Predictions for the week of 9/4/2010
This week's accuracy: 90.91%
(5) Texas at Rice - Max likes the Owls this year to compete with cross-town rival Houston in the CUSA this season. Michigan transfer RB Sam McGuffie is explosive and versatile, while QB Nick Fanuzzi has the experience. Max doesn't think Rice beats Texas here on the "neutral" turf, but he thinks the Owls can keep it close if the defense forces Garrett Gilbert to pass. Texas by 14.
Result: Texas by 17
(12) Wisconsin at UNLV - Forget Iowa. Max thinks the Badgers are the team poised to contend with Ohio State for the BigEleven title. What Max likes most about Bret Bielema's squad is they're willing to go on the road in Week 1 and play an above-average Mountain West team. They don't hide from competition like so many other schools do. Additionally, Max is excited about having tickets for Oct. 16 in Madison. He'll be there to Jump Around when the Buckeyes visit for the lead in the BigEleven race. Wisconsin by 23.
Result: Wisconsin by 20
(14) USC at Hawaii - Max isn't completely sold on the Trojans this year. After a recent visit to Redondo Beach, Max believes there are too many negatives around the program for Lane Kiffin to get his players ready for a National Championship run, but a trip to the Island isn't enough for Max to pull the trigger. USC by 17.
Result: USC by 13
(15) Pittsburgh at Utah - Max enjoys watching Mountain West football games. And when Boise State signed up to play, he knew it was just a matter of time before Fresno State and Nevada followed. Then Utah bolted. Now BYU. The conference went from a solid 12-team conference that would have inevitably earned BCS status sooner than later, to a 10-team conference that won't have much quality. That said, Max is upset with the Utes for leaving, so while he thinks they can beat the Panthers, he's taking Pitt in a nail-biter Pittsburgh by 3.
Result: Utah by 3
San Jose State at (1) Alabama - Houndstooth is still in fashion. The Nittanys loom in Week 2. Alabama by 37.
Result: Alabama by 45
Marshall at (2) Ohio State - It could be a slow start for the Buckeyes as they look ahead to the Sept. 11 tilt with Miami, but Marshall just doesn't have the talent to hang with The Ohio State. Terrelle Pryor will have his chance to show the country he is either ready to be in the spot light, or ready to be the next Buckeye Bust. Max thinks the former. Ohio State by 30.
Result: Ohio State by 38
Miami (OH) at (4) Florida - Others are ready to let Florida have a free pass to the SEC title game. Max is not. Max thinks a No. 4 ranking is too high, and the Gators will have to prove themselves to Max before he picks Florida when it counts. Still, easy opener with the RedHawks. Florida by 20.
Result: Florida by 22
(10) Virginia Tech at (6) Boise State - Though the Broncos expect to play for the Sears Crystal Football this season, it won't help when the Hokies show the Broncos a thing or two about big-time football. VaTech's Beamer Ball is better than Boise State has ever seen. Don't be surprised when this game gets one-sided early. Virginia Tech by 16.
Result: Boise State by 3
(24) Oregon State at (6) TCU - This should be the best game of the weekend. Max likes the Beavers to win the Pac-10 this season, while TCU is in the driver's seat again in the Mountain West. In the end, the Arlington/Dallas/Fort Worth crowd will be too much for the Beavers to overcome. TCU by 5.
Result: TCU by 9
Utah State at (7) Oklahoma - The key for the Sooners this year to be in the Big XII title game in December is keeping Landry Jones and more especially DeMarco Murray healthy. Max expects both of their afternoon's to be done when the team's break for halftime. Oklahoma by 42.
Result: Oklahoma by 7
Western Kentucky at (8) Nebraska - Max will let Dave from Omaha have the first say for the Huskers this year. "Nebraska blow out. Anything less than a shut out for the big Red will be a disaster. Expect 45-zip range as the bare minimum." Well said, Dave. Enjoy the final season in the Big XII, Max likes where Bo Pelini has the team headed. Nebraska by 45.
Result: Nebraska by 39
Eastern Illinois at (9) Iowa - In keeping with tradition, Max won't comment on games between Bowl Subdivision teams and Championship Subdivision/D-II teams. Iowa by 24.
Result: Iowa by 30
New Mexico at (11) Oregon - The Lobos won't pose much of a threat at Autzen Stadium, but what will keep this (somewhat) close is the lack of experience and decision-making skills from QB Darron Thomas. Oregon by 26.
Result: Oregon by 72
FAMU at (13) Miami - In keeping with tradition, Max won't comment on games between Bowl Subdivision teams and Championship Subdivision teams. Miami by 30.
Result: Miami by 45
South Carolina State at (16) Georgia Tech - In keeping with tradition, Max won't comment on games between Bowl Subdivision teams and Championship Subdivision/D-II teams. Georgia Tech by 32.
Result: Georgia Tech by 31
Tennessee Tech at (17) Arkansas - In keeping with tradition, Max won't comment on games between Bowl Subdivision teams and Championship Subdivision/D-II teams. Arkansas by 35.
Result: Arkansas by 41
(21) LSU at (18) North Carolina - This is Max's first upset pick of the season. Though, it's not much of an upset when the Tar Heels are without so many key players. And Max thinks having Les Miiles on the hot seat is just as bad as Minnesota firing Glen Mason. When a coach can coach, and has a proven track record, you keep him around. End of argument. LSU by 18.
Result: LSU by 6
Youngstown State at (19) Penn State - In keeping with tradition, Max won't comment on games between Bowl Subdivision teams and Championship Subdivision/D-II teams. Penn State by 28.
Result: Penn State by 30
Samford at (20) Florida State - In keeping with tradition, Max won't comment on games between Bowl Subdivision teams and Championship Subdivision/D-II teams. Florida State by 33.
Result: Florida State by 53
Arkansas State at (22) Auburn - Too bad voters don't understand how good Auburn can be this year. This is why preseason voting is so absurd. Auburn can win the SEC this season, but it's going to be hard for the Tigers to get to the National Championship picture starting at 22. One good thing is they have Arkansas, Georgia and LSU at home this season. Auburn by 34.
Result: Auburn by 26
Louisiana-Lafayette at (23) Georgia - It'll be interesting this year to see who takes the reigns of the SEC East. Max likes the Dawgs more than the Gators at this point, but only the season will tell. Georgia by 28.
Result: Georgia by 48
Coastal Carolina at (25) West Virginia - In keeping with tradition, Max won't comment on games between Bowl Subdivision teams and Championship Subdivision/D-II teams. West Virginia by 27.
Result: West Virginia by 31
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