College Football Picks: Week 1, 2009

College Football Picks (Week 1, 2009): 3-2 (+$350)

College Football Picks (2009 Season): 3-2 (+$350)
College Football Picks (2008 Season): 49-38 (+$3,020)

By the way, the third-annual Walter/Joker Annual Challenge is on, as I’ll be competing with the Joker’s College Picks. We each pick five games and see who does the best each week.


Oregon (0-0) at Boise State (0-0)
Line: Boise State by 4.

Thursday, 10:15 ET

I love betting live home underdogs under the weeknight lights when the action is going the opposite way of the spread. Unfortunately, Boise State is favored, and with 87 percent of the money on the Ducks, the line has dropped from -5.5 to -4.

That said, I still like the Broncos. This will be on a weeknight on national TV, and it happens to be a huge game for Boise State’s program.

Prediction: Boise State 34, Oregon 24
Boise State -4 (2 Units) — Correct; +$200
Boise State 19, Oregon 8






Western Michigan (0-0) at Michigan (0-0)
Line: Michigan by 13.

Saturday, 3:30 ET

I feel as though if you didn’t look at the names of these two schools and just focused on the talent, this spread would be about 3-5 points. This line is inflated because Michigan is Michigan, while Western Michigan is some MAC school no one knows about.

The Wolverines are not a very good team. They have some talent, but I can’t see them beating the Broncos by two touchdowns. Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller is very talented and will keep this contest close. Don’t be shocked if this is an upset.

Prediction: Western Michigan 31, Michigan 27
Western Michigan +13 (2 Units) — Incorrect; -$220
Michigan 31, Western Michigan 7





Georgia (0-0) at Oklahoma State (0-0)
Line: Oklahoma State by 5.5.

Saturday, 3:30 ET

Georgia has a brand new backfield, so asking them to get into a shootout with Oklahoma State’s high-powered offense is too much. The Bulldogs are definitely a talented team, but I don’t expect this contest to be close with a new quarterback starting in a hostile environment.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 31, Georgia 14
Oklahoma State -5.5 (2 Units) — Correct; +$200
Oklahoma State 24, Georgia 10






Virginia Tech (0-0) vs. Alabama (0-0)
Line: Alabama by 6.5.

Saturday, 8:00 ET

This is a neutral-site game that is being billed as the premier matchup in Week 1. I don’t agree.

Virginia Tech has a one-dimensional offense which a tough defense like Alabama will eat alive. The Hokies can’t throw the ball, but they planned on relying heavily on running back Darren Evans. The problem is that Evans is out for the year.

When I first learned that these two squads were playing each other, I was expecting the line to be around 13. I couldn’t believe it when I saw that Alabama was laying only 6.5. In my opinion, this is a huge mismatch.

Prediction: Alabama 24, Virginia Tech 6
Alabama -6.5 (5 Units) — Correct; +$500
Alabama 34, Virginia Tech 24



LSU (0-0) at Washington (0-0)
Line: LSU by 17.5.

Saturday, 10:30 ET

You’re not going to make a lot of money laying 17.5 points on the road, but this is one instance where that appears lucrative.

Washington is terrible; I’ll be surprised if it wins three games this year. LSU, meanwhile, has a dominant defense and a great rushing attack that can travel on the road and fare very well.

Prediction: LSU 34, Washington 0
LSU -17.5 (3 Units) — Incorrect; -$330
LSU 31, Washington 23



NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


2024 NFL Mock Draft - Feb. 21


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12




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