Strike Point Sports

College Football Week 1 Picks
5-Unit Play. Two team 6-point Teaser.

#167 Take Minnesota (-6.5 -> -0.5) over Syracuse (Saturday – 12 p.m. EST)

#186 Take UTEP (-8.5 -> -2.5) over Buffalo (Saturday – 9 p.m. EST)

Our first match-up pits a much improved Gophers team against ‘Cuse. Greg Paulus is the starting quarterback, and it’s just this simple. We can’t see a scenario where the former Duke point guard, in his first competitive football game since high school, plays any better than just okay. I mean, this Minnesota team has bowl quality talent, and the pass and catch duo of wide out Eric Decker and quarterback Adam Weber are definitely a top 15 combo in the nation. Freshman MarQueis Gray gives them a running threat under center for another look, and this season the Golden Gophers have a defensive unit that will hold their own in most games. And let’s remember, this is still Syracuse. But being at home and under a new head coach, we will knock the number down and play Minnesota to essentially just earn the victory outright.

Our second game gives the nod to UTEP. Explosive offense is a given from the Miners with quarterback Trevor Vittatoe. And the Bulls just don’t have the weapons to match Mike Price’s offensive firepower. Not only did quarterback Drew Wily graduate but top offensive option this season in tailback James Starks is out for the season. There’s no one in the backfield for Buffalo who can counterpunch what UTEP does at home here. The C-USA rep is the pick here.

4-Unit Play. #166 Take Wake Forest -2.5 over Baylor (Saturday – 3:30 p.m. EST)

Here’s an interesting non-conference tilt between unranked teams. Baylor has some legit talk about them with quarterback Robert Griffin III, but their road woes were well evident in 2008. 0-5 away from Waco last season, and the Bears allowed at least 30 points in each of those setbacks. Combine that with a 28-point setback to these Deacons in the opener last season as well, and we’re on Wake Forest to make it two-for-two against Baylor. The weapons quarterback Riley Skinner has around him are far more than what Griffin and Baylor can say. Running backs Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass are a solid combination threat, while the passing game will do its job as well with D.J. Boldin and tight end Ben Wooster. Griffin is the better player, but Skinner has a better supporting cast. We back with the small home favorite.




4-Unit Play. #164 Take UAB -5.5 over Rice (Saturday – 4 p.m. EST)

One of our teams to fade this season was the Rice Owls, and this match-up really bodes well for the Blazers. After a season of offensive yards and lots of touchdowns, this is going to be a down and arguably bad season for Rice. There’s really no two ways around it. Having lost Chase Clement and Jarett Dillard, as well as do-it-all James Casey, the offense is bound for regression. Joe Webb could quite possibly be the multi-dimensional threat under center for UAB that Clement was for Rice. He has depth at the wide receiver position and is in a spot this year to really take off in Conference USA. Now let’s not confuse this UAB team for any legit contender, but they have a chance to win five or even six games. And this spot is set up to take it to Rice at home to begin their conference schedule.




3-Unit Play. #184 Take New Mexico State -2.5 over Idaho (Saturday – 8 p.m. EST)

The Aggies’ wins in 2009 might be few and far between, but a 2-0 start to the season is not out of the question. In fact, it’s going to happen. New Mexico State gets Prairie View A&M next Saturday and their opener is a game where they need to take care of business as well. Hal Mumme is out, and first year head coach DeWayne Walker can build off his ‘new regime energy’ and run with it. No more 3-5-3 soft defense and a run ‘n’ shoot offense that proved to be as much gimmick as effectiveness. Granted, still expect the ball to go downfield, but a running game will be evident and hopefully provide more versatility with the ball. Look out for tailback Marquell Colston. He has limited thanks to Mumme’s pass happy system in recent years, but he has 100-yard per game potential and could provide a true option on the ground. He’ll start off strong and be a big piece to a season-opening victory for Walker and the Aggies.



2009 NFL Team Win Totals

3-Unit Play. Take Green Bay Packers 'Over' 9 Wins

My pick to win the NFC North, and I am not sold on the Vikings just yet. I really have taken a strong liking to this Packers offense behind Aaron Rogers. I love his weapons on the outside, and overall this unit is stronger in my mind that what Minnesota has, yes, even with Adrian Peterson. The defense switched to a 3-4, so of course we will see how that goes, but overall I think Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and company will have a big bounce back year and hold up their end of the bargin. In the end this bet sits on whether I think Green Bay can have a winning season. I think 10 wins is realistic and they are a playoff team this season.

3-Unit Play. Take Seattle Seahawks 'Over' 8.5 Wins

After a 4-12 season in 2008, things will be looking better in the pacific northwest, thanks in large part to a heathly Matt Hasselback. Playing in arguably the weakest division in the conference, a division title is within reach. Arizona is due for a letdown coming off their Super Bowl appearance, and right now I don't see enough from either St. Louis or San Francisco to garner a legit push from they other two NFC West representatives. As a whole I think last year's mess was a fluke from not having a healthy team on the field for most of the schedule. That won't be the case this year, barring injury, and right now I am high on this team as a sleeper in the NFC.