College Football Week One Picks

I’m back from the dead, fellow droogs.  And I’m here to pick some Week One games. 

Let’s get it started on Thursday night:


NC State at South Carolina

Let me see—NC State brings a redshirt freshmen quarterback, a ton of injuries, and no continuity into Columbia against a stout Gamecock defense.  With ESPN on hand, look for the new-look Gamecock defense and special teams to be all over the place. 

In the words of SOS himself:  “Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh click clack.”

Williams Brice stadium will be rocking, but unfortunately the Gamecock offense won’t—at least not consistently; hence, Spurrier will likely provide Erin Andrews with a quality sound bite about the offense. 

Regardless, South Carolina wins comfortably. 


Vanderbilt at Miami of Ohio

You have to feel bad for Vandy.  After losing their best talent to the NFL, they have to open on the road against a decent MAC team.  Imagine Georgia playing at Ball State to open the season, or LSU traveling to Toledo for their season opener.

Conventional wisdom says the Redhawks will win, but what can I say, I’m an SEC homer. 

Commodores pull out a close one.  Vandy always comes through on ESPNU.  Right?
      

And now for the interesting Saturday games.


Utah at Michigan

Seems like this game is the chic pick for upset of the week, but I’m not seeing it.  I mean, come on, when’s the last time Michigan overlooked a lower level team and suffered an embarrassing season-opening loss in the Big House?

Can’t happen again.

Michigan wins, pulling away in the second half. 

Speaking of Michigan…


Appalachian State at LSU

Okay, this is the “real” chic pick for upset of the week.

I say:  No way, no how.

LSU might be shaky early, but they win running away.  Too many athletes for App State to handle. 

FAU at Texas    

Another wannabe App. State, FAU—and their crotchety head coach, Howard Schnellenberger—head to Austin to “shock the world.”    

Methinks Will “Boom MF-er!” Muschamp will have bulletin board material and some crazy pep talk ready.

The Owls won’t challenge in the second half, as Texas finally pulls out a strong opening game.


Western Kentucky at Indiana

Sounds like a lame match-up, but I get the feeling that the Hilltoppers are going to give the Hoosiers a run for their money.  Indiana’s suspect defense will give up points, but intangibles and special teams will be the difference for the Hoosiers.

Indiana by a field goal. 


Alabama vs. Clemson in the GA Dome

To me, this is the ultimate toss-up game with the makings of a classic 4th quarter.  In the end, Clemson’s lack of an offensive line will do them in. 

Crimson Tide pull out a narrow win.
 

Illinois at Missouri

Nothing about this game indicates that the Zookers will win.

Which is why I’ve got the Fighting Illini pulling out a squeaker.  


Michigan State at California

People expect big things from the Spartans this year.  While my gut tells me not to believe those people, for some reason I do.

Spartans win an exciting one to open the season. 


Meanwhile, there’s nothing like four unranked teams battling it out on a day normally reserved for the NFL.  Here are Sunday’s rivalry games:


Kentucky at Louisville

I tried really hard to come up with a reason why the Wildcats can win this game.  I couldn’t find one. 

Louisville wins a boring one. 


Colorado State at Colorado

Buffs get off to a great start and steamroll the Rams.

Finally, the week is capped off with Tennessee’s yearly battle with the Pac-10.


Tennessee at UCLA on Labor Day

Sure, I love the SEC, but even SEC fans hate Tennessee.  Nothing would make me happier than another Vol loss on the West Coast, but it won’t happen.

Tennessee wins.   

See you next week...