Recap of Week 0 picks
Record Straight up (SU): 4-0
Record Against the Spread (ATS): 2-5
It’s only week zero, and I should get better at picking games when more games are played, or hopefully, I will. The straight-up games were easy to pick since they were FBS teams against FCS. The games with lines did not go the way I thought, and I nearly only got one right, but in the end, I will start the season at 2-5.
Austin Peay (27) @ Western Kentucky (38)
PICK: Western Kentucky
This was my one close game that didn’t have a line. Austin Peay had cut Western Kentucky’s lead to eight with 8:44 left in the game. WKU was able to add an FG and run out the clock to get the win.
Nebraska (28) vs. Northwestern (31)
PICK: Nebraska -12.0
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Nebraska had made several off-season moves, bringing in a new offensive coordinator and several transfers, with one being a quarterback in Casey Thompson. The Big Red started the game well and had an 11-point lead in the third quarter, and that is when things fell apart. Scott Frost decided to go for an onside kick which failed. Northwestern responded with two touchdowns, and Nebraska didn’t score the rest of the game. Note to self: Don’t trust Nebraska anymore.
Idaho State (21) @ UNLV (52)
PICK: UNLV
UNLV got a win; it was a game in which they absolutely had to increase their win output from previous seasons.
UCONN (20) @ Utah State (31)
PICK: Utah State -26.5
This game surprised me as UCONN played tough against the reigning Mountain West champs. The Huskies just didn’t get enough offensive production, and it will be interesting to see how Jim Mora does in his first year as their head coach.
Wyoming (6 )@ Illinois (38)
PICK: Wyoming +13.0
I got this pick utterly wrong as I overestimated Wyoming. Illinois shut down Wyoming, only allowing 212 yards of offense and two field goals. Illinois has a history of playing well in the first game but has struggled to get wins the rest of the season.
Duquesne (7) @ Florida State (47)
PICK: Florida State
The Seminoles looked much better than last year’s game against an FCS opponent. FSU had three rushers, each with over 100 yards. The defense had allowed only 164 yards and one touchdown.
Charlotte (13) @ Florida Atlantic (43)
PICK: Florida Atlantic -7.5
This was my saving grace for a game that I nailed. N’Kosi Perry only had 256 passing yards and one touchdown, but the defense stifled the 49ers.
Florida A&M (24) @ North Carolina (56)
PICK: North Carolina
Florida A&M was already playing North Carolina against the odds, but news came out that 25 Rattlers players were suspended. The game was in doubt as to whether it would be played. FA&M showed up to the game and made a respectable showing.
North Texas (31) @ UTEP (13)
PICK: UTEP +1.0
This was a one-point game at the half with North Texas leading, but the second half belonged to the Mean Green. The adjustments UNT made at half were all the difference as they continued to score while UTEP was shut out.
Nevada (23) @ New Mexico State (12)
PICK: Nevada -8.5
New Mexico State played a solid defensive game and kept them in for a long time, even though the offense had four turnovers in the first half. The Aggies changed at quarterback midway through the third quarter to true freshman Gavin Frakes, which gave them a spark leading them to 10 points. Nevada got enough from their two quarterback system and could get the win and cover the spread.
Vanderbilt (63) @ Hawai’i (10)
PICK: Hawai’i +9.0
OUCH!! Hawai’i took the lead to begin the game, but eventually, Vanderbilt tied the game and quickly took the lead on a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. Two scores in 19 seconds changed the game for Vanderbilt and would go on to a big win. This was also Timmy Chang’s first game as head coach at Hawai’i. Hopefully, he can return the Rainbow Warriors to the play and fun shown when Chang was a quarterback at Hawai’i in the early 2000s.
