Scoops' College Football Picks: 9/8/07

Big Ten Games:

MINNESOTA (-9.5) over Miami, OH: This spread is practically dead on as I think it will be a 10 or 11 point victory for Minnesota. Miami will move the ball on Minnesota, but doesn't chuck it around as much as Bowling Green. Minnesota has some DL depth and will cause a bunch of 2nd & 3rd & longs. As for the offense, a dramatic improvement will be shown from week 1 to week 2. Scoops Pick: Minnesota 34, Miami 24

MICHIGAN STATE (-18) over Bowling Green: Michigan State had A LOT of success running the ball last week against UAB and will see the success that Minnesota had running the ball against the Falcons. Defensively, MSU has idiots, but better athletes to contend with BG's dink & dunk spread offense. Scoops' Pick: Michigan State 38, Bowling Green 17

Oregon (+8) over MICHIGAN: Michigan can and will score, but this defense is awful. Dixon is an absolute beast at running the spread option; a poor man's Vince Young if you will. Michigan outscores Oregon at the Big House, but not by more than 8. Scoops' Pick: Michigan 38, Oregon 34

PENN STATE (-17.5) over Notre Dame: Not exactly the best place for Jimmy Clausen to get his first start of his career. Penn State's defense is a bunch of animals and their offense looks like it may have a great season as well. This one could get ugly! Scoops' Pick: Penn State 34, Notre Dame 9

IOWA (-22.5) over Syracuse: Iowa's offense looked lackluster and it will be when the Big Ten season rolls around. But Syracuse is BAD! They looked bad both play wise and jersey wise against Washington. Scoops' Pick: Iowa 31, Syracuse 3
NORTHWESTERN (-9) over Nevada: This isn't your typical Nevada offense and Northwestern's offense is getting better & better and will be its typical pesky self once the Big Ten season rolls around. Scoops' Pick: Northwestern 34, Nevada 20

UNLV (+25) over Wisconsin: Wisconsin will roll, but this spread is just too high for my liking on the road. The temps will be in the 100s and it's the highest ranked team EVER to play in Las Vegas, not counting Tark's early 90s Running Rebs. It may take a quarter or two for Wisconsin to get rolling considering the high UNLV will be on, and that's enough to make the spread call. Scoops' Pick: Wisconsin 34, UNLV 14

National Games:

LSU (-12.5) over Virginia Tech: Fast black athletes running around and smacking people. I couldn't sum up LSU football any better. Scoops' Pick: LSU 27, Virginia Tech, 10

TCU (+8) over Texas: Texas just doesn't have it, at least not at this point they don't. Scoops' Pick: TCU 20, Texas 17

OKLAHOMA (-10.5) over Miami (FL): Miami will be ready for this one, but Oklahoma has title thoughts, and they aren't losing to Miami at home and will squeeze out the spread victory. Scoops' Pick: Oklahoma 34, Miami 20

Boise State (-3) over WASHINGTON: Is Washington as good as their score against Syracuse indicates? Is Boise still the magical team? Tough game for both teams as Boise brings the entire city on west I-90. Scoops' Pick: Boise State 34, Washington 27