Here are the CU Independent sports section’s picks for the week:
Amanda Walck – Sports Editor
Georgia Tech 31, Boston College 28 – I definitely like Tech in this one, but only if they can get some good offensive production against another talented ACC team. It isn’t clear yet if Chris Crane can fill Matt Ryan’s shoes.
Southern Miss 17, (9) Auburn 24 – In theory, this game should be an easy one for Auburn. They had better hope they can get this one in the bag before they go play with the big boys at LSU.
(8) West Virginia 35, East Carolina 17 – Let’s face it- West Virginia looks good. Really good. East Carolina doesn’t stand a chance.
Miami-Florida 17, (5) Florida 24 – Tim Tebow will lead the Gators to their first win against the Hurricanes in 23 years. Streaks are meant to be broken.
Louisiana Tech 14, (14) Kansas 31 – If Kansas can find their offensive chemistry and keep the turnovers to a minimum, this game will be an easy one.
Montana State 20, Kansas State 28 – Don’t underestimate the Big Sky Conference- they have some solid teams this year. But with Josh Freeman throwing the ball for the Wildcats, K-State should put on a good show at home.
Air Force 24, Wyoming 17 – I’m from Colorado Springs, so I have to take Air Force. The Falcons’ defense looks ready for this important Mountain West matchup.
Eastern Washington 14, Colorado 35 – The Buffs should dominate offensively for a win at Folsom. And I have a sneaking suspicion that Ryan Walters will have another stand-out game for the defense.
Brad Cochi – Assistant Sports Editor
Georgia Tech 20, Boston College 17 – The Ramblin’ Wreck, who’s stable of running backs put up 369 yards and six touchdowns on the ground last week, will look to run the ball again this week against the Eagles. Georgia Tech will control the ball and hold off BC in the end open their ACC schedule with a win.
Southern Miss. 17, (9) Auburn 38 – Both teams ran the ball well last week against weak opponents. The difference in these two teams is defense- Auburn has one and Southern Miss, well, no so much.
(8) West Virginia 45, East Carolina 20 – East Carolina proved last week that they can compete with some of the best in the country, but I don’t think there is enough fight in these dogs to keep up with Pat White, who has looked better than ever so far this season.
Miami-Florida 17, (5) Florida 31 – This won’t be much of a contest. The University of Miami football program is in a bit of a lull and Florida in the middle of a great several-year run that boasts a national championship and a Heisman Trophy winner.
Louisiana Tech 13, (14) Kansas 34 – Louisiana Tech is a team that threw the ball 41 times last week against Mississippi State and only completed 14 passes for 175 yards. That sort of passing performance won’t be enough to stay in the game long with a team like the Kansas Jayhawks.
Montana State 14, Kansas State 24 – Montana State stole one from the Buffs last season but this year is not the year for the Big Sky conference.
Air Force 24, Wyoming 13 – I like the way the Falcons run the ball. They will control on offense and their defense will keep Wyoming’s score in the teens. I’ll take Air Force in this one.
Eastern Washington 21, Colorado 31 – Eastern Washington is not a team to be taken lightly. They proved last week they can put points on the scoreboard with their passing game. They did not however, prove they can keep points off the board. The Buffs’ have some talented players on offense and a good offensive line. Hopefully Devin Head’s suspension won’t hurt them too much.
Brent New – Sports Writer
Georgia Tech 31, Boston College 24 – Tech’s running offense led by tailback Jonathan Dwyer will pull away late against a Matt Ryan-less Boston College- and everyone tired of Boston teams winning everything they can get their spongy hands on said- Amen!
Southern Miss 21, (9) Auburn 24 – Auburn is almost embarrassed at home again, while cradling their oversized-ranking by the tip of a shoelace. Next up for the Tigers is Mississippi State, LSU and Tennessee- snap!
(8) West Virginia 35, East Carolina 17 – East Carolina will not be sneaking up against the Mountaineers after upsetting Beamer’s Bunch, across the way. West Virginia quarterback Pat White would have to get struck by lightning (twice), cursed by gypsy and dipped in wet cement to be slowed down against the front-four of East Carolina- and even then I would still have my doubts.
Miami-Florida 13, (5) Florida 31 – Miami’s confidence will dim with each Florida quarterback Tim Tebow run. Miami has a couple years before people can even mistake them for a good football team.
Louisiana Tech 10, (14) Kansas 38 – Due to the fact Kansas coach Mark Mangino’s waistline alone is beefier than any non-conference school the Jayhawks ever seem to play– it’ll be another Rock-Chalk- boost your Heisman-stock for Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing.
Montana State 13, Kansas State 42 – Montana State will take an early field goal advantage– followed by three and a half quarters of unspeakable agony and pain. Could be fun.
Air Force 34, Wyoming 20 – Two high powered offenses meet two of the countries stingiest defenses, in a battle of shear will — will NOT be aired here. Instead, it is the tickle-fight of the year, as Air Force will run for over 350 on the ground, and expect Wyoming to be the only team throwing to the guys in blue and white.
Eastern Washington 17, Colorado 41 – Coach Dan Hawkins will put every offensive-trick in the playbook to avoid the Buffs from falling to 0-2 against the cupcakes of Division I-AA, during his reign a Colorado’s headman. Colorado will have to wait until Sept. 18 against No. 8 West Virginia to figure out what kind of football team they really have in Boulder.
Kelly Kirksey – Sports Writer
Georgia Tech 35, Boston College 28 – With two new quarterbacks and teams that had an amazing opening weekend this game will be close but with all talent on Tech’s offense Boston will have a difficult time.
Southern Miss 14, (9) Auburn 35 – Auburn is known to have revamped their offense and it showed in their season opener, not to mention their defense will be too much for the Golden Eagles.
(8) West Virginia 28, East Carolina 21 – The Pirates don’t stand a chance against WV’s experienced quarterback who proved he’s just as good this season as last in their season opener.
Miami-Florida 10, (5) Florida 24 – Miami has a young team that is going into the swamp to face a team that has the Heisman winner and big win experience.
Louisiana Tech 17, (14) Kansas 38 – Louisiana Tech won’t be able to ride on the success of last week, they are facing Kansas’ offensive and well experienced QB.
Montana State 17, Kansas State 42 – Despite Montana State’s great first game they are no match for the wildcats, they’ll put up a fight but still fall short.
Air Force 14, Wyoming 17 – Even though Air Force had a solid season opener they are a running team and Wyoming proved a strong defense in last week’s game.
Eastern Washington 28, Colorado 21 – I love the buffs but Eastern Washington has been putting up some good numbers against big teams.
Connor Fleming – Sports Writer
Georgia Tech 31, Boston College 21 – Chris Crane did a decent job heading the post Matt Ryan era in BC against Kent State. He will find the going much tougher against the Yellow Jackets, who, with any indication from their opener, have a new-look triple option offense that would make Nebraska envious.
Southern Miss 39, (9) Auburn 31 (OT) – Damion Fletcher and the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss look like genuine BCS busters this season while Auburn hasn’t quite figured out the right formula for their own version of the spread offense. Expect this to be a true early-season classic.
(8) West Virginia 35, East Carolina 14 – West Virginia has way too many options for East Carolina to handle with Pat White and Noel Devine being the poisons to choose between. The Pirates can still take solace in the fact that they put one over Virginia Tech but Boise State they are not.
Miami-Florida 17, (5) Florida 28 – It’s a rumble in the Swamp as a heated rivalry begins to show its old luster but whatever kind of struggle this game turns into Tim Tebow will make sure the tide never turns against Florida and that everyone plays nice, the man is a love spreading missionary. Which makes you wonder, what can’t Tim T. do?
Louisiana Tech 10, (14) Kansas 42 – I will guarantee you three things in this game: Kansas wins, Todd Reesing pads his Heisman resume, and Kansas fans do the rock-chalk-Jayhawk routine an unbearable amount of times.
Montana State 14, Kansas State 48 – Montana State is coming off a huge win…over Adams State and next week I see a scheduled game against the college football power that is Minnesota. As a Minnesotan, I know this is a very telling fact for a weak team. Minnesota’s non-conference schedule always reads like a book entitled “Oh Christ, it’s football season again, who can we possibly find in division I-A that we can muster a victory over?” Montana State will be over matched against Big 12 opposition and Kansas State should pull this one out easily.
Air Force 35, Wyoming 17 – The Mountain West Conference heats up with this clash between conference opponents Air Force and Wyoming. Air Force put up big numbers against Southern Utah in their opener and I expect the same this week. Keep an eye on do-it-all Air Force quarterback Shea Smith.
Eastern Washington 7, Colorado 42 – Eastern Washington comes into Folsom, gets beat real bad, and leaves Folsom. If you want a close game against quality opposition this isn’t the game for you on Saturday. However, if you want your choice of what will probably be numerous great seats to watch first-hand the weapons of CU, don’t miss it. Expect a break out game from Darrell Scott and another great performance from Cody Hawkins as our boys warm up for their tilt with West Virginia.
Ryan Atherton – Sports Writer
Georgia Tech 42, Boston College 38 (OT) – Georgia Tech, led by running back Jonathan Dwyer goes up to Boston and wins against the Eagles in overtime to get a huge ACC win on the road.
Southern Miss 23, (9) Auburn 24 – Auburn wins a close one as they are lead by their new starting quarterback Chris Todd. Southern Miss put on a show last week but they lose this nail biter.
(8) West Virginia 31, East Carolina 24 – West Virginia ruins East Carolina’s early season success as the Mountaineers refuse to lose behind quarterback Pat White
Miami-Florida 21, (5) Florida 38 – The Gators are just too talented with Tim Tebow and company. They are playing at home and Miami will struggle to stop them.
Louisiana Tech 7, (14) Kansas 34 – Louisiana Tech had a big win last week against the Bulldogs of Mississippi State, but the Jayhawks are way better than the Bulldogs.
Montana State 10, Kansas State 52 – Montana State. Remember 2006? That doesn’t happen against a Big 12 team this year.
Air Force 21, Wyoming 17 – How is Air Force so good? They just run the option all day long. Well I am taking them for that sole reason.
Eastern Washington 17, Colorado 45 – The Buffs get to 2-0 with an easy victory over this Division II team. Darrell Scott and his fellow running backs will run all over the field.
Constance Ray – Sports Writer
Georgia Tech 10, Boston College 17 – The GT offense is on a role, even on the road, however the Eagles defense can use their home field advantage to get the win.
Southern Miss 20, (9) Auburn 23 – Despite a great showing last week, southern miss might just “miss” out on a win this week. I say, close finish with a game winning field goal.
(8) West Virginia 30, East Carolina 24 – West Virginia holds on to their ranking, on a role to a winning season.
Miami-Florida 13, (5) Florida 27 – That score may even be too generous. The Gators are a powerhouse, can anyone stop them?
Louisiana Tech 17, (14) Kansas 38 – Kansas- enough said. Who likes a nail bitter anyways?
Montana State 14, Kansas State 38 – Montana state? Oh yeah, I remember them. I think they used all their luck in ’06.
Air Force 34, Wyoming 17 – Air Force is looking pretty impressive if I do say so myself. They have what it takes to secure the win.
Eastern Washington 13, Colorado 24 – Colorado comes off of a big win last week and Folsom Field will be electric as they cheer on Cody and Co. GO BUFFS!
Ron Knabenbauer – Sports Writer
Georgia Tech 12, Boston College 17 – Though Chris Crane is no Matt Ryan for the Eagles, he still had a decent showing last week against Kent State. While GT beat down Jacksonville State (not FBS) last week, their quarterback, Josh Nesbitt, had a weak showing, completing less than 50% of his passes. The game is going to be close, but I think the Yellow Jackets won’t be able to finish against BC.
Southern Miss 13, (9) Auburn 24 – Well Brett Favre isn’t walking through those doors for So. Miss and Auburn is too good to not lose this game.
(8) West Virginia 35, East Carolina 14 – ECU beat Virginia Tech last week, but the Mountaineers will be too much for the Pirates to control this time. Watch out CU.
Miami-Florida 27, (5) Florida 24 – A few Gators this week told the press that Miami wasn’t the “U” anymore. I think that will be enough to fire up the ‘Canes to beat their in-state rival. Plus, the Miami Kicking Gods will make sure the Gators’ kick goes wide right.
Louisiana Tech 9, (14) Kansas 24 – Even though the Jayhawks are going to be a one-hit-wonder in the Big-12 this season, they’re going to find a way to beat LT.
Montana State 10, Kansas State 38 – I know MSU beat the Buffs a few years ago, but the Wildcats are not going to let this game get out of control. Plus, KSU actually has a QB that can throw, not like when the Bobcats beat CU.
Air Force 24, Wyoming 18 – This might be the best game of the week, but since these teams play in the Mountain West, you’re not going to hear about it. Both teams are looking to dethrone BYU and Utah atop the conference, but the Falcons will find a way to get the win with their veer offense. Respect the West!
Eastern Washington 28, Colorado 35 – Colorado coach Dan Hawkins hasn’t had to mention their loss to Montana State much this week because the players know what they’re up against. If the Buffs aren’t careful they’ll be lunch again for another Big Sky team. Eastern Washington did almost beat Appalachian State last year, and A-State did beat a very good Michigan. Colorado will not overlook the Eagles in preparation for West Virginia, but Eastern Washington will come out to play.
