Spencer's first football picks of 2010

Spencer here.

Now that I'm two, I want to start picking college football games again. Derek will stay with the pros on Sundays and I'll take the amateurs (i.e., not Reggie Bush) on Saturdays.

I have to post early this week since the season kicks off on Thursday night.

I'll try to pick 10 games a week and focus in on schools where my relatives attended. I don't think I'll get 10 this week. These early games are tough for consistency since some of my regulars are playing Division 1-AA opponents and Vegas doesn't post odds on those games. Well, I'm sure you can find them, yet I don't want to look that hard. I'd probably have to go "off the strip" - if you know what I mean.

So, here goes week one:

Minnesota at Middle TN State
Minnesota is a 4-point underdog in this game. Vegas struggles with early season lines (see UW v. UNLV in 2002 and reference the "blackout"). A Big 10 team as an underdog to a school in Murfreesboro, TN with a suspended QB doesn't feel right. Take the Gophers and the points. By the way, my daddy thinks MN Coach Brewster is outstanding. He says the Gophers should sign him to a 20-year contract.

Wisconsin at UNLV
MGM Mirage has the Badgers listed as a 21-point favorite. Vegas Insider (our choice for lines) has the Badgers favored by 17. Kick-off is 10 p.m. Central. Last time I checked, most football players in Madison weren't practicing football at 10 p.m. The Kollege Klub was where you could find most of them at that hour. Badgers will struggle to cover, but will cover the spread as UNLV is playing its first game with a new coach.

Pittsburgh at Utah
My Aunt Carrie has a degree from the University of Utah. The Utes are a 3-point favorite at home on Thursday night. Just because Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt was the Bears coach, cool to my father early in his media career, and has a groovy '70s mustache, I'll take Pitt and the points.

Texas vs Rice at Reliant Stadium on Cullen Blvd in Houston
My mom and dad say they were at the first event at Reliant Stadium (an open house), the first pre-season game (Texans vs. Dolphins) and the first regular seasoon game (Texans def. Cowboys) in 2002. My dad and mom say they lived in Austin and my dad says it's his favorite city in America. The Longhorns are 28-point favorites. Colt McCoy is no longer the QB for the Horns, but his replacement got valuable playing time in the Rose Bowl last year and almost won the game. Rice might get beat by Katy High School's football team (random Houston HS football reference). Take the Horns and give up the points. Hook 'em.

La-Lafayette at Georgia
Between the hedges at noon in Athens, GA on Labor Day Saturday = HOT. It could be a lyric from an REM song. The Bulldogs have a little unknown this year. The Bulldogs are 24.5 point favorites. Mark Richt might be the best person as a football coach in America. My dad says I could play on his team, except I'm a little small. Why the players keep getting arrested and letting the coach down is beyond me, but I'm only two-years-old. Take La-Lafayette and the points. Heat will play a role.

Northern Illinois at Iowa State
Aunt Jill went to Iowa State. Iowa State is favored by 3. Take Northern and the points. A 3-point spread for the home team means the teams are even. Only alumni from either school or men with a gambling problem will pay attention to this match-up.

Illinois vs Missouri in St. Louis at the building formerly known as the TWA Dome
My Grandma and Grandpa Paterson went to Illinois. Illinois is a basketball school and a 13-point underdog. Illinois had a QB named "Juice" - it seemed like he had 9-years of eligibility. Take Illinois and the points.

Boise State vs Virginia Tech
My dad lived in Boise. Boise State is ranked third for no reason - BSU would be middle of the pack in the Big 10 year-in and year-out. Boise State is 2.5 point favorite. Take Va Tech.

That's all for my picks. I'll know more as the season wears on. Remember, these are for entertainment purposes only.

Have a good holiday weekend!