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Illinois Fighting Illini AT Missouri Tigers |
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| Ron Zook is fighting in a win or die situation at Illinois, and unfortunately, he'll be doing it with a lot of new players in starting roles. Missouri is a borderline top 25 team that has the potential to sneak into the rankings this year. This relatively new border rivalry has taken a decided turn to the west, and the Mizzou fans should be roaring like Tigers after a season opening victory. MISSOURI by 21. |
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Colorado Buffaloes AT Colorado St. Rams |
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| This season opening rivalry actually has a bit of history behind it, and has been more competitive than an outside observer would expect. Much like Zook at Illinois, Dan Hawkins is fighting for his job in Boulder, but unlike the Illini, they have a better shot at opening the season with a win. Hawkins has decided his son is NOT the answer at QB, and with an early decision in preseason camp, the players know he's going with talent over blood. The Rams have some exciting new players in their lineup, but simply don't have the depth of talent this year to contend in the MWC, much less the Buffs. Rivalry is the only thing that keeps it close, but I say COLORADO by 10. |
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Purdue Boilermakers AT Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
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| This is essentially a coin flip game, as I have no idea how Notre Dame will look in their first contest under Brian Kelly. Historically, he has produced winners quickly, but each school/schedule is a unique entity. Training camp rumors say Crist (Irish QB) has been dinged up a bit, but this is his first start in the new era, at home. Purdue is thought to be a real dark horse in the Big Ten race, improved over last year and expecting a return to the bowls. It's hard for me to go against the Irish at home against a rival, especially with a new coach and a new look, schematically, on both sides of the ball. The excitement will be sky-high, but I'll take the experience and know quantity of the Boilermakers. PURDUE by 3. |
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Connecticut Huskies AT Michigan Wolverines |
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| The Huskies are a semi-trendy pick to contend for the Big East Conference title. Meanwhile, Coach Rodriguez is in a win-or-else situation at Michigan. Entering the 3rd season of his reign, he now has enough pieces on offense (with some experience) to believe the Wolverines will score. The big question is whether they have the defense to really contend. UConn has a bit of a one-dimensional attack as the passing game is barely adequate, and if the Michigan defense can slow down the rushing game, it's questionable as to whether the Huskies can win by passing. I see a win in the Big House, but not by much. MICHIGAN by 7. |
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Kentucky Wildcats AT Louisville Cardinals |
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| Joker Phillips now has the keys to the head coach office, and little will change as he's been promoted from within a relatively successful staff at Kentucky. Meanwhile, Louisville is starting from scratch under Charlie Strong. It may become more competitive in the future, but for now, the Cardinal simply don't have the horses to run in this bluegrass rivalry. KENTUCKY by 24. |
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UCLA Bruins AT Kansas St. Wildcats |
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| The Bruins have enough returnees on defense to put a pretty good stop unit on the field, and assuming QB Kevin Prince is healed enough from a preseason practice injury to play without any performance degredation, they should get some points on the board. Ole' Bill Snyder knows how to get a lot out of a little, and has the better runner in this game, but overall, the Wildcats lack depth. UCLA has a decided kicking game advantage. Playing in Manhatten makes this almost a tossup, but I'll take UCLA by 3. |
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Washington Huskies AT #14 BYU Cougars |
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| Entering his second season under Sarkesian's tutelage, Jake Locker is primed for a big season for Washington. He still has the athletic ability to hurt you with his legs, and is now a more polished passer. The Husky defense is still a work in progress, but the Cougar offense is pretty young in key positions. Neither team is going to win a conference title, but Locker is a bonifide star QB and that makes the difference. WASHINGTON by 7. |
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Washington St. Cougars AT #20 Oklahoma St. Cowboys |
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| Two rebuilding squads, with the Cougars having a little more experience, and the Cowboys having more talent. Playing in Stillwater gives the talented team the edge. OKLAHOMA STATE by 10. |
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Northwestern Wildcats AT Vanderbilt Commodores |
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| There's a new Commodore in charge at Vanderbilt, as Bobby Johnson unexpectedly retired in the summer. It won't matter too much as the new coach was an internal promotion, so Vanderbilt will play pretty much as expected. Northwestern is another one of those very dark horse contenders from the Big Ten, with genuine bowl aspirations. The Wildcats just seem to be a little closer to being a bowl team than the 'dores. I'll say NORTHWESTERN by 10. |
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#17 Oregon St. Beavers AT #3 TCU Horned Frogs |
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| Oregon State should be solid by the end of the season, but they have a tendency to be slow starters that develop over time to become conference contenders. TCU is returning a bunch of talented, experienced players, and they usually come out of the gate fast. I'll take TCU by 13. |
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North Carolina Tar Heels AT #13 LSU Tigers |
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| The Tarheels have a great defense, but can't score many points on offense. The Tigers are talented, and reasonably good on both sides of the ball, but seemed to underachieve last year. I think the Tiger defense comes out roaring with enough quality to shut down a North Carolina offense that seems to be the weak link on the Tarheel team. LSU won't score a lot on the 'heels defense, but it may only take a couple of opportunities to win this one. LSU by 3. |
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#4 Cincinnati Bearcats AT Fresno St. Bulldogs |
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| Fresno is s tough venue for BCS teams to play, and Pat Hill's boys have a long history of punching the big boys in the nose. The Bearcats may not be everyone's idea of a "big boy", but the Bulldogs relish their role as underdogs. Butch Jones will tweak the Cincinnati team a bit to his way of doing things, but they still have enough players returning to simply outjock the Bulldogs in the end. CINCINNATI by 7. |
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| Our predictions are for fun and informational use only...We do not promote illegal gambling of any kind. Although the We are seldom wrong, wager on these games at your own risk. |
