I sure hope that none of you decided to put your mortgage on our "expert" picks last week…
Well, most of us anyway. ESPN’s Chris Hassel, a perennial cellar dweller in pick’em, got his 2013 campaign off to a hot 5-1 start. That was the same with former Cyclone kicker and Kirk Ferentz’ worst nightmare, one Bret Culbertson.
Jack Whitver made a solid 4-2 debut.
Your defending champ? Well, I sucked.
But as you loyal pick’em readers have learned over the years, this is not a sprint. It’s a marathon folks.
Let’s dig in.
We’re picking all six games against the spread this week.
Current Standings
Chris Hassel, 5-1
Bret Culbertson, 5-1
Jack Whitver, 4-2
Brett McIntyre, 3-3
Austen Arnaud, 3-3
Dave Zawilinski, 3-3
Andrew Downs, 2-4
Adam Gray, 2-4
Brent Blum, 2-4
Trevor Enerson, 2-4
Adam Carper, 2-4
Chris Williams, 1-5
Kirk Haaland, 1-5
ESPN’s Chris Hassel
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – Notre Dame loses its first regular season game since 2011, by more than 3.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – No chance the Dawgs lose two in a row to start the season. Georgia covers.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – Miami has home field advantage, but not home crowd advantage. There will be just as many Gator fans at the old Joe Robbie. Florida wins and covers.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – The old man will have his boyz ready for ULL. Kansas State bounces back and covers.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – BYU has great fans, but every time I think the home field will be the difference, the Cougars disappoint. Longhorns win and cover.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – Geno isn’t there to run out of the back of the end zone for a safety. WVU only loses by 20.
Former Iowa State kicker Bret Culbertson
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – The Irish cover. They work for it though.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – Not exactly comfortable with an SC pick after seeing a sluggish game last week. Georgia covers and the bulldogs move back north in the rankings this week.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – Florida AD Jeremy Foley is talking like this could be the last face-off ever between these two teams due to money concerns. They need to figure out how to keep this one alive. Florida covers while Foley robs the state’s youth of tradition.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – Cats cover.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – Texas covers with room to spare.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – Did the punters even see the field during this game last year? I’m pretty sure there was a score on almost every drive down field. The Sooners handle WV but the Mountaineers beat the spread.
Former Iowa State wide receiver Jack Whitver
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – Michigan. Michigan’s Devin Garder has a coming out party on National TV Saturday night.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – Georgia. Aaron Murray leads Georgia past USC in another tough game.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – Miami uses home field advantage and wins a close one over in-state rivals.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – KSU. I feel bad for Lafayette after KSU lost to North Dakota State last week. That loss isn’t sitting well with Coach Synder.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – Texas and David Ash continue to roll against BYU, easily beat spread.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – OU. The problems continue for Dana Holgerson…and his seat starts getting hot already in Morgantown after a blowout loss in Norman.
WHO-TV 13 Meteorologist Brett McIntyre
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – Michigan. I’ll go with the Wolverines, who I actually like in the Big Ten over an overrated Ohio State team.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – I’ll take Georgia. They’re at home. And I can’t pick against them. If they lose, I can have whatever happens to this guy on my head.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – I’ll take Miami and the points in a tight game here.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – I think Kansas State wins it, but I’ll take the Ragin’ Cajuns and the points.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – I’ll take Texas. Which invisible network is this on? BYUtv? Or Longhorn Network? How will we even know what happened?
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – This seems like a lot of points. This is a trap pick after WVU struggled aganist William & Mary. But still not enough to get me to trust the Mountaineers. I’ll take Oklahoma and lay the points here.
Former Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – Devin Gardner and Michigan are too tough at home here. College GameDay in the house and a rare night game at the big house… Go Blue 31-21
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – Staying with Dawgs this week again, just because if they don’t win here there shot at a national title hopes are done. Dawgs defeat JD Clowney and the Cocks .. 23-17
Florida (-3) @ Miami – Al Golden has got this program at the U in the right direction. College football is always better when Miami is relevant. Upset. The U wins 27-23
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – Bill Snyder’s team will come out ready after the opening loss… Wildcats 41-24
Texas (-7) @ BYU – LOCK OF THE WEEK, Texas is going to slay BYU. Main reason BYU is one dimensional on offense and can’t score. UT rolls 34-13
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – Oklahoma at home early in the season it’s impossible not to take the points. WVU should have lost to Bill and Mary last week beside a couple young defensive players, the cupboard is bare in Morgantown. Sooners 45-20.
ABC 5 Sports Director Dave Zawilinski
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – Notre Dame thinks they are too good for Michigan. Wolverines will be ready.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – Georgia will be desperate. They beat SC in Columbia a year ago but I think SC is good enough to cover on the road.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – All Gators
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – People over react to week one outcomes. KSU will be just fine.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – Experts think UT can compete for a national title. They must be good enough to win by a touchdown at BYU.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – See KSU. I’ll take the points.
1460 KXNO’s Andrew Downs
Michigan (-3.5) over Notre Dame – Michigan’s speed and the Big House crowd are too much for the Fighting Irish.
South Carolina over Georgia (-3) – The Old Ball Coach comes in and puts Richt on the hot seat in Bulldog Nation.
Florida (-3) over Miami – Florida just has too much skill for the U.
Kansas State (-10) over Louisiana-Lafayette – Wildcats bounce back after embarrassing loss to NDSU, pound the ball on the ground, and don’t let up.
Texas (-7) over BYU – Longhorns carry over 2nd half dominance against New Mexico State, roll BYU big.
West Virginia over Oklahoma (-20.5) – Sooners win, but not by 3 touchdowns. WVU keeps it fairly close throughout.
Cyclone Fanatic’s Director of Sales, Adam Gray
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – Notre Dame has some talent on the D line and I think they shut down Michigans offense. ND straight up 24-10
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – Georgia always starts off slow. I don’t know why but I like SCarolina to win by 1. 21-20
Florida (-3) @ Miami – All the experts are taking Miami. I’m not buying it. Florida’s defense shuts down Morris and Florida wins 30-13
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – Kansas State has the best coach in the country coaching them up after last week. KState wins 41-17
Texas (-7) @ BYU – I’ve been hyping Texas all offseason. Can’t stop now. Texas with an impressive 38-20 win
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – Name your score. Stoops uses this game to build up his young QB’s confidence. Oklahoma 45-14
Cyclone Fanatic Columnist Brent Blum
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – These two squabbled this week over if this game is a rivalry or not. Just play the game, yo. Michigan 24 Notre Dame 20.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – Old fashioned SEC slobber-knocker. Georgia musters just enough offense. Georgia 27 South Carolina 21.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – Florida is the college football version of the 2001 Ravens. No QB, no worries. That defense is destructive. Florida 23 Miami 10.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – The old man summons the Taco Bell magic and handles the Cajuns. K-State 35 ULL 20.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – I’m all aboard the Mack Brown express this season. Not slowing down in Provo. Texas 42 BYU 24.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – What the heck, I’m taking all faves this week. Oklahoma 42 West Virginia 17.
The Voice of the Fan, Trevor Enerson
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – Michigan will get Thomas Gordon back which will be huge against Rees. I think the Michigan defense controls the Notre Dame offense for this game and Michigan covers in the last installment of this game for at least a few years.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – This is a tough one. Georgia has a lot of tools to use offensively and I just don’t think USC can overcome that. As long as the Georgia offensive line can control Clowney and Co. they should score points. Give me the Dogs to cover.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – Can UF stop Duke Johnson? That’s really the question because Miami doesn’t have a lot of other proven weapons. I’m going to have to take Florida to cover this. I just think they have more talent all around.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – Bill Snyder doesn’t lose two games to lower level teams. KSU covers.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – Texas covers this easily as Ash gets it going.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – Did you guys watch WVU? Oklahoma covers this by halftime.
Former Iowa State linebacker Adam Carper
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – After surrendering 6 turnovers in last year’s loss, Michigan gets its revenge at home and covers.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – Most exciting matchup of the week with Georgia rebounding from last week’s loss to cover.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – Hurricanes are young and talented and do enough to cover.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – Remember in 2012 when Bill Snyder was the National Coach of the Year? Yeah neither do the fans in Manhattan who are already calling for his head after a loss to North Dakota State. Do they not remember Ron Prince? As for the game, the Rajin’ Cajuns cover.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – Texas goes on the road and gets the W but fails to cover.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – The Sooners had a stellar Week 1 performance whereas West Virginia nearly lost to a FCS team but I’m not going to further discuss that for obvious reasons. Anyways I like the Sooners to cover.
Cyclone Fanatic Publisher Chris Williams
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – Big House? Give me the Big Ten. Maize & Blue.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – All summer long, I thought that South Carolina would be a threat to win the National Championship. I’ve gotta stay consistent right? Cocks in outright.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – If you ain’t a Gator, you’re Gator bait. You hear that Al Golden? You’re about to be eaten alive by a Gator.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – Folks want to criticize Kansas State for its recent statue revealing of Bill Snyder. I have a Bill Snyder statue in my front yard. Cats win big.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – I actually like the Horns by two or three touchdowns in this one.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma – We are all witnessing the beginning of the end of the Dana Holgerson era in Morgantown. Sooners name the score & cover.
enCYCLONEpedia’s Kirk Haaland
Notre Dame @ Michigan (-3.5) – Aside from the fact that I just don’t like Brian Kelly, I just don’t like Brian Kelly. But I do like Michigan in this game.
South Carolina @ Georgia (-3) – Are we still hyper-criticizing whether or not Jadeveon Clowney could possibly win the Heisman? I think Georgia fails to bounce back from the opening loss to Clemson. Gamecocks.
Florida (-3) @ Miami – The two times I’ve been impressed with Miami since their national titles: 1) Their basketball team last year and 2) the 30 for 30 “All About the U”. Gators.
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Kansas State (-10) – I’m not terribly confident in K-State bouncing back to cover against “La La”…but Bill Snyder? Wildcats.
Texas (-7) @ BYU – Mack Brown seems to have become the Scott Drew of college football since Vince Young left town, but I think they cover this one against the Cougars.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma (-20.5) – That is one big number, even in Norman. Even so, Sooners.
