Mack's NCAA Football Week 1 Pick

What I'll do each week is choose 10 games and let you know my take on them. Of course I'll review the picks early the following week and I'll keep tally of how I do all season long. Here we go:

South Carolina vs. North Carolina St.
Spread: NC State -5
O/U: 46.5

For full disclosure, I'm an SEC Homer, but I'm as objective as they come. Although I think that if they stay healthy, they'll be a force in the ACC later this season, I think NC State has too many question marks starting out. I like Stephen Garcia finally having the South Carolina QB job to himself, and despite the minor injury to pre-season All-SEC linebacker Eric Norwood and the suspension of a couple of their linemen, South Carolina pulls out the victory 23-17.

Boise St. vs. Oregon
Spread: Boise St. -3.5
O/U: 64

If you're a fan that likes to see offense, this is your game. That 64 point over/under will be eclipsed by halftime. I like Boise St. in this game for a few reasons. They're playing at home on the blue turf. Oregon St. is breaking in a new corner and Boise St.'s starting QB absolutely shredded them last season. Add to that that they're breaking in a new head coach, and I think it's too much for Oregon to overcome. Boise St. wins 48-38.

Auburn vs. Louisiana Tech
Spread: Auburn -13
O/U: 44

This one is a little tougher to call simply because Auburn has a new coaching staff, a new starting QB, a new attitude, etc. I like LaTech head coach Derrick Dooley and what he's doing with that program, but I don't think they have enough to stay on the field with Auburn for longer than one half. I don't think talent was missing at Auburn last year for that dismal season. I think at some point the turmoil on the coaching staff started to trickle down to the players and what talent they DID have couldn't overcome it. Auburn's offense sputters a bit in the first game under a new QB and a new system, but finds a way to win 17-7.

Notre Dame vs. Nevada
Spread: Notre Dame -14
O/U: 61

This is a defining season for Charlie Weis and his Fighting Irish. They've had year after year of Top 5 recruiting classes only to come in and get molly-hopped all over the field by traditionally inferior opponents. This will be a good year for the Irish. I like their passing attack with Clausen and Tate. Nevada's defense is tough, but I don't think they'll be able to muster enough points on offense to keep up with the Irish's onslaught. Notre Dame wins 27-10.

Georgia vs. Oklahoma State
Spread: OSU -5
O/U: 61.5

With Zac Robinson & Dez Bryant, OSU has one of the most potent offensive attacks in the country. Throw in the fact that UGA has a first time starter in Sr. QB Joe Cox and apparent heir to Knowshawn Moreno's throne, Caleb King, won't even be making the trip to Stillwater and one would think that Georgia's going to Big 12 country to get their lunches handed to them. I disagree. UGA under Mark Richt ALWAYS does well as an "underdog" and "under the radar" team. They go into Stillwater where they're opening up a beautiful new stadium and ruin the festivities behind Joe Cox & AJ Green and a stout Georia defense. UGA wins 42-35.

Oklahoma vs. BYU
Spread: Oklahoma -22
O/U: 68

Sam Bradford's back, and even though All-Mack team Tight End Jermaine Grisham will be out due to an injury, this one gets ugly fast. Oklahoma wins big 72-28.

LSU vs. Washington
Spread: LSU -17.5
O/U: 53.5

Don't know what to expect from LSU's offense with Jordan Jefferson being the new starting QB, but I know their defense with all of its talent and the mastermind of new Defensive Coordinator (long-time Tennessee DC) John Chavis will keep Washington's offense at bay for most of the game. LSU wins 38-10.

Ole Miss vs. Memphis
Spread: Ole Miss - 16
O/U: 54.5

From 1-22, Ole Miss is as good as anyone in the country. Beyond that, it's a guess as to who can do what. Luckily for them, 23rd and on down won't have to play until they're already up 3 TDs. I like Memphis, but this one will get ugly. Ole Miss 42-13.

Florida St. vs. Miami
Spread: FSU -6
O/U: 48

As we've come to expect, this will probably be the ugliest game of the weekend. Both defenses will be stout while the offenses have trouble getting things going. I think Miami has a little more talent than FSU right now though. Miami wins 9-6.

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech
Spread: Bama -6.5
O/U: 38

Game of the week. Bama's replacing an Outland award trophy winner at left tackle, an All-SEC Center, a Stout right guard, two tight ends, and a 3 year starter at QB on offense. On defense they only replace an undersized defensive end and an All-American free safety, but those 2 bodies were 2 coaches on the field. That's a huge loss. Add to that all of the off-field distractions the Tide has had this off-season (the kicker getting mugged, probation for a 2007 text book scandal, [bogus] domestic abuse charges for a 2nd year linebacker, swine flu infecting a 3rd of the team, alleged NCAA violations by star WR Julio Jones & star RB Mark Ingram, and starting DE Brandon Deaderick being lost for at least this game after being shot by an attempted car jacker just Monday night) and it seems like Bama is in no condition to play.

Like Stephen Garcia at South Carolina, VaTech's Tyrod Taylor finally gets to start at QB without looking over his shoulder. It hurts, though, that last year's leading rusher Darren Evans is lost for the season with an ACL tear. Bud Foster's defense always play tough. And there's nobody in the country that plays better special teams that Frank Beamer's Hokies.

This will be a hard fought game. I doubt it will be the one-sided drubbing that Bama administered to Clemson in Week 1 on last season. And despite the fact that Bama has dealt with so many off the field problems and lost so much, I think it's safe to say that Alabama is at a point where losing great players isn't looked at as having holes, but rather opportunities for other more than capable players to step forth and show their grit. Bama wins a slobber-knocker 17-10.


That's it...this week's winners are South Carolina, Boise St., Auburn, Notre Dame, Georgia, Oklahoma, LSU, Ole Miss, Miami, and Alabama. We'll revisit next week.