Picks for the weekend of 9/4 - 9/5
**Lines are the opening vegas lines as provided be
www.scoresandodds.com**
Rutgers (+7) vs. Michigan State: Rutgers is an improved team playing at home against a Michigan State team with a new quarterback and an extremely young secondary. Rutgers may win this game outright, but should stay within a touchdown.
Rutgers****
Virginia (-16) @ Temple: Temple is quite possible the worst team left in the Big East. Coming off a 4-7 campaign, they will only get worse this season. A new quarterback in Virginia creates a question mark, however, three years of Al Groh's system and the running of Wali Lundy make the Cavs clear cut favorites.
Virginia****
Clemson (-12.5) v. Wake Forest: Wake had a nice run a couple years ago, and put a .500 ball club on the field. While they may remain competitive this season, Clemson is a potential break out team. Tommy Bowden's defense will remain stout despite the loss of Donnell Washington, and QB Charlie Whitehurst will be the difference maker in this game.
Clemson***
Michigan (-15) v. Miami (OH): Miaimi is a prerennial MAC powerhouse, and should give Michigan a slight scare following a 41-0 opening night win. However, Michigan is a title contender with the deepest receiving corps in the nation, and an excellent defense. Watch Soph QB Matt Gutierrez in this game, as he will be a breakout player this season.
Michigan**
Akron (+15) @ Penn State: Call it a hunch. Akron scores a lot of points, but they give up a ton too. They aren't good enough to beat PSU, but the passing of small school wunderkind Charlie Frye will be enough to keep them within two touchdowns. If there is an over-under, that is the preferred play.
Akron*
Vanderbilt (+5.5) v. South Carolina: If you were asking Lou Holtz, he would tell you that Vandy is the greatest team since the late 80's Hurricanes. He is apt to overhype his opponent. However, Vandy will be much improved while South Carolina is rebuilding. Talent remains, but the players on the Gamecocks are not nearly as seasoned as the Commodores. Look for a low scoring, tight game.
Vanderbilt**
California (-12.5) @ Air Force: The fact that this is a road game for the Bears is the only matter of concern here. Air Force runs an effective wishbone offense that can confuse even the best defenses. If the Bears get sloppy, Air Force could easily put 28 on them. However, the right arm of Aaron Rogers will proved the potent Cal offense with at least 42 points against the undersized, undermanned Air Force defense.
California***
Oklahoma (-33) v. Bowling Green: Give me this game last year, and I would ride the arm of Josh Harris to a cover. However, this isn't the same BG team, and Oklahoma is as fast and explosive as ever. The only question is whether the Sooners will cover before the subs come int to play. Adrian Peterson's coming out party should be a blow out.
Oklahoma****
Colorado State (+6) @ Colorado: I don't need to go on and on about the problems at Colorado. For all the off the field problems, the Buffs equally lack on the field. The Rams will trot out a potent passing offense with the top returning reciever in the conference. Add to that Colorado transfer and former Parade All American Marcus Houston, and you have the makings of an upset. Beware the big play ability of Buffs RB Bobby Purify.
Colorado State***
Notre Dame (-4.5) @ BYU: The name BYU congers up visions of explosive passing games running the score into the 50's. Those days are gone. BYU hasn't suited up a quality signal caller since Brandon Domann, and even that is pushing it. Notre Dame isn't the Fighting Irish of old, but QB Brady Quinn is a year older and RB Ryan Grant is a more than capable fill in for the departed Julius Jones. Notre Dame will win ugly, but cover nonetheless.
Notre Dame***
UCLA (-2.5) v. Oklahoma State: Recent action has moved the line towards a pick em, and Im not sure why. While UCLA is not the dominant force it has been in the past, they still boast a potent combo in QB Drew Olson and potential All American WR Craig Bragg. After losing Tatum Bell, Josh Fields, and Rashaun Woods, I am not sure how Ok St can expect to compete.
UCLA****
Navy (-6.5) v. Duke: Duke stinks. That is all you need to know. And the Navy option, run adeptly by QB Craig Candeto is exceptional. After a surprising campaign last year and a bowl berth, the Midshipmen will handle easily one of the worst teams in the country.
Navy****
Memphis (+3.5) @ Mississippi: The fact that this is a road game is the only explanation for the spread. While the Sylvester Croom hiring is a great one for the SEC, it won't make up for the losses of Eli Manning and Chris Collins. The defense returns decent, but DeAngelo Williams and QB Danny Wimprine will be too much. The Tiger offense should be enough to win this game, given the deficiancies on the Mississippi offense.
Memphis*
LSU (-18) v. Oregon State: Following the loss of Steven Jackson, Oregon State will not be the offensive force it was. Couple that with the graduation of WR James Newsom, and QB Derek Anderson will have his hands full fighting against the LSU alone. The loss of Matt Mauck will not be so bad for the Tigers, who bring in QB Marcus Randall to replace him. Randall is seasoned, has experience, and will have the best freshman receivers to throw to in the country.
LSU***
Marshall (-14) v. Troy State: The Thundering Herd is a powerhouse, year in and year out. This year is no different as QB S. Hill keeps the tradition of exceptional signal callers going. Losing Darius Watts will hurt, but Troy State is a limited Div 1-A newcomer and should find the Marshall home field less then hospitable.
Mashall*****
Louisville (-8) v. Kentucky: Behind the dynamic duo of Michael Bush and Eric Shelton, Lousiville will put an explosive offense on the field. The Cardinals are not as strong as they once were, but Kentucky is absolutely atrocious, and should find it difficult to keep up with the Cards without QB Jared Lorenzen who was last seen eating his way out of the Giants camp.
Louisville****
