PILOTPICKS WINNERS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL (THURS--SAT)

Well, Birdman and Murdoch are back for another year, coming off a year in which we made everyone who followed our picks (and us of course) a lot of money. Well, we don't plan on replicating last year's success because we plan on having an even bigger year. And to ensure that this year is going to be a monster, we have recruited a couple frequent fliers who have agreed to post picks for FREE on our site. Me and Murdoch are happy to introduce "The Sixth Man" and "Dr. Moonlight" as contributers to PilotPicks. You might remember them from an occasional post last season, but this year we get their BEST picks free of charge. So, without further ado, here are the birdman's picks for the weekend (followed by The Sixth Man's number one game of the weekend):


THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2006:

First up, the birdman is going to throw out something that you probably have not looked at, but that is what I am here for. Take the under of 44 in the Temple v. Buffalo game. This game just screams U-N-D-E-R. Neither team can score, no matter who they are playing against and both are implementing new offenses and new coaching staffs. Let's just go with the numbers first: Temple is coming off a winless year in which they averaged 9.7 yards per game (119th in country) and 247.5 ypg (also 119th). On the road they were even worse, averaging 8.3 points and 243 yards per game. Keep in mind that this team was out of every game they played in except one and they still could not put together anything against teams second and third string players. Oh, and they only return 8 total starters and are going into a new offensive system. Buffalo is a well oiled offensive machine compared to Temple as last year they averaged 10.0 points per game (118th) and 279.5 ypg (114th). Buffalo, if this is a good thing, is at least returning 8 starters on offense, but they too are in the first year of a new head coach (former Nebraska great Turner Gill) and he is trying to emphasize the run this year more than ever. Both of these teams are going to try to feel their way through this game which will not lead to many points. I expect this game to be close...but not in a shootout. Final score should be around 17-13. Take the UNDER all the way to the bank.

Temple v. Buffalo UNDER 44 (**)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2006

First, up on Saturday, take California +2 at Tennessee. I know that Tennessee historically has been tough to beat at home and Cal is not exactly world beaters, but the Golden Bears just have too much talent in this game for Tennessee to win. This line was set making Tennessee the favorite based upon one thing...past history at home. However, notice I didn't say "recent" history as they are a stunning 1-9 ATS at home in the past 2 years! Tenn has a new offensive coordinator who has a lot of hype coming in, but they still have the VERY questionable Ainge at QB and a lot of questions all over the offensive side of the ball. Cal is a very, very dangerous team. They had a bit of a disappointing season last year, but a lot of the blame could be placed with the uneven QB play after all-everything Nate Longshore was injured in the first game of the year. With Longshore healthy, and Marshawn Lynch back for a HUGE year, Cal should be able to control the tempo of this game by moving the chains consistently. I see Cal's D-line controlling the trenches led by All-American Brandon Mebane and forcing Ainge to beat them. We all know that isn't likely.

Wrong Team Favored in this one...take California +2 STRAIGHT UP! (**)

Next, go with Texas Tech -26 1/2 at home against SMU. Texas Tech is starting another new quarterback...ho hum. Seems like they are breaking in a new one every year. However, this year, the new quarterback (Graham Harrell) will have TONS of offensive firepower returning. All three of Tech's top receivers return as well as 4 starting offensive linemen which should help ease in the new RB. Probably the most important aspects of Leach's offensive attack are the offensive line (for protection reasons obviously) and the receivers (b/c so much relies on their routes and abilities to understand the system). As Leach has shown, QB's are interchangeable and this year should be no different. Tech will put up plenty of points early and often. Yes, SMU had a nice 5 win season last year including a win over TCU, but in their only game against a Big 12 opponent, SMU lost 66-8 at Tex A&M. Last time SMU visited Lubbock, they left losers by the score of 58-10. Oh, and SMU was 95th in the country in passing defense last season. Not a good sign. Texas Tech will come out clicking on all cylinders and win this game in a laugher.

Texas Tech -26 1/2 (**)

Finally, I have saved my favorite game of the day for last. Take USC -7 (buying 1/2 point) at Arkansas. I know that a lot of you will think this is a "revenge" game or a "sucker bet" in that USC beat them so brutally last season and there is a lot of hype surrounding Arkansas this season. I say, the people backing Arkansas in this game are CRAZY. Arkansas is 5-6 and 4-7 over the past 2 seasons, but their supporters say that they have 19 returning starters and one of them, RB MacFadden is Reggie Bush-lite. Well, McFadden was injured in a bar fight and is doubful for the game (if he plays he will be a non-factor) and that puts a lot of pressure on Ark's newly implemented vertical passing game. My problem with the USC doubters is that there is more to a team than it's skill players (RB & QB). USC has the best wide receivers in the country led by Jarrett and their new QB, Booty, was the starter over Leinart until injury opened the door for Leinart (who never looked back). Booty was considered a better recruit and a better prospect and now he gets his chance to prove it. Remember, in 2004, everyone wondered how USC would replace Carson Palmer...well I would say that they did just fine. Also, this is USC...they have skill players on the bench that would start on the majority of teams in the country. And, USC boasts the best set of linebackers in the country which should help this defense stuff Arkansas at the line. Here is the bottom line...Arkansas is not good enough to stay in this game, hype or no hype. Ark could play 45 points better in this years game AND STILL NOT COVER!!! Trust me, USC hasn't lost THAT much!

USC -7 (buying 1/2 point) (***)

NOW FOR "THE SIXTH MAN'S" FAVORITE GAME OF THE WEEK:

The Sixth Man is going with Nebraska -21 at home against La Tech as his number one game of the week. La Tech has 9 starters gone from their defense and are breaking in a new defensive coordinator. Their QB, JR Zack Champion, has thrown a total of 8 passes in his career and he is their most experienced QB! Nebraska has 8 starters back on offense including Zac Taylor who has yet another year of Callahan's system under his belt. They also have 7 starters back on defense including what many are regarding the best D-line in the country. This year's La Tech team not as talented as last season's team who started the year by losing at Florida 41-3 and at Kansas 34-14. This year should be no better as a very green QB is going up against an experienced "black shirts" defense in Lincoln. Bottom line...don’t be afraid of the big number, this game will be a rout.

Nebraska -21 (**)
***SIXTH MAN'S GAME OF THE WEEK***

Murdoch will have a few games posted over the weekend I am sure (in addition to his NW v. Miami (OH) game posted below), but the birdman has a busy next couple days jumping ponds so this post will be my only one of this first weekend (hence, the long post). But, I will be back by Sunday to post the winner of the Labor Day game of Florida State v. Miami.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG, BIG YEAR!!! DON'T MISS OUT!!!

***Neb –21***