Picks of the Week: No. 1

I'm back for a second year to offer my best prognostication skills against the talented odds makers of Las Vegas. OK, last year I went a mediocre, but above .500, 32-27. If you follow the 'Eer you'll know he follows his gut (which seems to be getting bigger) more than he should. But he thinks 2009 is his year.

We'll see.

Alabama (-6.5) over Virginia Tech
I say it every year, Virginia Tech is the most over-rated team. The Hokies enter this marquee showdown in Atlanta with an 0-20 record on the road against teams in the Top 5. Nick Saban is a better game-day coach than Frank Beamer (seriously, only people in Blacksburg actually believe Beamer Ball is relevant). Bama proved last year in this game that the preseason top-rated team in the ACC is no match for a Top-5 SEC squad.
Pick: Alabama 30, Virginia Tech 17

Nebraska (-22.5) over Florida Atlantic
Remember last year when Howard Schnellenberger said Texas was soft? Exactly, a 52-10 drubbing by the Longhorns. The Cornhuskers aren't Texas, but Bo Pelini will put it on the Owls in Lincoln.
Pick: Nebraska 48, FAU 9

Minnesota (-7.0) over Syracuse
Tim Brewster and the Gophers love these early games. Last year Minnesota opened 7-1 and finished 7-6. As much as I'd love to pick the Orange in an upset and give new coach Doug Marrone a nice start, Minnesota's offense is too diverse and talented for Syracuse. Plus, I can't pick former Duke point guard Greg Paulus to win.
Pick: Minnesota 27, Syracuse 14

California (-21.0) over Maryland
Maybe I'm hating on the ACC a bit this week. But I remember watching the Terps upset the Bears in College Park last year (and who could forget Jahvid Best puking up his breakfast after a big hit). Cal has the better talent, and more experience. I don't think revenge is a huge factor, but Maryland shouldn't expect Cal to sleep in for the first three quarters this year.
Pick: California 38, Maryland 14

Upset of the Week
Nevada (-14.5) over Notre Dame
Go ahead Irish fans. Laugh. But you wont' be laughing after athletic junior quarterback Colin Kaepernick shreds the Irish defense in the first meeting between the two schools. Kaepernick is the preseason WAC Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for nearly 3,000 yards last season. If ND can't protect Jimmy Clausen any better than it has the past two seasons it could be real ugly. Plus it will be fun to watch the Charlie Weis haters get fired up early.
Pick: Nevada 27, Notre Dame 24

Sorry. I wanted to pick Miami over Florida State on Monday, but I don't have the stones to do it.

Season Record: 0-0