Week 1: SEC, ACC lines

Week 1 continues here at The Nitty Griddy, where we pay for our tattoos and cars. We're going down south and out east today. Onto the picks!

ACC:

MIAMI -5.5 @ Maryland: Al Golden’s first season at the U wasn’t supposed to start like this, but is he really surprised? 8 players have been suspended by the NCAA for their Labor Day tilt against the Terps for their involvement with Nevin Shapiro, but things could have been much worse. Miami has time to prepare for the game now knowing who will be eligible. Senior QB Jacory Harris is out, but Sophomore QB Stephen Morris is ready to step in. Morris led the Canes over the Terps last season. The Canes will miss Vernon and Spence on the defensive side of the ball no question. Maryland is coming off a 9-4 season and a bowl victory, but has a new Head Coach in Randy Edsall. Sophomore QB Danny O’Brien started 10 games as a true freshman and proved to be an effective pocket passer. There are huge questions for the Terps on the defensive side of the ball, and Miami will take advantage of that. Expect the Canes to cover here.

BOSTON COLLEGE -3 vs. Northwestern: Coach Frank Spaziani comes into his 3rd season atop Chestnut Hill focused on improving his offense from a season ago. A new OC along with Senior tailback Montel Harris should help, but the offensive line has to protect Sophomore QB Chase Rettig. The Eagles ranked last in the conference in scoring last year, which put a strain on the defense. Northwestern comes in with Coach Pat Fitzgerald wanting all eyes on Evanston and his Senior QB Dan Persa. Sophomore RB Mike Trumpy is a threat but expect the Wildcats to throw the ball around. Northwestern has one of the most experienced defenses in the Big Ten. This is shaping up to be a pick ‘em game, but we like Persa and the ‘Cats with the points.

SEC
The two biggest games in the SEC, LSU-Oregon and Boise St.-Georgia, were broken down earlier this week here. Go look if you need them, and enjoy the crumbs.

Auburn -21 vs. Utah St. : Auburn defends its national title as a much less experienced team than the 2010 edition, but the Tigers are still talented. RBs Onterio McCalebb and Michael Dyer, MVP of the title game, lead a young but athletic offense against a tough Utah St. defense, led by Senior Bobby Wagner. There is no way the Aggies offense will keep up, as it still is not clear who will start at QB with just days before the game. The Tigers cover.

BYU -3 at Ole Miss: BYU lines up versatile RB JJ Di Luigi behind QB Jake Heaps and C Terence Brown in one of the more dangerous offenses west of... Well, you know where. Ole Miss is a wreck right now, and DE Kentrell Lockett has zero help up front and could be the bright spot on a horrid-looking defense. Rebs QB Randall Mackey is accurate, but you have to have someone to throw to for that to count. Look for BYU to cover.