Football Predictions (Week 1)

In what I hope will be a weekly feature on "Find the Beast", I present my picks for a few selected college football games for the current week. I present predictions for all SEC games, games between Top 25 teams, and games involving Utah, BYU, Utah State, and Weber State. The spread for the games is the Opening Line from USA Today and may viewed here. So let's begin. We'll save the picks for the Alabama and Weber State games for last.

Top 25
#19 Illinois vs. #7 Missouri (-9)

Both teams come off of surprisingly strong 2007 seasons. Will the teams continue their winning ways or return back to their previous existence in relative mediocrity? My money would be on Missouri to win given the skill and experience of QB Chase Daniel. Ron Zook has done a fine job at Illinois and probably doesn't miss the glaring spotlight he operated under at Florida.

Missouri 37 Illinois 21 (Missouri covers)

SEC Games
Vanderbilt at Miami (OH) (-3)

Will this be the break-out year for Vandy? A breakout year for Vandy being defined as a winning record and a bowl appearance. I suspect not.

Miami 24 Vanderbilt 17 (Miami covers)

NC State at South Carolina (-11.5)

While Steve Spurrier has turned the Gamecocks into a formidable opponent for his SEC East companions, he hasn't been able to break-through on the national front. 2007 started well, but ended with a visor-tossing string of five consecutive defeats. NC State, meanwhile, toiled to a 5-7 record. Will USC get off on the right-foot with a big win to set-up a year to challenge in the SEC East? Yes on the big win, probably not on the challenging in the SEC East.

South Carolina 31 NC State 13 (South Carolina covers)

Hawaii at #5 Florida (-33.5)

The last time we saw Hawaii, they were being mauled by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Losing their star QB will probably not help make things much better in Gainesville. Look for Tebow & Co. to be resting the starters soon after halftime.

Florida 49 Hawaii 10 (Florida covers)

Georgia Southern at #1 Georgia (No line)

If you're watching this game and expected a Michigan-App State type affair, I suspect your hopes will be dashed early on. Georgia Southern lost their entire Offensive Line to graduation. If you saw the Georgia-Hawaii game, this does not bode well.

Georgia 63 Georgia Southern 3

Appalachian State at LSU (No line)

A battle of defending national champions in Baton Rouge. I'll be cheering on the Mountaineers and hoping they pull off another enormous upset over the hated Tigers. I suspect this one will be close for awhile, perhaps even at halftime. However, LSU is simply too strong and too talented.

LSU 31 Appalachian State 10

UL-Monroe at #11 Auburn (-26.5)

The Bama fan in me would love nothing more than to see the Warhawks give Auburn a game. Even with a new offensive system and uncertainty at QB, I can't see Auburn dropping this one or letting it even be close. That said, I'd gladly take being wrong on this pick...

Auburn 38 UL-Monroe 10 (Auburn covers)

Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech (+9)

Coach Croom has built a respectable program in Starkville which is pretty amazing if you've ever been to Starkville and realized that there is absolutely nothing appealing about the place. Look for an improved Bulldog (MSU Bulldogs that is) squad to make short work of the Bulldogs from Ruston.

Miss State 27 Louisiana Tech 10 (Miss State covers)

Western Illinois at Arkansas (No line)

Bobby Petrino eases into things as the Razorbacks coach with a game against the mighty Western Illinois Leathernecks. While I can't imagine the Petrino regime faring too well in its first season, I'd like to think that this game is probably in the back for the Hogs.

Arkansas 31 Western Illinois 7

Memphis at Ole Miss (-8)

The aforementioned Razorbacks made a lousy decision in the running-off of Houston Nutt. He appears to be a solid coach and should do well with Ed Orgeron's recruits. Ole Miss will surprise this year.

Ole Miss 21 Memphis 10 (Ole Miss covers)

Kentucky at Louisville (-4.5)

This could be a rough year in Lexington. The loss of Andre Woodson does not suggest that Kentucky will be improving upon their 8-5 record from 2007. Louisville looks to return to prominence after a disappointing 6-6 record.

Louisville 24 Kentucky 13 (Louisville covers)

#18 Tennessee at UCLA (+7)

I have some not so fond memories of a season-opening game at UCLA in 2000. The Vols will probably be leaving Southern California with a smile on their faces. UCLA features a new coach and a brutal schedule that could make for a long year.

Tennessee 27 UCLA 17 (Tennessee covers)

Alabama vs #9 Clemson (-5)

Alabama begins Year 2 of the "Process" under Coach Saban. Year 1 featured ups (a thrashing of Tennessee and a close loss to Georgia) and downs (La-Monroe and Tommy Tuberville's 6th finger). 2008 should see Alabama with a better, more disciplined team, but a brutal road schedule and serious depth issues suggests a fair to good season at best. Clemson is once again projected to do well. The question remains: Will the Tigers choke or is the breakthrough year? My brain says Clemson wins a close one. My heart tells me...

Alabama 28 Clemson 27 (Alabama covers)

Games Involving Utah Schools

Utah State at UNLV (-12.5)

Utah State will fight hard to overcome their reputation as one of the worst programs in major college football. Unfortunately for the Aggies, this work won't pay off in Vegas.

UNLV 35 Utah State 17 (UNLV covers)

Northern Iowa at #17 BYU (No line)

Another intriguing FBS-FCS showdown. Northern Iowa is not a team to be taken lightly as they have performed well on the FCS stage and has beaten the Big 12's Iowa State on the road. However, BYU is no Iowa State.

BYU 38 Northern Iowa 13

Utah at #24 Michigan (-3.5)

The Utes open the season at "The Big House". The last time the season kicked-off at Michigan, the Wolverines fell to Appalachian State. Will Michigan's new coach Rich Rodriguez avoid starting his tenure with an L? I'm going out on a limb and taking the Utes.

Utah 24 Michigan 20 (Utah covers)

Montana-Western at Weber State (No line)

The Wildcats open the 2008 season with a Thursday night match-up against the NAIA Bulldogs. With a trip to Hawaii looming, Weber should cruise.

Weber State 41 Montana-Western 10