No bones about it, last week was horrible. I went 2-6, which puts me at 5-8 for the year. I am also 1-1 with my games of the week. Oh well, I have been handicapping games for over 20 years now, and I know you can go 2-6 one week and 7-1 the next. So I continue undaunted.
Thursday:
Virginia Tech -11 over Marshall.
There's been a lot of hullabaloo about Marshall and their great quarterback, Byron Leftwich. Leftwich is good, there is no doubt about that. There is also no doubt that Marshall has a fine offense that can score on anyone. With that said, Virginia Tech plays on another level. Week after week, they play against superior opposition. They also have one of the top running games in the country with Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones. Add that to the fact that Marshall's defense ranked 106 against the run last year and return 3 starters on defense, I see no way they can slow down the Hokies. VT looks good on national TV once again as they win big over the Thundering Herd.
Saturday:
Game of the Week: Ole Miss +4 over Texas Tech.
Texas Tech is an up and coming program with a good quarterback in Kliff Kingsbury. However their team as a whole does not quite match the talent that David Cutcliffe has assembled at Ole Miss. Eli Manning has gotten off to a slow start this season, but he is a superior quarterback who knows he has to play up to potential this week for his team to win. His fleet of quick-footed receivers will enjoy the artificial turf in Lubbock. Jason Armstead, Chris Collins, and Bill Flowers are as good a group as there is in the SEC. The Rebels OL is a strength, and running backs Robert Williams, Ronald McClendon, and Vashon Pearson will find gaping holes in the Red Raiders' defense. The Rebs will present a vastly improved defense over last year and will hang in there vs TT's potent offense. Even with leading tackler LB Eddie Strong out, the Rebs are talented and deep at linebacker. Kingsbury will put up points, but he will not be able to keep up with Manning on this day. Ole Miss will win this game outright.
Clemson PK over Georgia Tech.
Tommy Bowden has to produce this season or he is in trouble. Luckily for him, Willie Simmons is a much better QB for his system than Woodrow Dantzler. The young but talented Celmson receivers should be ready to roll this year after being the top rated group of WRs in the country two years ago. Defense will be improved over last year in John Lovett's new scheme. DTs Donnell Washington (6-6,320) and Nick Eason are the 2nd best combo in the ACC next to FSU's. Georgia Tech is still learning the new schemes Chan Gaily has instilled. These two teams are talent-wise pretty even matched, although only Clemson has been seriously tested in a close loss to powerhouse Georgia. I like Clemson at home in this spot, and see them pulling out the victory in what should be a fun game to watch.
Michigan -4 over Notre Dame.
Although I specialize in the SEC, ACC, C-USA, and Big East, this game stands out to me. Notre Dame has not yet scored an offensive touchdown and yet they are 2-0. I think they will become a strong program under new coach Tyrone Willingham, and obviously they are already set to make waves this year. However the Wolverine program has a head start, they have more overall talent, and their offense will outscore the Fighting Irish defense on Saturday.
Southern Mississippi -11 over Memphis.
With super RB Derrick Nix back in the fold, USM is a truly solid football team. I had them last week against Illinois, and they should've/could've covered the spread simply by kicking the stupid field goal instead of running on 4th down near the goal and coming up short. Nix was injured last year, and they did not play on the same level without him. He will be a top draft choice next spring. The Golden Eagles' defense is tough as usual, and has most of their top guys back from last year. Rod Davis is a superstar as MLB. Memphis held up for a half against Ole Miss last week, but faded in the second half. Now they have to travel to Hattiesburg to play a team who is hot for revenge from last year's stinging defeat to the Tigers. Look for Southern Miss to win big.
Florida State -14 over Maryland.
In the last 6 years FSU has beaten Maryland by an average of 30 points a game. The 'Noles won 51-31 last year. This year they are stronger and the Terps are weaker. The loss of super running back Bruce Perry leaves Maryland struggling on offense. FSU has had a week of rest, and should easily win by 20-30 once again.
Louisville +2.5 over Colorado State.
I had CSU over UCLA last week, and lost in the last minute when the Bruins returned a fumble for a touchdown. I have a lot of respect for the Rams and particularly like QB Bradlee Van Pelt and RB Cecil Sapp. On paper it seems as though they would be the team to go with this week in their home opener. But not so fast. They have played their hearts out for 3 straight weeks now, and the games against Colorado and UCLA might have left them emotionally spent. Louisville was upset by a surprisingly strong Kentucky team, but soothed their wounds against Duke last week while pointing to this game. Dave Ragone is a hoss at QB, and the Cardinal D is better than it has been in many years. I look for Louisville to win in an upset.
Good luck!
Thursday:
Virginia Tech -11 over Marshall.
There's been a lot of hullabaloo about Marshall and their great quarterback, Byron Leftwich. Leftwich is good, there is no doubt about that. There is also no doubt that Marshall has a fine offense that can score on anyone. With that said, Virginia Tech plays on another level. Week after week, they play against superior opposition. They also have one of the top running games in the country with Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones. Add that to the fact that Marshall's defense ranked 106 against the run last year and return 3 starters on defense, I see no way they can slow down the Hokies. VT looks good on national TV once again as they win big over the Thundering Herd.
Saturday:
Game of the Week: Ole Miss +4 over Texas Tech.
Texas Tech is an up and coming program with a good quarterback in Kliff Kingsbury. However their team as a whole does not quite match the talent that David Cutcliffe has assembled at Ole Miss. Eli Manning has gotten off to a slow start this season, but he is a superior quarterback who knows he has to play up to potential this week for his team to win. His fleet of quick-footed receivers will enjoy the artificial turf in Lubbock. Jason Armstead, Chris Collins, and Bill Flowers are as good a group as there is in the SEC. The Rebels OL is a strength, and running backs Robert Williams, Ronald McClendon, and Vashon Pearson will find gaping holes in the Red Raiders' defense. The Rebs will present a vastly improved defense over last year and will hang in there vs TT's potent offense. Even with leading tackler LB Eddie Strong out, the Rebs are talented and deep at linebacker. Kingsbury will put up points, but he will not be able to keep up with Manning on this day. Ole Miss will win this game outright.
Clemson PK over Georgia Tech.
Tommy Bowden has to produce this season or he is in trouble. Luckily for him, Willie Simmons is a much better QB for his system than Woodrow Dantzler. The young but talented Celmson receivers should be ready to roll this year after being the top rated group of WRs in the country two years ago. Defense will be improved over last year in John Lovett's new scheme. DTs Donnell Washington (6-6,320) and Nick Eason are the 2nd best combo in the ACC next to FSU's. Georgia Tech is still learning the new schemes Chan Gaily has instilled. These two teams are talent-wise pretty even matched, although only Clemson has been seriously tested in a close loss to powerhouse Georgia. I like Clemson at home in this spot, and see them pulling out the victory in what should be a fun game to watch.
Michigan -4 over Notre Dame.
Although I specialize in the SEC, ACC, C-USA, and Big East, this game stands out to me. Notre Dame has not yet scored an offensive touchdown and yet they are 2-0. I think they will become a strong program under new coach Tyrone Willingham, and obviously they are already set to make waves this year. However the Wolverine program has a head start, they have more overall talent, and their offense will outscore the Fighting Irish defense on Saturday.
Southern Mississippi -11 over Memphis.
With super RB Derrick Nix back in the fold, USM is a truly solid football team. I had them last week against Illinois, and they should've/could've covered the spread simply by kicking the stupid field goal instead of running on 4th down near the goal and coming up short. Nix was injured last year, and they did not play on the same level without him. He will be a top draft choice next spring. The Golden Eagles' defense is tough as usual, and has most of their top guys back from last year. Rod Davis is a superstar as MLB. Memphis held up for a half against Ole Miss last week, but faded in the second half. Now they have to travel to Hattiesburg to play a team who is hot for revenge from last year's stinging defeat to the Tigers. Look for Southern Miss to win big.
Florida State -14 over Maryland.
In the last 6 years FSU has beaten Maryland by an average of 30 points a game. The 'Noles won 51-31 last year. This year they are stronger and the Terps are weaker. The loss of super running back Bruce Perry leaves Maryland struggling on offense. FSU has had a week of rest, and should easily win by 20-30 once again.
Louisville +2.5 over Colorado State.
I had CSU over UCLA last week, and lost in the last minute when the Bruins returned a fumble for a touchdown. I have a lot of respect for the Rams and particularly like QB Bradlee Van Pelt and RB Cecil Sapp. On paper it seems as though they would be the team to go with this week in their home opener. But not so fast. They have played their hearts out for 3 straight weeks now, and the games against Colorado and UCLA might have left them emotionally spent. Louisville was upset by a surprisingly strong Kentucky team, but soothed their wounds against Duke last week while pointing to this game. Dave Ragone is a hoss at QB, and the Cardinal D is better than it has been in many years. I look for Louisville to win in an upset.
Good luck!
