Week 5 Prediction Results

A bit of a drop-off from my performance last week due to a series of upsets:

Straight-up: 7-2 (0.778)
Against-the-spread: 4-4 (1 game had "No Line") (0.500)

On the year:

Straight-up: 54-10 (0.844)
Against-the-spread: 30-21 (13 games had "No Line") (0.588)

Football Predictions (Week 5)

I'm a little pressed for time this week, so no discussion of predictions.  So here you go, just the cold, hard predictions:

Top 25

#21 Illinois at #12 Penn State (-13.5)

Penn State 31  Illinois 14  (Penn State covers)

#10 Alabama at #3 Georgia (-6.5)

Georgia 27  Alabama 24 (Alabama covers)

SEC Games

Ole Miss at #4 Florida (-23)

Florida 41  Ole Miss 17  (Florida covers)

Tennessee at #16 Auburn (-6.5)

Auburn 17  Tennessee 3 (Auburn covers)

Arkansas at #7 Texas (-27.5)

Texas 49  Arkansas 10 (Texas covers)

Miss State at #6 LSU (-24)

LSU 45  Miss State 9  (LSU covers)

Western Kentucky at Kentucky (-22)

Kentucky 37  Western Kentucy 27 (Western Kentucky covers)

UAB at South Carolina (-24.5)

South Carolina 24  UAB 10 (UAB covers)

Games Involving Utah Schools

Weber State at #17 Utah (No line)

Utah 42  Weber State 10

Week 4 Prediction Results

A strong performance in my predictions for Week 4 of the college football season predictions:

Straight-up: 11-1 (0.917)
Against-the-spread: 8-1 (2 games had "No Line") (0.889)

On the year:

Straight-up: 47-8 (0.855)
Against-the-spread: 26-17 (11 games had "No Line") (0.605)

Football Predictions (Week 4)

Week 4 of the college football season is upon us. Predictions are made for games between teams in the Top 25, SEC teams, and Utah teams (Utah, BYU, Utah State, and Weber State). The opening line is used for the spread and can be found here.

Top 25

#18 Wake Forest at #25 Florida State (-4.5)

Wake Forest has had FSU's number as of late and FSU is still a mystery team after its pasting of two FCS weaklings.  The Demon Deacons' experience against "real" competition will be enough of a difference-maker...

Wake Forest 28  Florida State 20 (Wake Covers)

#6 LSU at #9 Auburn (+2)

This epic showdown will go a long way in determining which team is left standing in the SEC West battle.  LSU has dominated its weak opponents and Auburn has looked iffy (at best) in its new offense scheme.  Every bone in my body thinks LSU will crush Auburn, but the history of this series is littered with close match-ups...

LSU 13  Auburn 10  (LSU covers)

#3 Georgia at #24 Arizona State (+6.5)

Georgia survived against South Carolina and Arizona State tripped up against a pitiful UNLV squad.  All signs point toward Georgia attempting to impress the national TV audience and the pollsters...

Georgia 38  Arizona State 17  (Georgia covers)

SEC Games

Wofford at South Carolina (No line)

South Carolina comes into this game limping from a loss to Vanderbilt and a close-fought contest against Georgia.  The Gamecocks defense is decent, but the offense is pretty woeful.  Such things probably won't matter against Wofford.  Wofford did beat App State last year and is ranked #12 in the latest FCS poll.  This one might be close for awhile.

South Carolina 24  Wofford 6

Vanderbilt at Ole Miss (-5.5)

Can Vandy continue their unbeaten run?  Normally I would be a doubter and figure that the Commodores would blow this one.  However, their games against Ole Miss have typically been close and Vandy has won this game in Oxford before.  So with a roll of the dice...

Vandy 21  Ole Miss 20 (Vandy covers)

Mississippi State at Georgia Tech (-8)

The Bulldogs come into this game with a disappointing 1-2 record with a 3-2 (Ha! - Directed towards Auburn's "high-powered" spread offense) loss to Auburn and a shocking loss at Louisiana Tech.  This kind of game could make or break MSU's season.  Georgia Tech is a decent team in a fairly bad conference, but should be able to score.  If 3 points was enough for Auburn...

Georgia Tech 17  Miss State 2

#4 Florida at Tennessee (+7.5)

Florida comes into this game with its sights set on dominating an underwhelming Vols squad.  Tebow and crew should have no problem squashing Rocky Top...

Florida 31  Tennessee 14 (Florida covers)

#13 Alabama at Arkansas (+9)

Alabama seems to have righted the ship by pounding Western Kentucky after a less than stellar performance against Tulane.  Of course, Tulane appears to better than most would have predicted.  Arkansas is arguably the worst 2-0 team in the land with come-from-behind wins over Western Illinois and La-Monroe under its belt.  I've been saying all along that Petrino was a bad hire for the Hogs and that the Razorbacks are in for a long season.  That long season starts Saturday...

Alabama 31  Arkansas 10  (Alabama covers)

Games Involving Utah Schools

 

Idaho at Utah State (-4.5)

Possibly two of the worst teams in all of FBS football meet in Logan.  This is probably the last time this season that Utah State will be favored and is likely the last chance for the Aggies to actually win a game.  Both teams are so bad, it's actually difficult to pick a winner.  At least Idaho has shown that it can win a game this season, so...

Idaho 24  Utah State 20  (Idaho covers)

#20 Utah at Air Force (+7)

Utah travels to Colorado to take on the Falcons in a Mountain West Conference match-up.  Last year, Utah fell to Air Force in Salt Lake City.  This is certainly a step-up in competition for the Utes and Air Force may actually be the best team they have played this season (sorry Michigan).  Air Force will grind it out on the ground (as usual) but Utah should prevail...

Utah 27  Air Force 17  (Utah covers)   

Wyoming at #11 BYU (-27)

BYU comes off a mauling off UCLA while Wyoming escaped North Dakota State.  Will there be a let down after BYU's dominating performance?  Doubtful...

BYU 45  Wyoming 10  (BYU covers)

Weber State at Sacramento State (No Line)

Weber opens play in the Big Sky conference with a trip to Sacramento.  Both teams come into the game with 2-1 records, each with a loss to an FBS opponent.  Sac State finished 3-8 in 2007 with a 3-5 record in the Big Sky.  Last year, Weber defeated Sac State 26-7 in a snowy affair.  Both teams seem improved, but how much is still uncertain at this point.

Weber State 27  Sacramento State 20  

Week 3 Prediction Results

For my Week 3 of the college football season predictions:

Straight-up: 13-1 (0.929)
Against-the-spread: 6-6 (2 games had "No Line") (0.500)

On the year:

Straight-up: 36-7 (0.837)
Against-the-spread: 18-16 (9 games had "No Line") (0.529)

Arkansas at Texas

Arkansas' bludgeoning at the hands of Texas has been postponed until September 27th due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Ike. Therefore, this game will not be included in the prediction results for this week.

Football Predictions (Week 3)

We're back for Week 3 of the college football season. Predictions are made for games between teams in the Top 25, SEC teams, and Utah teams (Utah, BYU, Utah State, and Weber State). The opening line is used for the spread and can be found here.

Top 25

#12 Kansas at #18 South Florida (-3.5)

After watching South Florida struggle to beat Central Florida in Overtime last week, this game looks ripe for an "against-the-spread" upset. Kansas has not been tested this year, but should be able to pull off the win.

Kansas 28 Central Florida 20 (Kansas covers)

#11 Wisconsin at #21 Fresno State (+1.5)

This game has the makings of a "trap" game for the Badgers and is vital for Fresno State's hopes of breaking into the BCS party. However, Wisconsin's early scare against Marshall should prove to be enough inspiration to leave California with a W.

Wisconsin 31 Fresno State 21 (Wisconsin covers)

#3 Ohio State at #1 USC (-10.5)

THE match-up of the day. Ohio State struggled against lowly Ohio last week, while USC took the week off. I can't help but think that USC is primed to throttle the Buckeyes...

USC 38 Ohio State 14 (USC covers)

#2 Georgia at #24 South Carolina (+7.5)

The Gamecocks shocked Georgia last year in a game that may have ultimately cost the Bulldogs a shot at a national title. Revenge will certainly be on the mind. South Carolina attempts to rebound from a shocking loss to Vanderbilt.

Georgia 31 South Carolina 20 (Georgia covers)

SEC Games

Middle Tennessee State at Kentucky (-16)

So, is MTSU decent, or is Maryland just that bad? I guess we'll know after this one. I got burned by picking against Kentucky in Week 1... I've learned my lesson.

Kentucky 28 MTSU 10 (Kentucky covers)

UAB at Tennessee (-29.5)

After a 2-10 season last year, the Neil Calloway-era in Birmingham keeps sliding downhill as UAB has stumbled to an 0-2 start. Tennessee will be looking to make a statement after the stunning loss to UCLA...

Tennesseee 38 UAB 6 (Tennessee covers)

Rice at Vanderbilt (-7)

Few would've guessed that this game would feature undefeated teams. Can Rice continue their winning ways after their wild win against Memphis? Or will Vanderbilt move to 3-0 and start entertaining thoughts of bowl berths?

Vanderbilt 21 Rice 20 (Rice covers)

Samford at Ole Miss (No line)

The FCS Bulldogs travel to Oxford after a 62-0 thrashing of Faulkner. Ole Miss covers into the game after a heartbreaking loss to Wake Forest. It's hard to imagine this game being close.

Ole Miss 45 Samford 3

Arkansas at #9 Texas (-23.5)

After two weeks of last-minute comebacks against "lesser" (being polite) teams, Petrino's crew heads to Austin. This one will get ugly, quickly...

Texas 49 Arkansas 10 (Texas covers)

North Texas at #6 LSU (-41.5)

One of the worst teams in all the land travels to Baton Rouge to take on the Tigers. Seeing how Appalachian State would probably handle North Texas and seeing LSU dominate App State, this has all the marks of a blow-out of epic proportions...

LSU 52 North Texas 3 (LSU covers)

#10 Auburn at Mississippi State (+10.5)

Miss State is a tough one to figure out. Was the loss to Louisiana Tech a fluke or a sign of dangerous times to come? Auburn seems to have found a QB and shows strength on defense. Suggests a Tigers win...

Auburn 27 Mississippi State 14 (Auburn covers)

Western Kentucky at #17 Alabama (-27.5)

Alabama comes into this game off of a less-than-impressive win over Tulane. Alabama should win, but the question is "Will Bama cover?" A flat performance, reminiscent of last week, will give the Tide a 20-ish point win, while a Clemson-like appearance will see Bama light-up the scoreboard. Let's hope for the latter...

Alabama 45 Western Kentucky 9 (Alabama covers)

Games Involving Utah Schools

UCLA at #15 BYU (-9)

UCLA comes to Provo after a shocking win over Tennessee to open the season. This game will truly be a test of whether UCLA is "back" or just caught the Vols napping. BYU escaped in miraculous fashion at Washington. I'm going with the Cougars since I'm not convinced they have returned to prominence just yet...

BYU 27 UCLA 10 (BYU covers)

#23 Utah at Utah State (+23.5)

Utah State's trek through the 2008 season gets no easier as the Utes come to Logan. The Aggies try to rebound from a 66-24 loss at Oregon. I don't see that happening...

Utah 35 Utah State 10 (Utah covers)

Dixie State at Weber State (No line)

Weber comes off a hard-fought loss at Hawaii after leading 17-7 at the half. Dixie State, an NCAA Division II opponent, comes in with a 1-1 record. Weber should dominate this overmatched foe.

Weber State 41 Dixie State 10

Week 2 Prediction Results

For my Week 2 of the college football season predictions:

Straight-up: 10-2 (0.833)
Against-the-spread: 5-5 (2 games had "No Line") (0.500)

On the year:

Straight-up: 23-6 (0.793)
Against-the-spread: 12-10 (7 games had "No Line") (0.545)

Football Predictions (Week 2)

Once again, I present my predictions for this week's college football games. Predictions are made for games between teams in the Top 25, SEC teams, and Utah teams (Utah, BYU, Utah State, and Weber State). The opening line is used for the spread and can be found here.

Top 25
There are no games between teams in the USA Today Top 25 this week.

SEC Games

Troy at #6 LSU

Postponed in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.

#24 South Carolina at Vanderbilt (+9)

Both South Carolina and Vanderbilt come off of solid wins in Week 1 and look to take a win here to start their in-conference slate with a bang. South Carolina continues its tradition of changing quarterbacks. Vandy will put up a better fight than NC State and should at least cover.

South Carolina 20 Vanderbilt 14 (Vandy covers)

Southern Miss at #10 Auburn (-17)

Auburn comes into this game with uncertainty at QB after a less than stellar offensive performance in the win over Louisiana-Monroe. Southern Miss laid over 50 points on Louisiana-Lafayette in their season opening win. Can USM pull off the upset? Not against the Auburn defense...

Auburn 21 Southern Miss 3 (Auburn covers)

Central Michigan at #2 Georgia (-23.5)

Georgia inexplicably fell from the #1 stop in the polls after a solid thrashing of Georgia Southern. Did this irritate the Bulldogs and will they relieve their irritation with a spanking of the Chippewas? Central Michigan struggled in their season opener against Eastern Illinois. So...

Georgia 40 Central Michigan 7 (Georgia covers)

Ole Miss at #20 Wake Forest (-8.5)

Both teams come into this game with big wins over inferior opposition. Ole Miss handled Memphis in what has typically been a close affair and Wake Forest laid it on Baylor. As I mentioned last week, I believe Ole Miss is a sleeper in the SEC with Houston Nutt at the helm.

Ole Miss 31 Wake Forest 28 (Ole Miss covers)

Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas (-14.5)

The Hogs escaped Western Illinois in Bobby Petrino's opener at Arkansas while UL-M fell to Auburn. While Arkansas will struggle mightily this season, I suspect they have enough in them to knock off the Warhawks.

Arkansas 34 Louisiana-Monroe 12 (Arkansas covers)

Miami at #5 Florida (-21)

The glory days of Hurricanes football seem like a distance memory. In what (ten years ago) might have been an epic showdown, Miami goes to Gainesville and receives a pounding.

Florida 49 Miami 14 (Florida covers)

Southeastern Louisiana at Mississippi State (No line)

Miss State being shocked by Louisiana Tech does not bode well for Sly Croom's hopes for another winning season in Starkville. SLU shows up at just the right time for the Bulldogs to try to get things back on track...

Mississippi State 28 Southeastern Louisiana 3

Tulane at #17 Alabama (-28)

After Alabama's dominating performance against Clemson last week, it might be tempting to don the Crimson-colored glasses. However, I've been burned far to many times by the Tide to go off and drink the Crimson Kool-Aid just yet. Will there be a letdown for Bama? Are the days of playing down to the competition over? We shall see...

Alabama 41 Tulane 9 (Alabama covers)

Games Involving Utah Schools

#15 BYU at Washington (+10)

The Huskies were hammered on the road at Oregon to open the season. Such happenings will probably guarantee the end of the Ty Willingham era at Washington. Expect another nail in his coffin...

BYU 35 Washington 14 (BYU covers)

Utah State at #16 Oregon (-34.5)

Lowly Utah State visits the aforementioned Oregon Ducks. This on the heels of a loss at also lowly UNLV. Not good for the Aggies...

Oregon 49 Utah State 3 (Oregon covers)

UNLV at #23 Utah (-22.5)

UNLV continues their tour of Utah schools with a trip to Salt Lake City. Utah returns home after a their huge win at Michigan. Don't look for a letdown here...

Utah 35 UNLV 10 (Utah covers)

Weber State at Hawaii (No line)

Weber State hasn't beaten an FBS (Division 1-A) opponent since 1993. Hawaii is certainly down on their luck after getting blasted by Florida (and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl). Can Weber shock the Rainbows? Maybe for a half...

Hawaii 38 Weber State 6

Week 1 Prediction Results

For my Week 1 of the college football season predictions:

Straight-up: 13-4 (0.765)
Against-the-spread: 7-5 (5 games had "No Line") (0.583)