This Weeks Predictions

What a Labor Day weekend we have lined up to open the college football season. Games start Thursday and run all the way through Monday, so if you have been missing your favorite sport you will certainly get your fill this weekend.

I will be coming out with predictions for the week each Thursday during the season all the way through the bowl games.

PAC TEN CONTESTS

Washington at Syracuse

The odds makers favor UW by three over the Orange in the nationally televised opener of the college football season on ESPN. Both teams are breaking in highly touted QB's, and the game will be won by team that is able to dominate the line of scrimmage. I like UW by 10 points in this one. Call it just a hunch, but I think the Huskies are going to surprise people this year. I guess we all know by the end of the first quarter exactly what we have going here. I will have a game preview out on Friday Morning for this one which will illustrate what I think we should look for from both teams.

Utah at Oregon State

OSU is favored by 6 1/2 over the Utes and as we know anything can happen when you take on those boys from Salt Lake City. Sammie Stroughter will probably sit this one out since he just returned to practice. Riley isn't really happy with him at this point, but he has to be tempted to use his All American play maker.

UCLA at Stanford

UCLA is favored by 17 over Stanford and I would bet that one because UCLA should be pretty good, and Stanford is just awful. I like Harbaugh, but he is in year one of a five year rebuilding plan. UCLA should play itself into BCS consideration with the talent they have stockpiled on hand, if not they could be looking for a new coach. Rick Neuheisel will be watching this one with interest.

Houston at Oregon

Oregon by 17, and Houston is already down to their 4th string QB. This should be a relatively easy game for the Ducks and be considered just a warm up.

Washington State at Wisconsin

Opening up in Madison will be no picnic for the Cougars who are 14 point underdogs. Wisconsin has however had a habit of under performing early in the season. Alex Brink however needs to have the game of his life for the Cougars to compete. Wisconsin is physically superior at just about every position, so I have to take the Badgers.

Arizona at BYU

Arizona is a 4 point favorite on the road in this one, but I am going with the pride of Mormon country. I think the new UA offense will sputter as much as the old one. I am not a big Stoops fan even though he has been increasing the talent on board every year. this game will be a good barometer if they have made any progress on the offensive side.

Tennessee at California

Cal is a 6 point dog at home, but I think this is the year the Bears open with a big victory and chase USC for the conference championship. Cal has waited a year for this game to avenge the loss last season in Knoxville. Tedford will not be denied. The oddsmakers are looking at last years contest in Knoxville rather than this years game which is typical early in the year.

Idaho at USC

It would be a lot more competitive if USC favored by 46 was playing it's third team. This is going to be no more than a scrimmage. Look for USC to be playing it's second team early in the first half or it will be really ugly. USC is likely the most talented team in the country, they have a quarterback who should have a huge season and they have few weaknesses.

San Jose State at Arizona State

The Devils are favored by 14 1/2 and I say you take SJS. Tomey returns to the desert, and the wheels aren't going to be on for awhile at ASU. The Devils will win, but it is going to be close. Tomey has really done a great job turning around, and literally saving the Spartan program. This is a game that Erickson could lose.

NATIONAL GAMES

Marshall at Miami

Miami is favored by 18, but Marshall is always tough, and the Hurricanes are regrouping. Look for a closer game with Miami coming out on top. I hate Miami by the way, and any loss they come up with looks good to me. That being said there is a huge chasm of talent dividing these two programs.

Colorado St and Colorado

They play this one to start the season and both teams are pretty close this year with the Buff's coming in as 3 point favorite. Hawkins needs to win this one after last years disastrous first season. I pick the Buff's and it will be close, but wouldn't be surprised to see State kick them in the rear.

Georgia Tech at Notre Dame

We hate the Irish right? Georgia Tech should have won last year, right? We all want to see Charlie open 0-1, right? ND is favored by three at home, and that home field advantage should be enough for the win. Go Rambling Wreck!

Missouri at Illinois

Not a couple of power programs, but two programs on the rise with Mizzou favored by four. Pinkel has been treading water for awhile, and he needs this one. I am going with Mizzou, but Illinois is a program on the rise that just brought in one heck of a recruiting class.

Oklahoma St at Georgia

The Bulldogs are favored by six at home, and while Okie State is solid they aren't going to come out with a win in Athens.

Kansas State at Auburn

Auburn is favored by 13, and K-State hasn't been a factor since the coaching change. This one is easy....Auburn.

Florida State at Clemson

Papa Bowden is a 3 1/2 point favorite on the road, and I don't agree, I have to go with Clemson. This could be the start of the last year of Bobby which is fine because I am rooting for Paterno, and his new hip to end up with the all time win total.