Brent's Week One Picks

Week One Picks:

As I stumble around work attempting to appear to be accomplishing tasks, visions of footballs fly in my minds eye. It’s game week! No college football nut like me can get anything done this college football eve. And I know that I am not alone. Not with all fans dreaming of that magical season that is still quite possible and that has in many cases been eluding them. No, that magical season will happen this year! We’re all convinced of that. And, until that first loss anything is possible. Unless you’re 2006 Florida who can lose a game and still win it all. Or even better, 2007 LSU loses twice but still lifts the hardware.

I have a thought written in sharpie on my palm. “Walk around the office carrying lots of papers with an agitated look on my face.” George Costanza had a similar theory during one memorable Seinfeld episode. That way, everyone assumes that you’re busy leaving you free to concentrate on what is really important. The college football season which begins this week!

And with that written, we now have games to preview and hard line predictions to make. As stated in my inaugural volnation.com column, I will offer my SEC picks each week and ask you for yours. Your participation would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, this is a very low budget column so I have nothing to offer you when you come up with a perfect week of picking, except my undying adoration (you’ll understand that better as you follow my record each week) and a little posterity as I mention those that do well in the Monday wrap.

Here we go:

Miami, OH by 4pts over Vanderbilt on Thursday night. Obviously, this is the opener for both teams and a very important game for both programs. Miami,OH actually gets an SEC team to visit Oxford for the first time ever setting up a great chance at a monumental win. In reality, Miami is the better team in Week One which is why they are the favorite. Vanderbilt must replace the most productive wide-out in conference history as well as its entire offensive line. ‘Dore coach Bobby Johnson thinks this offensive front has a chance to be more athletic than the group last year which may translate into better play and a more cohesive unit. I believe that will come, but in week one? Bennett’s production will not be replaced however the bigger question here is QB play. Vandy needs Chris Nickson to be the guy because he has the tools to be one of the more dynamic players in the league IF he can live up to potential and stay injury free. Mackenzi Adams also has ability at quarterback, but Nickson has the potential to be an aspirin-reacher for opposing defensive coordinators.

I think Miami certainly can win this game, but I picked Vanderbilt to finish fourth in the East and I believe Bobby Johnson to be a very good coach; a good enough coach to overcome being an SEC underdog against the MAC.

The Pick: Vanderbilt 24 Miami, OH 20

So, South Carolina will start Tommy Beecher at QB, the ‘ole ball coach will not be calling plays and the Gamecocks are favored by 14 points over anyone. Yep! USC’s defense is good enough to keep the garnet and black in most every game they will play this season. However, can the offense score points? That is a question that will have to be answered in a division of a conference with two teams ranked in the top 5. An initial observation might lead one to think that continued offensive failure would lead consistent defensive shutdown artists to eventually ask questions. All of that will have to be dealt with later. Not in week one, and not against N.C.St.

The Pick: South Carolina 17 N.C. St. 6

A magical 2007 season did not end well for Hawaii. The Rainbows were pounded by the Dawgs in the Sugar Bowl, super-slinger Colt Brennan exhausted his eligibility and Coach June Jones bolted for the mainland. Things do not get easier as the ’08 season begins: a road trip to the Swamp to take on the Gators. Florida is favored by 36. Never mind the fact that Florida will be without Cornelius Ingram and likely will be without Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes as well. Florida could win this game by 30 with you playing WR, TE or MLB. My pick to win the national Title this year will roll Saturday.

The Pick: Florida 58 Hawaii 13

Everybody’s #1 plays Georgia Southern at home in week one. Georgia is a 33 point favorite. And while I do not think the Bulldogs win the SEC East much less the National Championship, they will roll up the Eagles. No problem for Knowshon and watch out for a Caleb King break out as the Dawgs win easily.

The Pick: Georgia 54 Georgia Southern 10.

Alright, we all remember what happened in the Big House to start the 2007 season. And, Les Myles, a Meechigan man, certainly remembers and would love nothing more than to put one on the 1AA -or whatever they are- champs. LSU is favored by 24 ½. I think LSU wins easier than National Guy will lead you to believe.

The Pick: LSU 47 Appalachian St. 20.

Mississippi St., like Vanderbilt, is on the road to begin the season. The Bulldogs play at Louisiana Tech and are an 8 point favorite. I think St. takes a step back this year and will struggle but win this week.

The Pick: Mississippi St. 27 Louisiana Tech 24.

#10 Auburn hosts a former directional school. Auburn is favored by 26. The Tigers are allegedly undecided about who their QB will be, but we all know their D will be phenomenal. No problem on The Plains this week.

The Pick: Auburn 31 Louisiana Monroe 3.

The Hogs sent their coach packing in the off-season, however, it remains to be seen who will benefit more from this change. Ole Miss will be the surprise team in this conference, but I’m not picking the Rebs game here. Bobby Petrino has racked up some serious frequent flyer miles coming over from Louisville with a short stay in the ATL. Bobby P may win in Fayetville, but it may not be pretty this year. Arkansas is favored by 21 over Western Illinois and that’s not enough. Petrino will be out to prove a point.

The Pick: Arkansas 44 Western Illinois 20.

And now for Houston Nutt and the new look Rebs. Ole Miss is a 7 ½ point favorite over Memphis. Coach O was able to get Ole Miss on some high profile recruiting lists and even delivered from time to time. Look for Nutt to have more success; on the recruiting front and on the field. Jevan Snead will make a huge impact and the Rebels, who are good up front on both sides of the ball, will be a more difficult chore to dismiss than many think. I like the Rebels to be the surprise team in the conference, threatening to crack the top 2 in the West. This one, however, will be tight.

The Pick: Ole Miss 24 Memphis 20.

So Bama players like to drive Escalades, who doesn’t? Is this enough bulletin board material to lead a middle of the pack SEC to an upset of an elite ACC club? Bama is a 4 ½ point dog to Clemson. Julio Jones gets the start at wide-out as a true freshman. That’s not the only place the Tide will rely on a young guy. Having to play young players early is still a problem for the Elephants. That is certainly is not a problem for the Tigers. James Davis and C.J.Spiller will pound the rock. Cullen Harper will try to start strong building off of an enormous junior campaign.

The Pick: Clemson 27 Alabama 20.

Both teams lose a ton of offensive production making this a difficult game to break down. Louisville is a 3 ½ point favorite over Kentucky. And, before looking at the line, I decided that I would pick the underdog team to win outright. As is turns out, that way of thinking enables me to keep my “SEC wins” theme intact for week one.

The Pick: For no good reason; Kentucky 16 Louisville 15.

And now on to the Vols who are a 7 ½ point favorite over UCLA. I hear the monopoly is over in Los Angeles. I am curious to know when that transformation will take place because the Vols are going to beat UCLA into submission. Arian Foster will have an enormous game surpassing 150 yards on the ground. Crompton will be efficient with the new offense keeping the Bruins off balance. If UCLA is to cut into the USC dominance soon you will not be able to tell Monday night.

The Pick: Tennessee 34 UCLA 13

So, there you have it. I invite you to share your week one selections. Pick them all or give me one straight up upset. Do it here or send me an e-mail: brentdougherty@comcast.net

Also, check me out at myspace.com/sportsradiobrent

Thanks! Have fun welcoming in the season! -Brent.