With the NFL commencing this weekend we’ll do one more round of bonus picks (for now) then settle into our normal routine. Zach got the jump on me last weekend, so I’ve got some catching up to do. Now you know why we don’t typically pick West Virginia games, and as far as USC goes, maybe Caleb Williams was actually holding them back. At any rate, we move forward with gleeful anticipation for the Sunday return of RedZone, and once again have five straight days of gridiron action beginning on Thursday night.

Sam’s Season: 3-4

Zach’s Season: 5-2

Iowa State at Iowa (-3)

With all of the inane conference realignment it’s crazy that these two schools still play in different ones. Anyway, the Cyclones opened with a solid win over North Dakota, while the Hawkeyes obliterated Illinois St. The visitors will need to open up the playbook a little more because they won’t win a slugfest in the trenches, and I think they’ll do just that. Zach thinks special teams & field position will be the difference, with the favorites winning at home.

My Pick: Iowa St.

Zach’s Pick: Iowa

Baylor at Utah (-15.5)

The Utes were my pre-season #1, not because I believe they are the best team in the country right now, but because I think they have a chance to survive the carnage of a long season. A season opening victory over Southern Utah doesn’t prove much, but doesn’t dissuade me from my assessment either. Meanwhile, the Bears also beat up some random team no one has heard of last weekend, but have certainly been…uneven…in recent years. Will this be their third straight losing season, or can they win 10+ games as they’ve done five times since 2013?? I don’t know the answer, but I think they’ll go down in flames this weekend. Zach doesn’t doubt that Utah will emerge victorious, but believes they won’t win by more than two touchdowns.

My Pick: Utah

Zach’s Pick: Baylor

Tennessee (-7.5) vs. NC State

The Vols came out strong, beating the snot out of Chattanooga. The Wolfpack didn’t get it going against Western Carolina until the 4th quarter before emerging with a solid win. This is a neutral site game in Charlotte, and I expect a fun contest. However, at the end of the day Tennessee probably scores a double digit victory. Zach thinks it’ll be alot closer and believes NC St. has the offense to maybe…possibly…perhaps…win the game.

My Pick: Tennessee 

Zach’s Pick: NC State

Colorado at Nebraska (-7.5)

Wow…let’s hop in the ol’ DeLorean time machine and enjoy a classic Big 8 battle circa the mid-1980s. We all know that the Buffs receive alot of love from the talking heads, but we also understand why. Credit where it is due, they scratched & clawed out a win against very talented 1-AA/FCS competition last weekend, but now the real fun begins. Meanwhile, after years of wandering in the Desert of Mediocrity some folks think the Cornhuskers are ready to reclaim their spot at the big table alongside other historic football programs. I don’t think we can glean much from a season opening beatdown of UTEP, but it’s a good start. It seems like Colorado has a target on their back for various reasons, and the Big 12 will probably eat them alive. Can they remain unscathed out of conference though?? I don’t believe so. Zach has more faith in Coach Prime than I do and foresees QB Shedeur Sanders balling out on his way to leading the team to a big win.

My Pick: Nebraska

Zach’s Pick: Colorado

Boise State at Oregon (-18.5)

Boise won a high scoring affair over Georgia Southern last weekend, but the step up in competition is exponential now. Some people have very high hopes for the Ducks, who got things started right with a fairly pedestrian victory over Idaho. The points concern me, given the favorites’ unimpressive output in their first game, but I think they’ll kick it up a notch and win by three TDs. Zach has high hopes for Oregon and thinks they’ll take care of business at home.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

Texas (-6.5) at Michigan

Can the defending national champions duplicate their success from a season ago?? Can the Longhorns maintain the upward trajectory they’ve been on the last couple of years?? The oddsmakers seem to have strong opinions since they’ve made Michigan underdogs in The Big House. On paper the favorites are deeper, more talented, and have the stability of a coaching staff that’s been at the helm for a few years, but perhaps we are underestimating the testicular fortitude of the Maize & Blue. I don’t know who’ll win the game, but I think it will be decided by a field goal. Zach has serious concerns about Michigan’s offense but is hopeful their defense can be dominant. However, he regretfully foresees the favorites easily winning this contest.

My Pick: Michigan 

Zach’s Pick: Texas

Baltimore at Kansas City (-3)

It’s an AFC Title rematch, and could be an AFC Title preview. The NFL kicks off Thursday night on NBC, and we will very quickly gather a vibe about expectations. Defense is the deciding factor. We obviously anticipate a high level of playmaking from two elite quarterbacks, so the defense that can negatively impact that will win the game. I will go against the grain and predict a low scoring battle of field position & special teams. Justin Tucker vs. Harrison Butker. Something like 16-9, with the home team scratching out a hard fought victory. Zach opines that KC is known to start a season sluggishly before heating things up in the playoffs. He likes Baltimore to ride their new horse Derrick Henry to victory.

My Pick: Kansas City

Zach’s Pick: Baltimore 

Green Bay vs. Philadelphia (-2.5)

We’re getting a Friday night game too, from Brazil. It’s on Peacock, which is only about $5/month, so I highly recommend investing in it, especially if you are a fan of WWE and/or The Office. Anyway, at the end of last season these were two teams headed in opposite directions. The Packers won four straight games before being defeated in the second round of the playoffs, while Philly lost five out of their final six in the regular season, barely sneaking into the playoffs before being immediately put out of their misery by Tampa Bay. I don’t believe the Eagles are actually that bad and probably fixed most of their issues in the offseason, but Green Bay also improved and signed QB Jordan Love to a hefty contract extension. I foresee some big plays, but ultimately believe the game will be won on the ground & in the trenches, with the underdogs scoring a slight upset. Zach thinks the Eagles are a more proven contender and needs to see more before he can believe in the Packers.

My Pick: Green Bay

Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia 

Jacksonville at Miami (-3)

I feel like the NFL oddsmakers are still in offseason mode, with most of the point spreads being rather predictable. I predicted big things for the Jags coming into this year. QB Trevor Lawrence enters his fourth season at only 24 years old, and the defense is stout. The Dolphins have the home field after a season that saw them lose a wildcard game for the second consecutive year. I believe we’ll see Miami decline ever so slightly this season, while Jacksonville has the ability to surprise alot of people. That starts now. Conversely, Zach thinks the home team is well coached and will win a close battle.

My Pick: Jacksonville

Zach’s Pick: Miami

LA Rams at Detroit (-3.5)

The Lions were up 17 points at halftime of the NFC Title game before blowing it and watching the Super Bowl on television. The Rams fell to these Lions by just one point on Wildcard Weekend. This is the Sunday night game on NBC so the nation will be watching. I think Detroit’s defense is just a little better, and they’ll force a turnover or two to come out on top. Zach thinks the Lions are once again legit Super Bowl contenders. 

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

NY Jets at San Francisco (-3.5)

It’s the first Monday night game of the season, so of course the folks at ESPN want Aaron Rodgers involved. After the shortest season of his two decade career Rodgers seems to have recovered from tearing his Achilles on the fourth play of the opening game a year ago. The question becomes what else can the Jets offer?? Conversely, the Niners lost the Super Bowl in overtime and have a plethora of talent surrounding a second year QB who was the NFL Draft’s Mr. Irrelevant. I believe the Jets will make some noise this year, provided their quarterback’s health holds up, but once again I think they’ll get off on the wrong foot (pun very much intended). Zach concurs.

My Pick: San Francisco 

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco