I gamble. You should know this about me. In the weeks and months ahead, the game predictions I make will be centered around the point spread. I could very easily say, “I think Texas and OU are going to win this weekend.” But that would make me a pussy. Of course they are going to win. Will they cover? Now we’re getting somewhere.
But there’s a reason I’ll never schedule a trip to Vegas during the first college football weekend. You really never know what to expect. There’s an unpredictable influx of new players, coaches and systems, heightened nerves and way too much adrenaline. That’s why most of the top programs schedule high school teams for their first few games – to let their players work out the kinks without the risk of losing. At least that’s how it usually works. Every once in a while, a really good high school team like Appalachian State comes in and beats Michigan. And that was when Michigan was still Michigan. Even Texas nearly embarrassed themselves two years ago, being forced to recover a late onside kick attempt by Arkansas State to win 21-13. Arkansas Freaking State!
So cut me some slack if this week’s predictions go south. But if I’m right…it’s Labor Day Weekend 2010 in Vegas, baby!
Thur., Sept. 3
7:00 North Dakota State at Iowa State (no spread available as of Wednesday)
Notable North Dakotans: Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson, Fergie’s hubby Josh Duhamel, Baseball home run king Roger Maris, and Name Hall-0f-Famer Dick Armey. Can’t say you haven’t learned something today. As for Iowa State, let me get this straight. Gene Chizik goes 5-19 in two seasons leading he Cyclones, losing his last 10, and gets an SEC job at Auburn. Okay. This game will suck. Prediction: Iowa State 23-16.
Sat., Sept. 5
2:30 #13 Georgia at #9 Oklahoma State (-5)
This is the rare instance of (what should be) a great game in week one. Two years ago, OSU went to Athens and was beaten soundly. But that was to a Georgia team that went on to win the Sugar Bowl with future #1 pick Mathew Stafford at QB. Current OSU quarterback Zac Robinson threw only one pass. Dez Bryant only caught one pass. I think the tables have turned. Georgia comes in with a new quarterback and running back and lack experience in the defensive backfield. All signs point to big OSU revenge game, but I’m just not sure what to make of OSU’s defense. Georgia has great receivers. This could be closer than expected, but I still say OSU has too many weapons and pulls away at home. Prediction: OSU 31 – 24.
2:30 Missouri vs. Illinois (-6.5)
This is the third straight season these two have met in the season opener, with the first two wins going to Missouri. Of course, it was a Missouri team led by Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman. I’m not sure what to make of this Missouri team, but I don’t have a good feeling. They have a great running back, a great linebacker, and… I’m not sure what else. What I do know is that Illinois has a senior quarterback, Juice Williams, who took them to the Rose Bowl as a sophomore and one of the top receivers in the country, Arrellious Benn. Both games these teams have played have been shootouts. I say that will continue, but with Illinois taking the upper hand. Prediction: Illinois 38 – 28.
2:30 Baylor at Wake Forest (-2)
Confession time: I love Robert Griffin III. Any time a freshman quarterback can walk into Austin and scare the shit out of me for half a game, I have to give him his due. I think Baylor has the makings of a pretty salty team. They also have the misfortune of playing in the best conference division in the country. They probably won’t beat the likes of Texas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State, but I think they’ll have a great shot in any of their other games. Art Briles has the Bears more optimistic than they’ve been in a long time. That’s not saying much considering that their best player over the last few years was a punter. Seriously. Well move over, I’m jumping on the bandwagon. First upset pick of the year! Prediction: Baylor 27 – 24.
6:00 #20 BYU vs. #3 Oklahoma (-22.5)
Can someone tell me why OU gets to play the first college game at JerryWorld? Really? I find it equally disturbing that BYU is getting a lot of run as a “BCS Buster” that may give OU a tough test. Even an upset possiblility. Really? BYU had a nice season last year, and should have another, but a lot of that has to do with who they play. BYU’s victories last year: Northern Iowa, Washington, UCLA, Wyoming, Utah State, New Mexico, UNLV, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Air Force. Yeah, so now they are going up against OU. This one is not close. At all. Prediction: OU 51-10.
6:00 Louisiana-Monroe at #2 Texas (-41.5)
I’m sure I’ve said enough about this game already, so I’ll share something completely unrelated. I’ve decided that I want to dunk a basketball again. And by again, I mean that time 10 years ago when I dunked a women’s ball. I don’t know how likely it is to happen, but I’m not getting any younger and we all should have goals. If I’m successful, I plan on YouTubing the shit out of it, but I’ll definitely post it here first. My wife has no idea that this is why I bought her a Flip for her birthday. More details soon. I think I should post a “before” video first, right? Okay, back to the game…I think Mack throttles down in the second half and we barely miss the cover. Prediction: Texas 42-3.
6:00 New Mexico at Texas A&M (-14)
Oh Aggies. They always seem to have an early game where they struggle for no apparent reason. Hell, last year they lost their opener to Arkansas Freaking State! I’m not sure if this is that game, but I do know this — Texas A&M returns their leading reciever from last season, who’s now the backup quarterback. Ryan Tannehill, your reward for catching the most passes for the most yards last year is standing on the sidelines wearing a headset, ready to come in the game and kneel on the ball if the team wins a blowout. Gig ‘em! Prediction: A&M 27-14.
6:00 Florida Atlantic at #24 Nebraska (-22.5)
Nebraska should fight it out with Kansas for the Big 12 North, which is kind of like winning the NBA Developmental League Championship. You get a trophy and all, but who cares? The North hasn’t won the Big 12 Title Game since 2003. Even better, they’ve lost by an average of 36 points per game during that time. No reason to believe this year should be any different. Prediction: Nebraska 35-10
6:00 Massachusetts at Kansas State (no spread available as of Wednesday)
Bill Snyder is back coaching the Wildcats. Nope, he’s not dead. Does that mean they won’t be playing this intro at games anymore? If so, I can’t imagine a worse outcome from a coaching change. As for the game, I’m not sure I knew UMass had a football team. Turns out they do… and they lost to Maine last year. Maine has a football team, too? I need to travel more. Prediction: KSU 44-10.
6:00 Northern Colorado at Kansas (no spread available as of Wednesday)
Northern Colorado was 1-10 in 2008. That was an improvement from 1-11 in 2007. Which was slightly worse than going 1-10 in 2006. Is this considered a bye week? Would scheduling a real team keep Mark Mangino from taking full advantage of Golden Corral’s “Thrill of the Grill” promotion? We are scraping the barrel of week one. Prediction: Kansas 52-10
6:00 North Dakota at Texas Tech (no spread available as of Wednesday)
The Fighting Sioux are out to showcase the football hotbed that is North Dakota. They are all over the Big 12 this week! With a state population barely eclipsing that of El Paso, they’ve managed to keep their talent at home, far from the hands of outsiders like Mack Brown, Pete Carroll and Urban Meyer. As they storm the plains of Lubbock, only the Pirate Leach stands in defense of our state. That’s worth about 50 points. Prediction: Texas Tech 49-17.
Sept. 6
6 p.m. Colorado State vs. Colorado (-10)
This ain’t intramurals, brotha. It will only look like it. Sunday college games reek of desperation. Prediction: Colorado 35-31.
Enjoy week one everybody!
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