Rice is an excellent university. No doubt. But unfortunately for the Owls, tomorrow is a football game, not a math exam.
The college football season doesn’t officially begin until an overrated team from the Big East gets upset. So thanks to Pitt, we are underway! Last night gave us some early insight into 2010.
My Ohio State/Terrell Pryor predictions from earlier this week don’t look terrible. Lane Kiffin called for a trick two-point conversion after the first USC touchdown of the season against Hawaii - yep, he’s still a prick. Oh yeah, it failed. Steve Spurrier is still the same old ball coach (as long as he’s not playing SEC teams). And Iowa State didn’t immediately embarrass the Big 12. Neato!
The Longhorns should absolutely destroy Rice tomorrow, but that’s not the point. I’m excited for a number of reasons. It’s Garrett Gilbert’s first game starting for the Horns. How will the new running game look? (Hint: it always looks good against Rice. The real question is how will it look in Dallas and Lincoln? Or even Lubbock?) Will the defense give up any points? Heck…any yards?
This isn’t the Rice team that came into Austin two years ago with Chase Clement, Jarrett Dillard and James Casey – a team that went 10-3 and won the Texas Bowl. That team was legit. And we still beat them 52-10. This year’s Owls return 18 starters from 2009, which is usually a good thing…but not in this case. Those 18 starters suffered through a 2-10 season that began with nine straight losses and ended with a 73-14 public flogging by Houston.
I don’t care if this game is over before it starts. I’m just excited to see the boys play again. I’m still trying to get the nasty taste of the BCS Championship Game out of my mouth. Rice will do just fine.
The Pick: Texas (-31) over Rice
As for the rest of the conference, this weekend’s schedule is full of cakewalks. The only single digit spread is UCLA at Kansas State. As I mentioned last season, the first weekend of games are a crapshoot to pick, but I’ll give it my best shot. Just don’t expect me to pretend I know very much about any of these teams yet. And please remember kids, my gambling picks are for entertainment purposes only. Unless you use them and win. Then you owe me a cut. (Picks in bold)
Saturday, Sept. 4
11:30 a.m. Illinois vs. Missouri (-12)
1 p.m. Colorado vs. Colorado State (+12)
2:30 p.m. UCLA at Kansas State (-1.5)
6 p.m. Western Kentucky (+39) at Nebraska
6 p.m. Washington State at Oklahoma State (-17)
6 p.m. Utah State at Oklahoma (-32.5)
Sunday, Sept. 5
2:30 p.m. SMU at Texas Tech (-13.5)
And now for the games that even Vegas wants no part of…
Saturday, Sept. 4
6 p.m. Sam Houston at Baylor (No Line Available). The pick: Bears 42 Bearkats 10
6 p.m. Stephen F. Austin at Texas A&M (No Line). The pick: Aggies 55 Lumberjacks 16
6 p.m. North Dakota State at Kansas (No Line). The pick: Jayhawks 41 Ice Princesses 9
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