Picks for the Weak

Due to a horrendous computer malfunction the first version of this article got blown away.  Therefore, the level of analysis isn’t quite as deep and insightful as it was originally.  I just can’t stand to do all of that work all over again.  I also managed to lose Jay’s picks for this week, so I’ll have to make it up to him somehow.

Now, we picked the Utah game, but since we’re posting this a day late, there’s no reason to post our predictions (though several of us did pick Utah to pull out the victory).  If only we could actually prove it.

Stupid hard drives…

With that said, and with apologies to Dave Wannstedt, here are our other 9 games for the week.

Saturday, September 4th

Illinois vs. Missouri (Neutral Site)

There’s only one reason this game appears on this list – this is the beginning of the end for Ron Zook.  The only reason that won’t be the case is if Illinois manages to pull out a surprising victory, but it honestly doesn’t matter how bad Missouri is this year, they’ll get the win.

Missouri 24, Illinois 14

Purdue at Notre Dame

This is Brian Kelly’s debut at Notre Dame, so you can expect the Golden Domers to be quite excited about the prospects for the start of the season.  However, they have to start out against a Purdue team that has a chance to be a solid threat this year.  Recall that Purdue lost a number of games last year by less than 7 points.  Usually teams will turn it around the next season and start to win those games.

Purdue may surprise folks in this one, especially since Notre Dame will be a little inexperienced with Kelly’s offense.

Purdue 28, Notre Dame 24

Connecticut at Michigan

This is the next in the series of traditional Michigan season opening losses.  Don’t believe me?  Connecticut is a heavy running team.  Michigan has lost their best defensive lineman, and has decided to switch to a 3-3-5 defense.  Worse yet, even if UConn does decide to throw the football, Michigan doesn’t have anything behind the line that could be called a Secondary with the injury to Woolfolk – their only experienced defensive back.

Michigan’s offense could keep them in this game, but its hit or miss as to how well they’ll actually do against this UConn defense.  I’ll say “unspectacular”.

Connecticut 21, Michigan 10

Washington at Brigham Young

This is the revenge return matchup for the 2008 disaster at Washington.  Down 7 with seconds left on the clock, Huskie Quarterback Jake Locker plunged into the endzone to put the score within 1 with an extra point chance to tie it up at 28.  But when Locker hopped to his feet, he flung the ball into the air in excitement drawing a flag for excessive celebration – a flag that has been hotly debated for the last 2 years.  The Huskies kicker missed the resulting 35 yard extra point attempt giving BYU the victory.

You know that result will be on Jake Locker’s mind.  There’s nothing BYU will be able to do to stop Washington from securing their revenge.

Washington 31, BYU 24

Northwestern at Vanderbilt

The Big Ten vs. SEC Nerd-bowl that we’ve all been asking for for a long while.  Unfortunately for Vanderbilt, they’re no-where near as good as Northwestern right now.

Northwestern 24, Vanderbilt 7

#24 Oregon State vs. #6 TCU (Neutral Site)

One of the weekends better games.  TCU was one game away from going undefeated last season, running into Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl and coming up short.  Oregon State was 4 points away from becoming the PAC-10 champion last year, just missing the Rose Bowl.  This game is ripe for the upset as these teams are likely much more evenly matched than their ranks suggest.  I’ll go with TCU on this one, barely.

TCU 35, Oregon State 34

#21 LSU vs. #18 UNC (Neutral Site)

This game could very well be a slaughter.  As many as 16 players could be suspended for UNC during this game as their program continues to come under NCAA scrutiny.  LSU, however, is lead by Les Miles – Mr. “I can’t manage the clock to save my life” – and is on the hot seat after a 9-4 season.  Expect Miles to come out swinging to try to take advantage of the UNC paper tiger.

LSU 28, UNC 14

Cincinnati vs. Fresno State

This is going to be the game that defense forgot.  Both teams are going to have fantastic offenses, especially as Cincinnati’s new coach is familiar with Brian Kelly’s system having already replaced him once at Central Michigan.  Neither team, however, has had particularly fantastic defenses, though Cincinnati’s is likely better.  Should be a shootout for most of the game.

Cincinnati 51, Fresno State 38

Monday, September 6th

#3 Boise State vs. #10 Virginia Tech (Neutral Site)

This is the game that will have all the defense that the Cinci game lacks.  Virginia Tech is, of course, famous for Beamer’s defensive and special team’s abilities.  The surprise is that VT has a powerful offense led by Senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor.  Boise State has had a powerful defense the last couple of season coupled with a fantastic offense that can really put points on the board at will.

This will be a great way to end the first weekend, and you can count on Beamer and his Hokies to pull out the victory.

Virginia Tech 17, Boise State 14