By Nate Sandstrom and Mark Goldman
So I guess I have to eat a little humble pie after calling for the Redskins to win in Carolina. They of course were destroyed, 47-3.
But it was preseason for me too. And even though I'm usually awful in Week 1, I'm betting I can beat Mark. So here you go, Nate's plan to win cash on Labor Day Weekend:
• Utah (+3) at Michigan
If you read my preseason picks, you know how I feel about Michigan this year. Now they're starting a walk-on QB? Utah is much better than App. State was last year, so why not make losing at home at Week One a new Michigan football tradition.
Nate's Pick: Utah 24 Michigan 13
• USC (-19.5) at Virginia
Last year, Virginia became the first team in NCAA history to win five games by two points or less. It was a near miracle that the Cavs won nine games, and now that they have lost 11 starters, including virtually their whole offensive and defensive lines, USC takes this in a walk.
Nate's Pick: USC 41 Virginia 10
• Upset Special: Kent State (+345) vs. Boston College (in Cleveland)
This is the game to play for the homerun this week. Kent State returns 16 starters and will be pumped-up for this challenge against a BCS team. BC loses 12 starters, but looks past a MAC opponent in this one.
Nate's pick: Kent State 19 Boston College 17
Here's Mark's picks:
• Oregon (-13.5) vs. Washington
Washington has lost to Oregon in their last four attempts. By an average of 23 ppg. Last year Oregon went crazy, winning 55-34 with unreal performances from their stars who combined for 465 rushing yards on 62 attempts. Jonathan Stewart and Dennis Dixon are gone now, but Oregon has a deep set of running backs in Blount, Johnson and Crenshaw. Look for Oregon to follow last years script and ram it down Washington's throat.
• Pittsburgh (-13) vs. Bowling Green
Last year Pittsburgh cried their way to a 5-7 record as they watched Joe Flacco lead the Blue Hens to a season few dare to even dream of! This year Pittsburgh should be much improved with 15 returning starters. They've won 10 of their last 11 home openers and that should continue this year against the Falcons.
• Upset Special: Northern Illinois (+270) at Minnesota
If there's such thing as a misleading 1-11 record, I haven't seen it. That's what we have in the Minnesota Gophers, who will take more than just a summer to improve. What a daunting task for them to take on a 2-10 team! In a battle of bad teams, I like the team that's going from just three senior starters last year to 21 starters returning and 20 seniors with starting experience. Look for N.I. to show up and eek out a win.
Last, but not least we have a toss-up —Fresno State at Rutgers (-5)
Nate says: Take Fresno State. Coach Hill has taken his Bulldogs to plenty of road wins against BCS teams in the past. He will have the Bulldogs motivated and Rutgers' loss of Ray Rice makes the difference in the season opener for two experienced teams.
Mark says: Get a surfboard and go to the beach, you damn dirty hippie. Fresno will come to Jersey and get punched in the mouth. Rutgers will have a hard time replacing Ray Rice, yes, but as Nate says, these are experienced teams and pretty well matched up. I like the home team vs. the team that hasn't traveled farther east than Ohio since before 2000. Rutgers takes it all in the Game of the Century!
So I guess I have to eat a little humble pie after calling for the Redskins to win in Carolina. They of course were destroyed, 47-3.
But it was preseason for me too. And even though I'm usually awful in Week 1, I'm betting I can beat Mark. So here you go, Nate's plan to win cash on Labor Day Weekend:
• Utah (+3) at Michigan
If you read my preseason picks, you know how I feel about Michigan this year. Now they're starting a walk-on QB? Utah is much better than App. State was last year, so why not make losing at home at Week One a new Michigan football tradition.
Nate's Pick: Utah 24 Michigan 13
• USC (-19.5) at Virginia
Last year, Virginia became the first team in NCAA history to win five games by two points or less. It was a near miracle that the Cavs won nine games, and now that they have lost 11 starters, including virtually their whole offensive and defensive lines, USC takes this in a walk.
Nate's Pick: USC 41 Virginia 10
• Upset Special: Kent State (+345) vs. Boston College (in Cleveland)
This is the game to play for the homerun this week. Kent State returns 16 starters and will be pumped-up for this challenge against a BCS team. BC loses 12 starters, but looks past a MAC opponent in this one.
Nate's pick: Kent State 19 Boston College 17
Here's Mark's picks:
• Oregon (-13.5) vs. Washington
Washington has lost to Oregon in their last four attempts. By an average of 23 ppg. Last year Oregon went crazy, winning 55-34 with unreal performances from their stars who combined for 465 rushing yards on 62 attempts. Jonathan Stewart and Dennis Dixon are gone now, but Oregon has a deep set of running backs in Blount, Johnson and Crenshaw. Look for Oregon to follow last years script and ram it down Washington's throat.
• Pittsburgh (-13) vs. Bowling Green
Last year Pittsburgh cried their way to a 5-7 record as they watched Joe Flacco lead the Blue Hens to a season few dare to even dream of! This year Pittsburgh should be much improved with 15 returning starters. They've won 10 of their last 11 home openers and that should continue this year against the Falcons.
• Upset Special: Northern Illinois (+270) at Minnesota
If there's such thing as a misleading 1-11 record, I haven't seen it. That's what we have in the Minnesota Gophers, who will take more than just a summer to improve. What a daunting task for them to take on a 2-10 team! In a battle of bad teams, I like the team that's going from just three senior starters last year to 21 starters returning and 20 seniors with starting experience. Look for N.I. to show up and eek out a win.
Last, but not least we have a toss-up —Fresno State at Rutgers (-5)
Nate says: Take Fresno State. Coach Hill has taken his Bulldogs to plenty of road wins against BCS teams in the past. He will have the Bulldogs motivated and Rutgers' loss of Ray Rice makes the difference in the season opener for two experienced teams.
Mark says: Get a surfboard and go to the beach, you damn dirty hippie. Fresno will come to Jersey and get punched in the mouth. Rutgers will have a hard time replacing Ray Rice, yes, but as Nate says, these are experienced teams and pretty well matched up. I like the home team vs. the team that hasn't traveled farther east than Ohio since before 2000. Rutgers takes it all in the Game of the Century!
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