Week 1 Predictions: We Made it Home

We made it. We made it through the summer. We made it through a bad basketball season, a hiring of the best basketball coach alive, a bad baseball season, the retaining of a coach that will turn it around, and a hot summer, but now we’re here. Football is back and it’s time for me to start picking games.

Last year was a pretty successful year, but picking against the spread and simulating games on EA Sports NCAA Football made it way too big of a hassle, so this year we’re going back to the basics. I’m picking the score of all SEC games and a few nationally relevant games. That’s it.

Last Season: 166-47 (77.9%)
This Week: 10-3

8/28

Texas A&M at South Carolina – Johnny is gone. Clowney is gone. Who has more left? South Carolina. I’m not near as high on the ‘Cocks as most. They’ll still win 10 games and have nothing to show for it. But the excitement will be way too much in Columbia tonight for a South Carolina win to not happen.

South Carolina 34, Texas A&M 24

Texas A&M 52, South Carolina 28 – FAILURE

Boise State vs. Ole Miss(Georgia Dome) – Ole Miss is the only SEC West team to never make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. So to give their players a chance to make it to the capital of the South, they scheduled them in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff against a team that would have been more exciting 5 years ago. This ain’t the same ol’ Boise, and Ole Miss ain’t bad by SEC terms, so the Rebels will beat the Broncos down.

Ole Miss 38, Boise State 14

Ole Miss 35, Boise State 13 – SUCCESS!

Temple at Vanderbilt – Wow. What a game. I just don’t know what I’ll do until this one kicks off. Way to drum up excitement, Vandy. You are sure to pull a few dozen for this one.

Vanderbilt 27, Temple 13

Temple 37, Vanderbilt 7 – FAILURE

8/30

UT-Martin at Kentucky – Wow. What a game. I just don’t know what I’ll do until this one kicks off. Way to drum up excitement, Kentucky. You are sure to pull a few dozen for this one. But UT-Martin dresses like Auburn, so they’ll win. Nah, I’m just playing. It’ll be close, though.

Kentucky 24, UT-Martin 20

Kentucky 59, UT-Martin 14 – SUCCESS!

South Dakota State at Missouri – Hoo boy, we are just off the chain this week, ain’t we, SEC? Missouri, I knew you were a fake. I knew the only reason you were there last year was because of Florida and Georgia’s injuries. You don’t play in the SEC Championship Game and then back it up playing a team from the Dakotas. You just don’t. Get it out. No, really, get out.

But seriously, for the 2nd year in a row, Missouri doesn’t have an SEC game until Week 5. I want them gone.

Missouri 45, South Dakota State 10

Missouri 38, South Dakota State 18 – SUCCESS!

West Virginia vs. Alabama (Georgia Dome) – Look at Alabama taking that step out and playing that tough non-conference opponent to start the year. They ain’t skeered! What’s that you say? West Virginia won 4 games last year? Oh, but this is a good quality opponent. We should all be like Alabama.

Alabama won’t score an offensive touchdown in the first half.

Alabama 31, West Virginia 14

Alabama 33, West Virginia 23 – SUCCESS!

Clemson at Georgia – I had to look up Clemson’s quarterback’s name the other day, if that tells you how well the Tajh Boyd/Sammie Watkins replacement project is going. Georgia is one of the picks this year to be that team (I’ve written this sentence for 5 years straight). Georgia will win big, though, because Clemson is not even good enough to Clemson this year.

Georgia 35, Clemson 17

Georgia 45, Clemson 21 – SUCCESS!

Idaho at Florida – The vandals will be making the trip to Gainesville this weekend. No, I’m not talking about Florida’s roster. I mean the Idaho Vandals. HEY-OH. Good one, Blogle.

Will Muschamp will begin his redemption tour against a haughty opponent from a conference that no one outside of Idaho can name. Let’s keep those QBs healthy, Boom.

Florida 49, Idaho 7

Florida 0, Idaho 0 – GAME CANCELLED

Southern Miss at Mississippi State – Mississippi State owns the state of Mississippi. Get it? Their name has “State” and “Mississippi” in it, so they have to be the rightful owners. They’ll take that claim and put it up against Conference USA’s might Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles this week. If you want to claim it, you have to knock out all regions. Next they’ll take on West Mississippi. Ok, this is ridiculous. Dak Prescott for Heisman.

Mississippi State 28, Southern Miss 14

Mississippi State 49, Southern Miss 0 – SUCCESS!

Wisconsin vs. LSU (Houston, TX) – Wisconsin is not as good as they’ve once been. LSU is not as good as they’ve once been. But LSU is SEC, and Wisconsin is chunky, cheese-filled white boys. LSU wins big to get that bandwagon rolling. Remember when they beat TCU in similar setup last year and it ended up meaning so much?

LSU 21, Wisconsin 10

LSU 28, Wisconsin 24 – SUCCESS!

Utah State at Tennessee (9/1) – “Watch out for Utah State! They’re dangerous. They’re a good ball club!” says every Auburn fan ever. But really, they ain’t half bad. And the quarterback that almost beat Auburn in 2011 is still there. Chuckie Keeton will make the Vols sweat, and Utah State Aggies will win in Knoxville.

Utah State 27, Tennessee 21

Tennessee 38, Utah State 7 – FAILURE

Arkansas at Auburn – Check tomorrow’s preview for the prediction. Spoiler alert: PAIN.

Auburn 45, Arkansas 13

Auburn 45, Arkansas 21 – SUCCESS!

Other Games of Note

Florida State vs. Oklahoma State (Arlington, TX) – I’m not sure why this game isn’t getting as publicity as it should. You’re got the reigning champ against a team that was in the mix very late in the season last year. And it’s a neutral site? Did Oklahoma State lose everything? I don’t know, but it seems like one of the two decent games on Florida State’s schedule would be getting more. They’ll barely win and solidify their spot in the College Football Playoffs.

Florida State 34, Oklahoma State 28

Florida State 37, Oklahoma State 31 – SUCCESS!

Ohio State at Navy – It’s simple. Ohio State lost their quarterback and is starting a guy who has never taken a snap in college. Navy runs the triple-option. The game is on a neutral field, but basically a home game for Navy. Navy ended last season with 5 straight wins. The odds are in Navy’s favor, so I’m bringing back the Upset Special. Navy wins somewhat convincingly.

Navy 34, Ohio State 24

Navy 34, Ohio State 17 – SUCCESS!

Now that you know who will win, head on over to the 2014 War Blogle Pick ’em and get your picks in. There will be weekly prizes and and overall winner at the end of the season. It’s easy. Do it.