Pick 6: Week 1
Well, here we are. Welcome back to TMGcollegesports.com’s Third Edition of Sextuple Jeopardy. Or Pick Six, as we are calling it this year.
Picking opening-week college football games is a tricky proposition. But it’s way saner, for example, than betting on pre-season NFL games. If you can dope out which set of players who won’t be on the 53-man roster will cover the spread, you have my respect. And utter puzzlement.
That said, let the (college) games begin. . .
THE GAMES
Texas minus-13 vs. Maryland, 11 a.m.
Northern Illinois plus-10.5 at Iowa, 2:30 p.m.
Tennessee plus-10 vs. West Virginia, 2:30 p.m.
Washington plus-1.5 vs. Auburn, 2:30 p.m.
Michigan at Notre Dame O/U 47, 6:30 pm.
Miami minus-3.5 vs LSU, 6:30 p.m. Sunday.[membership level="0"] The rest of this article is available to subscribers only - to become a subscriber click here.[/membership] [membership]
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THE PICKS
Northern Illinois plus-10.5 at Iowa
Northern Illinois has its usual fly-under-the-radar Mid-American division and/or conference champion. That includes Sutton Smith, the best defensive end you never heard of. Iowa tends to stumble around a bit in early games like this. Wouldn’t surprise me if this was a nail-biter.
The Pick: Northern Illinois
The Score: Iowa, 24-17
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Miami minus-3.5 vs LSU
I don't know if Blau will drink his alma mater’s Kool-Aid. But I will. And I don’t know what to make of LSU. But all indications are, it’s Hurricanes season.
The Pick: Miami
The Score: Miami, 31-24
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Texas minus 13 vs. Maryland
Raise your hand if you have a feeling that Texas is going to explode this season. And that troubled Maryland is going to implode.
The Pick: Texas
The Score: Longhorns, 38-14
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Tennessee plus-10 vs. West Virginia
Nothing like kicking off the season with the Jug ‘O Moonshine Bowl. I will drink to that—and to Heisman candidate Will Grier, the Mountaineers quarterback.
The Pick: West Virginia
The Score: Mountaineers, 35-17
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Washington plus-3 vs. Auburn
A scary game to pick but too important not to pick. My heart says Washington. Because the Huskies have a fine quarterback and a stout defense. And because I have a feeling the football-watching portion of the Pacific Coast is going to fall into the sea if the Huskies lose. My head says scheduling Auburn in Atlanta is a very four-legged move. Then again, even the SEC can’t win ‘em all. So. . . U-Dub gets it done.
The Pick: Washington
The Score: Huskies, 31-28
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Michigan at Notre Dame O/U 47
I like over/unders for fun. As in, ``When it comes to brats consumed at Lambeau Field, take the over. With sushi at Lambeau, take the under.’’ Ordinarily, I’m not a big fan of over/unders for betting purposes. If you’re going to take a stand, take a stand and pick a team. This is college football, not Switzerland. But there has been so much chatter about Michigan’s defense—and its lack of offense. I have a lot of questions about Notre Dame’s offense, too. So here’s to The Under.
The Pick: Take the Under
LAST SEASON: 44-42-1[/membership]