Every week, we here at SECBagmen would like to give back to the community that raised us. What better way to do this than to propagate some mostly true (and some likely false) information out to the masses. Be sure to check back here every Friday morning for our straight up picks of the week. All 6 Major conferences are represented by each of our contributors, who spend countless hours crunching stats and running the numbers. Feel free to call us out if you see a “glaring error” in our submnissions. Also, this is for SATURDAY ONLY. We’re sorry if your MAC team plays on Thursday night.
–The Bagmen
Fuzzy Dunlop & The PAC 12
- Arizona St. vs. UC Davis - UC Davis lost 52-3 on opening weekend last season to Cal and this game should go about the same way. It honestly feels like the NCAA should step in and cancel this one, they don't have linebackers like Vontaze Burfict in the FCS. My Pick: Arizona State
- Southern Cal vs. Minnesota - Minnesota managed to keep it fairly close at home last year, but this year should be a different story. The Gophers are breaking in a new coach on the road and the Trojans return a very potent offense led by QB Matt Barkley. As long as Marc Tyler manages to stay sober and keeps his mouth shut about how much USC players get paid the Trojans should come away with an easy W. My Pick: Southern Cal
- Oregon State vs. Sacramento St. - Sac St. got whipped 52-17 on opening weekend last year vs. Stanford; this year might not be quite as bad. The Beavers return a good QB in Ryan Katz and it should be interesting to see how James Rodgers has recovered from his injury. My Pick: Oregon St.
- Washington vs. East Washington - This game has all the ingredients for an epic game; East vs. West, in state rivals, BCS conference school vs. wait, another FCS school? To give Eastern Washington credit they did go 11-2 last season, but this is another one that won't be close. My Pick: Washington
- UCLA @ Houston - Finally! Way to step up Rick Neuheisel and not be a pussy like most of your conference. Even though you will probably lose this game because your team has been terrible since you took over, I like that you are at least going down with a fight. Case Keenum is back at the helm for the Cougars and UCLA's offense won't be able to keep up. My Pick: Houston
- Stanford vs. San Jose St. - A nice stat padder to kick off Andrew Luck's Heisman campaign. My Pick: Stanford
- Arizona vs. Northern Arizona - Similar to the Washington game this one has all the makings for a classic minus two equally matched teams. My Pick: Arizona
- California vs. Fresno St. - Fresno St. is no stranger to knocking off BCS conference teams, but I think Jeff Tedford will have a good offensive game plan to exploit the lesser talented Bulldogs. My Pick: Cal
- Colorado @ Hawaii - Colorado is looking for a fresh start under new coach Jon Embree, but Bryant Moniz and the Hawaii passing attack should be too much for a low scoring Buffaloes team that lost shutdown corner Jimmy Smith to the NFL. My Pick: Hawaii
- Oregon vs. LSU (in Dallas) - This is the dandy of opening weekend and the Ducks are looking for redemption after falling to Auburn in the championship game. Before all of LSU's suspensions I would've gone with the Tigers, but switching QBs this close to such a big game will prove to be too much to overcome. Darron Thomas will shine being close to home in Texas and the Ducks pull out a humungous W. My Pick: Oregon
Patrick Esquire & The Big 12(ish)
- TCU vs. Baylor – The Bears don’t stand a chance…not even close. My Pick: TCU
- Missouri vs. Miami (OH) – This game will be much closer than you think, but Missouri wins. My Pick: Missouri
- Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State – Northern Iowa pulls a shocker, somewhat. My Pick: Northern Iowa
- Oklahoma State vs. LA Lafayette – The Fighting Jake Delhomme’s will be looking for an upset when they travel to Stillwater. Could be the first step towards bowl eligibility for the Ragin Cajuns (Top 3 best nicknames in college football). Could also be the first of many whoopins on the Cajuns this year. Sorry Jake, don’t think the upset happens. Too much offense for the boys from the Bayou. Look for the Cowboys to put up 60 on the Cajuns. Maybe 62. My Pick: OSU
- Kansas vs. McNeese St. – What’s a McNeese? Kansas crushes…. My Pick: Kansas
- Kansas State vs. EKU – ECO CAT AINT GOT SHIT ON ME! My Pick: Kansas State
- Texas Tech vs. Texas State – Technical schools are not always better than state schools…however this is one of those times they are exponentially better. Maybe 100 points better. My Pick: Texas Tech
- Oklahoma vs. Tulsa – Golden Hurricane against the #1 team in the nation/Fightin’ Barry Switzers. This won’t even be close…unless you lay the points. My Pick: Oklahoma
- Texas vs. Rice – YAY! Texas gets its first win on the Longhorn Network. ESPN rejoices! Mac Brown is BACK! My Pick: Texas
Gamblin’ Boss & The ACC
- Northwestern vs. Boston College – This game will likely be the #2 best game for the ACC this week, right behind Miami/Maryland…which just beats out Richmond/Duke. I’d hate to say that I’m pulling for the team in purple and black...but I still whole heartedly believe that any school that uses Groupon to sell tickets for football will never be successful or taken seriously. My Pick: Northwestern
- App State vs. Virginia Tech – Every single D1 school gets scared shitless when App State shows up on their schedule Week 1 courtesy of their performance against Michigan a few years back. While this scrappy team from Boone, NC does have a kick…it’s won’t be enough to take down the ACC’s version of the fighting chicken. My Pick: Virginia Tech
- James Madison vs. UNC – Last year’s week one darlings find themselves amongst the tall pines in Chapel Hill week one. I don’t see this being much of a dogfight, and UNC wins this one for Butch. My Pick: UNC
- Louisiana-Monroe vs. FSU – Any team that hails from the land of Brittney Spears isn’t worth a damn. Plain and simple, this is nothing more than an ego boost for the followers of Jimbo in Tallahassee. My Pick: FSU
- Troy vs. Clemson – Clemson is coming off of its first losing season in almost a decade. Spirits are low in Tiger Town, SC…but for one day they will be able to know what it feels like to get a quality win. (And I say “quality” because I see this being a pretty close game potentially). My Pick: Clemson
- William & Mary vs. Virginia – The real story within the story is just how well those white wines and Brie cheese will hold up at tailgate. Have you ever tried drinking a Pinot Grigio in 90+ degree weather? Of course you could put ice in your wine, but then you’d be Virginia Tech trashy. My Pick: Virginia
- Liberty vs. NCSU – I really don’t see this being a very fun game…for anyone involved. The thought of trying to write even 2 or 3 sentences about Liberty or NC State would make my head explode. My Pick: NC State
- Richmond vs. Dook – THE #3 BEST ACC GAME OF THE WEEK! Richmond is a very good team. Dook is not a very good team. Dook is playing at home. Dook is a smart school. Dook has a track around its football field. Dook may lose this game. My Pick:: Dook
- Miami vs. Maryland – This should somewhat be entertaining to see how Miami handles all of the “adversity” thrown their way from Yahoo Sports over the past few weeks. We here at SECBagmen don’t condone their behavior…but being able to party on a yacht and crash jet skis with little to no consequences sounds cool to me. My Pick: Maryland
Da U & The Big East
- Norte Dame vs. South Florida - Wow right off the bat a tough opponent for the Irish. Norte Dame's season is like a long road trip; starts out great then you just get bored as shit. So obviously Vegas likes them against a South Florida program that's beaten FSU in Tally and Miami in Miami. So if Syracuse could upset in South Bend, why not the Bulls? This is a bigger game for Skip Holtz than it is for the Irish. A Holtz returns to South Bend! My Pick: South Florida
- Marshall vs. West Virginia - WVU ushers in a new head coach this weekend, Dana Holgorsen. The same guy who literally threw out his boss to take over his office. Dude's known to put up HUGE numbers by his skill players. New Head Coach. Red-Headed Stepchild. Blowout City. Get your couches ready Morgantown; it's a BET THE FARM pick! My Pick: WVU
- Pitt vs. Buffalo – Dave Winestead moustaches for EVERYBODY if Pittsburg wins! Pick: Pitt
- Louisville vs. Murray State – I don’t like this game partly because I don't know what state Murray State plays their home games in. Also, Louisville has a reoccurring role on the first 48. I say they put up just as many points this week. My Pick: Louisville
- Connecticut vs. Fordham – You just have to ask how much does UCONN value their football program. They placed hurricane supplies on their football field and said "to hell with the football game". Groupon tickets will be honored for another game…and I take Gamblin’ Boss’ opinion about that. (See: Boston College) My Pick: UConn.
- Cincinnati over Austin Peay - Believe me or not, the Governors are a couple years away from knocking off a BCS power. This year, however, is not going to be that year. Again, I’m taking the first 48 theory, and going to assume that because of their reoccurring role, they’ll throw up 48 points. My Pick: Cincy
63 Sports & The SEC
- Utah State vs. Auburn - Chris Cooley wouldn’t even be enough for his Aggies in this one. Auburn is trying to replace Cam Newton, they could play with Wayne Newton under center and still win big. My Pick: AUBURN
- Kent State vs. Alabama - Only two real questions in this one: 1) Which Alabama quarterback, Sims or McCarron, will separate themselves? 2) Does Nick Saban allow his Crimson Tide defense to give up more than 10 points to his alma mater? My Pick: ALABAMA
- BYU vs. Ole Miss - Could be a long year in Oxford. Jake Heaps and the Cougars should win this one on the road. So wait, why did Ole Miss fire David Cutcliffe again? My Pick: BYU
- Montana vs. Tennessee - The talent level at Tennessee is not quite there yet (Bold Prediction: Volunteers use a dominate O-Line to win the East in 2012) but should me more than enough to beat the Fightin’ Lex Hilliards. My Pick: TENNESSEE
- Missouri State vs. Arkansas - Not sure why the Arkansas band wagon has filled up so quickly, but if the hype is accurate this game won’t be more than an exhibition. Our Pick: ARKANSAS
- Florida Atlantic vs. Florida - New offense won’t change John Brantley’s inaccuracy and less than stellar arm. Should be a good game for Brantley to work on things however. Only reason The Bagmen will be watching is to see if true freshman OL Trip Thurman gets in the game. My Pick: FLORIDA
- ECU vs. South Carolina - Connor Shaw will start against the 120th-ranked defense from last year. Shouldn’t matter. Gamecocks should dominate if they want to be considered one of the big boys. My Pick: SOUTH CAROLINA
- Boise State vs. Georgia - Georgia will be a good team, hopefully good enough to keep Mark Richt’s job, but not good enough in this one. Boise State will use experience and, frankly, better talent, to win this game. Should NOT be considered an upset. My Pick: BOISE STATE
- Oregon vs. LSU - One of college football’s traditional trophy games, the Tigers and Ducks will battle for the historic “Will Lyles Cup.” All that 2009 recruiting information should help both of these teams in the contest. Tigers D-Line should be the difference. My Pick: LSU
Service Academy Game of the Week Presented by Palmetto Roofing:
Delaware vs. Navy The last time these two teams got together Super Joe Flacco lead the Blue Hens to an upset. Don’t think it will happen this time. UD is breaking in a new Quarterback and the Middie’s triple option offense is always tough to defend. Midshipmen should defend their home turf and win this one. My Pick: NAVY
Fishsticks & The Big 10
The Big 10 is a joke. I know this is the first season of the expanded conference, but be thankful if you don’t get the Big Ten network this weekend because there’s not much to see:
- Michigan State vs. Youngstown St. – Can Michigan State shake off their terrible loss to Alabama in last year’s Capital One Bowl? Yes. Sparty wins big against Eric Wolford and Youngstown St. My Pick: Michigan State.
- Northwestern @ Boston College – This one really depends on Dan Persa’s status. If he can play I really like Northwestern’s chances, if not this matchup could go either way. Boston College has a great running back in Montel Harris, but their lack of a passing game makes them extremely one dimensional. I’m counting on Persa playing. My Pick: Northwestern
- Penn St. vs. Indiana St. – In last year’s opener Indiana St. lost to a school called St. Joseph’s (IN) 57-7. I’ve never heard of that school. This year their AD thought it was a good idea to step it up a notch and go to Happy Valley to take on the Nittany Lions? That seems like an odd if not irresponsible decision. My Pick: Penn St.
- Purdue vs. Mid Tennessee – Mid Tennessee runs the ball well and Purdue is a notorious underachiever. Look for this one to be pretty close. Should be interesting to see how Robert Marve does after his failed stint in Miami. My Pick: Purdue
- Michigan vs. Western Michigan – The Brady Hoke era begins. How will Shoelace perform in a pro style offense? I think pretty well, especially against this level of opponent. My Pick: Michigan
- Illinois vs. Arkansas St. – Another horrible game. I like Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase a lot and think he has a big game. My Pick: Illinois
- Ohio St. vs. Arkon – The Luke Fickell era begins. How will the Buckeyes team play with half of their starters suspended? Will Braxton Miller get the nod at QB? Either way Ohio St wins big. Their scout team is more talented than Akron’s starting lineup. My Pick: Ohio St.
- Iowa vs. Tennessee Tech – No more Ricky Stanzi. A lot of guys kicked off the team. Some staph infection type outbreak. It was a rough offseason for the Hawkeyes, but this should be an easy win. My Pick: Iowa
- Minnesota vs. Southern Cal – The Jerry Kill era begins. Tough first test for Kill as he takes his team to LA while the rest of the conference plays scrimmages. Unfortunately the Gophers won’t be able to stop Matt Barkley and Robert Woods. My Pick: Southern Cal
- Nebraska vs. Chattanooga – Nebraska eases into their first season in the Big 10 with this cupcake matchup. My Pick: Nebraska
- Indiana vs. Ball St. The Kevin Wilson era begins. Indiana is looking good for the future locking up 5* QB Gunner Kiel, unfortunately he’s still in high school. This year should be another rough season for Indiana but I think the Hoosiers pull out a W on the road against Ball St. My Pick: Indiana
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