September 2009 Archives

Game Predictions - 09/24-09/26

Season Record: 103-41

Mississippi at South Carolina - The Rebels have yet to be tested this year, but they are a top five team for a reason.

Missouri at Nevada

South Florida at Florida State - With Matt Grothe, I would have picked the Bulls. Without him, the Seminoles win easily.

North Carolina at Georgia Tech - Yes, they looked bad against Miami. I'm not giving up on the Yellow Jackets just yet though.

Minnesota at Northwestern

Indiana at Michigan

Buffalo at Temple

Michigan State at Wisconsin

LSU at Mississippi State

Fresno State at Cincinnati

Southern Miss at Kansas - In a huge upset, Damion Fletcher and the Golden Eagles beat the Jayhawks at home.

Marshall at Memphis

Wake Forest at Boston College

San Diego State at Air Force

UNLV at Wyoming

Rutgers at Maryland

UCF at East Carolina

Pittsburgh at North Carolina St

Illinois at Ohio State

TCU at Clemson - In what should be a great game, expect TCU's strong defense to overpower C.J. Spiller and Clemson.

UTEP at Texas

Miami at Virginia Tech - A lot is being made of Jacory Harris' strong start, but all I've seen is lob passes against bad defenses.

Arkansas at Alabama

Akron at Central Michigan

Western Kentucky at Navy

Idaho at Northern Illinois

California at Oregon

UL-Monroe at Florida Atlantic

Troy at Arkansas State

Florida at Kentucky

Colorado State at BYU

Ball State at Auburn

Arizona State at Georgia

Army at Iowa State

UL-Lafayette at Nebraska

Boise State at Bowling Green

UAB at Texas A&M

Middle Tennessee State at North Texas

Toledo at FIU

Miami (OH) at Kent State

Ohio at Tennessee

Louisville at Utah

Arizona at Oregon State

Iowa at Penn State

Vanderbilt at Rice

Notre Dame at Purdue

Washington at Stanford - Riding too much on the high of last week's win at USC, the Huskies are upset by Toby Gerhart and the Cardinal.

Texas Tech at Houston - In a similar situation to that of the Washington-Stanford game, Texas Tech will upset Houston on the road.

New Mexico State at New Mexico

Washington State at USC

Game Predictions for Saturday, September 19th

Louisville at Kentucky - Louisville beat Indiana State 30-10, while the Wildcats crushed Miami (Ohio) 42-0. Expect the Wildcats to win easily in this rivalry game.

Eastern Michigan at Michigan

California at Minnesota - The Gophers proved me wrong last weekend, winning their home opener against Air Force, but Cal is a legit top-ten team with the best running back in the nation.

East Carolina at North Carolina

Temple at Penn State

Boston College at Clemson - Boston College has been surprisingly impressive in their first two games, but Clemson and C.J. Spiller should win this one at home.

Ball State at Army

Duke at Kansas

Northern Illinois at Purdue

Ohio State at Toledo

North Texas at Alabama

FCS Upset Special - Cal Poly at Ohio

Wyoming at Colorado

Tennessee at Florida

Michigan State at Notre Dame - Both teams are coming off bad, bad losses to Central Michigan and Michigan, respectively. As much as I'd like to go with the Spartans, the Irish have just looked better this year.

Middle Tennessee State at Maryland - After last week's tight game against James Madison, I expect the Terps to come out and avenge last season's loss against the Blue Raiders with an easy win.

Tulsa at Oklahoma - I really want to pick the Golden Hurricanes. I REALLY want to pick the Golden Hurricanes. After losing Sam Bradford and losing to BYU, I think the Sooners could lose to Tulsa, but it's too early in the season to know how much it has affected them. I'll go with the safe pick and Oklahoma.

Nebraska at Virginia Tech - In a mild upset, expect the Cornhuskers to get back into the Top 15 with a big win in Blacksburg.

USC at Washington

Indiana at Akron

Utah at Oregon - The Utes will get knocked out of the Top 25 by Jeremiah Masoli and the Ducks.

Virginia at Southern Miss

UAB at Troy

Arizona at Iowa - The Hawkeyes recovered from an embarrassing lucky win against Northern Iowa to crush Iowa State.

Nevada at Colorado State - Nevada was absolutely destroyed by Notre Dame in the first week, and Colorado State looked good in a win over Colorado. But the Rams struggled against Weber State and the Wolfpack still have Colin Kaepernick.

San Diego State at Idaho

Florida International at Rutgers

Connecticut at Baylor - Robert Griffin III is still the most exciting player in college football, and will lead the Bears to a huge victory.

Southern Methodist at Washington State

Navy at Pittsburgh

Buffalo at UCF

FCS Upset Alert - Elon at Wake Forest - Now, I'm not crazy enough to think that the Phoenix will beat the Demon Deacons, but Elon is one of the top teams in the FCS, and Wake should not take them lightly after what happened to fellow ACC members Duke and Virginia.

Cincinnati at Oregon State

Louisiana Lafayette at LSU

Northwestern at Syracuse

Rice at Oklahoma State

Mississippi State at Vanderbilt - Vanderbilt gets the edge between these two bottom dwelling SEC teams due to home field advantage.

Utah State at Texas A&M

Florida State at BYU

Bowling Green at Marshall

Iowa State at Kent State

Florida Atlantic at South Carolina

Miami (OH) at Western Michigan - In two games this season, Miami (OH) has yet to score a point.

Air Force at New Mexico

West Virginia at Auburn - Auburn's strong running game will be too much for the Mountaineers.

Georgia at Arkansas

UTEP at New Mexico State

Texas Tech at Texas

San Jose State at Stanford

Hawaii at UNLV

Louisiana Monroe at Arizona State

Kansas State at UCLA

College Football Predictions for Thursday and Friday:

Season Record: 67-25

09/17

Georgia Tech at Miami - These two are almost unquestionably the top squads in the ACC, and they duel it out in Miami on Thursday night football. The Yellow Jackets struggled in the second half against Clemson, but I'm still picking Georgia Tech to win this one.

09/18

Boise State at Fresno State - Boise, who cracked the top ten this week, has one of its tougher tests for the rest of the season at Fresno State, who played Wisconsin to overtime. Don't expect the Broncos to mess around, however, and Boise State will cruise to an easy victory.

College Football Predictions for Tomorrow:

I've been very busy, so just a quick run-down of the picks.

North Carolina at Connecticut - The ACC has been very bad so far this year, but I don't trust UConn's offense yet.

Eastern Michigan at Northwestern

Western Michigan at Indiana - Last week, I picked Western Michigan to upset a Big Ten team, and they let me down. Tim Hiller, don't fail me again.

Central Michigan at Michigan State

Stanford at Wake Forest - Stanford is on the way up, but they're not at Wake's level yet.

Syracuse at Penn State

Fresno State at Wisconsin

Duke at Army - Army looked very, very good under first year coach Rich Ellerson, while Duke lost to FCS school Richmond.

Pittsburgh at Buffalo

Iowa at Iowa State

Troy at Florida

Marshall at Virginia Tech

Kent State at Boston College

Arkansas State at Nebraska

Notre Dame at Michigan - Both of these teams looked great last week against quality non-BCS opponents, but expect the dynamic combination of Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson to upset the Irish.

Houston at Oklahoma State

TCU at Virginia

Idaho at Washington - The Huskies will break their dreadful losing streak by handling the Vandals easily.

East Carolina at West Virginia - Neither team looked good against FCS opponents last week, but I give Noel Devine and the Mountaineers the edge.

Louisana Tech at Navy

BYU at Tulane

Texas at Wyoming

Southern Methodist at UAB

UCLA at Tennessee - Lane Kiffin gets his first big win as a college head coach at home against the Bruins.

Mississippi State at Auburn

South Carolina at Georgia - After losing to Oklahoma State last week, the Bulldogs may be without quarterback Joe Cox.

Vanderbilt at LSU

Air Force at Minnesota - The Falcons beat Nicholls State 72-0 last week, and will ruin the opening of the Gophers' new stadium.

Bowling Green at Missouri

Ohio at North Texas

Hawaii at Washington State

Kansas State at ULL Lafayette

Florida International at Alabama

Memphis at Middle Tennessee State

UCF at Southern Miss

Rice at Texas Tech

South Florida at Western Kentucky

Kansas at UTEP

Miami (OH) at Boise State

Tulsa at New Mexico

USC at Ohio State - It'll be tough in Columbus, but the Trojans might only trail the Gators in overall talent.

Purdue at Oregon

Utah at San Jose State

Oregon State at UNLV - In a late night upset, expect the Rebels and Omar Clayton to give even more validity to the Mountain West Conference.

College Football Predictions for 09/10 and 09/11

Season Record: 33-12

09/10

Clemson at Georgia Tech - The Yellow Jackets are my pick to win the ACC, and didn't struggle against Jacksonville State. Clemson did well against Middle Tennessee State, but expect Georgia Tech to win.

09/11

Colorado at Toledo - The Buffaloes suffered a humiliating loss at the hands of in-state rivals Colorado State at home last week, but don't expect them to get upset twice. Colorado.

College Football Predictions for Today and Tomorrow:

Season Record: 31-10 (For FBS/FCS picks, anything within two touchdowns counts as a win)

Two games today and two games tomorrow.

Mississippi at Memphis - Mississippi is a sleeper national title contender this year. They should have no problem with Memphis. Ole Miss.

Colorado State at Colorado - Colorado has struggled in the Big North recently, but have one of their most talented squads in years this season. Colorado.

Cincinnati at Rutgers - Two contenders for the Big East title duel it out in Piscataway. I give Rutgers the advantage.

Miami at Florida State - This heated rivalry has lost some steam in recent years, but it's still a great game. In an upset, expect Miami to defeat the Seminoles.

7:05-10:30:

San Diego State at UCLA - The Aztecs, one of the worst teams in college football over the past decade, have a new coaching staff coming in led by ex-Ball State head coach Brady Hoke. However, UCLA should come out with the win in this one.

Idaho at New Mexico State - Two of the worst WAC teams take each other on. Idaho for the win.

Alabama at Virginia Tech - Billed as one of the bigger matchups of this month, I don't buy it, especially with Darren Evans' injury. Alabama for the win.

Central Michigan at Arizona - Arizona is definitely the favorite, as a Pac-10 school, but Dan LeFevour and Central Michigan will come out with the win.

Buffalo at UTEP - Buffalo shocked the world by defeating Ball State for the MAC Championship last year. Look for Buffalo to continue that with a win over UTEP.

Maryland at Cal - I really, really want to pick Maryland in this game. Two things are holding me back - I believe in jinxes, and Cal is the better team.

LSU at Washington - LSU got a great recruiting class last year, and should crush Steve Sarkisian in his first game as the Huskies' head coach. LSU.

9 FBS/FCS games, the closest will be Mississippi Valley State against Arkansas State.

3:30-4:30

San Jose State at USC - The Trojans may have a true freshman starting at quarterback for the first time ever, but they should still beat the Spartans by at least 40. USC in one of the biggest blowouts of the weekend.

Nevada at Notre Dame - In the upset special of the day, expect Nevada and Colin Kaepernick to blow by the Irish defense for the win.

Western Michigan at Michigan - Western Michigan has an experienced senior, Tim Hiller, under center. Michigan has a true freshman, Tate Forcier, starting. Michigan has better athletes, but Western Michigan will come out with the win.

Baylor at Wake Forest - Robert Griffin III is a superstar in the making. For the third upset in a row here, Baylor will beat the Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem.

Georgia at Oklahoma State - One of the biggest games of the day, this will go a long towards settling conference supremacy. I love Zac Robinson and the Cowboys' offense, but you always have to side with the SEC defense in this matchup. Georgia in a tight one.

Missouri at Illinois - In one of the tighter matchups of the day, Missouri will struggle with the losses of Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin. Juice Williams and Illinois for the win.

Rice at UAB - Rice lost their two best players from last year (Chase Clement and James Casey) and will definitely have problems this season. Look for UAB to take advantage and get a big win.

There are two FBS/FCS games - Mississippi State against Jackson State and Marshall against Southern Illinois. Southern Illinois has a much better chance.

6:00-7:00

Middle Tennessee State at Clemson - The C.J. Spiller show officially begins at Clemson without James Davis to take away carries. Clemson easily.

Stanford at Washington State - These two programs are going in opposite directions. Stanford and Toby Gerhart will take this one.

Louisiana Tech at Auburn - Auburn hasn't been the SEC powerhouse that it once was recently, but it still is much more talented than the Bulldogs. Auburn in a blowout.

Florida Atlantic at Nebraska - The Cornhuskers enter the season with higher expectations than last year, and should treat the Owls like an FCS opponent. Nebraska for the win.

Connecticut at Ohio - Connecticut has lost a lot from last year's team, including the nation's leading rusher in Donald Brown III, but is still far more talented than the Bobcats. Connecticut.

BYU at Oklahoma - Two high powered offenses take each other on, but Sam Bradford and Oklahoma will come out with the win.

New Mexico at Texas A&M - The Aggies lost almost their entire offense last year, but this is still considered a tune-up game for them. Texas A&M.

Louisana Monroe at Texas - Texas. 'Nuff ced.

Northern Illinois at Wisconsin - The Badgers no longer have P.J. Hill, but they should pound their way to an easy win. Wisconsin.

13 FBS/FCS games. The best shot of keeping it close is Southern against UL-Lafayette.

7:05 and after coming later.

College Football Predictions for 09/04 and 09/05:

Season record: 4-2

There's only one game tonight, but a boatload tomorrow. Here are the predictions:

Tulsa at Tulane - Tulsa lost a lot of players from last year's high scoring team, but they always seem to score 40 points a game no matter who's on offense. Tulsa with the win.

Saturday's Games:

12:00-12:30

Minnesota at Syracuse - Tim Brewster has done a great job turning the Golden Gophers around, while Syracuse sends ex-Dookie Greg Paulus behind center for the first time since he was in high school. Minnesota fairly easily.

Kentucky at Miami (OH) - Kentucky has struggled at the bottom of the SEC for a while now, but that doesn't mean that they can't beat a pretty bad MAC squad. Kentucky in a tune up.

Navy at Ohio State - Navy has to go to the Horse Shoe and try and take on a top-10 Ohio State squad. The Midshipmen's running attack is potent, but without Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, they have absolutely no shot of keeping it close. Ohio State in a blowout.

Akron at Penn State - Similar situation, except Akron is worse than Navy. Penn State starts out their national title hopes with a easy win.

Toledo at Purdue - Purdue lost Curtis Painter, who was a great quarterback for the Boilermakers, but they have a strong rushing attack in Jaycen Taylor and Ralph Bolden. Purdue in a game closer than they might like.

Western Kentucky at Tennessee - Lane Kiffin's Vols take on the newest addition to the FBS, and will take them to school. Tennessee by a mile.

There are six FBS/FCS matchups in that time slot: Hawaii and Central Arkansas (actually at 1:05 AM tonight), Northwestern and Towson, Michigan State and Montana State, East Carolina and Appalachian State, West Virginia and Liberty, and Iowa and Northern Iowa. Once again, none of these teams have much of a shot, but if I had to pick one, it would be Central Arkansas against Hawaii. Usually I would pick Appalachian State, but Armanti Edwards will not be playing due to injury.

1:00-3:00

All six games in this time are FBS/FCS matchups: Georgia Tech and Jacksonville State, Pittsburgh and Youngstown State, Boston College and Northeastern, Air Force and Nicholls State, Oregon State and Portland State, and Wyoming and Weber State. Weber State is the only one that can keep it close.

3:30 and beyond coming later.

Sorry that I was unable to finish the team-by-team previews, life interfered. The College Football season starts today, and here is a look at all the games scheduled for this evening.

This insanity will be facing Jeremiah Masoli and Oregon tonight.

College Football Predictions for 09/03:

South Carolina at North Carolina State - One of the marquee matchups of the day, the Gamecocks will play the Wolfpack at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. Russell Wilson is one of the most exciting players in college football, but South Carolina had one of the top three passing defenses in the country last season. South Carolina for the win.

Troy at Bowling Green - A matchup of two of the top quarterbacks from non-AQ conferences (Levi Brown of Troy and Tyler Sheehan of Bowling Green), Troy is the top team in the Sun Belt while Bowling Green is meddling around the middle of the MAC (say that five times fast). Troy easily.

There are four matchups where a FBS school takes on a FCS school - Temple against Villanova, Kent State facing Coastal Carolina, Iowa State against North Dakota State, and Indiana against Eastern Kentucky. None of these FCS teams have much of a shot, but if I had to pick one to make it close, it would be Villanova at Temple. The Wildcats were 10-3 last year, while the Owls went 5-7 and lost their starting quarterback to graduation.

North Texas at Ball State - Ball State was one of the potential BCS Busters last season, going 12-0 in the regular season before losses to Buffalo in the MAC Title game and Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl. While the Cardinals lost All-World quarterback Nate Davis, running back MiQuale Lewis is ready to take the slack and carry the Ball State offense. The Mean Green are on the upswing under new quarterback Riley Dodge, but don't expect them to beat the Cardinals. Ball State in a high-scoring game.

Utah State at Utah - Utah does have a lot of questions this year following their miracle run to a Sugar Bowl win - choosing a starting quarterback, to name one - but that won't be a problem against a very weak Aggies team. Utah in a blowout.

Oregon at Boise State - By far the biggest game of the day, two top 20 teams are pitted against each other on the blue turf in Boise. Last year, the Broncos upset a bruised and battered Ducks team in hostile Eugene, 37-32. This year, expect Boise and Kellen Moore to beat Oregon yet again. The game will be on ESPN at 10:15 PM ET.