The Sports Rumors

College Football Power Rankings Week 2

Few things of note from week 2:

*The ACC is one of the worst conferences in the country. There is no reason that Miami, Florida State, and Virginia Tech should be this bad. No reason at all.

*Virginia Tech is not an elite football program. They are a very good football program. There is a clear difference between the USC’s, the Florida’s, the Texas’s and the Virginia Tech’s, the Louisville’s, and the California’s. In order to be treated like a top program, you have to beat a top program. Virginia Tech had their chance and they blew it against LSU. Even a close loss would have been respectable. A 48-7 loss is an embarrassment to the program and the conference.

*LSU is the best team in the nation. Hands down.

*The Pac-10 is better than the ACC

*Lloyd Carr will be fired and Michigan will lose 2-4 more games this season, giving them a total between 4-6 losses.

Listed below are this week’s power rankings. Enjoy.

College Football Week 2 Picks

NFL Week 1 Picks vs The Spread

(First one is Thursday’s Game, from previous article.. Sunday’s Games are below)

New Orleans Saints @ Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)

The most surprising team in the league takes on the defending Super Bowl Champs on Thursday night in what should be a great game to start off a season. This game is filled with plenty of star power; Reggie Bush, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees to name a few. Here’s what you need to know:

Offense: Though the Saints’ Drew Brees led the league in passing last year (even ahead of Manning), they couldn’t reach the Superbowl in a pitiful NFC. They have a balanced attack coming out of the backfield with Reggie Bush and Deuce Mccalister but the wide receivers are still a bit of an unknown, especially with the departure of Joe Horn. Rookie Marcus Colston had a surprisingly good season but his production dropped as more and more teams caught onto the rookie’s deep ball antics. The Colts have added that coveted third wide receiver to compliment the Harrison-Wayne duo. Harrison may be reaching the latter stages of his career but flipside of him is Reggie Wayne, who is emerging into a star. Joseph Addai is anticipated to have a breakout season. Throw in a solid third wide receiver in Anthony Gonzales and you have the makings of another 30ppg offense.

Defense: The Colts defense was terrible for most of last season. The run defense was among the worst in the league and that would scare you normally, considering the fact that the Saints pack a double RB combo. But the Saints defense isn’t much better. What does that mean? It means that the Colts will be putting up points, and putting up points fast. The Saints won’t be running the ball much if they’re down 14-0 in the first quarter and that’s when Dwight Freeney is also at his best.

Prediction: Colts Win Result: 41-10 Colts Victory

Spread: Colts cover Result: Colts covered.

—

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns (+4.5)

A 1pm matchup of two AFC North rivals. The Pittsburgh Steelers, led by new head coach Mike Tomlin, look to get back to their winning ways of previous years. Ben Rothlisberger also looks back to get on track after having an awful season last year, in which he led the league with 23 interceptions. The Cleveland Browns are in the rebuilding phase, and have been for as long as I can remember. Hyped up quarterback Brady Quinn will not be the starter; instead Charlie Frye will bring his inaccurate arm and lack of strength and try to lead the Browns to an early season upset in Cleveland.

Offense:

I have a lot of confidence in Ben Rothlisberger getting back to making the good, safe decisions that he did his first season in the league by checking down early and often and taking the 7 yard gain instead of throwing 20 yards down the field. It helps that Willie Parker will be shouldering a lot of the load coming out of the backfield. The new Steelers offense won’t be like that of previous years. It will feature multiple wide receiver sets one play, then back down to two tight end sets the next. Look for a lot of mixing of plays and a healthy balance between the run and the pass. Make no mistake about it though, the Steelers will try and open things up with the run first, and that is where Parker is so valuable to Big Ben’s success and comfort in the pocket. The Browns don’t have much to bring to the table with Quinn on the bench. Frye has made some good plays but has made more worse decisions. He isn’t accurate and can’t squeeze the ball into tight spots. Braylon Edwards has yet to step into the role of a true number one receiver. Kellen Winslow is the best offensive weapon that the Browns have. The acquisition of runningback Jamal Lewis may look good in theory but don’t expect this to be the Lewis of old. He’s an aging back and well know how runningbacks’ skill sets dwindle as they get closer to age 30. Well Lewis is 28 and his yards per carry have been below 4 for the past two seasons (3.4 and 3.6).

Defense:

As if Cleveland’s offense wasn’t already facing enough problems due to lack of talent, they now get to face a ferocious 3-4 style defense that the Steelers bring. Throw in the fact that Mike Tomlin is a defensive mastermind and you have the makings of a disasterous day for the Cleveland offense. Their only chance of staying in this ballgame past halftime is either their own defense making plays, or Lewis dominating the Steelers line. I don’t see either of the two scenarios happening. The Browns defense is not bad itself. They bring a 3-4 to the table as well. The Browns have a lot of young talent, particularly outside linebacker Wimbley. They have the talent to put on a good pass rush but with Parker running the way I predict him to, a pass rush won’t matter. The one advantage the Browns have is in the special teams.

Prediction:

This game will start off close, and that will last all but a few minutes. Pittsburgh is far superior on offense and has a veteran group of guys on defense. The Browns also won’t be able to move the ball and I’ll be surprised if they score more than one touchdown. All signs point to a big win for the Steelers, on their way to a good season.

Steelers Win

Spread: Steelers Cover

—

New England Patriots (-6.5) @ New York Jets

This game is filled with storylines. The Belichick vs Mangini drama. Are the Patriots really going to be that good? Will Moss make the big plays he’s expected to? Will Thomas Jones prove to the Bears that he was the better runningback? How small of a leash is Chad Pennington on with Jets fans? It’s definitely a can’t miss game.

Offense:

Clearly, the advantage here goes to the Patriots. Superior quarterback, up and coming runningback (Lawrence Maroney) plus a veteran Corey Dillon) duo. Top notch receivers (Moss, Welker, Stallworth). A solid and experienced veteran group of guys protecting Brady. Doesn’t get much better than that. The Jets are no slouch either though. Don’t forget that this was the team that went 10-6 last year, without the presence of a dependable runningback. Chad Pennington is a very accurate quarterback, when given the time. They also have a veteran wideout in Laveranues Coles to go along with young stud Jerricho Cotchery, who had over 80 catches last year. I think if this game was in New England, the Pats would have the clearly dominant offense. But since they are playing in New York, which will be a psyched up crowd, I would give only a slight advantage to the Patriots.

Defense:

The Pats have the more experienced defense that’s seen it all. It also helps that they got playmaker corner Asante Samuel back with the team. This defense adjusts week to week and suffocates offenses, starting with the run game. This game will be determined on how well and quickly the Pats defense shuts down the Jets running game. The Jets defense is led by Jonathan Vilma and brings a variety of different packages as well. Go figure, Mangini learned a lot from Bellicheck. The Jets defense puts a lot of emphasis on plugging the gaps first and then bringing outside blitzes. The key for the Jets isn’t to necessarily shut down Lawrence Maroney; but to take away the short passing game of the Pats. If you take that away from Brady, you have a chance.

Prediction:

Given the fact that this game is being played in New York, and the fact that the Jets hate the Patriots more than the Patriots hate the Jets, I predict a defensive battle and a close game. I don’t think either team will score over 25 points. As long as the Jets stay patient and stick to the run, along with not letting the Pats jump ontop early, look for the Jets to have a chance in the fourth quarter. In two meetings last year, the Jets lost by a combined total of 10 points. I have the Pats winning, but not by more than a few… something in the 21-17 ballpark.

Spread: Patriots don’t cover.

—

Chicago Bears @ San Diego Chargers (-5.5)

I would love to break this game down and spit out 5 gazillion stats at you and stuff but it’s plain and simple; Chargers are going to win this game and they’re going to win it by a lot.

Offense:

There really is no comparison. L.T. is better than the entire Chicago offense combined. Throw in Antonio Gates and a solid offensive line plus a young, up and coming quarterback who knows what he’s doing and sprinkle a bit of Norv Turner’s offensive genius and you have the makings of an offense that will rival the Colts for the most explosive in the NFL. The Bears have Rex Grossman who is so unpredictable that it’s not even fun to make jokes about. I don’t have a lot of faith in Cedric Benson and think the Bears made a big mistake in letting Thomas Jones walk. Bernard Berrian is a game changing type of receiver with his electrifying speed but again, look who’s throwing him the ball.

Defense:

Here is where the teams are fairly even, though I still give a slight edge to the Chargers. Everyone knows about the Bears defense and Urlacher and Mike Brown and Tommy Harris. And of course everyone knows about Shawn Merriman, who I believe is going to be the defensive player this year and next year. The Chargers play a confusing and frustrating 3-4 defense that allows Merriman to get into the backfield early and often. Olshansky is a headache at defensive end and Luis Castillo had 7 sacks coming from the opposite end. In short, the Chargers defense puts lots of pressure on the quarterback and Rex Grossman is not good under pressure.

Prediction:

Don’t expect a close game. The Chargers will jump ahead early and never look back. 31-13 is the type of score I’m predicting.

Spread: Chargers Cover

*I’ll have the Baltimore-Cincinnati Monday Night Special out either late tonight or tomorrow.

(I can’t wait to see this awkward postgame moment)

Today’s Rundown 9/7

*The Colts absolutely smashed the Saints last night with a 41-10 whipping.  The game was tied at halftime with a score of 10-10 but the Colts came out with a 74 yard drive in the third quarter, en route to scoring 34 unanswered points.  Peyton Manning looked a little off in the first half but lit it up in the second.  He finished the game with 288 yards passing and three touchdowns.  Drew Brees meanwhile, struggled and threw for less than 200 yards along with 2 interceptions.  The Reggie Bush-Deuce Mccalister duo teamed up for less than 100 yards rushing.  The Saints offense didn’t even reach the endzone.  The only touchdown came on a Jason David interception runback.  That was the lone highlight for the ex-Colt as he was abused by Wayne and Harrison.  It’s only the first game so you can’t read too much into it, but the Colts defense looked great.  They were fast, energetic, and hard hitting.  The Saints offense looked lethargic and confused.  The wide receivers couldn’t get open and Brees was hurried more often than not.  I predicted the Colts to cover the 6.5 spread, which they did, and for them to be a 30 point per game team, which it looks like they are.  Just wanted to throw that out there for my critics.

*Louisville played Middle Tennessee State last night and won 58-42.  I think it’s more noteworthy to point out that they allowed a team like Middle Tennessee State to score 42 points on them.  The game was actually close for most of the duration before Louisville pulled away towards the end of the fourth quarter.  The Louisville offense looked great once again and Brian Brohm clearly looks like the best quarterback in college football through two games.  And yes, I do know that he has played two cupcake teams but 9 total touchdowns in two games is impressive no matter who it’s against.  To put that in perspective, #9 Virginia Tech’s quarterback Sean Glennon threw 11 touchdowns all year last season.  I don’t have a good feel for how good Louisville really is yet as a team, given that the defense had such differing games in two weeks.  The offense is clicking but the defense is a question mark as of now.  I’ll tell you one thing for sure; West Virginia will eat Louisville alive if they play even remotely close to the way they did last night…whether the Cardinals’ offense is on point or not. 

*Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn’s health is in great jeopardy right now.  There were some reports last week that Glenn might be out for the season with a leg injury and now reports have surfaced that he’s out for two weeks, although the Cowboys have only officially ruled him out against the Giants.  I think the Cowboys have a chance to make a real run this year but that is IF they have a healthy Glenn.  People forget, because he’s a quiet guy, that Glenn was the more productive receiver last year than Terrell Owens.  I don’t like Dallas’ odds long term without Glenn.  They’ll still crush the Giants though.

*Speaking of the Giants, a lot is being made of this Tiki Barber-Tom Coughlin-Eli Manning nonsense.  If you haven’t heard, Barber has stated in his book and publicly that one of the reason’s he retired was Tom Coughlin.  He goes on to also knock Eli Manning, calling his leadership in the huddle abilities “comical”.  Okay, I understand it’s his job to analyze teams and what not.  But don’t be a complete asshat and call out a coach who is already under enough scrutiny as it is in the media capital of the world, and say he’s the reason you retired.  That’s garbage.  If you didn’t want to play for Coughlin, you could have asked the Giants to move you.  You could have sat out.  There are a number of things you could have done.  No one retires because they’re having a hissy fit about the coach being too mean or tough.  Secondly, calling out third year quarterback Eli Manning like that is such a sellout move.  I’m not an Eli fan and I do think he’s overrated, but he has a team to lead; the team you just left after playing 10 seasons with them.  You’re going to throw him under the bus like that when you know everyone on the Giants will read what you’ve said?  That’s petty.  What’s comical is the way Tiki Barber was the biggest distraction and loudmouth last season by constantly talking about how he wanted to retire and be Matt Lauer’s sidekick on the Today Show.  I don’t mind ex players being analysts on TV.  In fact, I enjoy their insights.  But Tiki Barber comes across as an arrogant know-it-all.  Maybe Barber has forgotten how he couldn’t carry the ball more than three times without fumbling until Tom Coughlin came along.  Maybe Barber has forgotten that he fumbled 4.8 times a season on AVERAGE from the years 2000-2004.  Of the 24 fumbles, he lost 16 of them.  Maybe he’s forgotten that Coughlin came along and helped develop a better technique for him to carry and took his fumbles down from 5 in 2004 to 1 in 2005 and 3 in 2006; the same Tom Coughlin he’s throwing under the bus today.    

***Update for my sports betting junkies:  The remaining 4 games that I am picking versus the spread will be up later tonight.  So far so good; 1-0 start with the Colts game.  I’m going for a 5-0 week.  Check back tonight. 

 (Seriously?)

Today’s Rundown 9/6

I woke up late this morning, spent two hours in traffic, and almost got sideswiped by a Ford F150. Yet I am still in a great, great mood. Why? The NFL Season kicks off tonight and I could not be more excited. After a month long of boring, and at times agonizing preseason games, the real deal is finally here. I am a big fan of how the NFL has been taking one marquee matchup each season and using it on a day before the rest of the teams start playing as somewhat of a celebration event that the NFL Season is back. The next two months are arguably the greatest time of the year for sports. The MLB playoffs are just around the corner and the NFL fans all feel that their team has a chance, even if it’s Atlanta or Oakland. Doesn’t get any better than that.  As for today’s rundown…

*The likely AL MVP, Alex Rodriguez, hit homeruns 47 and 48 yesterday in the eighth inning. The two homeruns in the same inning blew open what was to that point, a close game three between the Mariners and the Yankees. The Yankees went on to win 10-2 and take a three game lead for the coveted wild card spot. Two of the teams battling with the Yankees face off in a series this weekend with Detroit playing Seattle. The series will most likely push one of the teams out of the race, leaving the winner a battle with the Yankees for the final three weeks of the season.

*Andy Roddick came out on the short end of the stick once again versus top seeded Roger Federer in the U.S. Open. Federer defeated Roddick in straight sets but that can sound somewhat deceiving, as two of the sets were won on tiebreakers. I’m not the biggest fan of Roddick but he played as good as he ever has. His serves were huge and he was making great returns. If there was ever a chance for Roddick to defeat Federer in a big moment, it was yesterday. However, Roddick has the unfortunate luck to be playing arguably the best tennis player in the history of the game. To make matters worse, they are the same age so it’s not like Roddick will be seeing any less of Federer, barring a career ending injury. In a somewhat “Damned if I do, damned if I don’t” postgame conference, I felt bad for Roddick. He played his very best and it was still not enough. It reminded me of how so many players’ careers were left tainted without a championship because they had the bad luck of playing in the era of Michael Jordan. At least Roddick can take comfort in the fact that he left it all out there on the court. That’s all you can really do.

*What is going on with Byron Leftwich? I was wondering the same thing.  The former Jaguars quarterback has yet to sign with a team, though a deal is likely to be made after this weekend. The likely suitor? The Baltimore Ravens. Though the Ravens have no immediate need for a quarterback, it would be a nice luxury to have a solid backup quarterback in the event that Steve McNair gets injured. So much of Baltimore’s chances to make it deep into the postseason depend on the quarterback position. Look for Leftwich to be an insurance policy, and possibly the heir to McNair if the quarterback retires after the season.

Response to a Hater

Dear “Frank the Tank”,

I read, and enjoyed, your comment about how my football picks showed that I know less than an iota about football. You also pointed out that I made “popular picks”. If by popular, you mean picks that make sense to the vast majority of people making the selections, then yes… I am making popular picks. You’re not going to find me picking the Jets to blowout the Pats. You’re not going to find me picking Tampa Bay to go into Seattle and rock the Seahawks. You’re not going to find me picking the Raiders to make the playoffs and you’re not going to find me making absurd upset picks. That’s just not going to happen. I’m not going to go against the grain just for the sake of it, just like I don’t paint my nails black to stand out from the rest of society. Picks are popular because most sensible people look at the matchups and other relevant factors, then lean towards the favorite unless they have some other information that would lead them to choose otherwise.

Also, if you are expecting me to breakdown each an every game with a one page thesis like I’m Ron Jaworski or something, you’re checking the wrong site buddy. I said I would break down five games a week, and provide my outright picks for the rest. I have a career and a life that isn’t based on writing about sports 24/7. If you are willing to pay me a salary to do research and analysis, I will find every bit of information down to what a certain player ate for breakfast. But until then, I write whatever I want to write because its on my free time. I work on this site as much as possible but if you’re looking for the best analysis of every aspect of every game, hit up a site like, I don’t know, ESPN.COM or YahooSports.

In closing, Frank the Tank, I would love for you to go into more detail about which of my popular picks you disagree with. If you look below at the ESPN “Expert Picks”, you’ll see that I’m the only person who picked the Panthers, and one of two people who picked the Bengals. And I’d also challenge you to go week for week, pick for pick with me for the entire season and see who comes out ahead when it’s all said and done.

Regards,

The Sports Rumors

Plan For the Season

Over the past few months, I’ve been fathoming in anticipation for the kickoff of the 2007 NFL Season. I couldn’t wait to be able to make my weekly picks and have my own analysis. Well the time is finally here and I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to think what kind of format I’ll be using for the whole season. I’ve gotten a lot of suggestions and pointers from people, and I will combine all of that and try to come up with the most entertaining football coverage as possible. Of course this is my first year doing this on a website so nothing is concrete. Hopefully, this site gains more and more momentum and by next year, I’ll have a set in stone format of how to cover each sport. Here’s what I’m thinking right now

For the NFL:

-Weekly Power Rankings 1-32 with reasoning for each

-Weekly picks outright

-Weekly picks and analysis in relation to the Vegas spread

-Fantasy Ballers and Busts for each week

For college football:

-Weekly Power Rankings with reasoning for each

-Top 3 Games to Watch

-Three Can’t Miss Bets

In addition to this, I’m going to release my predictions for every conference winner in college football as well as every division winner in the NFL. For the NFL, I’ll also give you my little bracket with who I think will make the playoffs and advance to the Super Bowl.

Again, this is the first year doing this so I have a lot of ideas and such floating around. Through your feedback, I’ll be able to know what it is that you like and what it is that you don’t like.

That being said… lets get this week started with the NFL. I’ve put below my first game breakdown, Saints-Colts. Broke down the offense and defense and told you who is going to win and who is going to cover/not cover the spread. I’ll have the same analysis for 4 other games that will take place Sunday/Monday. I’m going to hold off on releasing those other 4 until Friday, so that I have a full scope of who’s injured, etc. and so that my analysis is more accurate. For now, I have also listed the outright winner for each game (Red is an upset pick).

Enjoy.

NFL Week 1 Picks

Thursday, September 5^th, 2007

New Orleans Saints @ Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)

The most surprising team in the league takes on the defending Super Bowl Champs on Thursday night in what should be a great game to start off a season. This game is filled with plenty of star power; Reggie Bush, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees to name a few. Here’s what you need to know:

Offense: Though the Saints’ Drew Brees led the league in passing last year (even ahead of Manning), they couldn’t reach the Superbowl in a pitiful NFC. They have a balanced attack coming out of the backfield with Reggie Bush and Deuce Mccalister but the wide receivers are still a bit of an unknown, especially with the departure of Joe Horn. Rookie Marcus Colston had a surprisingly good season but his production dropped as more and more teams caught onto the rookie’s deep ball antics. The Colts have added that coveted third wide receiver to compliment the Harrison-Wayne duo. Harrison may be reaching the latter stages of his career but flipside of him is Reggie Wayne, who is emerging into a star. Joseph Addai is anticipated to have a breakout season. Throw in a solid third wide receiver in Anthony Gonzales and you have the makings of another 30ppg offense.

Defense: The Colts defense was terrible for most of last season. The run defense was among the worst in the league and that would scare you normally, considering the fact that the Saints pack a double RB combo. But the Saints defense isn’t much better. What does that mean? It means that the Colts will be putting up points, and putting up points fast. The Saints won’t be running the ball much if they’re down 14-0 in the first quarter and that’s when Dwight Freeney is also at his best.

Prediction: Colts Win

Spread: Colts cover

(All eyes will be on these two for much of the season and the playoffs)

Sunday, September 9^th

Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)

I feel sorry for the fans for both of these teams.  I don’t know what it’d feel like to go into the season knowing you’ll be one of the worst in the league.  Oh wait, I live in Washington… I do know what that feels like.  At least the Vikings have Adrian Peterson highlights to look forward to.  The Falcons have what, Joey Harrington?! 

Prediction:  Vikings Win

Carolina Panthers (-0.5) @ St. Louis Rams

A tough defense taking on a new, running first style Rams offense.  This game will be won or lost at the line.  Stephen Jackson gets over 115 yards, Rams win.  Stephen Jackson fails to reach 115 yards, Panthers win.  Simple as that. 

Prediction:  Panthers Win

Denver -3.5 @ Buffalo

I don’t remember the last time I saw Denver and Buffalo play each other but I think it’s been a while.  Buffalo will put up a fight in the beginning but eventually, talent takes over and the Broncos have plenty of it.  I hope J.P. Lossman isn’t your fantasy quarterback for week one.  If he is, good luck watching him pick apart Dre Bly and Champ Bailey; those amateurs. 

Pick:  Denver

Kansas City -1.5 @ Houston

Kansas City goes into this game with a stud quarterback leading the way.  Oh wait, it’s Damon Huard that’s starting.  Nevermind.  At least they have Larry Johnson who will probably carry anywhere from 25-30 times; in the first quarter.  Houston has Matt Schaub, who has been more hyped than Matt Leinart, Vince Young, and Kim Kardashian… combined.  This game should be a boxing match till the very end, only you’d have to imagine two armless boxers. 

Pick: Houston

Miami @ Washington (-3.5)

My hometown squad, my burgundy and gold blood, my Redskins.  Miami brings a defense that loves to blitz and beat up quarterbacks.  I’m glad Mark Brunell isn’t back there because he’d get rocked worse than Cap Rooney (Dennis Quaid) in “Any Given Sunday”.  Campbell looks like he has some potential but it all comes down to how well the Skins establish the run.  Given the fact that they’re facing Miami, don’t expect much.  Miami, on the other hand, isn’t exactly packing heat either.  Look for a low scoring affair.  Something like, 21-16. 

Pick:  Washington

New England -6.5 @ New York Jets

I don’t think there is any coach more bitter and angrier than Bill Belichick (his last name should be on a spelling bee, because I just had to google the correct spelling).  I love how he’s so angry at Mangini for leaving the Pats for the Jets.  The Jets have suddenly become pretty competitive and that is credit to Mangini (that should also be a spelling bee word just to throw off a nervous Indian kid).  Given the fact that this game is in New York, and the hated rivalry between not only the players, but the coaches as well, I’m going to go with…

 Pick:  New England .. come on, did you really think I’d pick against the Pats in week one?

Philadelphia -2.5 @ Green Bay

Two quarterbacks who are likely headed to the hall of fame, and are both under intense scrutiny.. in one game.  That’s rare.  McNabb is most likely in his last season opening game with the Eagles if he gets hurt again this year.  Favre is probably going to retire, and then unretire, and then retire again after this season.  The Eagles are being picked by many to win the division again and they definitely have the ability to.  However, it all depends on the health and recovery of Dmac and the durability of Westbrook.  Packers defense is young and very, very good.  Eagles win, but not by much. 

Pick:  Philly

Pittsburgh -4.5 @ Cleveland

I’ll be very surprised if the Browns score more than 10.  Seriously. 

Pick:  Pittsburgh

Tennessee @ Jacksonville (-6.5)

If you’re one of those losers on Madden who just run with the QB all game, this is the game for you.  It features Vince Young, the most prolific running QB in the game (Vickless-League) and David Gerrard, who had the third most rushing yards in the league as a quarterback last year without even starting a good chunk of the season. 

Pick:  Jacksonville

Chicago @ San Diego (-5.5)

A battle of the elite.  Norv Turner’s tenure as offensive guru in San Diego starts off with a hell of a challenge.  San Diego’s defense isn’t too shabby itself.  I don’t expect much from Rex Grossman so I’m feeling a big win by the Chargers.  Something like, 27-10.

Pick:  Chargers

Detroit @ Oakland (-1.5)

I’m not going to make any jokes about this game at Detroit’s expense because I honestly think that they have a chance at being a legitimately good team.  Seriously!  Mike Martz always takes offenses to new levels his second year there and you can’t be THAT bad with Tatum Bell, Roy Williams AND Calvin Johnson.  But it is Detroit.  Maybe you can. 

Pick: Detroit

Tampa Bay @ Seattle (-6.5)

This is the game you watch at 4pm when you’re feeling like you’re going to puke from all the chips and hot dogs you ate for the past 5-6 hours.  Then you watch for a quarter, puke, and feel better in anticipation for the 8pm game.  Thanks Tampa Bay for being you. 

Pick:  Seattle

New York Giants @ Dallas (-4.5)

I used to get excited for NFC East showdowns like this, even though I despise both teams beyond what words can describe.  However, I will probably be watching Prison Break reruns or some other movie that TBS decides to air 5 nights in a row rather than the Giants-Cowboys.  I don’t know how the line is ONLY favoring the Cowboys by 4.5.  I would have thought 7 or more. 

Pick:  Dallas

Monday, Sept. 10

Baltimore @ Cincinnati (-2.5)

The only way you can top double header Monday Night Football is with… actually, you can’t.  Unlike the Giants-Cowboys game, I’m psyched for this matchup.  I think both squads are going to be great this year and have legit shots at the Superbowl.  Ed Reed and Ray Lewis versus Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson.  If that doesn’t get your juices flowing, you’re about to have a stroke and should seek medical attention quickly. 

Pick: Cincinnati

Arizona @ San Francisco (-3.5)

Two of the sexier teams this year.  Big hopes for Leinart and his young cast to make things happen this year and the Niners are being picked by many to make the playoffs as the wildcard.  I hope this game is interesting so I can justify staying up till 2am (Kickoff is at 10:15 PM Eastern time). 

Pick: San Francisco

College Football: Week 2 Rankings

Here are my own personal Top 25 College Football Rankings.  Enjoy them.  Hate them.  Whichever is convenient.