The only thing that could push Deion Sanders off the front page of sports news sites is a season ending injury to Aaron Rodgers. That’s the bad news. Good news?? Well, after a week long standoff Disney & Spectrum reached an agreement, so I got my ESPN back just in time to watch the entirety of Rodgers’ much anticipated Jets’ career, which lasted all of four plays. Perhaps karma is punishing New Yorkers for the absolute nut jobs they elect to positions of power. Anyway, I had a great week, going 4-1, while Zach slipped a little, going 1-4. That being said, we’re both off to solid, above .500 starts to the season, so we’ll see if we can keep that going.

My Season: 13-5

Zach’s Season: 10-8

Army at Texas-San Antonio (-9)

The Black Knights are 1-1 after mauling FCS Delaware St. Meanwhile, the Roadrunners are also 1-1, rebounding from a close season opening loss to get by in-state rival Texas St. last weekend. This is a Friday night game and I have plans, so I’m not sure how much of it I’ll get to see. UTSA won the matchup on the road in overtime a year ago, but with the home field I’m confident they’ll win much more comfortably. Zach doesn’t believe Army will win, but despite tweaking their offensive playbook from the traditional flexbone triple option to a more shotgun based attack he still thinks the visitors will control time of possession & slow the hand down. If UTSA’s offense isn’t on the field as much they’ll score less points & are less likely to cover. That’s the theory anyway…we’ll see how it pans out.

My Pick: UTSA

Zach’s Pick: Army

San Diego State at Oregon State (-24.5)

The Aztecs are 1-1 after losing big to UCLA. The 2-0 Beavers have barely broken a sweat thus far. The points are a bit much, but it’d be a huge statement victory for the home team to win by nearly four touchdowns. Conversely, the points are enough for Zach to go against the grain. He feels like the home team will win, but not by more than three TDs.

My Pick: Oregon St.

Zach’s Pick: San Diego St.

Tennessee (-6.5) at Florida

Before the season began I predicted success for the Vols, but had no expectations that they’d equal last year’s 11-2 record & Top 10 ranking. They’re 2-0 and haven’t allowed more than 13 points from an opponent, but now the real work begins. The Gators are 1-1, but feasted FCS McNeese St. a week ago. It’s a pretty big game because the winner can get on with SEC business and try to climb to the top of the standings, while the loser could be negatively impacted to the point that we look back & view this as the moment their season imploded. I’m far too lackadaisical to do actual research, but I will assume that being underdogs in The Swamp has been rare for the home team thru the years. I think Florida is a team in transition, and I don’t know how patient the folks in Gainesville will be with second year head coach Billy Napier. He could solidify some job security with a big upset, but I don’t believe that’ll happen. Zach agrees with me that Tennessee is good not great, but thinks they’ll win by a touchdown.

My Pick: Tennessee

Zach’s Pick: Tennessee

Washington at Denver (-3.5)

The Commanders (for now) got off to a good start with a victory over Arizona, while the Broncos fell to the Raiders. My lack of faith in Denver is reinforced, atleast for the moment, and Washington looks to be as tediously solid as I thought. You’re going to hear a lot about the challenges of playing in the higher elevation of the Rocky Mountains, but I’m not sure that’s really such a big deal. I don’t think we should read too much into Week 1, but I’ve seen enough to stick with my preseason expectations. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington

NY Jets at Dallas (-7.5)

This game seemed a whole lot more interesting a few days ago, but that was before the Cowboys dominated their season opener & the Jets lost Aaron Rodgers four plays into theirs. My predictions that the Cowboys would have a losing record & head coach Mike McCarthy will lose his job look rather shaky at the moment, although I still believe Philadelphia wins the division. Injuries are always a factor in torpedoing preseason notions, but after all the hype & expectation it is mind boggling to see the Jets’ entire year implode so quickly & in such monumental fashion. Zach doesn’t think the Jets need to be all doom & gloom. He believes QB Zach Wilson will be okay and defense & special teams will win some games for them. He’s not all-in on the Cowboys & thinks their offense isn’t that good.

My Pick: Dallas

Zach’s Pick: NY Jets