[NU Sports] PIGSKIN PICKS - Week 1

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Aaah, football’s back. Now if those idiots at DirecTV could just make good on their moving promise and hook up my darn TV!

As always, this is all in good fun. If you want to join in, just send me an e-mail with your picks by kickoff Saturday. And if you’re getting this e-mail and wish to be removed, let me know.

Week 1 brings a surprisingly large amount of good games – let’s hope that trend continues in the coming years! All picks due by kickoff Saturday!

PIGSKIN PICKS - WEEK 1
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Name:

BIG TEN
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Game  1: Illinois vs. Missouri (@ St. Louis)
Winner : 

Game  2: Western Kentucky @ Indiana
Winner : 

Game  3: Maine @ Iowa
Winner : 

Game  4: Utah @ Michigan
Winner : 

Game  5: Michigan State @ California
Winner : 

Game  6: Northern Illinois @ Minnesota
Winner : 

Game  7: Youngstown State @ Ohio State
Winner : 

Game  8: Coastal Carolina @ Penn State
Winner : 

Game  9: Akron @ Wisconsin
Winner : 

NATIONAL
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Game 10: Alabama vs. Clemson (@ Atlanta)
Winner : 

Game 11: Southern Cal @ Virginia
Winner : 

Game 12: Tennessee @ UCLA
Winner : 

Game 13: Fresno State @ Rutgers
Winner : 

Game 14: Kentucky @ Louisville
Winner : 

Game 15: Colorado vs. Colorado St. (@ Denver)
Winner : 

MY PICKS
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* MISSOURI 41, Illinois 21 – The Illini had this game won last year until they turned it over time and time again. This year, Mizzou’s all back while the Illini are missing their best player on each side of the ball from last year. Close for a half, then roll Tigers.

* INDIANA 30, Western Kentucky 13 – Any chance to “play 13” again for IU means they gotta win their first three cupcakes.

* IOWA 35, Maine 3 – A snoozer.

* MICHIGAN 20, Utah 19 – This one has upset written all over it, with the Utes a tough foe and the Maize and Blue unveiling a new look with some growing pains … but Michigan can’t lose two straight openers to non-BCS teams, can they?

* MICHIGAN STATE 37, California 30 – I like Sparty as a big-time sleeper this year and this will be a huge measuring stick to see if they’re ready to make the leap.

* MINNESOTA 34, Northern Illinois 17 – No home slip up for Minny to start the Metrodome’s farewell tour.

* OHIO STATE 35, Youngstown State 3 – A solid opener for the Bucks in preparation for SC.

* PENN STATE 42, Coastal Carolina 14 – Should be a breeze for JoePa.

* WISCONSIN 28, Akron 7 – A solid but unimpressive win for Bucky.

* ALABAMA 24, Clemson 21 – Game of the week and an intriguing matchup that could prove doubters like myself wrong or right on Clemson. I’ll go with the SEC and Nick the Slick any time.

* SOUTHERN CAL 34, Virginia 16 – Scheduling a moderately tough road game may help big-time in preparation for the Bucks.

* TENNESSEE 26, Ucla 10 – It’ll be nice to see the Rose Bowl in prime time … even if it is filled with that hideous orange. Ricky has a long way to go in Westwood.

* FRESNO ST. 34, Rutgers 30 – Big opener for both teams to set the tone … but as Bucky will find out in a few weeks, the Bulldogs are tough.

* LOUISVILLE 33, Kentucky 23 – The in-state rivalry goes to the home team this time.

* COLORADO 31, Colorado State 21 – I like the Buffs as a sleeper this year, too, but the Rams always give them a hard time.

And off the board …

* NORTHWESTERN 37, Syracuse 24 – The Cats saw how much a non-conference slip could hurt last year with the Dookies … the O should be clicking and hopefully the D improved as they take on the Orange.

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STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!