Paul’s Picks for Sept. 3-7, 2009: Point Spreads always are based on Danny Sheridan’s Wednesday spreads in USA TODAY.
I like a lot of smaller schools this weekend as the list of bigger programs taking on little guys features a great many teams loaded with questions (Arizona, Auburn, Clemson, Michigan, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA). I can easily see a couple of those teams fighting for their lives come the fourth quarter this weekend. But, which team to select?
Saturday: Louisiana Tech at Auburn (-13)
With Auburn installing its third offense in the past 12 months, Louisiana Tech is the stable team in this match-up. The Bulldogs return 16 starters from a squad that surprised many by finishing third in the WAC last year. We feel that Tech coach Derek Dooley will make a name for himself by guiding his team past father Vince’s alma mater. Then again, all they have to do is come close. Pick: LOUISIANA TECH +13
Saturday: Louisiana State (-17) at Washington
Sticking with squads from the Bayou, LSU is looking to bounce back from a five-loss season and will begin their redemption tour with a whipping of the Huskies. Don’t get us wrong, we feel that Washington will be improved this year, but with a rookie coach in Steve Sarkisian and a talented opponent looking to make a statement, the season opener will be more of the same. Pick: LSU -17
Saturday: Minnesota (-6.5) at Syracuse
Syracuse is undertaking a total rebuilding effort under new coach Doug Marrone that may produce results down the road, while the visiting Gophers are in year three of a similar effort under coach Tim Brewster. The talent level is lopsided in the visitors’ favor, which will spoil Marrone’s debut and the opener for feel-good-story/quarterback Greg Paulus. Pick: MINNESOTA -6.5
Saturday: Illinois (-6.5) versus Missouri (St. Louis)
This match-up has produced shootouts the past two seasons. Unfortunately for Missouri, there is only one team equipped to score big this season and it is the Illini. We feel that it will take a season for the Tigers to recover from the losses of some of the greatest performers in school history. Pick: ILLINOIS -6.5
Saturday: Toledo at Purdue (-10.5)
With great deal of returning talent at Toledo, we feel that this match-up will go down to the wire in West Lafayette. Basically, until all of the new starters jell for new Purdue coach Danny Hope, the Boilermakers should not be favored by double digits against anyone. Pick: TOLEDO +10.5
Monday: Cincinnati at Rutgers (-6)
True, Cincinnati’s defense was gutted by graduation. And it is also true that Rutgers is opening a renovated stadium. But two more important facts are that the Bearcats have the best coach (Brian Kelly) and quarterback (Tony Pike) in the Big East and should take Rutgers down to the wire in this conference opener. Pick: CINCINNATI +6
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