WEEK ONE (September 5)

BEST PICKS

South Carolina (+5) over North Carolina State (Thur.)
A great deal of defense in this one. Yes, Stephen Garcia and Russell Wilson are better than average behind center but both of these offensive lines leave much to be desired. Carolina is missing a few key defensive players due to early season suspensions per usual with Steve Spurrier. The Pack has lost probably their best defensive player for the year with injured LB Nate Irving. The first game of the year the defense is most always ahead of the offense, especially when a team like the Gamecocks excel on this side of the ball. This will be much closer than the Columbia 34-0 beat down in last year's opener. South Carolina 24 North Carolina State 20

Minnesota (-6.5) over Syracuse
The Gophers are a team to be taken serious this fall, maybe even on the edge of being a total surprise team. Syracuse is not so apt at defending the pass or much else. Expect Weber and Decker to be called on early and often in the Minnesota pass and catch package. The Carrier Dome can sometimes catch teams off guard and no one is quite sure what to expect in the first game for the Orange. This new coaching staff with a starting quarterback (Greg Paulus) who just came off the basketball court less than six months ago makes the unknown that much bigger. Paulus has also not played football in five years and has a few games to go before picking up the offense. If the game were in Minnesota, the Gophers would win by three touchdowns. Minnesota 34 Syracuse 20

Cincinnati (+5.5) over Rutgers (Mon.)
Wow, hard to imagine back in April that Rutgers would be favored by this much over the defending Big East champion. Granted the Bearcats have some huge losses on the defensive side, but do not believe for a minute they are left with nothing on this side. All-Big East First Team QB Tony Pike and All-American receiver/kick returner Mardy Gilyard give Cincinnati a big advantage when they have the ball. Rutgers does have the best line of scrimmage in the conference. But they also lost their record setting QB Mike Teel and both record setting receivers Britt and Underwood. This could be a good ole early conference tussle, but not by more than five points in favor of the home team. Cincinnati 21 Rutgers 17

Idaho at New Mexico State UNDER 55 points
This is not the same New Mexico State team that spreads out and tosses the pigskin every play with players like QB Chase Holbrook and receivers Chris Williams and A.J. Harris. They are no longer wearing a uniform. More important, a brand new coaching staff and playbook changes everything offensively. A new QB has not emerged and running with the ball now gets first priority. And Idaho has never possessed the talent for lighting up scoreboards. This 20-14 game last season could equal even less points this time around with a new Aggie offensive strategy the odds makers probably overlooked. New Mexico State 17 Idaho 14

Cincinnati at Rutgers UNDER 48.5 points (Mon.)
Rutgers’ offense does not possess enough firepower at the skill positions to cause big problems for a reloading Bearcat defense. Running the ball between the tackles will be difficult for both squads and punting / field position should play a huge factor. Had this been a game scheduled later in the season the point totals would be much higher. The 13-10 score of a year ago really should not alter too much. Cincinnati 21 Rutgers 17

SECOND TIER

Troy (-7) over Bowling Green (Thur.)
Troy is again loaded on both offense and defense. Bowling Green has a very good senior QB in Tyler Sheehan. He is also the only worthy ball carrier for the Falcons. No commodity exists at running back where this new offensive scheme will try to rely more on the ball carriers. Oh yea, Bowling Green is in full rebuilding mode on defense. At every level on defense BG coaches have said incoming freshman will have a chance at playing since only three starters are back on this side of the ball. The Trojans have a field day moving the pigskin. Troy 41 Bowling Green 24

Western Michigan (+13) over Michigan
Opening day in the Big House! Not good based on the huge upsets the last two years here with Appalachian State and Utah. OK, maybe not upsets. Tim Hiller is the second best QB in the MAC behind LeFevour and he has loads of talent at his side when the Broncos have the ball. The Wolverines are a question mark on defense. But so is Western Michigan. This could equal a high scoring affair that goes down to the wire. And Michigan fans start wishing the season would be over already. Michigan 31 Western Michigan 28

Nevada (+14.5) over Notre Dame
The Irish had better not sleep walk through this game like the opener last year in South Bend against San Diego State where the lowly Aztecs actually won the battle outside of a fumble inside their own goal line that would have slammed the door shut. Nevada and the Pistol Offense can move against anyone with QB Colin Kapernick directing the aerial assault. The only problem is the Wolf Pack defense. While not the best Notre Dame will see this year by a huge stretch, they will be very much improved when compared to last season. Nevada rallies points in the end and ND wins by less than two touchdowns. Notre Dame 38 Nevada 25

Toledo (+10.5) over Purdue
This match up pits possibly the worst team in the Big Ten versus a Toledo team that could actually push for MAC West Division contention. Purdue has a new coach; a new unproven QB and new question marks. Toledo might surprise a few teams along the way including stealing this one on the road. Toledo 31 Purdue 28

Alabama (-6.5) over Virginia Tech
For the Tide, QB Greg McElroy is surprising everyone through fall camp with his play which is a big plus. Remember how well Bama jumped onto the scene last season in this same Atlanta opener by pounding Top 10 ranked Clemson? Okay, Virginia Tech is not an inconsistent Clemson and the results should not be as bad. But Alabama's defense may be the best in the country…even more so than what the Hokies usually possess. Tech QB Tyrod Taylor better demonstrate he can throw the ball, not by the midway point of the season, but now. This shapes up to be a big time defensive struggle to say the least where a touchdown covers. Alabama 21 Virginia Tech 10

Central Michigan (+13.5) over Arizona
Games like this are crucial if CMU wishes to make some kind of national noise with so much offensive firepower returning. However, this may be the best defense of the Bob Stoops era in Tucson. What a great match up. But for as good as Arizona may be on defense, the offense has question marks in terms of who plays Willie Tuitama at QB. The Chippewas are good enough offensively to win this game outright. Arizona 34 Central Michigan 28

Miami FL (+6) over Florida State (Mon.)
Both teams are starting to show a little life on offense finally, at least at FSU. But the other side of the ball for the Noles is full of holes and inexperience. Miami has one QB in Jacory Harris so he better stay healthy. The Canes' defense is nasty and quick per usual. This Sunshine State rivalry probably boils down to whomever has the ball last. Close enough to take six points either way. Florida State 24 Miami 20

South Carolina at North Carolina State UNDER 46 points (Thur.)
Go with the defense in most opening day games. Heck, go with defense in this game on any day. South Carolina 24 North Carolina State 20