Scoops' Week 1 CFA Picks

Going to do something a bit different this year. I’m going to use “mythical money” when making my picks. I’ll treat it like Vegas: Bet $11 to win $10. All bets will be $10 unless I state otherwise (there may be a few lead pipe locks).

MINNESOTA (-8) over Northern Illinois: Northern Illinois is coming off a sub-par season along with a new coach in his first game and an injured QB. This game is important for Minnesota’s psyche in that they haven’t won too many football games over the past 20 months. Minnesota is the joke of the town right now and they need to set a tone for the season. Look for Weber to be efficient and some of the newcomers on D to make some plays. FINAL SCORE: MINNESOTA 34, NORTHER ILLINOIS 20.

WISCONSIN (-26.5) over Akron: Usually it takes a bit of time for a new QB to get their feet wet, and reports that Allan Evridge has been ok, but nothing spectacular. The good news for the Badgers is they have a 3 deep RB stable that should allow Chryst to ease in Evridge and let the offense roll. Look for the Badgers to be up by 21-28 at halftime and to cruise from there with the ground attack. FINAL SCORE: WISCONSIN 45, AKRON 13

Utah (+3.5) over MICHIGAN: The RichRod era begins, and the defense should help the transition allow for a bowl game. But the offense will take time, and they’re running into their first action against someone not on their own team. Look for Utah to score enough to win and cause Michigan’s offense problems. FINAL SCORE: UTAH 20, MICHIGAN 17

CALIFORNIA (-4.5) over Michigan State: A good non-conference match-up and should be an entertaining game. I’m going with the trend that Big Ten teams often have difficulty when traveling out west, especially against a good, fast Cal team. Look for MSU to keep it close, but in the end, talent & home field wins out and is able to cover the spread. FINAL SCORE: CAL 34, MICHIGAN STATE 24

Missouri (-8.5) over Illinois [@ St. Louis]: The best match-up of the first week involving a Big Ten team finds itself in St. Louis. Mizzou is thinking national championship. It was a one-score game last year and I see a similar score this year, but Chase Daniel is just going to be too much. FINAL SCORE: MISSOURI 37, ILLINOIS 27

NORTHWESTERN (-11.5) over Syracuse: Can C.J. Bacher stay consistent this year? That’s the key for the Wildcats. He led the conference in passing yards last year, but was way too up & down. Look for a wide variety of Northwestern WR’s to get involved and the defense to do enough against a not-so-great Syracuse team. FINAL SCORE: NORTHWESTERN 34, SYRACUSE 20

INDIANA (-20.5) over Western Kentucky: The biggest joke schedule in the Big Ten non-conference season goes to Indiana as they’re going the Glen Mason route to secure bowl bids. Western Kentucky is the start. Indiana is trying to build off of bowl game in 2007 and should be able to easily get off to a good start in this one. Look for the troubled Kellen Lewis to prove to lots of people that his off-season problems are of no concern. FINAL SCORE: INDIANA 45, WESTERN KENTUCKY 10

IOWA vs. Maine: NO LINE: I’d feel good about Maine’s chances if Paul Karyia & Jimmy Howard were wearing the navy & baby blue of the Black Bears, but Iowa should get the easy win.

OREGON (-13.5) over Washington: Ty Willingham’s rough gig at Washington gets to start off with a fun conference opener at Autzen Stadium. How will the Ducks adjust to life without Dennis Dixon & Jonathan Stewart? Look for the home field advantage to be able to energize the Ducks and start off the year with a win and lots of hits to Jake Locker. FINAL SCORE: OREGON 37, WASHINGTON 17

Southern California (-19.5) over VIRGINIA: Hard with this one because of the double digit home dog and USC breaking in a new QB. USC just has too much talent though. Difference with Sanchez is that he started a game at Oregon last year, so he’s used to playing on the road in a tough environment and will be good enough over a Virginia program that seems to be on the downturn a bit. FINAL SCORE: USC 41, VIRGINIA 20

Clemson (-5) over Alabama [@ Atlanta]: This one was a tough call. Alabama had 10 games decided by 7 points or less in 2007. And Clemson has been known to not win big games. But look for Cullen Harper and the Clemson spread running attack to be able to handle Alabama and their pumpkin pie hair cutted freak of a QB in John Parker Wilson. FINAL SCORE: CLEMSON 34, ALABAMA 24