While the big game of the weekend -- Boise St and Virginia Tech -- doesn't kick off for five days, the opportunity to make money starts tomorrow, when a host of games kickoff. The crew expects to have their first Super Play of the young year, so stay tuned.
Today, let's go over some of long-range picks, plus some fun facts that we accumulated over the past few weeks.
Picks
National Champion
Oklahoma
We like the Sooners to beat Boise St. in a rematch of their epic 2006 Fiesta Bowl. Yes, a lot of talent is gone from last year, including four players who were picked in the top 20 of the NFL Draft. But few teams are as equipped to deal with those kinds of losses as Oklahoma. The last time the Sooners were coming off a five-loss season was in 2000. They won the national title that year, beating Florida State in the Orange Bowl.
Heisman
DeMarco Murray, OU
As a freshmen and sophomore Murray, from the Playhouse's old stomping ground in Las Vegas, was one of the most dynamic, exciting players in the country, drawing comparisons to Reggie Bush. Last season, however, was a lost year, as Murray rarely saw the field dealing with a wide-array of injuries. We've heard Kirk Herbstreit call this Murray's contract year. It's an apt analogy, and we expect him to blow up.
Most Surprising Team
USC
Most polls have the Trojans outside of the top 15. That's ridiculous for a team with this much talent. USC's problem last season was two-fold: an inconsistent offense and a defense that didn't make as many plays as it had in year's past. With Matt Barkley having a year under his belt and Monte Kiffin bringing some new, NFL-tested schemes to Los Angeles, we expect the Trojans to be one of the best teams in the country, easily capable of a ten-win season.
Most Disappointing Team
Alabama
While we believe Alabama will be one of the best teams in the country, we don't like them to win their division, let alone the national title. The reason? Their schedule, which is brutal. Their last six opponents all have byes the week before they play the Tide. No way they overcome that. Auburn or Arkansas wins the SEC West, and 'Bama finishes with three losses. Consider them a good under play.
Fun facts (in no particular order)
- LSU is under .500 (8-9) in their last 17 SEC games
- Kentucky's SEC record since 2007 is 8-16 -- and they have gone to a bowl each year.
- Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett completed 43 percent of his passes on the road last season. At home, he completed 68 percent.
- Penn St is scheduled to play three road games against teams that won a BCS bowl game last season(Alabama, BCS Title; Iowa, Orange; Ohio St, Rose).
- Houston quarterback Case Keenum already has two 5,000 yard passing seasons
- Oklahoma faces nine teams that went to bowls last year
- Since 2001, only two teams from BCS conferences have failed to beat an opponent ranked 19 or higher by the AP. One is Duke. The other is Nebraska.
- The ACC is 1-9 in their last 10 BCS games
- Virginia didn't gain 300 yards of total offense in a single ACC game last season
- Florida St has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since 1996 (Warrick Dunn)
- Since 2002, USC has been an underdog twice (Auburn, '03; Oregon, '07) and a four-touchdown favorite over 20 times
- Boise St. is 75-44-2 ATS over the last ten years, including 38-17 at home
- Boise St. quarterback Kellen Moore is 26-1 as a starter (TCU, '08 Poinsetta Bowl), throwing for over 7,000 yards, 64 TDs and just 13 ints.
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