The SoapBoxers

Welcome to the 1st annual Johnny Goodman Bowl Spectacular. Tis the season for great (or in most cases not great!) bowl games. Here is the complete lineup of all Division 1 Bowl games for your holiday football season.

December 18th

New Mexico Bowl. BYU vs. UTEP. The Niners have no chance. Stormin Mormans have gotten better as the year has progressed. BYU 52- UTEP – 24

Humanitarian Bowl – Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State. Everyone is a Pat Hill believer, except me. NIU – 40 Fresno St – 17

R & L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Troy vs. Ohio. The Fighting Frank Solich’s are way overmatched against the high speed attack of the REAL Trojans. Troy. 48- Ohio – 21.

You may have noticed I picked all of these dead on the money. That is because I am a freaking genius when it comes to picking bowl games that have already been played. Coincidentally, I really did have all three of these games picked in my ESPN Bowl Mania Pool, so I don’t care if you throw me under the bus, I have points on the board!

December 21

Beef O Brady’s St Petersburg Bowl – Louisville vs. Southern Mississippi – Huh? The strangest name for a bowl game. I would pass this one up as a University President based on the name alone. So Miss – 24- Louisville – 20

December 22- MAACO Bowl – Las Vegas – Utah vs. Boise St. Wow talk about a blowout in the making. Boise St 63- Utah 21.

December 23

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. San Diego St vs Navy. Man, that credit union must be charging some freaking outlandish fees to their customers to be able to sponsor a bowl game. Maybe that is why they matched up the local team against the local fleet parked in the ocean. I will take the Middies! Navy 31- SDSU – 28

December 24

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. Tulsa vs Hawaii – The Rainbow Warriors make like their 48th appearance in their home bowl game. But it will be enough for Jet Lagged Tulsa. Hawaii – 35- Tulsa 21

December 26

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Toledo vs Florida International. When in doubt take the home team here. Toledo is much closer than FIU to Detroit. Toledo – 28- FIU – 21

December 27

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl. Georgia Tech vs. Air Force. Two things of interest here. 1) I guess they will let anyone sponsor a bowl game and 2) this will set a record for fewest passes ever thrown in a bowl game. AF – 28- GT 27

December 28

Champs Sports Bowl – North Carolina State vs. West Virginia. The Mountaineers are superior if the coaching is right. They lose way to many games in my opinion due to bad coaching decisions. But hey they have had three weeks so we will give them the nod. West Va – 28 – NCSU – 20

Insight Bowl – Missouri vs. Iowa – since Iowa students are starting pharmacies and all drinking in their spare time, they have lost good players to this game. The most overrated coach in the Big X against the worst coach in the Big XII that went to a bowl game this year. Tigers – 21- Squawkeyes – 14

December 29

Military Bowl – Maryland vs. East Carolina – Since the Terps canned their coach they will send him out a winner. Maryland – 21 East Carolina – 10

Texas Bowl – Illinois vs. Baylor – Art Briles goes bowling and comes home a winner. I love Robert Griffin III. No really I do love him. Baylor 42- Illinois – 21

Valero Alamo Bowl – Oklahoma State vs. Arizona. Why does Arizona get so much publicity. They got shut out last year in the bowl game, this year they will get blown out. Okie State – 49- AZ – 28

December 30

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl – SMU vs. Army. Nothing makes me want to go out and buy a helicopter like watching a bowl game. June Jones for Heisman! SMU – 31- Army – 10

New Era Pinstripe Bowl – Syracuse vs. Kansas State. Snyder “the rat” is golden with extra time. Cats find a way to get er done. Mildcats 28- Syracuse 17

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. North Carolina vs. Tennessee – Nothing says “Nashville” to me like Franklin American Mortgage Company. NC – 17 – Tennessee – 16

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl. – Washington vs. Nebraska – worst match up of the season. Not even rabid husker fans want to see this one again. Huskers 28 – Washington 14

December 31

Meineke Car Care Bowl – Clemson vs. South Florida – Daaaaaaa Bullls , Da Bulls, Da Bulls, Da Bulls. SF – 21- Clem – 20

Hyundai Sun Bowl – Notre Dame – Vs. Miami – Hurrigangsters way to athletic for the crew from South Bend. Gangsters – 31- ND – 17

AutoZone Liberty Bowl. – Central Florida vs. Georgia – Georgia was dead in the water early in the year. This is late in the year. GA – 24- Cent Fla – 17

Chick-fil-A Bowl – Florida State vs. South Carolina – Gimmie the Ol Ball Coach! South Carolina – 21- Florida State – 17

January 1

TicketCity Bowl – Northwestern vs. Texas Tech – No Persa = No chance for the Wildcats. TT- 35- NW – 21

Outback Bowl – Penn St vs. Florida – Do you really think Urb is going to lose his last game…well we think it is his last game but we also through Brett Favre was retiring a couple times ago too…..FLA – 28- Penn St – 24

Capital One Bowl – Michigan State vs. Alabama – What’s in your wallet? The TIDE! Bama 35- Mich St 10

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl. Michigan vs. Mississippi State – Nothing says happiness like copy machine reptiles. Michigan rolls. Wolverines – 28- Miss St – 20

Rose Bowl presented by Citi. Wisconsin vs. TCU. Since the Rose Bowl won’t allow sponsors they have it “presented by Citi”……whatever. Wisco rolls, blah blah blah….Cheeseheads 52- Frogs – 21

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl – Oklahoma vs. UCONN – other than Nebraska game this one will have about 2 more viewers…boooorrrrrrring. Oklahoma 49 – UCONN 3

January 3

Orange Bowl – Virginia Tech vs. Stanford. Andrew Luck for…well leaving early. Stan – 24- Va Tech 21

January 4

Allstate Sugar Bowl – Arkansas vs. thu ohio state. Ryan Mallet thinks he is back in the Big X again for a day and still ticked off at thuh ohio state since he used to play for Michigan. Ark – 21- thuh ohio state – 17

January 6

GoDaddy.com Bowl – Miami – OH vs. Middle Tennessee State. No one will tune in unless Danica Patrick is the halftime entertainment. Miami – 42- Midtenst – 21

January 7

AT&T Cotton Bowl. Texas A&M vs LSU – somehow the Cotton Bowl thinks moving their bowl game later makes it more appealing….ummmm it doesn’t. LSU – 14- A& M 12.

January 8

Birmingham Bowl – Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky – Wannestadt is gone, Pitt plays ticked off. Pitt 35 – Kentucky 14

January 9

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl – Boston College vs. Nevada. Colin Kaepernick for Heisman! Wait they already voted on that…oh well. Nevada 35- BC – 20

January 10

Tostitos BCS National Championship Game – Auburn vs. Oregon. Everyone predicts a high scoring game but me. Auburn 9 – Ore 7

Thursday

Kansas State (-4.5) @ Kansas – Wildcats still stinging after the Husker beatdown last week. Kansas is T-R-B-L terrible. KSU- 28- KU 17

Saturday

Illinois @ Michigan State (-9.5) – Let down after big win last week. Illinois 21- Mich St 20

Missouri @ Texas A&M (-3.5) – A&M is better than advertised, Mizzou, not as good as advertised. A&M 28- Mizzou 27

Pittsburgh @ Syracuse (even) – One of these weeks the panthers get it done for me. Pitt 31- Syracuse 21

Minnesota @ Purdue (-6.5) – gophers are ticked off after Wisco goes for two late in a blowout last week. Won’t matter. Purdue 28- Minn 14

Texas @ Nebraska (-8.5) – Too many points, Texas has had an extra week but still have worst head coach at a major college program. Corn – 27 – Horn 24

Iowa (-3.5) @ Michigan – Bounce back at the big house. MEEEEEECHIGAN 28 – Iowa 21

California @ USC (-3.5) – I love it when USC loses. USC 31- Cal 28

Arkansas @ Auburn (-2.5) – Match up of the weekend. Ark 21- Aub 19

Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech (-3.5) – Red Raiders have less defense than the cowboys, but are tougher at home. OSU 42- TT 35

South Carolina (-6.5) @ Kentucky – Hanogver after big win. Kentucky 21- SC 17

THE Ohio State (-6.5) @ Wisconsin – Wisconsin running game gets on track WI – 24- OSU 20

Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-23.5) – Clones get rolled for 2nd straight week. OU – 35- ISU 10

Baylor @ Colorado (even) – three words. R – G – 3. Baylor 35- Col 17

Oregon State @ Washington (even) – Why are people still Jake Locker Believers? OSU 31- Wash 20

Thanks all for hanging in there with me as I missed last week … Johnny G has more important matters to attend to … like starting a chemo treatments to battle Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

But enough of the bad news, lets concentrate on Football this week.

Last Week:
Straight Up – 15-5 ATS: 14-6
For the Year:
Straight Up – 77-35 ATS: 60-52
Finally a week to get me off and running again.

College:

Minnesota @ Ohio St (-17) Unless they let Pryor run, they won’t cover the 17. OH St 31- MN 24

South Florida @ Pittsburgh (-6.5) I smell an upset here. S FLA – 21- Pitt 17

Iowa State @ Nebraska (-17.5) Cody Green!  The Huskers win big this week and remove the naysayers. Huskers 42- ISU 14

Colorado @ Kansas St (-4.5) – The Buffs are starting to look good.  KSU leads the Big XII North???  Colorado 21- KSU 21

Wake Forest @ Navy – (-2.5) The Match up of wild and crazy misdirection running games. Navy in a close one. Navy 21- Wake 20

Oklahoma (-8) @ Kansas. A biggie for the Jayhawks. They have a good offense but can they stop anyone? OU 35- KU 28

NFL:

San Francisco @ Houston (-3) The Texans have it rolling, and the nniners are seemingly reeling. A big day for Matt Schaub. Hou 35- SF 17

Indianapolis (-14) @ St Louis. The only issue here is will the Colts cover. I am padding my straight up numbers this week. Colts 35- Rams 14

Minnesota @ Pittsburgh (-5.5) A lot of points. I like the Steelers but this is too big of a spread. Steelers 24- Vikings 21

New England (-15) vs Tampa Bay in London! Tally ho … chalk up another one for the hoodie. Pats 42- Bucs 10

Green Bay (-7) @ Cleveland. I have not seen any life from the Browns to make me a believer. Pack 28 – Browns 17

New York Jets (-6) @ Oakland – Commitment to excellence is playing better than the Sanchise. Give me the Raaaaaaaiders…Oak 10 Jets 7

New Orleans (-7) @ Miami – With the Saints have a hangover after last week….No WAY. Saints 35- Miami – 21

Arizona @ New York Giants (-7) Something tells me Kurt Warner will handle the pressure. But can the cards stop the running game of the G Men? Giants 24- Cards 21

Philadelphia (-7)@ Washington – Who is in more disarray? The Skins with coaching woes or the Eagles who got beat at Oakland last week while looking horrible. Eagles 28- Washington 10

Last Week:
Straight Up – 11-9 ATS: 10-10

For the Year:
Straight Up – 62-30 ATS: 46-46

Meh…so so week for me….Some interesting games this week.

Thursday

Nebraska (-2.5) @ Missouri – Pelini has had this on the calendar since the embarrassment in Lincoln last year.  NE 27- Mizz – 10

Saturday

Boston College @ Virginia Tech (-13.5) – VA Tech is hot and cold.  I see the hokey pokey this week.  VA Tech 35- BC 17

Georgia @ Tennessee (-1.5) – Wow….Tennessee is bad in my opinion.  This should be dawgs!  GA- 28- Tenn – 10

Iowa State @ Kansas (-19.5) – Rack Chalk Jayhawk….this one will be ugly.  KU – 42- ISU 14

Alabama (-6.5) @ Ole Miss – Ole Miss still gets too much respect.  Bama is the quietist #3 ranked team ever.  Bama – 31- Ole Miss 21

Wisconsin @ THE Ohio State (-14.5) – Can Ohio State beat anyone by this much….Goodman says NO!.  OH State 22- Wisconsin 19

Oregon (-6.5) @ UCLA – Oregon is back on track!  ORE – 28- UCLA – 20

Baylor @ Oklahoma (-25.5) No Robert Griffith = No chance.  OU – 49- Baylor 20

Stanford (-2.5) @ Oregon State – Stanford is suddenly the emerald jewel of the Pac 10 conference..  Stanford – 21- Ore St 20

Texas Christian (-10.5) @ Air Force – Frogs Rule…I love the Frogs.  TCU – 31- Air Force 20

Florida (-8.5) @ Louisiana State – Wow that is a big number with no Tim Tebow.  LSU – 24- Florida 21

Michigan @ Iowa (-8.5) – I am not drinking the Tate Forcier water just yet but…..Iowa 24- Mich 20

NFL

Cincinatti @ Baltimore (-8.5) – Ravens look to rebound after tough loss last week.  Balt – 29- Cin 20

Washington @ Carolina (-4)  Team with no wins at home a favorite…Jeeesh.  Washington – 20- Carolina – 15

Pittsburgh (-12) @ Detroit – Maybe no Stafford..not like it will matter.  Pitt- 35- Detroit 10

Dallas (-9) @ Kansas City – Wow the Cowboys are not good.  Romo is not good.  Maybe T.O. got out while the gettin’ was good. KC- 21- Dallas 20

Minnesota (-11) @ St Louis.  How do you spell St Louis?  U-G-L-Y.  Minnesota – 35- ST Louis 17

New England (-3.5) @ Denver- Broncos used too much last week to narrowly beat Dallas.  NE is much better.  New England 24- Denver 14

Jacksonville (-4) @ Seattle – Still no Matt Hasselback?  Jacksonville is clicking on all cylinders.  Jax- 21- Seattle 14

New York Jets @ Miami (-1.5) – Is Braylon Edwards the answer for Mark Sanchez?  Are the Jets still stinging after last week.  Nope.  Jets – 24- Miami 20

Last Week:
Straight Up – 12-8 ATS: 11-9

For the Year:
Straight Up – 51-21 ATS: 36-36

Back to level par on the spread picks for the year.  Most of the upsets did not pan out…so I will take a stab at a few more this week.

Thursday

Colorado @ West Virginia (-17.5) – Too many points, Colorado is overmatched but will make it a decent game.  WV- 35- COLO 21

Friday

Pittsburgh (-6.5) @ Louisville – This one scares me for some reason.  Upset special?  Lousiville 24- Pitt 21

Saturday

Michigan @ Michigan State – Mich State feels disrespected.  Go Green!  Misch St 27- Mich 24

Northwestern @ Purdue (-6.5)  – Seems like the boilermakers will go big here.  Purdue 35-  NW – 20

Kansas State @ Iowa State (-3.5)  -eeessh…battle of the bottom of the Big XII North.  IA St 35- K St 17

LSU @ Georgia (-3.5) – How bout dem Dawgs!  GA- 17- LSU 14

Penn State (-6.5) @ Illinois – Penn State still stinging after last week.  JoPa will have em ready to play.  Penn St 30- Illinois 24

Washington @ Notre Dame (-13.5) – Jake Locker only wins big games at home.  ND pads another easy win but closer than you might think.  ND – 28- Wash -24

North Carolina State (-1.5) @ Wake Forest  – Wake has to do it sometime for me.  WF- 21- NC ST – 21

USC (-6.5) @ California – Antoher intriguing matchup.  Is USC overated?  Is Cal underated?  USC – 28 – Cal 21

Oklahoma (-7.5) @ Miami – Too Many points..Miami in a close one.  They are a different team at home.  The U – 28- OU 24

NFL

Detroit @ Chicago (-10)  Big spread for the Bears but they will harras Stafford early and often.  Bears – 28 – Lions 17

Tennessee (-3) @ Jacksonville – Who thought these teams would have just one combined win between the both of them.  Tenneseee 17- J-ville 14

Baltimore (-1.5) @ New England – The Ravens are the REAL DEAL – Balt – 24- NE 21

Dallas (-3) @ Denver- Cowboys still have not played a complete game..until this week.  Cowboys – 35- Denver 14

Cincinatti (-6) @ Cleveland – Derek Anderson is the savior for the Browns.  CLE – 24- CIN 21

New York Jets @ New Orleans (-7) Match up of the week.  Blitzing won’t frustrate Brees.  Saints 35- Jets 17

St Louis @ San Francisco (-10)  Wow big number..will Frank Gore Play?  Rams cover but lose.  SF- 28 – STL 20

San Diego @ Pittsburgh (-6)  This is a fishy number to me…superbowl hangover?  Pitt 21- SD – 17

Green Bay @ Minnesota (-3.5)  The one we have all been waiting for.  This one should go down to the wire.  Green Bay 21- MN 20

Last Week:
Straight Up – 13-7 ATS: 10-10

For the Year:
Straight Up – 39-13 ATS: 25-27

 A decent week for Johnny G last weekend, I need the worm to turn on the ATS picks.  Thanks to Kosmo for filling in with a sports article on Monday as I had to head out of town for work …. to parts unknown to wireless internet providers …

 Here we go for this week

 College

Thursday

Ole Miss (-4.5) @ South Carolina – Nutt or Spurrier … it is that easy.  SC – 24- Ole Miss 21

Saturday

North Carolina @ Georgia Tech (-2.5) – The Wreck needs a “W” – GT – 24- NC 21

Michigan State @ Wisconsin (-2.5)- We don’t need no stinking badges … Mich St – 27- Wisc 21

California (-7.5) @ Oregon – Oregon is just really not good at all – California 35- OR 21

Miami (FL) (-1.5) @ Virginia Tech – Ouch … still hurting from the Huskers loss last week.  I predict a beatdown this week.  The only team more overrated in the top 15 than Va Tech is Ole Miss – Miami 35- Va Tech 14

Louisiana-Lafayette @ Nebraska (-26.5) – Huskers get healthy this week in the 300^th consecutive sell out in Memorial stadium.  Neb- 42- LFAY – 14

Army @ Iowa State (-10.5) – I have a bad feeling for Cyclonoe fans this week.  Army – 24- Ia St 21

Iowa @ Penn State (-10.5) Too Big of a spread here.  Iowa looks great at times and bad at others but … Penn St 35- Iowa 27

Notre Dame (-8.5) @ Purdue – Purdue is not good, thank goodness for that Irish Fans, as the golden domers continue to pad the schedule with easy wins over overrated bigger name weak big 10 teams … wait … wasn’t that also Michigan … nevermind … ND- 35- Purdue 17

Texas Tech @ Houston (-1.5)  I take the overs … dang … I have to pick someone …. ok … Houston 52- Texas Tech 49

NFL

Cleveland @ Baltimore (-14) –  Cleveland is just plain bad….no way around it.  Baltimore 28 – Browns 14

Tennessee (-2.5)@ NY Jets – The Jets crash this week in a close one.  Tennessee – 21 Jets 17

Green Bay (-8.5) @ St. Louis – The Packers lose a tough one last week…St Louis is not a tough one this week.  GB- 30- STL – 17

Atlanta @ New England (-4) –   New England finds a way to get Brady on track this week..and big.  NE – 31- ATL – 24

San Francisco @ Minnesota (-6) – The vikes have not been tested..Gore won’t go for 200+ this week.  MN 28-  SF 17

New Orleans (-6) @ Buffalo – The Saints are the best team in the league through two weeks.  NO 42- Buff 20

Pittsburgh (-4) @ Cincinnati – Pittsburgh is due for a rebound after a tough loss against the Bears last week – Pitt 21-Cin 17

Miami @ San Diego (-6) – San Diego is the better team in my opinion, and Miami is still smarting for letting one get away last week.  SD- 280 Miami – 20

SUNDAY NIGHT–
Indianapolis @ Arizona (pick em)– What an great matchup of quarterbacks.  Arizona has more weapons at receiver right now than the Colts do….AZ- 24- IND 23

MONDAY NIGHT–
Carolina @ Dallas (-9) – Dallas had four turnovers last week and still almost won.  Cowboys get er done this week.  Dal 27- Carolina 21.

A rough week for Goodman last week as the spread took me behind the woodshed.

Last Week:
Straight Up – 15-2 ATS: 5-12

For the Year:
Straight Up – 26-6 ATS: 15-17

College

Georgia Tech @ Miami (FL) (-4.5) – Two Words…Hurricane Warning. Miami 31 – GT 24

Boise State (-7.5) @ Fresno State – Battle of two states that actually are not states at all. Fresno plays everyone tough but Boise gets the win. Boise St  35 – Fresno St 28

California (-14.5) @ Minnesota – The Golden Bears are good, but not this good on the road. California 31 – Minnesota 21

Louisville @ Kentucky (-13.5) – A much better basketball matchup. Lousiville 24 – Kentucky 21

Tennessee @ Florida (-28.5) – If you ain’t Gator … you’re Gator Bait …. Florida 56 – Tennesee 17

Nebraska @ Virginia Tech (-3.5) – I am not drinking the Kool Aid for the Huskers just yet. Va Tech 28 Nebraska 21

Michigan State @ Notre Dame (-11.5) – Lou Holtz finds a way to make another positive spin on a Notre Dame loss last week … did he go do a pregame speech for them? Notre Dame 35 – Mich St 24

Cincinnati @ Oregon State (-1.5) BearKats get a big road win here. Cincinnati 34 – Ore St 30

Florida State @ Brigham Young (-7.5) – When is the last time Bobby Started 0-2 … I don’t know but it won’t be this year. Florida St – 21 BYU 20

Texas Tech @ Texas (-16.5) – Longhorns get revenge in a big way this year. Texas 42 – Texas Tech 21

NFL

New Orleans @ Philadelphia – (Pick em) No Mcnabb…No chance. Saints 35 – Eagles 28

Oakland @ Kansas City (-3) The Chefs (yes I spelled that correctly), get on track this week. Raiders can’t hold it together outside of Raider Nation.  Kansas City 21 – Oakland 17

Cincinnati @ Green Bay (-9.5) A large spread. An emotional win last week against the Bears. The Bengals cover but lose. GB – 28 Cin 24

Minnesota (-9.5) @ Detroit – Lions get no respect. AP is even faster indoors. Minnesota 35 – Lions 17

New England (-3.5)@ NY Jets – Jets are talking big time about how good they are. New Enland will remind them who is boss. Patriots 35 – Jets 28

Seattle @ San Francisco (-1.5) I like the Seahawks. I like Singletary. This should be a good one. Sea 24 – SF 23

Baltimore @ San Diego (-3) – Last week Flacco looked like Johnny Unitas. San Diego made Jamarcus Russell look like Johnny Unitas. Bad combination. Baltimore 28 – SD 21

Pittsburgh (-3) @ Chicago – The Steelers are just too tough here. The Bears receiving corps needs a LOT of help. Steelers 24 – Bears 14

SUNDAY NIGHT:
NY Giants @ Dallas (-3)– How bout dem Cowboys! They get the Jerrytron the win in the home opener. Dallas 28 – Giants 24

MONDAY NIGHT:
Indianapolis (-3)@ Miami – Even with a depleted receiving group, the Colts are too potent here. Colts 28 – Dolphins 17

Editor’s note: Johnny does get the predictions to me on Thursday, but I like to run this column on Fridays, because of the increased attention to football on Fridays.  Thus, you will see predictions of Thursday night games that have already occurred.

The NFL gets started this week with a battle on Thursday night.

Last week:

Straight Up – 11-4

Against the Spread 10-5

College

Georgia Tech (-5) vs Clemson – The Ramblin Wreck is a team I like this year … Swiney is in over his head this early. Georgia Tech 35- Clemson 14

East Carolina @ West Virginia (-6.5) National talk like a Pirate day is right around the corner. East Carolina 27- WV 24

Iowa (-6.5) @ Iowa State – Hawks escaped last week. This one will be close again – Iowa 24- ISU 21

Fresno State @ Wisconsin (-8) Badgers win, but I think it will be close Wisc 28 – Fresno St 24

USC (-6.5) @ Ohio St – The Buckeyes did not look sharp last week. USC did. OSU never shows up in big games with the vest at the helm. USC 31- OSU 20

Arkansas St @ Nebraska (-24.5) Ark State put up a 62 spot last week. They won’t this week but it will be closer than expected. Neb 38 – Ark State 21

Texas (-33.5) @ Wyoming- This one could get ugly … and should. Texas 56 – Wyoming 10

Syracuse @ Penn State (-28.5) No chance for last minute magic this week for the orange. PSU – 49 – Syracuse – 10

NFL

Tennessee @ Pittsburgh – (-6) A dogfight to start off the year. The Steelers win but in a slugfest. Pitt 14- Tenn 13

Miami @ Atlanta (-4) Sophomore jinx for Matt Ryan? We say … no but Miami 24 – ATL 21

Minnesota (-4) @ CLEVELAND – Welcome back for a third time Bret Favre. Minnesota 31- Cleveland 10

Jacksonville @ INDIANAPOLIS (-7) The Jags always seem to give the Colts fits, and Bob Sanders is out. Colts 20- Jacksonville 17

Detroit @ NEW ORLEANS (-13) I hate taking double digit favorites in the NFL … so I won’t New Orleans 35- Detroit 24

Washington @ NY GIANTS (-6½) Giants need to figure out their passing game. Washington’s defense is improved. NYG – 28 – Washington 20

Chicago @ GREEN BAY (-3½) The NFC Norris Division gets off to one of the best rivalries in the league. Green Bay 24- Chicago 21

Buffalo @ NEW ENGLAND (-10½) Buffalo runs no huddle…T.O. doesn’t like it, they fired their offensive coordinator..and they start against the hoodie. NE 42- Buffalo – 10

San Diego (-9½) @ OAKLAND The Superchargers make a statement early in the season. SD 31- Oak 10

Goodman the Great gives his analysis of this week’s NCAA football games.

Editor’s note: For those who may not be familiar with point spreads, having a negative number next to your team is a good thing. For example, South Carolina @ North Carolina State (-3.5) means that North Carolina State is favored by 3.5 points.

South Carolina @ North Carolina State – (-3.5) The Ol ball coach gets it done in this heated rivalry opener. SC 24, NC St 14

North Dakota State @ Iowa State – (-8.5) The Clones are under a new regime, but they are still a Big XII school. ISU 28, NDSU -10

Oregon @ Boise State (-4.5) Two words…..smurf turf. Boise State 42, Oregon 35

Navy @ THE Ohio State (-22.5) The buckeyes get it rolling early and often on the overmatched Middies – OSU 42,  Navy 17

Georgia @ Oklahoma State (-4.5) I picked the Cowboys as my early surprise of the Big XII…we will see if I am right. OSU 35, Georgia 16

Nevada @ Notre Dame (-17.5) The Golden Domers win, but Nevada covers – ND 35, Nevada 21

Baylor @ Wake Forest (-5.5) A lot of Hype for Robert Griffith. This will determine if it is hype or hoax. Baylor 28, WF 27

Missouri @ Illinois (-5.5) Gone is Maclin, Daniel, Coffman … and the chance to beat Illinois this year. ILL 35,  Mizzou – 21

BYU @ Oklahoma (-21.5) Gresham will miss time, the Cougars are overmatched, but I think it will be closer than you think. OU 42,  BYU 24

Florida Atlantic @ Nebraska (-17.5) The Corn is golden in home openers. Neb 42,FAU 14

LSU (-14.5) @ Washington – Could be a surprise game. High expectations in Baton Rouge … but this is being played elsewhere. LSU 28, Wash 20

Ole Miss (-17.5) @ Memphis – Jevan Snead’s Heisman run begins on Saturday – Ole Miss 42, Memphis 10

Colorado State @ Colorado (-13.5) – Fierce rivalry. Hawkins is on the hot seat, but they get by this week. COL 31, COL St 28

Miami @ Florida State (-4.5) Remember when this was a big game, now it just pads Bobby Bowden’s win totals. FL St, 31 Miami 17

Western Michigan @ Michigan (-11.5) Rich Rodriguez needs a win, and some calmness in the program…I guess they are ready since all the guys have been practicing 80 hours a week. Mich  28, WMU 17