NCAA 2013 Picks - Week #1

As long-time followers of my writing know, I do not create a preseason Top 25.  Thus, I can't look at games from the top teams.  I will predict the performance of my Big Ten teams, as well as games that many people might find interesting.

Thursday, August 29
North Carolina Tar Heels at South Carolina Gamecocks:  Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks begin their trek to compete with Alabama for the SEC title.  North Carolina is a capable team, but South Carolina has a potent team this year.  SOUTH CAROLINA by 16

Indiana State Sycamores at Indiana Hoosiers:  It may be a tough year for the Hoosiers, but they get to give their home fans a win to start the season.  INDIANA by 17

UNLV Running Rebels at Minnesota Golden Gophers:  You know, this game wasn't as easy to pick as you'd think.  Both teams have some serious weaknesses, but they also have some capable talent.  I pick Minnesota for two reasons:  I usually favor the home team in these situations, and Minnesota is used to stiffer competition.  MINNESOTA by four

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Fresno State Bulldogs:  Fresno State has a well-stocked team this year, although this game may not serve as enough of a challenge to demonstrate that.  FRESNO STATE by 14

USC Trojans at Hawaii Warriors:  Hawaii is often a tough team at home, but their anemic passing game makes them more of a pushover.  Hosting USC will do nothing to boost their morale.  USC by 20

Friday, August 30
Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan State Spartans:  Michigan State should be a strong team in the Big Ten this year.  The MAC has perennial fought the Big Ten hard, but here poor Western Michigan is just outclassed.  MICHIGAN STATE by 17

Florida Atlantic Owls at Miami Hurricanes:  The battle for Florida bragging rights begins, although it'll be sort of a one-sided battle.  MIAMI by 21

Big Ten
Buffalo Bulls at Ohio State Buckeyes:  Buffalo gets their butt kicked as Ohio State begins its march to the BCS Championship Game.  This may be the first shutout of the season.  OHIO STATE by 31

UMass Minutemen at Wisconsin Badgers:  The Badgers get a easy start to the post-Bielema era.  WISCONSIN by 20

Southern Illinois Salukis at Illinois Fighting Illini:  The battle of the Plains Indians-named teams gives a boost to Illinois, who need to start the season well.  I don't think they'll start 6-0 like year, but hoping they don't drop their last six like season.  ILLINOIS by ten

Purdue Boilermakers at Cincinnati Bearcats:  Perhaps the toughest battle of all the Big Ten openers, I have to predict a loss for the Boilermakers.  Cincinnati has some good weapons, and they are fresh.  Cincy's problem is late in the season, when they fade due to injuries.  CINCINNATI by eight

Central Michigan Chippewas at Michigan Wolverines:  Michigan State got the toughest Michigan-based MAC opponent, so Michigan gets an easy warmup.  Of course, they could find a way to screw it up (remember Appalachian State?), but I doubt it.  MICHIGAN by 17

Syracuse Orange at Penn State Nittany Lions:  Penn State is fortunate that Syracuse is down this year, as they need time to get their new defense and quarterback set up.  An easy opening opponent gives them field time without risking too much embarrassment.  PENN STATE by ten

Northern Illinois Huskies at Iowa Hawkeyes:  Another loss for the Big Ten, this one goes to the strong team from the MAC.  The Huskies are primed for another good year, and knocking off Big Ten opponents is a Huskies trend.  NORTHERN ILLINOIS by 12

Wyoming Cowboys at Nebraska Cornhuskers:  The Huskers get to wrangle Cowboys in their opener.  I think it's a sign that the Big Ten recognizes the conference has become weaker, or perhaps other teams want a share of the Big Ten Network's revenues.  NEBRASKA by 18

Northwestern Wildcats at California Golden Bears:  The Big Ten rarely plays well when they travel to the West Coast, but the well-stocked Wildcats get to tackle a weakened Cal team.  Great way to anger Pac-12 fans and set up for an interesting Rose Bowl.  NORTHWESTERN by ten

Games of Interest
Toledo Rockets at Florida Gators:  Florida may be ranked in the preseason Top Ten, but don't dismiss Toledo's power.  Will the Rockets win?  Not likely.  Will they surprise Florida and keep it close?  I think so.  FLORIDA by six

Rice Owls at Texas A&M Aggies:  It appears the NCAA won't make a ruling about Johnny Manziel before this game kicks off, but expect one before the SEC conference season rolls in.    You might think Manziel would decide to make the most of the opportunity, but he's already shown enough poor judgement.  This will be a pedestrian effort.  A&M by twelve

Mississippi State Bulldogs at Oklahoma State Cowboys:  This game will be closer than Oklahoma State fans would like.  The Bulldogs aren't quite as well-stocked as last year, but they are still stronger than people expected when this match-up was scheduled.  OKLAHOMA STATE by six

Temple Owls at Notre Dame Fighting Irish:  The Irish get an easy game for their first post-Manti outing.  They'll need it, as they have to restructure from some key personnel losses.  NOTRE DAME by 13

Nicholls State Colonels at Oregon Ducks:  And  now we start getting into the ridiculously one-sided battles scheduled solely to bring extra money to small FCS colleges.  OREGON by... lots

Alabama Crimson Tide at Virginia Tech Hokies:  In earlier years, this would be a nice match-up.  Unfortunately the Hokies aren't quite as talent-laden this season, so this will be pretty one-sided.  BAMA by 23

Eastern Washington Eagles at Oregon State Beavers:  The Eagles might score a bot on the Beavers, but the Eagles defense will get pulverized.  OREGON STATE by 14

Louisiana-Monroe Indians at Oklahoma Sooners:  The Sooners get an easy start on their trek for a conference title.  OKLAHOMA by 21

New Mexico State Aggies at Texas Longhorns:  Another easy game for a Big XII title contender.  TEXAS by 24

LSU Tigers at TCU Horned Frogs:  Ah, now we get to an interesting pairing!  LSU is touted as chief competition for Alabama, but I think they took a step back this season.  TCU has some punch, and Gary Patterson has added hype to this game by criticizing the discipline and integrity (or, rather, the lack of both) of LSU coach Les Miles.  Miles has tried to downplay the hype by back-pedalling, now hedging whether RB Jeremy Hill will play.  My thoughts:  Miles is more interested in winning than discipline, Hill will play, and LSU will win, albeit in a close game.  LSU by four

Boise State Broncos at Washington Huskies:  Boise State looks to lead the new expanded Mountain West into a BCS bowl (now that the conference has a guaranteed berth) in the final year of the BCS.  They have the tools to do it, and Washington isn't that much of an obstacle.  BOISE STATE by 16

Nevada Wolf Pack at UCLA Bruins  Nevada is a strong team, so this won't be the stellar start to UCLA's claim to the Pac-12 South title as they hoped.  After two years of claiming the title simply because USC was on probation, the Bruins hoped to win it outright this season.  Nevada will give them fits, and make "experts" wonder if UCLA is up to the challenge.  UCLA by six

Sunday, Sept 1
Ohio Bobcats at Louisville Cardinals:  Ohio is a good team, but they're just overmanned and outgunned on this one.  The Cardinals are the cream of the new American Athletic conference, and a likely unbeaten team.  LOUISVILLE by 13

Monday, Sept 2
Florida State Seminoles at Pittsburgh Panthers:  Welcome to the ACC, Pittsburgh!  Too bad you have to face one of the best teams in the conference this season.  It could have been worse -- you could have gotten Clemson!  FLORIDA STATE by 20

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Georgia Bulldogs at Clemson Tigers:  Speaking of those Clemson Tigers, here they are!  We've been privileged to get opening weekend match-ups of preseason Top Ten teams the past couple of years, and they've been spectacular.  This one will be more exception.  Although the SEC fans are predicting a blowout, given Georgia's massive offense, Clemson is a highly-talented team who can keep pace with Georgia, and whose defense can give the Bulldogs some fits.  This will be a real test of Georgia's spring training.  If they come out somewhat cold, Clemson could control the game.  I think Georgia will win, but they may have to stage a second half comeback.  GEORGIA by six