Let The Games Begin

SEC: South Carolina @ Vanderbilt 

The Gamecocks are giving the Commodores 6 to 6 1/2 on the Vegas Hot Sheets. The game is in Nashville and Vandy has not been in a bigger game in years… I am interested in seeing how Jordan Rodgers (Vandy’s QB) will play and I expect Vanderbilt’s defense to play with a ton of emotion… while good….Not enough … to stop Connor Shaw and Marcus Lattimore on offense and way to much Taylor, Clowney, & Holloman for Vandy’s O-line to handle. Look for Carolina to win this late… South Carolina 28 Vanderbilt 10 

Big Ten / Mountain West … Minnesota @ UNLV:

No question the fun guy in this game is MarQueis Gray (6’4 245) the Gophers QB and primary weapon on offense. Minnesota will go on offense as Gray goes… if UNLV is able to handle Gray the chances for the upset are very good. The Rebels return their leading rusher, RB Tim Cornett (671 yards, 7 TD’s, & 5.6 YPC) while LB Princeton Jackson leads the defense. Look for Minnesota to win this one (1st meeting between these teams) with Big Ten power overwhelming Mountain West speed. Minnesota 35 UNLV 20

WAC / Big 12 Louisiana Tech @ Texas A&M:

Postponed due to weather!

MAC / Big East …. Massachusetts @ Connecticut:

U-Mass in their first game as an FBS team take on a New England rival in traveling to U-Conn. A year ago the Minutemen struggled in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with a 5-6 record. Keep in mind the CAA is a FCS league and while a good… to maybe the … best conference in that subdivision …  it is a long, long way from the quality in the Big East. Check out RB Lyle McCombs, TE Ryan Griffin & OG Adam Masters potential All Big East Players for 2012. While on D U-Conn is led by DE Trevardo Williams and CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson.  U-Mass has few counter weapons … watch OT Nick Speller, TE Jerome Lewis and on defense… LB Perry McIntyre… all three should be able to compete on this level!     U-Conn 42 U-Mass 7

PAC 12 / C-USA … UCLA @ Rice:

The Bruins  are giving the Owls 15 1/2 to 17 points in their opener @ Rice Stadium in Houston. UCLA’s TE Joseph Fauriaand WR Shaquelle Evans (ND Transfer)will lead the offense; while Patrick Larimore, who was to spearhead the defense attack has left the team do to concussions. UCLA defense is a point of interest in tonight’s game! Rice counters with TE Luke Wilson and former Michigan RB… moved to WR, Sam McGuffie. On defense, the Owls have two very good LBs Cameron Nwosu & Kyle Prater and an outstanding CB Bryce Callahan..UCLA is picked second in the PAC 12 South to USC and should “out athlete” Rice for a relatively easy road win. UCLA 35 Rice 17 

Independent @ PAC 12… Washington State @ BYU:

A very interesting game! Mike Leach, former T-Tech coach has arrived and things look different in Pullman. WSU’s QB Jeff Tuel should be fun to watch in Leach’s offense and LB Travis Long is one of the best in the PAC 12. BYU is coming off a 10-3 season and with 14 starters back should find a way in this game. The Cougars (BYU) are giving the Cougars (WSU) 11 1/2 to 13. I do not think so…. WSU begins the Leach era with a stunning upset of BYU! Washington State 31 BYU 28