10 Best Football Games!

Last week, when I did exclusively college games, I fared pretty well, and went 7-3. But, a lot of those were cupcake games, so in all actuality, out of the five best games last week, I only went 2-3, not too good. This week poses an even bigger challenge, as now I have zero cupcake games on the schedule. So, hopefully I fare better than last week's paltry effort. This week in college brings only one game between ranked teams, and the others are all just unique games between non conference foes. Then, in the NFL, week one brings five really interesting games. Plus, all five of my games in the NFL will feature at least one playoff team from last season. Now, onto the picks! O, plus, I'm stealing osme of my stats from the always helpful Pat Forde of espn.com. Please read the Forde-yard dash as he calls it: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/6935047/michigan-wolverines-maryland-terrapins-utah-state-aggies-give-us-talk-about

Arizona at # 9 Oklahoma State, 8 p.m. Thursday, ESPN

These two teams love to throw the ball, and both teams don't have that good of a defense, so this game should be a lot of fun to watch. Oklahoma State features Justin Blackmon, the best wide receiver in the college game. To give you an example of how good Blackmon is, he caught 21 touchdowns last season in 12 games, or nearly two per game. Then, with Arizona, they have veteran Nick Foles, who could be a sleeper pick in next year's draft. Both teams are coming off big home wins against cupcake opponents and this will be their first true test. Go with the Cowboys here, as they are at home.

Pick: OSU 52, Arizona 48

# 21 Mizzou at Arizona State, 10:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN

Arizona State wiped the floor with their division 1-AA opponent last weekend UC Davis, now comes a much tougher test when the third best Big 12 team comes into town. Mizzou only won 17-6 last week against a bad Miami (OH) team. Now, they'd better get focused quick, or else they will score even less against ASU's stout defense.

Pick: ASU 23, Mizzou 10

# 3 Alabama at #23 Penn State, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Both teams rolled over their weak opponents last week in preparation for this big game. Last year Alabama rolled over Penn State 27-3 in Tuscaloosa when Penn State really didn't have a quarterback, or much of an offense at all to speak of. This year, Penn State has two good running backs in Silas Redd and Stephon Green. While the Nittany Lions still are questioning who to start at quarterback, so are the Tide. However, Alabama probably has the best defense in the country, and that will be the difference.

Pick: Alabama 21, Penn State 14

Utah at USC, 7:30 p.m., Versus

This is the first Pac-12 game for both teams, and the first ever BCS conference game for the Utes who are moving over from the Mountain West. USC really struggled last week against a lowly Minnesota team, eking out a 19-17 victory. Meanwhile Utah cruised passed their division 1-AA opponent Montana State. But, the Utes will need to complete a pass which is 10 yards or longer to win their first conference game.

Pick: USC 24, Utah 13

Notre Dame at Michigan, 8 p.m., ESPN

This game is significant for one reason: it's the first night game ever at the big house in Michigan. So, for that reason only, Michigan should be pumped up and ready to go. Secondly, the Wolverines are facing maybe their second biggest rival after Ohio State in Notre Dame. Therefore, the noise level inside of that stadium is going to be off the charts. Notre Dame and new starter Tommy Rees will have to try and keep calm and not commit the five turnovers the Irish had last week, all in the red zone. If the Irish don't turn the ball over, they could have a shot. But, with all of the emotion going into this game, I see no way Michigan losing.

Pick: Michigan 31, Notre Dame 21

NFL

New Orleans at Green Bay, Thursday 8:30 p.m., NBC

This game pits the last two Super Bowl winners against one another, and two of my picks to win their divisions against one another. Green Bay should be incredibly hyped up for this game, and it's the first real game since February, so the nation will be tuning in right after Obama's speech to watch this game. Both teams bring prolific offenses to the table, so you'd think this would be a high scoring game, but New Orleans hasn't been all that great in Thursday opening games, so I'm not expecting a turn around here. Green Bay should be firing on all cylinders though I think.

Pick: Green Bay 31, New Orleans 14

Philadelphia at St. Louis, 1 p.m., FOX

Again, another game in which I picked two division winners. However, this time, I'm going totally homer and fan pick, with the Eagles. This game is the start of the sprint which is the NFL season, and to see if the Eagles can protect Mike Vick. This game will also be a good test for the Eagles new group of linebackers, as the Rams will be running the ball a lot with Steven Jackson. If Jackson picks up more than 100 yards on the ground, this could spell trouble not only for the linebacking group as a whole, but the game too. The Eagles will win this game, but closer than you may think.

Pick: Philadelphia 27, St. Louis 21

Atlanta at Chicago, 1 p.m., FOX

This is a very interesting game in the first week, as both teams are coming off playoff appearances and are trying to win now. Atlanta will want to try out their new weapon in Julio Jones early and often. Jay Cutler should be fully healed from whatever ailed him in the NFC title game, and the Bears are hoping that he doesn't get sacked as much as he did last season, averaging more than 3 per game. Overall, I think this will be a relatively low scoring game with plenty of defensive struggle.

Pick: Atlanta 13, Chicago 10

Pittsburgh at Baltimore, 1 p.m. CBS

This game is going to be hard hitting, and full of defense. This is a huge rivalry game, so throw all the stats out the window and prepare for a close game with a lot of pushing and shoving as these two teams can't stand one another. This game is essentially a coin flip, but give it to Baltimore in a close one.

Pick: Baltimore 17, Pittsburgh 13

Dallas at New York Jets, 8:20 p.m., NBC

This game is being played on the anniversary of the most horrific attack ever on American soil, so the crowd will definitely be behind the Jets emotionally, and the Jets will want to make the fans happy on this overall somber day. Back to the football side, this game is going to be interesting, as it has the Ryan brothers facing off once again, like they did last season, when Rex won against Rob's Browns. Plus, Dallas will want to get off to a fast start and prove to everyone that they're back from last year's 6-10 debacle. New York will try to set up the running game with Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson early. While defensively they'l want to pressure Tony Romo to see if that shoulder of his is truly healed from last season. It's going to be a great game, but New York will send their fans home happy.

Pick: New York 24, Dallas 23

As mentioned in the New York vs. Dallas game, this coming Sunday is the anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. This will be a very somber day throughout the U.S. and remember this day forever. Take time to thank a police officer or fireman, as they are the real heroes. Take a moment to remember who died, and those who gave their lives so that more people could be saved. This day will forever be remembered. Have a blessed weekend!