By Robert Perea and Tony Erquiaga
Tony
As you have probably learned over the last two weeks, do the exact opposite of I say and do.
Prime example — Me picking Dabo Sweeney and Clemson to beat LSU outright. How did that go, Tony? Not good. Not good. Dabo is on his way out and Lane Kiffin cemented himself as the most hated person in America. It only took the SEC to tell him, ‘Don’t eff with us or we will eff you up.’
This week, we add the NFL. More ways to pick the wrong team.
Oklahoma (-5.5) at Michigan: Michigan got the hometown cooking last week against Western Michigan and was gifted an extra play and won on a Hail Mary. The Big 10 stood by the inept officials. There will be no need for an extra second, as Oklahoma and John Mateer visit Ann Arbor. The Sooners are a real threat for the CFP and their defense shuts down the Wolverines. Oklahoma 34, Michigan 20
Memphis at Boise State (-8.5): Is Boise State, a former member of the Mountain West, that good or was Oregon overlooking them in the season opener. Probably a little bit of both. Boise is pretty good and are the favorite to get the P6 spot in the CFP. Oregon is Oregon and will be in the national title picture. Apparently, Memphis likes to travel to the West and play. After beating UNLV on the Rebels’ homefield, it will be a tougher chore in potato land. Boise State 38, Memphis 13
Montana State (-5.5) at Nevada: (Part II) Is Nevada, still a member of the water downed Mountain West, that good, or was Western Kentucky just that bad. I am not sure on that one. We will call this the Jeff Choate Bowl. The former Montana State head coach welcomes his former team to Mackay Stadium. This will be the best home game on the schedule, telling you how bad the Mountain West is. The Bobcats are the reigning FCS champion and the better team. Montana State 41, Nevada 28
Falcons at Steelers (-3): Not sure why this spread is so low. The Falcons are mess at quarterback and you are opening in Pittsburgh. A-A Rod is reunited with former coach Mike McCarthy. Tough spot for Atlanta. Pittsburgh 24, Atlanta 10
Cowboys at Giants (+1.5) My upset special of the week or is it really? As long as Jaxson Dart doesn’t visit the blue tent on the sideline. John Harbaugh left the Ravens for the Giants and will make them better. The Cowboys D will get surprised. Giants 24, Cowboys 23
Broncos at Chiefs (-2.5): My Super Bowl pick goes into Arrowhead and beats the Kansas City Swifties. Travis Kelce is busy with other stuff and Patrick Mahomes can’t be 100%. Bo knows Super Bowls. Denver 27, Kansas City 17.
Last week: 1-2
Season: 2-4
Robert
Maryland (-12 ½) at UCONN: You ordinarily won’t find me laying two scores on the road with mediocre teams, but few teams have a clearer identity than Mike Locksley’s Terrapins. They’re great early-season favorites who blow out undermanned foes, then can’t compete against tougher, more physical teams, like last year when their 4-0 record turned into 4-8. With Jim Mora Jr. off to Colorado St., I foresee a dropoff from the Huskies, while the Terrapins have their quarterback, two leading rushers and three experienced receivers returning.
Texas St. (-1 ½) over UTSA: Probably not very many people are interested in betting on Texas St. after their 59-7 loss to Texas last week. But there were signs even in that loss that they can compete with teams on their own level. And having won the last two times over UTSA, they’ve already shown they can beat the Roadrunners, The Bobcats ran for 3.9 yards per carry in that loss to Texas, while UTSA allowed 5.2 yards per carry against UT-Rio Grande Valley last week.
Ohio St/Texas over 49 ½: Ohio St. won 14-7 when these teams played last year, but things were much different then. Both coaches hadn’t yet developed trust in their quarterbacks, Julian Sayin and Arch Manning, and played close to the vest to try to avoid mistakes. But I think both coaches will let them loose this week. There are playmakers on both offenses, and I think this is a completely different game flow. I expect the winner to need 30 points.
Jets (+1 ½) at Titans: Geno Smith is free from the dysfunction in Las Vegas, and with his veteran presence and playmakers Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, Aaron Glenn now at least has some semblance of an offense to work with, while Cam Ward hasn’t yet played like a No. 1 draft pick. It’s not often that the Jets are the team that seems to have more stability, but I’ll take a shot that’s the case in Week 1.
Lions (-7) over Saints: I have to figure the Lions will begin the season with a sense of urgency, after their disappointing season last year. They have weapons galore on offense and a significant advantage at quarterback, and they should be able to dispatch the Saints by this margin.
Dolphins (+3) at Raiders: I don’t have a high degree of faith in Malik Willis as a starting NFL quarterback, but he did perform pretty well when Jordan Love was hurt last year for the Packers. But I also don’t believe the Raiders belong favored over anybody in the NFL and I’ll take 3 points against them with every team in the league until proven otherwise.
Last week: 2-1
Season: 3-3
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