Week 1 (8/30 - 9/3)

Result (4-5, 44.4%)

(1.) New Mexico (-3) at UTEP

UTEP was a major disappointment last season. As one of the pre-season favorites in CUSA the Miners laid an egg last year at 5-7. CUSA is down, ranking not much higher than the MAC. The Lobos ran all over UTEP last season during their "upset" victory. The Lobos are still a strong running team and the Miners can't stop the run. UTEP is a very difficult place and many publications and "experts" are calling for UTEP as a surprise team this season. I'm not buying it.

Pick: New Mexico by double-digits

Result: UTEP 10, New Mexico 6 (Loss)

(2.) Kent St. (+3.5) at Iowa St. (Thur.)

Iowa St. is probably one the bottom three BCS schools. Last year the Cyclones won only four games, but easily could have been winless. They are returning only four starters on offense and have lost 8 of their top 10 offense lineman. Iowa St. does play very well at home and has dominated MAC schools in recent history. Kent St. is the stronger team in this matchup, returning 16 starters. Kent St. has a very stingy defense which should dominate the inexperienced Cyclone offense.

Pick: Kent St. wins outright

Result: Kent St. 23, Iowa St. 14 (Win)

(3.) ULM (+3) v. Tulsa (Thur.)

Malone Stadium will be rocking as the Warhawks actually get a notable team to make a visit. The Warhawks are returning the entire starting offense and are primed to challenge for the Sun Belt title. Tulsa fell apart last season down the stretch, has a new coach and system, and graduated the majority of last years starters.

Pick: ULM by 1

Result: Tulsa 35, UL-Monroe 17 (Loss)

(4.) Toledo (+6.5) v. Purdue

The Glass Bowl is one of the most difficult venues to play at in all of College Football. Purdue is returning 18 starters and appears to be a much improved team. After a poor season in 2006 Toledo should contend for the MAC title this season. This should make for an interesting matchup, I'll take Toledo with the points.

Pick: Purdue by 3

Result: Purdue 52, Toledo 14 (Loss)

(5.) UNLV (-6.5) at Utah St. (Thur.)

Both teams have struggled in recent years, although UNLV's struggles have been against stiffer competition. Surprisingly, Utah St. has dominated the recent series with UNLV. Utah St. is returning all eleven defensive starters and 19 of 22 starters overall, so the team should be much improved. However, UNLV showed real improvement at the end of last season and returns the bulk of their offense.

Pick: UNLV by two TD's

Result: UNLV 23, Utah St. 16 (Win)

(6.) Virginia (-4) at Wyoming

Virginia is going to be a breakout team this season while Wyoming is falling on hard times. Virginia is returning 19 starters and should battle with the elite of the Coastal division. Wyoming plays very well at home and dominated Virginia at Scott Stadium last year during a loss. Wyoming's offense should at least equal last year productions, but the defense should have it's problems, especially with the loaded Cavalier offense.

Pick: Virginia by 9

Result: Wyoming 23, Virginia 3 (Loss)

(7.) BYU (-4) v. Arizona

BYU was the most underrated team last season. Losing at Arizona was a fluke, this time at BYU its a whole different story. Provo is a very difficult place to play and the Wildcats will have to deal with the crowd and altitude. BYU lost their outstanding QB Beck, but the offense is built for excellent passing statistics. Arizona has an outstanding defense, but the Cougars are too strong at home. The moneymaker lives on for another year.

Pick: BYU by 9

Result: BYU 20, Arizona 7 (Win)

(Blowout of the week) Penn St. (-38) v. Florida International

Florida International was winless last year and is heading up North to face the Nittany Lions. Beaver stadium will be an unfamiliar sight for the Golden Panthers. Penn St. is not known for running up the score, but the Panthers might not score a point in this game. Penn St. has a very solid squad and will contend for a BCS berth this season. In a tune up for Notre Dame next week the Lions roll.

Pick: Penn St. by 54

Result: Penn St. 59, Florida International 0 (Win)

(Underdog Play) Nevada (+21.5) at Nebraska

Nebraska has lost a lot of talent in the off-season and I've never been a Bill Callahan fan. I'm not a huge Nevada fan either, but 21 points seemed a bit much. The Huskers defense lost six starters from an excellent 2006 squad. Nevada has made great strides on the defensive side of the ball and are returning seven starters. Nebraska is known for blowing out weaker non-conference foes at Memorial Stadium early in the season, however, with so many new faces on the Husker team I feel the Wolf Pack will hang around in this one.

Pick: Nebraska by 15

Result: Nebraska 52, Nevada 10 (Loss)

Other games (not recommended plays-in no order)

  1. California over Tennessee by 11
  2. Kansas over C. Michigan by 3
  3. Florida ATL over M Tenn by 1
  4. Notre Dame over GT by 1
  5. Mississippi over Memphis by 1
  6. Akron over Army by 9
  7. Washington over Syracuse by 6
  8. TCU over Baylor by 37
  9. Texas Tech over SMU by 6
  10. UConn over Duke by 10
  11. Florida St. over Clemson by 2
  12. Ball St. over Miami, OH by 9
  13. S Carolina over LA-lafayette by 42
  14. Colorado over Colorado St. by 3
  15. UCLA over Stanford by 23
  16. Rutgers over  Buffalo by 42
  17. NC St. over UCF by 12
  18. USC over Idaho by 59
  19. Navy over Temple by 17
  20. Georgia over OKL St. by 8
  21. LSU over Miss St. by 24
  22. Pitt over E Michigan by 25
  23. Oklahoma over N Texas by 49
  24. Oregon St. over Utah by 6
  25. Missouri over Illinois by 6
  26. Iowa over N Illinois by 10
  27. Arkansas over Troy by 21
  28. Minnesota over Bowling Green by 18
  29. Arizona St. over San Jose St. by 18
  30. Wisconsin over Wash St. by 16
  31. VTech over E Carolina by 27
  32. Auburn over Kansas St. by 15
  33. Oregon over Houston by 14
  34. BC over Wake by 6
  35. Michigan St. over UAB by 20
  36. WV over W Michigan by 22
  37. Texas over Arkansas St. by 40
  38. Miami, FL over Marshall by 20

 

***Picks are documented through The Sports Monitor

http://thesportsmonitor.com/