Games of September 2-3, 2006

Guess who's back? Back again! Yes, your friendly neighborhood handicapper, The Consigliari, is back with is full service set of picks and analysis as the 2006-07 College Football Season kicks off! Early in the season, I won't attempt to break down each game with any form of analysis, as it is too early to make a pick based on a legitimate basis. All I can do is look for soft lines, and recognize teams that return more talent than people realize (or less....Im talking to you, Texas offense) and try and take advantage of those games. So there will be little or no analysis for the first three weeks. As always, you can email me and get my thoughts on any game on the board (even those not chosen). On to the first picks of the season!

*****A*****

California (-2) @ Tennessee: No one realizes how good Cal is on both sides of the football. Especially dangerous is their secondary, which should give the inconsistent Ainge fits. Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett are both 1500 yard rushers in any scheme.

Predicted Score: Cal 28, Tennessee 14

Actual Score: Tennessee 35, Cal 18 [L]

USC (-8) @ Arkansas: Yes it is on the road, and yes this is an SEC team hosting a depleted group of Trojans. In two years, Arkansas should be solid, but right now, they are still struggling. USC is loaded with talent, and the question is just who will be the next big star for the Trojans. Remember, no one knew anything about Matt Leinart when he first started a game.

Predicted Score: USC 27, Arkansas 10

Actual Score: USC 50, Arkansas 14 [W]

Rutgers (+5) @ North Carolina: Rice and Leonard. The rest is just "smoke filled, coffee house crap."

Predicted Score: Rutgers 35, UNC 28

Actual Score: Rutgers 21, UNC 16 [W]

****B****

Hawaii (+16) @ Alabama: Remember Ty Detmer? Meet Colt Brennen.

Predicted Score: Hawaii 38, Alabama 35

Actual Score Alabama 24, Hawaii 17 [W]

***C***

Oregon (-12) v. Stanford

Predicted Score: Oregon 31, Stanford 14

Actual Score: Oregon 48, Stanford 10 [W]

Penn State (-17) v. Akron

Predicted Score: Penn State 41, Akron 7

Actual Score: Penn State 34, Akron 16 [W]

North Texas (+41) @ Texas

Predicted Score: Texas 35, North Texas 3

Actual Score: Texas 56, North Texas 7 [L]

Mississippi (-3) v. Memphis

Predicted Score: Mississippi 14, Memphis 0

Actual Score: Mississippi 28, Memphis 25 [push]

**D**

Wake Forest (-14) v Syracuse

Predicted Score: Wake Forest 24, Syracuse 9

Actual Score: Wake Forest 20, Syracuse 10 [L]

Auburn (-14.5) v Washington State

Predicted Score: Auburn 45, Wash State 10

Actual Score: Auburn 40, Wash State 14 [W]

Indiana (-6.5) v. West Michigan

Predicted Score: Indiana 38, W Michigan 21

Actual Score: Indiana 39, W Michigan 20 [W]

*LEAN*

Utah (+3) @ Ucla

Predicted Score: Utah 28, UCLA 21

Actual Score: UCLA 31, Utah 10 [L]

Arizona (-7) v BYU

Predicted Score: Arizona 21, BYU 10

Actual Score: Arizona 16, BYU 13 [L]

West Virginia (-22) v Marshall

Predicted Score: West Virginia 44, Marshall 14

Actual Score: West Virginia 42, Marshall 10 [W]