hughes DE, TCU - The most disruptive defensive force I have seen in College Football since Charles Woodson. Hughes is a Dwight Freeney clone that just abuses Offensive Linemen.

Honorable Mention: Colt Mccoy QB, Texas, Dion Lewis RB, Pitt, Josh Nesbitt QB, GT.

Picks

Nebraska 16, Kansas St. 6 - Nebraska goes to the Big 12 Title Game, where they will give Texas, and the Networks a serious scare.

Notre Dame 45, UConn 38 - The Irish Boys (Clausen and Tate) make their final stand on Heisman voters with huge days.

Texas 41, Kansas 13 - Colt Mccoy and the Longhorns send Mark Mangino back to the ghetto.

Air Force 31, BYU 27 - Upset Special #1! Air Force wins on a textbook Max Hall pick 6. How funny would it be if the Carolina Panthers drafted this guy to be Jake Delhomme's heir?

Michigan St. 27, Penn St. 21 - Upset Special #2! I just want to see all of these soft 2 loss, Big Conference teams to get smacked up to clear an easy path for Boise St. into a BCS Bowl. This includes Penn St., Iowa, Oklahoma St., and possibly Stanford. Speaking of...

Stanford 45, California 23 - The Cardinal are a juggernaut right now. I loved what Jim Harbaugh did to Pete Carroll. I hope Harbaugh stays at Stanford and now we have a new hated rivalry.

Ohio St. 37, Michigan 20 - I want to know one thing. How can Michigan's defense be so bad, but the consenus is that they have 2 1st round locks on that side of the ball? It boggles the mind. Btw, quick tidbit, these two against one another when one team is ranked and the other is not, the ranked team is only 7-6. Just something to think about.

Clemson 45, Virginia 23 - I just wanted to put this bloodbath in for two reasons. 1. Because CJ Spiller is going to go bananas in this game and 2. As a Jet fan, im awaiting the Al Groh roast, with apple stuffed into his gullet and all the trimmings.

Oklahoma 31, Texas Tech 20 - It is amazing how far the cream has fallen. This time last season, both teams were vying for a spot in the national title game. This season, they are both trying to avoid their 5th loss.

Ole Miss 28, LSU 17 - Upset Special #3! Les Miles, meet Dexter Mccluster. He is the one that is destroying your defense this weekend.

Oregon 34, Arizona 28 - The Ducks wrap up the Pac 10 and head to the Rose Bowl, where they will obliterate Ohio St. Yes, you heard it here first. Rose Bowl, Oregon 41, Ohio St. 17.

Last Week: 8-3

Season: 74-41

College Football Picks of the Week 11/14

Before I get into the picks and preview for this week's games, I would just like to congratulate the SEC and their officals for successfully making sure that Florida and Alabama smoothly got into the SEC Title game without any hiccups.

Not only did the officals make sure that the top two teams would remain unscathed, but they also made sure that they had the high ranking competition to make them seem even better to the computers and on paper.

This all started with the LSU-Georgia game, where the refs called an awful excessive celebration call on Georgia, after an AJ Green TD catch. LSU gets prime field position, and they score. What happened two days later? LSU was ranked 4th, and were headed into a showdown with? Florida. Did I mention that CBS had this game on primetime?

Then, the massacare happened that we now call the Arkansas-Florida game, where the referees were really wearing Gator uniforns in the 4th quarter. Urban Meyer needed the help that day, as the Gators squeeked by a hungry Razorbacks team.

In my opinion, the worst one of all came last Saturday, when LSU's Patrick Peterson CLEARLY had two feet inbounds for an interception at midfield late in the 4th quarter. Now, LSU might not of scored, but why should the SEC leave it up to the kids on the field? Somehow, the refs called it incomplete, and then somehow, the booth did as well. That is a catch even in the NFL!!

Yes, the SEC did suspend a referee crew, but after the fact that they were part of two of these instances! How do they even have a job anymore? I will say this, the refs only getting suspended does make sense considering the SEC did not even suspend Brandon Spikes for trying to rip a players eyes out. Oh yeah, Spikes is a Gator. I forgot.

The officating has been so awful, that the SEC has basically put a gag order on the coaches, even smacking Meyer with a 30 large fine.

Well, you cannot fine me SEC, and I will easily trash how bad the officals and Conference has been in reguards to their officals. The title game is set, you guys got your wish, now let the kids play some fair ball!

Big props to Rutgers last night, completely pasting South Florida on ESPN. That is a big win for Greg Schianno's program, as he continues to bring in better recruits. I basically inherited Rutgers since I am from the Northeast, and have no football program to root for. Rutgers is the closest to me, so they are mine to root for now.

Heisman Watch took a shift from last week. Although having a good game in defeat, Jimmy Clausen has to slide. Here is your Heisman Top 5 and Honorable Mentions:

1. Mark Ingram RB, Alabama - I know I just completely trashed the SEC, but the fact is, Ingram is running over the best Conference in the nation. Last week, Ingram ran for 144 yards on a stout LSU defense. He now has 1148 yards, on 6.6 yards per carry. If Ingram has a monster game against Florida, yuo might just have to wrap this baby up.

2. Casey Keenum QB, Houston - I know Keenum is not exactly putting up these monster stats against the best competition possible, but how can you ignore the stats? He has a 28/5 TD/Int ratio, he completes 71% of his passes, and he has thrown for over 500 yards three times this season.

3. Jimmy Clausen QB, Notre Dame - The Golden Boy has a monster game, going for 450 and 2 TD's against Navy. The drop came because of the loss to a bad team and a costly fumble on the goal line. I will not blame Clausen for the Int, since Michael Floyd messed up.

4. Ryan Matthews RB, Fresno St. - With all due respect to Ingram and others, Matthews is the best RB in the nation. Close to 1,500 yards and 14 scores already, Matthews is automatic for 140 a game. He will not win the Heisman, but he has to garner consideration.

5. Kellen Moore QB, Boise St. - The newcomer on this list. Does anyone realize that Moore has 27 TD passes to only 3 interceptions? That is crazy. Moore also is 1st in the nation in Passer Eff. (media darlings Tim Tebow and Colt Mccoy are 9th and 16th respectively).

Honorable Mention: Tim Tebow QB, Florida, Toby Gerhart RB, Stanford, Dion Lewis RB, Pittsburgh, Golden Tate WR, Notre Dame, Jerry Hughes DE, TCU.



Before I get to the picks, I want to know how a daunting powerhouse like Louisiana Tech can schedule LSU, Auburn, and Navy in out of conference, but Texas's non-conf. schedule consists of Louisiana Monroe, Wyoming, Central Florida, and UTEP? How about Florida's schedule of Charleston Southern, Troy, Florida International and Florida St.?

Time for the big boys to schedule like they are big boys. Disgraceful.

Now, to the picks:

Tennessee 20, Ole Miss 16 - Anytime Jevan Snead faced a formidable defense this season, he has laid an egg. Monte Kiffin probaly has been in the office all week, laughing at Snead being a deer in the headlights.

Wisconsin 31, Michigan 20 - What a classic meltdown by the Wolverines this year huh? Rich Rodriguez is in deep trouble here, and for his coaching life.

Ohio St. 16, Iowa 6 - I really wanted to see this game on fair ground. No Ricky Stanzi for Iowa, which will make it hard to score off this stingy Buckeyes defense.

Cincinnati 44, West Virginia 24 - A very good Friday night game on ESPN. This game, along with the potential Pitt. showdown will vault the Bearcats big time in the BCS rankings. Brian Kelly is going with the hot hand of Zach Collaros over the now healthy Tony Pike. I cannot blame him.

Texas Tech 51, Oklahoma St. 44 - UPSET SPECIAL! I lost all respect for the Cowboys when they laid down to Texas. It does not matter who QB's for Coach Leach, as the Red Raider system is a QB's wet dream. Cowboys will not even force one punt.

Pittsburgh 40, Notre Dame 24 - As much as we love Clausen here at Sportstown, he is not the only great QB in this game. Pitt's Bill Stull has been a pleasant surprise, ranked 5th in Pass. Eff. The Panthers are loaded with offensive weapons, and can do more damage than what Navy did last week.

Nebraska 16, Kansas 10 - A once Big 12 North clash, has turned into a medicore game in a 3 week span. Nebraska's defense prevails in this game.

Florida 24, South Carolina 10 - Tim Tebow better have a monster game here, because he really is slipping in that Heisman race. We all know Steve Spurrier will try to win this game at all costs.

Arizona 34, California 16 - No Jahvid Best, no win for the Bears. Nice job by the Wildcats this season as a whole, as they could somehow get into the Rose Bowl. They have Oregon and USC still to come. Speaking of the Trojans.....

Stanford 38, USC 31 - UPSET SPECIAL #2! - USC is toast this season. I am praying that they do not get into the BSC Bowls with 2 losses and stiff a team like Boise St. Stanford is coming off a monster win over Oregon and can run the football on anyone. Bye Bye Petey Carroll. Hope you like the Holiday Bowl. Big game for Toby Gerhart.

TCU 31, Utah 13 - The game of the week. The Horned Frogs will be looking for revenge from last years lost to the Utes in a tough close game. Although, I do not agree with Vegas on this one. Twenty points is too high of an outcome. TCU will solidify there 4th ranking with a solid win here.

Last Week: 7-4

Season: 66-41

College Football Picks of the Week

This week, with the World Series on the cusp, the NFL in high gear, and the NHL off to an amazing start, I just cannot help being not interested in College Football this week.

I know that last week had a ton of great games, and that the BCS ranking have come along to spice up our male verison of a soap opera, but I am not feeling it. The only game I remotely want to check out is TCU-BYU, and oh yeah, I can not even see that. Thank you Versus, Comcast, and Direct TV!!!

The entire officiating BS that is going on in the SEC has really left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not know that the Florida-Arkansas Crew were the SAME guys that pulled the Georgia-LSU shenanigans. That is not a fluke, that is what we call, a trend or pattern.

The SEC decided to suspend them for this week. Why just the slap on the wrist? These refs are tainting your beloved football power-divison. By suspendedthe crew, the SEC is already admitting that they basically know something fishy has happened. Why not fire these crooks?

Does the SEC realize now that ANY SEC Conference now, anyone who bets sports will take a look at that game, and try to find out what crew is calling that game now? I will bet my mortage that the most waged game of any college football week for the rest of the season, will be the SEC game that these drones call.

I do not think the SEC even realizes this pattern. No one looks worse than the SEC itself! Bear with me for a moment, LSU is about to lose to Georgia, killing the following week's Super-Matchup between #1 Florida and #4 LSU. SEC did not want that did they?

Now, with Florida on the brink of losing, the refs basically made the game like a 5 on 3 Power Play for the Gators.... for most of the 4th quarter!!!

What is alot of the general public going to think? The SEC wants Florida with a 0 in the loss column, for Alabama.

SEC would of did a good service to themselves by just firing these zebras, that obviously can be influenced easily. That is not my opinion, that is the SEC's opinion after suspending them.

Now, a short verison of this week's predictions:

Penn St. 27, Michigan 20- Penn St. and JoePa get the Big House jinx off their backs.

Georgia Tech 34, Virginia 10

Oregon 41, Washington 24- No Upset Special Stewart Mandel!

Oklahoma 31, Kansas 28 OT- Yes, the first Overtime prediction of the season!

Notre Dame 44, Boston College 23 - Jimmy Clausen for Heisman Wagon is gaining some serious steam in this game.

West Virginia 27, UConn 17 - Big East is going to get interesting this season, with Cincy, WVU, Pitt, and South Florida. The Conference is not as bad as people and paper think, speaking of....

Pittsburgh 17, South Florida 14 - I flipped a coin, could not decide.

Alabama 23, Tennessee 9 - This game is going to be a struggle. You give a defensive whiz like Monte Kiffin two full weeks to plan on stopping a RB, he will find a way. Vols just cannot score on Bama's defense. The St. Louis Rams would have the same problem.

Michigan St. 24, Iowa 20 - Now this is the UPSET SPECIAL! Iowa, on the road in a hostile place to play. This result comes in, it is a breadbasket punch to the entire Midwest that is hoping for a Big 10 Title hopeful.

Texas 41, Missouri 20 - Did I actually hear people in the media this week say that Mizzou has a shot in this game? The same Mizzou team that gave up 28 points to a Nebraska QB that might be benched now? Custer had a better shot at surviving Little Bighorn.

TCU 38, BYU 20 - The Mountain West takes the Game of the Week! Shame I can not watch it, but Jerry Hughes will make BYU QB Max Hall have nightmares from last season's game. TCU, not Boise St., is the best non-BCS team.

Bonus: Boise St. 70, Hawaii 13

Remember in the College Football Preview that I had this game marked down? Well, it is here! Hawaii home game played LATE night, with a national powerhouse? Every single degenerate gambler in the world has been salivating like a dog that has not eaten for three days, chained up, with a raw steak hanging near him that he can not get to.

Last Week: 5-6

Season: 43-32

Weekend Wrap-Up

Is it just me, or does meaningful games in the last weekend of Major League baseball's regular season make it a much better sports weekend?

The Twins, needing to give the Royals the broom over the weekend, which included beating the future CY Award winner Zack Greinke, did so to force a play-in game against the reeling Detroit Tigers. Thanks to the Vikings, and the Days of Our Favre, the game will be Tuesday, which gives the Tigers a bit of an advantage, considering how hot the Twins bats are. We will be watching that one for sure.

Of course, the Tigers would be alot happier if star slugger Miguel Cabrera was not coming home drunk in the middle of a pennant race at 5am in the morning, fighting with his wife until 6 am, escorted out of his house by the police, then have to be picked up by Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski at 7:30am. Cabrera is lucky, if his coach was Tom Cable, he would have alot more than just scratches on his face.

Since the end of the baseball season is here, the Awards goes to:

AL MVP - Twins C Joe Mauer- Imagine what his stats would of been if he did not miss a month?

AL CY -  Royals Zack Greinke- Felix Hernandez made it close, but 2.16 ERA and 240 strikeouts on that team is just absurd.

AL Manager of the Year - Twins Ron Gardenhire- About two weeks ago, this pick would of been Rangers Ron Washington, but this stretch run the Twins have put up tipped me over to the other side.

AL Rookie of the Year -  Oakland Closer Andrew Bailey - I know relief pitchers do not get much love from this vote, but Bailey was by far the most dominant rookie of this class. The numbers back that up. Beats out Rick Porcello in my eyes, although the media are total victims for the spotlight.

NL MVP - Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols - Do I really need to go into this one? Thank you.

NL CY - Cardinals Adam Wainwright - Alot of good candidates for this one, but Wainwright has the horse that survived the stretch run. Tim Lincecum could not finish strong, same with teammate Matt Cain. Wainwright's teammate Chris Carpenter had a great year, but even he would admit that Wainwright is the man here.

NL Manager of the Year - Rockies Jim Tracy - Took over a cellar dweller mid season, and turned them into a playoff team. When you go 74-40, you are doing something special.

NL Rookie of the Year - Phillies SP JA Happ - This was the toughest decison for me, as Tommy Hanson is unbelieveable, and I hate the Phillies. Overall though, Happ does deserve the award. A sub 3 ERA in that sandbox is pretty damn good.

Finally getting off of baseball, and before we get into the football weekend, just how pathetic is it that NBA TV is showing PRACTICES of NBA teams??? That is right, PRACTICES! The NBA is dull enough until the last quarter, and they are telling me that there is a market for televised practices? Allen Iverson is now wants to go to practice.
It is not fair when Peyton Manning is in Arcade Mode. Watching the Seahawks-Colts game yesterday, it just seemed like before going out in the field, someone would pop a quarter into Manning, and it was like some 12 year old kid running up the score with a joystick. Unreal.

Steve Smith leads the NFL in Receptions and Receiving Yards. He even did it without punching a teammate. Wait a second, wrong Steve Smith. The loudmouth lunatic is not even the best WR with his own name anymore. How the mighty how fallen.

With all the press the New Orleans Saints offense gets, their defense is pretty damn good. They just destroyed one of the better OLines in football against the Jets. They did it with a ton of blitzing. Are you hearing that out in Tennessee? Paging Mr. Cecil!!! Bring more than four men at a time, otherwise, it is your ass.

I still dunno what is the bigger shock to me. The Titans 0-4, or the Broncos 4-0. I think someone put some acid in my Spam.

After getting humiliated by Virginia Tech, the Miami Hurricanes redeemed themselves with a huge win at home against Oklahoma. After those first 4 grueling game, 3-1 is a nice place to be for a program trying to reclaim their old glory.

Congrats to California and Houston. Both programs are the co-winners of the biggest fraud award for this season so far. Cal was suppose to be a powerhouse, and has been pummeled like chopmeat by Oregon and USC in consecutive weeks. Houston was ranked too high for their bridges, but 58 points to UTEP??? The same UTEP team that got hammered by Texas the week before? At least we will not hear the press crying that they are getting overlooked now.

What a catch by Georgia WR AJ Green in the 4th quarter of that great game between LSU. The offical that tossed that excessive celebration penalty should never officate another college football game again. That was one case where an offical played God, and dictated the outcome of a game. SEC, do the right thing.

Speaking of shady nonsense in college football, the Polls have Iowa moving up after 1 spot in the AP and 3 in the Coaches Poll after barely beating Arkansas St. Nice work, I would harp on that even more, if not for the fact that Virginia Tech somehow mysteriously leapfrogged Boise St. in the Polls after struggling against Duke.  Now, I am a Rutger's football fan, can I cut a check to some of these pollsters and see Rutgers #22 next week? This is not a joke, I think I really could.

Last thing on college football before the Monday Night pick. Is there anymore important game for the Heisman this year than Notre Dame against USC in a few weeks? That is the make or break game for Jimmy Clausen. With a great game, he can become to frontrunner in a star-studded year.

Monday Night Pick of the Week:

The only thing the schedule makers messed up was that this game should of been in Lambeau. Cut the tension with a knife tonight, as The Days of Our Favre finally get a crack at his old franchise, the Packers.

The storyline will be Favre against Aaron Rodgers, but this game will more about if the Packers can stop Adrian Peterson. I do not think they can, but the Packers will be smart to just air it out, and let their best playmaker Greg Jennings try to take over. This has shootout written all over it. Last one with the ball wins.

Packers 31, Vikings 28.

College Football Picks of the Week

After a horrendous 4-7 first week, we got back on track slightly to have a 6-4 week, and are now 10-11 overall. I wish we picked College Football like we do the NFL. (Little hint, alot of bragging on the NFL picks).

A couple of big games this week, as Nebraska clashes Virginia Tech, Florida St. tries to right the ship against darlings BYU, and Texas has a shot at their revenge from last year against Texas Tech. All are good matchups, but the most anticipated game of the week is Tennessee-Florida.

After all the hand grenades that were tossed between the sides in the offseason, now the Volunteers, and new Head Coach Lane Kiffin has to go into The Swamp, and mess with Urban Meyer's dynasty. I have a funny feeling that Coach Meyer is going to have the Gators foot on the Vols throat by the 2nd quarter... and he will not let it go until after the final whistle is blown. Gotta love potential video game football!

This might be the closest parody to The Karate Kid Part 2, when Daniel is supposedly fighting to the death with Sato's nephew, has him by the back and of the head, and gives him choice of living or dying. Only in this reality, Meyer would be Daniel, and he would not just honk Lane Kiffin's nose, it would more resemble a Mortal Kombat fatality move.

Now, on to the picks of the week:

Boise St. 45, Fresno St 17 - No, it is not on the blue grass, but no one in the WAC can really handle Boise this fall. An imporvement for Fresno St., after last season's ambush.

California 38, Minnesota 21 - After their cross-country loss last year at Maryland, Cal. came into Minnesota earlier in the week to adjust to the time zone. Shame Minnesota will not be able to adjust to RB Jahvid Best.

Oregon 28, Utah 17 - Yes, the winning streak ends in Eugene. If Utes RB Matt Asiata were playing, my pick might of been a bit different. I also just cannot see the Ducks getting slapped around by two BCS Busters in a month.

Texas 51, Texas Tech 34 - Think Colt Mccoy and company want this game? The Red Raiders essentially cost the Longhorns a shot at Florida last year. Mccoy and crew will get their revenge, and then some.

USC 27, Washington 9 - I read CNNSI.com's Stewart Mandel's picks and he has Washington pulling off the uber-upset. I usually like and respect Mandel's work, but he went Waco on this prediction. Keep up the good work though.

Nebraska 24, Virginia Tech 17- Here is my upset pick of the week. The Cornhuskers, and basically the entire Big 12 can score. They will play just enough defense to win this game. I just have no confidence in Va Tech's defense after Bama shredded it.

Cincinnati 38, Oregon St. 31 - Have you seen the Bearcats offense? It is no-huddle madness! QB Tony Pike and WR Marty Gilyard will hook up plenty of times in this game, and that will edge what OSU RB Jacquizz Rodgers will do. Big win for the Big East and Cincy.

Notre Dame 45, Michigan St. 20 - Poor Michigan St., they get smacked at home last week to little brother state school Central Michigan, now they get a pissed off Irish offense that can score on anyone. QB Jimmy Clausen is going to pad some Heisman stats in this game.

BYU 27, Florida St. 13 - I know the Seminoles most likely have more talent, and could easily win this game, but I just cannot see them scoring much on a defense that basically shut down Sam Bradford. BYU continues on the BCS march.

and, finally....

Florida 63, Tennessee 10 - Like I said earlier, foot to the throat for the entire game. I would not be shocked if Tim Tebow is doing play-action pass bombs in the 4th quarter of this game. Welcome to the SEC Lane Kiffin. Next time, keep your mouth shut.

Tomorrow, the NFL picks (cough, went 13-2 last week, cough).

College Football Picks of the Week

This is a great time of year for a sports junkie. Baseball is coming down the stretch with the pennant races, and the postseason is right around the corner. We are currently in the process of getting ready for the college football season, starting tonight, along with the NFL a week from today. We also have the NFL and basketball right in the rearview mirror.

Here is a look at some of the more interesting matchups this weekend in College Football (No, I will waste my time and yours on how Florida, Texas, USC, etc will win by a combined score of 34,498-9):


South Carolina 16, North Carolina St. 27

When was Steve Spurrier suppose to re-take the SEC again? He has been slightly better here than he was with the Washington Redskins. NC St. comes in with a very solid QB in Russell Wilson, who will hurt the Gamecocks in more ways than one way, and make less mistakes than his counterpart.

Oregon 45, Boise St 38

I find it amusing that basically Boise St.'s season is based on their opening game. Bottom line, if they beat the Ducks, they will probaly go undefeated. The only thing is, they will not win. Too much firepower from the Ducks, and this is a revenge game after last season. Boise St. cries on their blue grass after the game (See more on this game in The Degenerates Corner).

Navy 13, Ohio State 31

Navy will score early, as the Buckeyes takes a few series to adapt to the option attack, but Terrelle Pryor makes the crowd cream in their pants by looking like Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl back in the Nintendo days.

BYU 27, Oklahoma 55

Just before I did this article, I saw that Oklahoma will miss All-Universe Tight End Jermaine Gresham this week. Now, that is the only reason why I have Oklahoma only scoring 55 in this game. BYU will score, but I have a hard time seeing Oklahoma even attempting a punt in this game. Big game for Heisman Winner QB Sam Bradford.

Nevada 28, Notre Dame 24

Here is my Upset Spay-Shal of the Week! The only thing I have to explain this upset for me on paper is, Nevada really does have one of the Top 10-12 Quarterbacks in the country in Colin Kaepernick.
I just want to see how Lou Holtz has to explain on National TV that his expert opinion on who wins the National Championship is dusted in Week 1 of the season by Nevada. I am telling you, someone at Bristol HQ should put Holtz on suicide watch sometime this season if the Irish are 4-3.

Maryland 23, California 42

I remember watching this game last year. It was in Maryland, on ESPN, at Noon Est time. Cal in the first half looked like they just got into Maryland two hours before gametime. They were like zombies in the first half, and they could not overcome the scoring margin in the 2nd half. This game is on the left coast, this game is payback time, and Cal has RB Javhid Best that will headstomp on the Terps.

Missouri 34, Illnois 45

Was there any other team more disappointing last season than Illinois? They are loaded with athletes and talent all over the place and they just disappeared like an Italian mobster after talking to the Feds. I am jumping back on the bandwagon early this season, but with caution. Just too many weapons to ignore, led by QB Juice Williams and WR Arreilous Benn.

Georgia 27, Oklahoma St. 41

After the Cowboys lost two starters this week to injury and quitting, I am a little queasy on this pick. I mean, afterall, I do have them in the BCS Title game. I think this game being at home is huge for them, and any team that plays Okie St. right now, they just have to prove to me that they can stop WR Dez Bryant.

Virginia Tech 10, Alabama 23

This is what it comes down to. The SEC pays fo..... errrrr... I mean recruits better and more polished athletes than the ACC. Just take a look at Bama's talent, even with a new QB under Center. This might be the best defense in the nation, and the fact that the Hokies lost their starting RB, Darren Evans for the season, this should be a long night for Va. Tech.

Cincinnati 20, Rutgers 21

Think the Bearcats are pissed that this game was moved up the schedule to opening night? They are right to feel that way. They took it in the gaspipe by the schedule makers.
This really does not matter, since the Big East is absolutely putrid this season. It just sounds like that Greg Schiano's recruiting is finally going to pay off, and Rutgers will have a solid defense this season. Player to watch in this game is Bearcat WR Marty Gilyard. He is the most underrated WR in the nation, and does not get enough ink.

Miami 19, Florida St. 24

The rivalry continues. Both teams are desperate to start off hot, especially Miami. I just think Seminole QB Christian Ponder makes all the difference in a Monday Night televised game on ESPN.

This is the Wayne Root game of the week. Want to know what that is? Go check out The Degenerates Corner.