Thursday, September 02, 2010

Pre-Michigan notes and week 1 of picks

No word on injuries this week until the official UConn release, expected between 6 and 7 p.m. That's the new policy. Edsall will be mum on the weekly Thursday update call.

Edsall said six true freshmen will travel to Michigan: Leon Kinnard, Gilbert Stlouis, Taylor Mack, Yawin Smallwood, Byron Jones and Reuben Frank. The three who aren't on the depth chart (Smallwood, Jones and Frank) likely won't play, and the hope is to redshirt them.

Scout team players of the week were J-J Louis on offense, Smallwood on defense and Brandon Steg on special teams.

Practice today in 95 degree heat once again before the team charter leaves at 2 p.m. from Bradley for Ann Arbor. Some rain expected, but no delays anticipated as it will likely beat the heavy stuff from Hurricane Earl.

On to the picks...

After much debate, I decided to run the picks contest again this year. Feel free to post your own in the comments section. I'll even keep weekly stats and offer up the blog for the day as prize for whoever gets the most right at the end of the season. Someone even took me up on it last year.

Game 1: Purdue (+11) over NOTRE DAME - Notre Dame successfully lobbied NBC to change its policy on commercial breaks to accommodate Brian Kelly's new no-huddle offense. Why didn't Joe Moorehead think of that? Oh, yeah. He would have been laughed out of a job.

Game 2: Connecticut (+3) over MICHIGAN - Rich Rodriguez spent much of the week talking about what a great program UConn has become, and how difficult an opponent the Huskies will be on Saturday. It may be true. But for the sake of Rich-Rod's job security, let's hope the Michigan boosters and administration buys it. I don't think they will.

Game 3: Kentucky (-3) over LOUISVILLE - After six seasons stomping opponents into piles of their own innards at Florida, new Louisville coach Charlie Strong might feel a little like Charlie Brown this season.

Game 4: Syracuse (-9) over AKRON - Tough call. We know Syracuse doesn't like to win by too much. The Orange know a losing team has feelings, too.

Game 5: Oregon State (+13.5) over TEXAS CHRISTIAN - Oregon State always a slow starter, but I think they'll hang close enough to cover.

Game 6: LSU (-5) over North Carolina - Butch Davis has Chapel Hill looking more and more like the "U" every day.

Game 7: Cincinnati (+2.5) over FRESNO STATE

Game 8: WEST VIRGINIA (-38) over Coastal Carolina - This spread holds as long as Noel Devine stays away from shellfish the night before the game. Then, it might dip to 37.5.

Game 9: SOUTH FLORIDA (-40) over Stony Brook - The post-Jim Leavitt era begins. In his honor, I will speak no more than two words at a time today. I also put my head through a car windshield to pump myself up for this blog entry.

Game 10: KANSAS STATE (-1.5) over Ucla -

Game 11: VIRGINIA TECH (+2) over Boise State - Too much national championship hype surrounding Boise. It'll end after one week.

18 comments:

  1. Chip's picks
    Game 1: Purdue (+11) over NOTRE DAME
    Game 2: Connecticut (+3) over MICHIGAN
    Game 3: Kentucky (-3) over LOUISVILLE
    Game 4: Syracuse (-9) over AKRON
    Game 5: Oregon State (+13.5) over TEXAS CHRISTIAN
    Game 6: LSU (-5) over North Carolina
    Game 7: Cincinnati (+2.5) over FRESNO STATE
    Game 8: WEST VIRGINIA (-38) over Coastal Carolina
    Game 9: SOUTH FLORIDA (-40) over Stony Brook
    Game 10: KANSAS STATE (-1.5) over Ucla
    Game 11: VIRGINIA TECH (+2) over Boise State

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm in this year.

    Game 1: Purdue (+11)
    Game 2: Connecticut (+3)
    Game 3: Kentucky (-3)
    Game 4: AKRON
    Game 5: Oregon State
    Game 6: LSU (-5
    Game 7: FRESNO STATE
    Game 8: WEST VIRGINIA
    Game 9: Stony Brook
    Game 10: KANSAS STATE
    Game 11: VIRGINIA TECH

    ReplyDelete
  3. Purdue
    UConn
    UK
    Akron
    TCU
    UNC
    Cincy
    WVU
    USF
    KSU
    VT

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pete's picks:
    Game 1: Purdue
    Game 2: Connecticut
    Game 3: Kentucky
    Game 4: AKRON
    Game 5: TEXAS CHRISTIAN
    Game 6: LSU
    Game 7: Cincinnati
    Game 8: WEST VIRGINIA
    Game 9: SOUTH FLORIDA
    Game 10: KANSAS STATE
    Game 11: VIRGINIA TECH

    ReplyDelete
  5. Game 1: NOTRE DAME
    Game 2: Connecticut
    Game 3: LOUISVILLE
    Game 4: Syracuse
    Game 5: Oregon State
    Game 6: LSU
    Game 7: Cincinnati
    Game 8: WEST VIRGINIA
    Game 9: Stony Brook
    Game 10: Ucla
    Game 11: Boise State

    That Oregon State line is absurd. I wish I lived in Vegas to drop a small fortune. TCU may win but they ain't winning by 2 TDs.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Back for some picks, I'm ready.

    By the way, Chip, if you need some help on scoring the picks, or deciding on which games to choose, I'm happy to lend a helping hand.

    TO THE PICKS:
    Game 1: Notre Dame
    Game 2: UConn
    Game 3: Kentucky
    Game 4: Cuse
    Game 5: TCU
    Game 6: LSU
    Game 7: Fresno
    Game 8: WVU
    Game 9: Stony Brook
    Game 10: UCLA
    Game 11: Boise State

    ReplyDelete
  7. Game 1: NOTRE DAME
    Game 2: Connecticut
    Game 3: Kentucky
    Game 4: Syracuse
    Game 5: TEXAS CHRISTIAN
    Game 6: LSU
    Game 7: FRESNO STATE
    Game 8: WEST VIRGINIA
    Game 9: SOUTH FLORIDA
    Game 10: Ucla
    Game 11: VIRGINIA TECH

    ReplyDelete
  8. UconnBob's picks
    Game 1: Purdue (+11) over NOTRE DAME
    Game 2: Connecticut (+3) over MICHIGAN
    Game 3: LOUIEVILLE (+3) over Kentucky (-3)
    Game 4: Syracuse (-9) over AKRON
    Game 5: Oregon State (+13.5) over TEXAS CHRISTIAN
    Game 6: LSU (-5) over North Carolina
    Game 7: Cincinnati (+2.5) over FRESNO STATE
    Game 8: WEST VIRGINIA (-38) over Coastal Carolina
    Game 9: Stony Brook (+40) over SOUTH FLORIDA
    Game 10: Ucla (+1.5) over KANSAS STATE
    Game 11: Boise (-2) over VIRGINIA TECH

    ReplyDelete
  9. Game 1: Purdue
    Game 2: MICHIGAN
    Game 3: Kentucky
    Game 4: AKRON
    Game 5: TEXAS CHRISTIAN
    Game 6: LSU
    Game 7: FRESNO STATE
    Game 8: WEST VIRGINIA
    Game 9: Stony Brook
    Game 10: KANSAS STATE
    Game 11: VIRGINIA TECH

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd love to join this clam bake, but I've grown tired of putting a beating on you in Picks Leagues. Let's just say that the "Minor League" portion of your "Minor League Maestro" blog title is not only appropriate for the superior knowledge you possess about talent in the lower circuits...it is also very fitting of your prowess (or lack of) in making educated football picks!

    ...Love the "Minor League Maestro" title though. The person who thought of that must be very clever...

    ReplyDelete
  11. In it to win it!
    Game 1 : UCONN +3
    Game 2 : Purdue +11
    Game 3 : Louisville +3
    Game 4 : Akron +9
    Game 5 : Oregon State + 13.5
    Game 6 : LSU -5
    Game 7 : Cincy +2
    Game 8 : Coastal Carolina +38
    Game 9 : Stony Brook + 40
    Game 10 : UCLA (+1.5)
    Game 11 : VT (+2)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your once proud softball skills aren't the only thing failing you, oh anonymous one.

    I was second in your picks league, and you weren't first...

    No way you're ducking the picks here. Get them in, Maestro. I await your picks as well as a Pearl Jam-inspired nickname

    ReplyDelete
  13. Vinny from East HavenSeptember 03, 2010 8:00 PM

    Vinny says:
    1. Notre Dame
    2. Michigan
    3. Kentucky
    4. Syracuse
    5. TCU
    6. LSU
    7. Fresno St.
    8. West Virginia
    9. Stony Brook
    10. UCLA
    11. Virginia Tech

    So who's playing for second place this year, fellas? It's going to be fun to see all your reactions when you're hit with the double whammy of UConn losing eight games and me winning the picks.

    What's the over/under on another player getting dismissed from the team this week?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Game 1: NOTRE DAME
    Game 2: Connecticut
    Game 3: Kentucky
    Game 4: Syracuse
    Game 5: Oregon State
    Game 6: LSU
    Game 7: FRESNO STATE
    Game 8: WEST VIRGINIA
    Game 9: Stony Brook
    Game 10: Ucla
    Game 11: Boise State

    ReplyDelete
  15. Game 1: Purdue
    Game 2: Connecticut
    Game 3: Kentucky
    Game 4: AKRON
    Game 5: Oregon State
    Game 6: LSU
    Game 7: FRESNO STATE
    Game 8: Coastal Carolina
    Game 9: Stony Brook
    Game 10: KANSAS STATE
    Game 11: Boise State

    ReplyDelete
  16. Standings with Boise-VT game still to go...

    1. Chip 6-4-1
    B-Stew 6-4-1
    3. Ian 5-5-1
    Gabe 5-5-1
    sammy 5-5-1
    vinny 5-5-1
    caleb 5-5-1
    8. pete 4-6-1
    gary 4-6-1
    10. BostonDan 3-7-1
    govphalen 3-7-1
    seanO 3-7-1
    uconnbob 3-7-1

    Sammy and Vinny from East Haven the only two to pick Michigan...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Final results week 1
    1. B-Stew 7-3-1
    2. Chip 6-4-1
    caleb 6-4-1
    4. Ian 5-5-1
    Gabe 5-5-1
    sammy 5-5-1
    vinny 5-5-1
    gary 5-5-1
    19. pete 4-6-1
    seanO 4-6-1
    Uconnbob 4-6-1
    12. BostonDan 3-7-1
    govphalen 3-7-1

    ReplyDelete
  18. these standings should be right...the tie messed me up on the early results, so those are wrong.

    ReplyDelete