A new year and a new sense of hope for picking college football games. Last year's unflattering record against the spread is a distant memory. This year could be a little tricky to pick because of the amount of teams that the experts think could reach the playoffs. So without further ado, let's pick 10 games .
1. #1 Ohio State (-14) vs. Virginia Tech - The first game picked and I am going against the grain here. Ohio State has been reminded all summer long what the Hokies did to them last year. I bet that Urban Meyer has reminded them a time or two as well. The Hokies aren't anything special and the Buckeyes should be able to pull away in the 2nd half.
Ohio State 38, Virginia Tech 21
2. #20 Wisconsin (+10.5) at #3 Alabama - Nick Saban has been one little pissed off coach for the past 6 months according to the reports coming out of that part of the country. I am sure that has been passed onto his players. If it was in Tuscaloosa, I would pick the Crimson Tide to cover. Being in Arlington, Tx gives the Badgers a less hostile environment and their running game will keep the game close.
Wisconsin 20, Alabama 24
3. Washington at #23 Boise State (-12) - Chris Peterson is starting a Freshman QB and going into Boise State who wants to prove that they are just as good without him as they were with him. The Huskies aren't that good yet.
Washington 13, Boise State 31
4. Louisville (+10.5) vs. #6 Auburn - I have learned my lesson from past seasons not to overlook Bobby Petrino's teams. I think that his offense will give the Auburn defense fits, but in the end QB Jeremy Johnson and his arm pull out a squeaker for the Tigers.
Louisville 27, Auburn 31
5. Virginia (+19.5) vs. #13 UCLA - UCLA is a team that people are thinking might make the playoffs if everything goes right for them. RB Paul Perkins might be able to get them there if the defense is as stout as people think it is. The bad thing for the Bruins? a true freshman starting at QB. Virginia has a stout defense but the offense cannot keep up in this game.
Virginia 17, UCLA 28
6. #15 Arizona State vs. Texas A&M (-3) - This should be one of those games where the last team that has the ball wins. Both offenses are high powered. The fact that there is home cooking for A&M will give them a slight edge and the bigger edge come in the form of better athleticism.
Arizona State 34, Texas A&M 38
7. Texas vs. #11 Notre Dame (-9.5) - The Irish Defensive Line should be able to handle the O-Line of the Longhorns that has 2 freshman starting. This game will be won in the trenches and the Irish look better there on both sides of the ball.
Texas 13, Notre Dame 24
8. #5 Michigan State (-18) at Western Michigan - When I see the Spartans, I see a team that could challenge Ohio State for the Big 10 title. I think they going into Western Michigan and destroy the Broncos to put out there that this team is for real.
Michigan State 41, Western Michigan 13
9. Kent State (+14.5) vs. Illinois - Why pick this game? I feel like it would be easy money. The Illini are in disarray. I know they are playing a MAC team, but having the Head Coach fired a week before the season will cause distractions. I believe that they will play down to the competition and that the game is real close.
Kent State 24, Illinois 26
10. Penn State vs. Temple (+7) - My upset special of the week. The Temple defense returns all 11 defensive starters for a unit that ranked in the Top 10 last year. Don't expect very many points in this game. The suspect Nittany Lions O-Line will not be able to hold up.
Penn State 10, Temple 13.
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