Week 1

Reviving an old tradition, I will tell you how the following games will turn out -- 10 of the most interesting with a general emphasis on the Southeast and a particular interest on the ACC -- plus the Clemson game. Why? Because living in Georgia gives ACCers an inferiority complex.

(Technical note: For the spreads, I use Wednesday's Harrah's odds.)

Week 1 is always tough, because teams like last year's Auburn, West Virginia and even Clemson were expected to do great things and finished about as satisfyingly as A Waltz With Bashir. Too obscure? No Country for Old Men? Too obvious? The hell with you people.
Thursday Games
South Carolina @ NC State (-5)
This is a compelling game because it offers all the sexiness of an ACC/SEC matchup with the excitement of being the first major game of the season but with the addition tease of bigger things to come. (Like an SEC team that isn't terrible. Zing!) This is the second part of a home and home that gave Gamecock fans everywhere one more week before their wildly unrealistic expectations were dashed. I have the feeling that this year will be a little different: NCSU will win, ushering in the first of many, many soul crushing losses for Spurrier and his Cocks. SoCar covers, though, teasing them with just a taste of possible success.

Oregon @ Boise State (-3.5)
I gave some props to Oregon for playing a tough schedule a few posts ago, and it starts immediately. The Smurf Turf welcomes the Ducks to swim on top, pond like, and face maybe the fourth toughest team on their schedule, and that is no slight on the Broncos. If you asked me at the end of last season who wins this game, I say Boise right away. However, I have grown pretty high on the Pac10 and I think at the top, they might have as strong a conference as anybody. Oregon wins an exciting shootout. I guess this one counts as my upset of the week.

Saturday Games
Maryland @ Cal (-21.0)
The Terps last year were such poster children for schizophrenia that all of Herschel Walker's personalities got jealous. They beat Cal last year in a win that would confuse Stephen Hawing. Cal, led by Jahvid Best (more like Jahvid Beast, amirite?) thumped his chest all season. Maryland goes west to Berkeley and will leave looking like that box turtle you saw on the side of the road that made you cry when you were six. Maryland covers.

Oklahoma (-22.5) vs. BYU in Dallas
While I expect BYU to be a very good team, Oklahoma will beat them in such a fashion that the Mormons will look for an outlet in alcohol a lot SOONER than anyone expected. OU wins game and spread.

Baylor @ Wake Forest (-2.0)
This would be a lot more fun if both teams still sucked. Baylor is improving, and Wake had more first round picks than Clemson in the last draft, which does not make me feel better about losing to them. I'm tempted to go with Baylor, but I don't think I can. Wake wins. But I do think these two teams should play each other every year, call it the "Baptist Bowl" and serve green bean casserole.

Illinois (-6.5) vs. Missouri in St. Louis
This is one of those rivalries like Washington-Washington St. or Kentucky Louisville that the announcers love to talk about how intense and underrated it is, but nobody actually cares about because one or both of the teams are not nationally relevant. They both have tried to tease us in recent years, but it's kind of like the plain looking chick who puts on make up for the first time. Sure, she might be worth a second look, but Juice Williams is still going to through like 4 interceptions a game. This game, however, that might be good enough. Illini win.

Georgia at Oklahoma St. (Even)
This is another one of those games like OU@BSU where at the end of the season, I was convinced the Cowboys would win this. UGa lost two first rounders on offense plus their leading receiver, and the boys in Stillwater bring a ton back to the table. I was recently reminded, though, that while Matthew Stafford can throw a football like 700 miles, he is still easily outwitted by most household pets. UGa wins in exciting fashion.

Virginia Tech vs. Alabama (-6.5) in ATL
I hate games played in the Georgia Dome. They make me sad. This game, however, makes me confused. Alabama has a fantastic coach but an undertalented team. The Hokies have been dropping runningbacks as if to say "Run first teams don't need talented running backs! I'm Frank Beamer! I'll just block extra points!" For some reason, in my head Frank Beamer sounds like John Kerry when saying that. Ultimately, I guess I have to go with Alabama, but I don't really believe in this pick; I'm just going through the motions the way Catholics do on Sundays.

Monday Games
Cincinnati @ Rutgers (-5.0)
Cincinnati lost literally a crapload of seniors last year. I respect their coach, but I just cannot imagine that they will be able to repeat when three of their four toughest conference games, including this one, are on the road. I also don't know what to make of Rutgers, because they have shown signs of turning around their hundred year oblivion (take heart, South Carolina!) but have not quite put it all together yet. I still think the Knights win, if for no other reason than because they are not afraid to embrace the froufrou color scarlet in tough-guy New Jersey.

Miami @ FSU (-6.0)
This game would be like if Egypt and Italy went to war -- it would have been exciting 2000 years ago, but doesn't quite have the same pop it once did. FSU is the favorite to win their division (grr), even with a questionable offense. Miami seems like they are moving in the right direction, but their coach has not demonstrated super confidence so far after being depantsed by Paul Johnson and Jeff Tedford last year. Sure they beat VT, but a lot of good that did them. I still have to follow conventional wisdom here and say the Noles win, but I wouldn't be heartbroken to see the Canes pull it out. I do think Miami covers, though, in one of your typical ugly 9-6 style games.

Clemson
MTSU @ Clemson (-19.0)
I like the fact that Dabo gets to keep his training wheels on for the first game of the season before facing aforementioned crazy man in Paul Johnson. I don't expect to learn very much about the team, even going against Tony Franklin's offense again. Wouldn't mind seeing a tight one where the defense plays option defense every down. Clemson wins one that looks close on the surface and does not cover the spread.