College Football Picks Week 1

South Carolina Gamecocks		North Carolina State Wolfpack

The intensity will be turned up here - opening night AND national TV which generally leads to better defense. Neither team exceptional impressive on defense so expect this one to be a hard fought low scoring game.

UNDER 46

Army Black Knights		Eastern Michigan Eagles

We don't expect either team to come up with too many stops. Both getting better on offense but still have a long way to go on defense.

OVER 47.5

Troy Trojans		Bowling Green Falcons

Troy a big step ahead of Bowling Green at this point. Falcons D won't likely slow the solid Trojan attack and the Troy defense is impressive - including 4 players on the Lombardi watch list!

Troy -6.5

Western Michigan Broncos		Michigan Wolverines

Perhaps looking at the Wolverines last 2 home openers is over simplistic (losses to Appalachian St - remember! and a good Utah team) but we just don't believe Michigan has come far enough on either side of the ball. Now factor serious distractions around the program and we wonder if another upset in Ann Arbor starts the season.

Western Michigan +13

UConn Huskies		Ohio Bobcats

Story of two teams with very different fortunes last season which gives us solid value in this game. UConn got every break and won every close game last year is seemed. Ohio - just the opposite. Ohio has more back and may have been the better team last year anyway - they certainly are this season.

Ohio +4

Georgia Bulldogs		Oklahoma State Cowboys

High expectations for OSU with an impressive offense and perceived improved defense. But Georgia comes in as a rare dog and can actually play the 'no respect' card in this one. This one will not be the wide open game that the Cowboys strive in and UGA has the talent (although down a bit this year) to keep this one close to the wire.

Georgia +5.5

Missouri Tigers		Illinois Fighting Illini

Mizzou has been about a year ahead of Illinois the past 3 seasons for this game but the tide was changed in a big way. The Tigers lose A LOT (including several NFL players) while the Illini should finally recognize the building potential of the past few campaigns. MU could be better than expect and will improve as the season builds but too tough a test to start. This could be a blowout.

Illinois -7

Northern Illinois Huskies		Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers have been rather predictable in recent seasons. They are too big and too strong for early season opponents - they wear them down and roll over them. But they don't have enough when the schedule toughens. So we again like Wisc early in the season at home.

Wisconsin -16.5

Central Michigan Chippewas		Arizona Wildcats

Arizona will have a lot of inexperienced at QB in this one while Central Michigan brings back an experienced group of 10 starters from last years defense and QB LeFevour remains to lead an offense that can put up points.

Central Michigan +13.5

LSU Tigers		Washington Huskies

Value the big key here - LSU obviously has the name recognition while even the casual fan may recall how bad Washington was a year ago. But the Huskies have a new head coach and will have a packed stadium - a stadium that can be very tough on opponents. Meanwhile LSU is making longest road trip in team history and will have tough time getting too fired up for this team.

Washington +17.5

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders		Clemson Tigers

Clemson will be searching for answers on offense early in the season and Middle Tenn has an impressive young QB very capable of making plays against any defense in the nation so like the big number for a Clemson team that may lack full focus.

Middle Tennessee +18.5