One more thing about the Red Sox before I give my picks for the week. As a fan of the Olde Towne Team living in New York, I am utterly amazed at the lack of New Yorkers giving me the business about the sudden nose dive of the Sox. Seriously, as a Red Sox fan, I've been more frustrated over the past two weeks than a Colorado prosecutor (think about it . . .), and the worst taunting has been "SWEEP!" from a few co-workers. I'm not sure if the lack of "Boston Sucks" remarks is due to a) Yankee fans are truly nervous that the Red Sox will mount an epic comeback a la 2004, or b) I may jump off the Brooklyn Bridge if things get any worse. I'm leaning towards option b. I have tickets to the Sox/Yankees series in the Bronx next month, and I'm at the point where I may wear a paper bag over my head to the game.
On to the picks.
Notre Dame -6½ GEORGIA TECH
After the Irish crapped the bed in the Fiesta Bowl last season, you know they're ready to prove that their #2 ranking is for real. Even though Charlie Weis is giving the old Patriots "One game at a time" spiel, QB Brady Quinn (who's own sister married former Buckeye A.J. Hawk over the summer - Thanksgiving dinner at the Quinn household may be televised on ESPN2) has dreams of a National Championship, and I think he has a shot of realizing them this season. Additionally, Tom Zbikowski said he would totally knock me out if I picked against Notre Dame. I'm taking Charlie's Angels to win by a touchdown or more.
BUFFALO -6 Temple
This is a new season for Temple. New head coach, new "friendlier" schedule. Sadly - I only see Temple winning two games max this season, though they do play the trifecta of directional Michigan schools (Western, Central, Eastern) as well as 3 other MAC teams to gear up for their 2008 MAC debut. On the other hand, Buffalo didn't score a touchdown until their third game last season, and finished at 1-10. Both teams have rookie coaches and the loser may not have another shot all season to win a game. How's that for pressure. I'll take Temple to beat the spread in this one. Buffalo could very well be headed to a 0-11 year setting up a heated rivalry with Temple for "Worst in the MAC" honors next season.
NORTH CAROLINA -5 Rutgers
I couldn't have made this up if I tried. Rutgers is running a highlight reel of RB Brian Leonard in Times Square as a push for his Heisman candidacy. Uh huh. While Leonard does lead all active NCAA players with 40 touchdowns, he also plays for Rutgers. Sorry Knights, I know I picked you a lot this season, but you have home games scheduled against Ohio, Syracuse, and Howard. I'm looking forward to Leonard's 5 TD game against the Bison on September 23, but I'm also looking forward to Rutgers getting five points and starting the season off on the right foot in 2006 coming away with a win.
Southern Cal -8 ARKANSAS
I'm picking this matchup for the battle of the QB's alone.
Arkansas' Robert Johnson takes on USC's 
John David Booty. Booty vs. Johnson. Johnson vs. Booty. I'll take Booty over Johnson any day. And yes, I am aware that I have become a 7th grader. This decision was a hard one for Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt (hehehe) as the other option for QB was Casey Dick. Seriously. Nutt chose Johnson over Dick. Add to that, USC [fill in embarrassing verb here]ed Arkansas last year 70 - 17. This year won't be quite as bad, but USC covers the spread and wins by 8+. TEXAS -41 North Texas
The post-Vince era has officially begun, and what better way for the defending National Champions to usher in the "we're not really sure how good we'll be without our star QB/lead rusher/Heisman runner-up/team leader than to play the Mean Green of North Texas? I can't think of any way Texas wins this game by less than 6 TD's just so they can show the world that the Champs can survive without Vince. The Longhorns roll over North Texas by 41+.
That's it for this week - see you next Thursday.
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