The South Carolina/NC State game did not go as I had planned, meaning that the Wolfpack wide receivers need to learn how to put two hands on the football.
Boise did pull out a win for me in the second game, and Oregon looks to be in for a long season. There are very few teams that I will probably pick for Oregon to beat this season.
If you didn't catch the 140 character predictions last night, here is what they were:
*South Carolina @ NC State
the Gamecocks D is still expected to be stout, but Russell Shepard is a beast compared to Stephen Garcia. Close gm: 21-20 Wolfpk
*Oregon @ Boise State
Masoli is a good QB, and the Ducks are gonna be good in the Pac-10, but I think the smurf turf holds strong this yr: 38-34 Boise
So after one night, I am 1-1 on the season, which isn't a bad start considering how hard those two games were to pick.
Now, with everyone else starting Saturday, it is time to get into the meat of the schedule.
Of course, each week, the 8 games selected by the Crimson White Sports Staff will be the eight major ones I select, but I will also try to cover the SEC and any other major games not picked by the staff. You would think as their sports blogger they would want my input, but sometimes logic just doesn't make sense.
Also, you will see my picks from the ESPN.com College Football Pick'em here as well. If you still want to get in on the group and not miss a week, head over the ESPN.com, and find your way to the Fantasy home page. From there, click on the College Pick'em logo, and enter into the competition by searching for the ITNOT Pick'em group and enter the group password: ITNOT. There you will be able to challenge not only me but other readers of the blog.
It would also be interesting if the sports staff would step up and join in as well, but once again, wishful thinking from that group.
So here we go with picks for Week 1.
Minnesota @ Syracuse
The Gophers will have to wait another week to open their outdoor paradise and will spend yet another game inside in the Carrier Dome. Doug Marrone will be making is head coaching debut on Saturday with Greg Paulus as his quarterback. As great of a story I think Paulus will be this season, I have to go with Adam Weber under center for Minne. Minnesota 24, Syracuse 17
Baylor @ Wake Forest
Baylor has been making some great strides the past few years, including climbing out of the basement last season in the ever steep hill that is the Big XII South. Robert Griffin may be the most underrated QB in the BCS, and Wake Forest is having to replace all but four defensive starters on their team. Art Briles returned 16 starters and gets the Demon Deacons at home this year in Waco. I like the Bears. Baylor 27, Wake Forest 24
Stanford @ Washington State
As if WAZU going 2-11 last season wasn't enough, they have to open this year against the team expected to make the biggest strides in the Pac-10 this season in Stanford. The Cardinal have a great recruiting class on the way, and Jim Harbaugh is the best coach they have had there in quite some time. The only way to go is up for the Cougars after getting beat by the Cardinal 58-0 last year. They will score this year, but not much, leaving Stanford to lead the Pac-1o for two weeks. Stanford 35, Washington State 7
*Maryland @ Cal
Cal was very highly touted last year going into College Park, and then had the fear of the turtle enacted upon them in an embarrassing 35-27 game that no where resembled the score. This year, the Terps have to fly to the Left Coast to take on the Bears in Berkeley. Cal still has the sour taste in their mouths and a Pac-1o title on their minds, so expect this one to get ugly early. Cal 38, Maryland 20
Navy @ Ohio State
Ohio State is focused on USC, but no amount of focus is going to deter them from the task at hand of Navy. The Midshipmen still run the triple option, which will definitely give Ohio State's defense fits, but Terrell Pryor is a one-man wrecking crew and won't let the Buckeyes have their national title hopes smashed before a clash with the Trojans. Ohio State, 24, Navy 10
San Jose State @ USC
Just like Ohio State, USC is looking forward to their matchup with the Buckeyes in Columbus next Saturday, but the beat up Trojans must take care of business at home first against the Spartans. Matt Barkley will become the first USC QB to start as a true freshman on Saturday, but his first loss will wait for him for at least one more week. USC 38, San Jose State 13
Missouri vs. Illinois in St. Louis
Last year's game faced Chase Daniel up against Juice Williams in a shootout that the Tigers ended up winning 52-42. This year, Juice is back, Daniel is not. In fact, neither are the Tigers top three receivers from last season. Missouri is facing a tough task with only nine returning starters going up against an Ilini team that is ready for revenge and for their first win against Mizzou in their last five chances. They get it. Illinois 28, Missouri 21
*Miami @ Florida State
In a game that used to be very hyped, no one is even bothering to take a notice of this game on Monday Night. Sure, ESPN will carry it, but the empty seats in the corners of Doak will tell the tale of how hard this rivalry has fallen. When it kicks off, Miami is no where to be found in the polls, and Florida State is #18 just because someone has to win that division. The Hurricanes return more players, but the talent gap is still visible between the two schools. Seminoles at home. Florida State 27, Miami 17
*BYU vs. Oklahoma in Dallas
The first college game in the Palace that Jerry Built will pit the Sooners and Cougars together. Max Hall vs. Sam Bradford will be the biggest competition to watch in this game, but Oklahoma still has plenty coming back on the opposite side of the ball around the reigning Heisman winner. The Sooners held Florida to 24 points in the National Title game last year, and BYU doesn't pose as much of a threat in what should be a very crimson clad crowd. Oklahoma 45, BYU 30
Western Michigan @ Michigan
Tate Forcier will be the starter amongst the three Michigan QBs who will play in Saturday's opener in the newly renovated Big House. Western Michigan brings in the better and more experience QB in the match-up as Tim Hiller leads the Broncos from Kalamazoo to Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have struggled the past two seasons against non-BCS opponents, losing to Appalachian State in 2007 and Utah in 2008. Rich Rodriguez has had a tough couple of weeks, and there is a good chance that will carry on to the field. This could be a high scoring game as only eight defensive starters return between the two teams. Michigan has lost multiple OOC games the past two years. Might as well make it three. Western Michigan 31, Michigan 30
Nevada @ Notre Dame
The Golden Domers are still riding the high of the Hawaii Bowl mauling they handed out, and Jimmy Clausen's unfounded arrogance still reigns over South Bend. Nevada will give the Irish a run for their money, but the Wolfpack have never beaten a BCS team in a season opener in their last 13 tries. Make that 14 after Saturday. Notre Dame 38, Nevada 17
LSU @ Washington
After going winless in 2008, the Huskies decided they had seen enough of Tyrone Willingham and went to USC and raided the cabinet, picking out Steve Sarkisian to lead the team in Seattle this year. LSU is looking to rebound from their worst season since Nick Saban's first year in 2000. The Tigers are hungry to gain back their national respect, and a good place to start is on national television against a team with no confidence. LSU 48, Washington 10
Ole Miss @ Memphis
This may look like a road game on paper, but Oxford to Memphis is only about an hour drive, and for this Rebel team, you can be sure that some red will be scatter amongst the throngs of blue to be there for both teams. Ole Miss has made quick work of the Tigers recently, and with Jevan Snead taking snaps this year, it is going to be a long game for Memphis. Ole Miss 41, Memphis 7
Western Carolina @ Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt is looking to go to back-to-back bowls for the first time in school history this season, and playing the Catamounts is going to lead to an easy victory for the 'Dores on Saturday at home. It is about time Vandy was the one doing the plowing instead of getting plowed. Vanderbilt 40, Western Carolina 10
Western Kentucky @ Tennessee
The Lane Kiffin era begins with the newest member of the FBS coming to town. Western Kentucky will bring their small contingent of fans to watch their first official game in Division I-A, leading to their first official loss. No amount of ineptitude on offense will slow down the Vols in this one. Tennessee 34, Western Kentucky 3
Charleston Southern @ Florida
Will they or won't they? That is the question surrounding Florida and their 73-point favorite line in the game against FCS cupcake Charleston Southern. Tim Tebow will probably see the bench before halftime as Urban Meyer will hand over the check himself after the game with a sly little smile and his pride that much more built up. Florida 63, Charleston Southern 7
Louisiana Tech @ Auburn
The Tigers begin the Gene Chizik era with a very losable game at home. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, coached by the former Georgia coaching great Vince Dooley's son, Derek, will have his team ready to go and attempt to improve on their 8-5 record from last season with 16 starters returning. Last year the Bulldogs got their first win against an SEC team when they beat Mississippi State. Chris Todd will do his best to make sure that Auburn isn't team #2. Sometimes your best isn't good enough. Louisiana Tech 21, Auburn 17
Miami, OH vs. Kentucky in Cincinnati
Kentucky is constantly picked last in the SEC East, but coach Rich Brooks always finds a way to improve his team. After three straight years in a bowl game, the Wildcats are looking for their fourth straight and a school record. Miami, OH no longer has Big Ben, so their one chance was about five years ago. Kentucky 31, Miami, OH 13
Missouri State @ Arkansas
Arkansas will begin year two under Bobby Petrino ready to do some damage with Michael Smith back and the addition of Ryan Mallet in the backfield. This game will be a walk in the park, even for the Hogs porous defense. At least three touchdowns for Mallett. Arakansas 42, Missouri State 14
Jackson State @ Mississippi State
Dan Mullen begins his head coaching career against Jackson State. The Bulldogs have had their largest ticket sales in school history this summer, and Mullen should have a rowdy crowd ready for the in-state opponent. Mississippi State 28, Jackson State 10
*Georgia @ Oklahoma State
One of two marquee games for the SEC this first week includes Georgia breaking in a new quarterback while Oklahoma State breaks in their stadium expansion. The Cowboys are looking to make some noise this year in the Big XII South with the lethal combination of QB Zac Robinson, WR Dez Bryant, and RB Kendall Hunter. Georgia has given up 30+ points 11 times in the past four seasons. Saturday will be the 12th time. Oklahoma State 35, Georgia 31
*Alabama vs. Virginia Tech in Atlanta
The Crimson Tide begin their season in Atlanta for the second straight year, but the coaching ability on the opposing sideline has greatly increased. Virginia Tech has as just a vaunted a defense as Alabama, and the established quarterback, but Alabama brings back nine defensive starters against a team without their best running back available. Special teams will play a role in this game, but Alabama might actually hold the edge in the category. With all of that said, the game won't be a blow out, but there will be a measured difference in ability between the Tide and the Hokies. Alabama 24, Virginia Tech 10
Links
- The Orlando Sentinel Sports Staff, all ten of them, let you know who they think has the edge this weekend. And yes, they all picked Florida.
- Chris Low of ESPN.com breaks down week one in the SEC.
- The CBS Sports "experts" make their picks for the first week of the season, even though none of these guys I would really trust.
- Tony Barnhart puts his faith in both major conference teams from the state of Georgia for this weekend.
- Stewart Mandel, quite possibly my favorite writer and go-to guy online, has his thoughts on the upcoming weekend.
- Charles Hollis of the Birmingham News lays out his picks and has one of the SEC teams in the state losing on Saturday.
- Cory McCartney of SI.com picks Alabama/VT as his game of the week in his thorough breakdown of the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game.
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