Week 1: The picks keep on coming in...

By TNG

Last night just whet the appetite of college football fans across the nation and gave an alternative for the hopeless NFL fan so desperate for football that they'll sit through the second half of preseason games in Week 4.  South Carolina escaped with a victory, but took a beating physically.  Mike Leach's team showed they have a lot of work to do, as BYU manhandled them.  Let's hit 4 quick picks to get you holiday weekend off to a good start...

Marcus says...

Boise State @ Michigan St. -6.5


I'll be live tweeting (cell service permitted) from the beautified Spartan Stadium as Sparty welcomes in the darling Broncos of Boise State.  Our staff is all about this game and all about the Green & White.  I'm taking MSU to cover as well.  Will Gholston is going to give Junior QB Southwick fits, while Senior QB Andrew Maxwell will take advantage of the opportunity he's been waiting for.

Western Michigan +10 @ Illinois
The Bronco led at halftime last year, with yours truly in attendance, but ran out of steam in the second half.  Call it a homer pick but I like Senior QB Alex Carder to play very well in Champaign against a team that's really looking to find an identity under first year head coach Tim Beckman.  Take WMU and the points.

Michigan vs. Alabama -14 (Dallas, TX)

Bama putting Michigan on the schedule to start the year is admirable considering the meat grinder that the SEC schedule presents.  14 seems like a lot of points here, but I expect experience to win out over potential.  Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide live for these big games and typically don't disappoint.  Brady Hoke has the maize and blue heading in the right direction, but their success will come in conference.  Take Bama to cover.

Marshall +25.5 @ West Virginia
I doubted QB Geno Smith and the Mountaineers in the Orange Bowl last year and they proceeded to put up 70 on Clemson.  As Smith enters his Senior year, 3rd as a starter and a darkhorse Heisman candidate, WVU looks for consistency from him as they transition into the Big 12.  The Mountaineer defense is the big unknown here and they only beat Marshall by a 21 point margin last year.  Sophomore Rakeem Cato will be under center for the Herd.  I'm taking Marshall and the points in a loss in Morgantown.  And I've doubted Geno again.   Marcus is 0-0 on the season.