Virginia Tech Hokies

I'm flip-flopping, Boise is just too damn good.

Week 1 College Football Recap

Like I mentioned throughout all this week, there weren’t any picks that I loved this week. I only played a handful of games very light. I got all jacked up when I went 2-0 on Thursday night thanks to Brandon’s call of South Carolina -14 and my play of Pitt +3.5. I then gave some of that back when Washington failed to cover by 3 and Cincinnati didn’t show up for me against Fresno, but if you were to listen to Brandon, he liked Fresno in that one and he nailed that call. However, a sweet 2-to-1 odds 4-team teaser made the week a fantastic one for me. My teaser card hit with LSU -2.5, Notre Dame -3.5, Missouri -4, and Colorado -4.5. My teaser of TCU -6/Over 43.5 also hit, but I did not touch that game. When it comes to teasers, I often strike gold. For many of the week 1 college football games, I recommended teasing the line down (Notre Dame, TCU, and Colorado) since I simply did not like the high spreads.

Virginia Tech vs. Boise State – Final Word

I’m about to flip-flop on this pick. I originally came out and called Virginia Tech to win based on two key factors: (1) VT’s triple threat running attack may cause trouble for Boise State; and (2) VT is playing this came close to home (at FedEx Field in Washington DC). However, the more I think about this matchup, the more I like Boise State. If Virginia Tech wants to win this one, they will have to keep this game low scoring. They simply cannot beat Boise in a shootout.

If Virginia …

Ryan Williams is one nasty RB.

BOISE STATE BRONCOS @ VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (+2.5)

Scanning through the week 1 college football lines, the game that stands out this week other than Pitt @ Utah is Boise State @ Virginia Tech (+2.5).  Two National Championship contenders, the No. 5 ranked Broncos and the No. 6. Hokies will be squaring off week one, in the Sunday Night Lights. The game is set for Monday, September 6th, on ESPN at 8:00pm. To be completely fair, this one is a toss up and I’m giving a slight nod to Virginia Tech. If I’ve learned one thing over the years, it’s that this team has performed exceptionally well at home in night games. Although they won’t have the advantage of playing on their home turf at Lane Stadium, they’ll still have a distinct home-field advantage playing at FedEx Field in Washington D.C.

With that said, I would be careless and hasty to say that Boise State doesn’t have a shot in this game. Despite VT’s huge home-field advantage, Boise State is 10-3 ATS on the road in their last 13 games. Even better is the fact that Boise State has 23 of the 24 players that started in the Fiesta Bowl returning. If your memory fails you, Boise State defeated No. 3 TCU last year 17-10 in the Fiesta Bowl and remained undefeated.

BSU’s QB Kellen Moore threw for over two miles last season (3,537 yards to be exact) with a ridiculous 39 TDs. Moore also has all of his top playmakers back again this season. Boise State has an opportunity to play for a National Championship if they win this game. This game is their National Championship, which is why I cannot …

What a suiting article for the 100th article here on THE PASS RUSH.  Here are my picks and predictions for the BCS Bowl games.  Here are my picks for the non-BCS Bow games.

ROSE BOWL: Illinois Fighting Illini vs. USC Trojans -13.5

I don’t know why the Illini are getting a lack of respect in this game.  I thought the spread should be USC -9.  I think Illinois is very capable of covering this one.  They were the team to top Ohio State and have impressive wins against Penn State and Wisconsin.  Their first game of the season was against should-be BSC Bowl contender Missouri, and they only lost that one by 4.  These teams match up pretty evenly.  Illinois has an average PF of 28.8, USC’s is 31.2.  Illinois has an average PA of 19.5, USC’s is 15.9.  Illinois’ 7-4 record against the spread is better than USC’s 6-6 record against the spread.  9/13 of the experts at covers.com are taking USC to cover, but I think the Trojans will win, but Illinois will cover.  Also keep in mind that USC has a huge advantage being in Pasadena.

Prediction – USC defeats Illinois – 34-24

USC Moneyline – Confidence 4/5
Illinois +13.5 Spread – Confidence 2/5

SUGAR BOWL: Hawaii Warriors vs. Georgia Bulldogs -7.5

When I first saw the Bowl games announced I was getting excited about this one because I expect the Bulldogs to stomp on the Warriors.  I thought the spread should be at least 10 points.  We all know about Hawaii’s offense, but they’ve been playing mickey-mouse defenses; they haven’t seen a defense like Georgia’s.  I don’t think Hawaii will know what hit them when they have to square off on January 1st.  Hawaii’s defense …