NCAA - Week 1 Picks

The season is now upon us! Please check out this document for updated results and stats on picks (just follow the menu to week 1 for this weeks picks!).

Opening weekend in college football has a lot of great matchups. In order to pare it down to 15 games, some good contests that are definitely worth following had to be cut. This week has several opening the season rivalries (Kentucky v. Louisville, West Virginia v. Marshall, and Colorado v. Colorado State) as well as some premium out of conference matchups (Michigan v. Alabama, Boise State v. Michigan State, Clemson v. Auburn). If I had to attend one game, with all apologies to Notre Dame against Navy in Dublin, Ireland, I would have to say I'd love to attend the Boise State v. Michigan State game this weekend. Both are breaking in new quarterbacks, and both teams are extremely well coached and prepare their teams well. The matchup I included because I think it is  an early trap game is Southern Mississippi at Nebraska. Southern Miss actually had the better record last year, and was Conference USA champs. I think this one has all the potential for great viewing this weekend!

Players below are represented by their initials as follows:
Jason Bewley (Bewley), Jeremiah Colon (Colon), Jeremiah Dao (Dao), Nathan Dustman (NDust), Teresa Dustman (TDust), Rachael Eggebeen (Eggebeen), Joanna Lacanlale (Joa Lac), Joe Lacanlale (JoeLac), Dennis Lowe (Lowe), Wes Luzadder (Luzadder), Gary McFarren (GMcF), Joe McFarren (JMcF), Rob McFarren (RMcF), Dusty Miller (Miller), Ed Vander Woude (VanderWoude)

Without further ado, the picks for Week 1 of the NCAA

Thursday, August 30
South Carolina @ Vanderbilt
SCAR - NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I think the Gamecocks will make a run at the SEC championship this year and it starts with beating the Commodores
JoaLac: They have the light blue uniforms right? Hmm...maybe that's North Carolina
Dao: USC Gamecocks all the way! Grew up in the Southern States!
RMcF: I'll root for Vandy and wouldn't put it past the Gamecocks to underachieve yet again, but it won't be the first game of the year
VANDY - no one?

Eastern Michigan @ Ball State
EMICH - Dao, NDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac
BALLST - TDust, JoaLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: Will the Cardinals get over the hump into legitimate contention for the MAC title and bowl eligibility?
Miller: I have to go with the Cardinals at home to open the season with a win!

Friday, August 31
Boise State @ Michigan State
BOISE - Dao, JoeLac, Luzadder, GMcF
RMcF: (see above). The bottom line for me is Christ Peterson with an entire offseason to prepare. New QB for both teams...underdog status yet again. The Broncos get it done just as they did at Georgia & VT the last couple of years
Miller: It seems that the Broncos go on the road to open each season and they seem to win most of those games, so I will take them to open the season with another victory
JoaLac: Gotta love the blue field
Eggebeen: My love of the Big Ten cannot trump the power of the BSU program
MSU - NDust, JMcF, Vander Woude
Lowe: This should be a pretty good game. Boise State could flex its muscles but I think the Green Beans will pull this off at home. If they were on the blue turf, Boise State would take this game.
TDust: Big Ten all the way!

Saturday, September 1
Notre Dame v. Navy (in Dublin, Ireland)
ND - NDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
TDust: Of course
Dao: Fighting Irishmen
JoaLac: Wouldn't mind going to Ireland
Miller: The new uniforms for the Irish are hideous, but I don't think they will have any trouble disposing of Navy
RMcF: How could I even think about picking against the Fighting Irish in Ireland?
NAVY - no one? yeah, we are a smart league - Go Army Beat Navy!

Northwestern @ Syracuse
NW - Dao, TDust, Egeebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, JMcF
Miller: I will go with the Big Ten here
CUSE - NDust, JoaLac, Luzadder, GMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: Home team wins with equal turnover. This looks like one of the competitions separation games (half and half!)

Marshall @ West Virginia
MARSH - Dao, JoaLac, Luzadder
WVU - NDust, TDust, Egeebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I like the Mountaineers over the Thundering Herd (even if their mascot is much better!)
RMcF: The real question is can West Virginia actually win the Big 12 in their first year? I think they can compete with Oklahoma for sure.

Miami (FL) @ Boston College
MIA(FL) - NDust, TDust, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: I can't even name 1 player on BC, or remember one positive thing said about the team heading into this year
BC - Dao, Eggebeen
JoaLac: Not a Miami fan
Miller: It's hard to win at BC and I don't think the Hurricanes have enough firepower to get it done

Southern Mississippi @ Nebraska
SMISS - Dao
NEB - NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: This game may be closer than many think. Two very quality teams. Will Nebraska step up to the challenge and return to elite level (not pretender elite like last couple of years)? This game will give a good indication of whether that will happen or not
Miller: I like Nebraska to get to the Big Ten championship game this year and I think they will start the season with a non-conference win over a quality opponent
JoaLac: Even though they desert the Big 12

Colorado State v. Colorado (in Denver)
CSU - NDust, Lowe
CU -Dao, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I don't think either of these teams will factor in their conference races, but I think the Buffalos will take care of the Rams easily
RMcF: I remember these games are always close, at least into the 2nd half. Its truly a toss-up, but Colorado being in the PAC-12 now has no excuse to lose.

Clemson v. Auburn (in Atlanta)
CLEM - NDust, JMcF
Dao: Clemson has the orange D; another SC team I grew up with but Go Gamecocks!
Miller: Clemson always seems to start the season strong and I like them to win a big game against a quality opponent here
RMcF: Orange and blue, blue and orange. Just a bit more expectation for Clemson, and they win it (And this is the other separation game)
AUB - TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, Vander Woude

Michigan v. Alabama (in Arlington, TX)
MICH - Eggebeen, Luzadder
Lowe: This year will be Michigan's best chance at a Big Ten title and hopefully the National Championship!! Go Blue!!!
RMcF: A gut pick. I didn't think Alabama deserved to be called National Champs after last year, and lets just knock them down a rung right now. Go Shoelace!
BAMA - Dao, NDust, JoaLac, JoeLac, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I think the Crimson Tide will make a run at the National Championship again this year and I just don't
TDust: Well, Big Ten almost all the way - must be practical!

Toledo @ Arizona
TOLEDO -
RMcF: The Wildcats aren't very good and they lost their QB. Toledo will start off the Rich Rodriguez era with a loss (just like he like to do in Michigan with MAC teams)
Miller: I will take the MAC in this matchup. The Rockets offense will be too strong for Arizona in this one
ZONA - Dao, NDust, TDust, JoaLac, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Eggebeen: Bear down!

Sunday, September 2
Kentucky @ Louisville
UK - NDust, JoeLac
LVILLE - Dao, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: Let's face it, the UK football program could take notes from their basketball program and start paying players to come to their school
RMcF: Louisville expects to win the Big East this year. They can't do that and expect to be ok losing to a bottom feeder in the SEC

Southern Methodist @ Baylor
SMU - Lowe, Luzadder
RMcF: SMU is improved from last year, Baylor lost their entire passing offense. Enough said.
BAYLOR - Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: We shall see just how important RGIII was to the Baylor program.

Monday, September 3
Georgia Tech @ Virginia Tech
GT - no one? wow
VT - Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I have to take the Hokies at home here. This is a big game for Virginia Tech and I am hoping they will win a big one early here.
RMcF: The Hokies will contend once again. Will they be able to avoid the early season let-down and be a Top-5 team?

NFL - Personal Franchise Rankings - Rob McFarren

A couple of years ago, I ranked all 32 NFL teams in the order that I personally liked them based on all the factors in my head that made me lean towards some teams and not others (players on roster, uniforms, location, childhood favorites, coaches, etc). I thought a good primer for the NFL 2012 season would be to update and publish those. I will also try to get others to do the same for comparison sake. Just know that really I break this down into 4 groups - Favorite team, Teams I like and root for, No strong feelings for either way, Teams I hope lose every game unless its against one of the other teams I can't stand (and then how can they both lose, or which one has the most to lose by losing?). Yeah, its a mouthful. Basically, the question asked is: Who do I want to win the game?

Here are my rankings:

1. Indianapolis Colts - Hometown team, suffered through their struggles and enjoyed the Peyton years. Now looking forward to Luck and company...

2. Denver Broncos - Wife's family team. Lived in Colorado too, and now they Peyton.
3. Arizona Cardinals - I've now lived here longer than anywhere else other than Indiana. If only they had a quarterback they may jump Denver. (and better uniforms)
4. Chicago Bears
5. Detroit Lions
6. Buffalo Bills
7. New Orleans Saints - Drew Brees is my favorite QB, but they drop a bit due to scandal
8. San Francisco 49ers
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. New York Giants
11. Green Bay Packers
12. Seattle Seahawks
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
14. Tennessee Titans
15. Cleveland Browns
16. Atlanta Falcons
17. St. Louis Rams
18. Carolina Panthers
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Houston Texans
21. Baltimore Ravens
22. Minnesota Vikings
23. Cincinnati Bengals
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
25. Miami Dolphins
26. Dallas Cowboys
27. Philadelphia Eagles
28. San Diego Chargers
29. Oakland Raiders
30. Washington Redskins
31. New York Jets
32. New England Patriots

2012 - The Players

So as the new season rolls around, its time to introduce the infamous participants: (I guess we need nicknames!)

Joe McFarren - Roanoke, IN
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Ball State Cardinals
Other teams followed: Duke Blue Devils, Butler Bulldogs, Florida State Seminoles, Oregon Ducks
What I do other than pick football games: Active Indiana National Guardsman

Gary McFarren - Keystone, IN

NFL & NCAA picks

*Defending 2011-12 NCAA season champion*

Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts

Favorite NCAA team: Ball State Cardinals

Other teams followed: Purdue Boilermakers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

What I do other than pick football games: Newly retired

Rachael Eggebeen - Tucson, AZ

NFL & NCAA picks

Favorite NFL team: Green Bay Packers

Favorite NCAA team: Wisconsin Badgers & Arizona Wildcats

What I do other than pick football games: Church Administrator & more; Married to Ed!

Ed Vander Woude - Tucson, AZ
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: San Diego Chargers
Favorite NCAA team:
What I do other than pick football games: Driver for Shamrock Foods; Married to Rachael!

Dennis Lowe - Indianapolis, IN
*2011-12 NCAA Bowl Season Champion*
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Buffalo Bills
Favorite NCAA team: Michigan Wolverines
What I do other than pick football games: Police officer for the City of Indianapolis

Teresa Dustman - Bluffton, IN
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team:
Favorite NCAA team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
What I do other than pick football games: Circulation Department Head at Wells County Library

Dusty Miller
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Chicago Bears
Favorite NCAA team: Virginia Tech Hokies
What I do other than pick football games:

Jeremiah Colon - Colorado Springs, CO
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: New York Giants
Favorite NCAA team: Syracuse Orange
Other teams followed: Denver Broncos
What I do other than pick football games: Bartender, Personal Trainer

Joe Lacanlale - Seattle, WA
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
Favorite NCAA team: Army Black Knights
Other teams followed: Kansas State Wildcats, Washington Huskies
What I do other than pick football games: Project Manager, Army Corps of Engineers; Married to Joanna!


Joanna Lacanlale - Seattle, WA
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: ?
Favorite NCAA team: Kansas State Wildcats
Other teams followed: Washington Huskies, Arizona Wildcats
What I do other than pick football games: Married to Joe!

Wes Luzadder - Coldwater, MI
NFL & NCAA picks

Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Other teams followed: Arizona Cardinals, Washington Huskies
What I do other than pick football games: Technology Specialist




Nathan Dustman - Kabul, Afghanistan
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
What I do other than pick football games: US Army Officer - Company Commander

Jason Bewley - Laughton, OK
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
Favorite NCAA team: Ohio State Buckeyes
Other teams followed: Cleveland Browns
What I do other than pick football games: Former Army, Lowe's Associate & video game junkie

Jeremiah Dao - Phoenix, Arizona
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: New England Patriots
Favorite NCAA team: South Carolina Gamecocks
Other teams followed: Carolina Panthers, North Carolina Tarheels, Texas Longhorns, Boston College Eagles
What I do other than pick football games: Student at Glendale Community College & baller


Rob McFarren - Avondale, AZ
*Defending 2011-12 NFL season champion*
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Army Black Knights
Other teams followed: Purdue Boilermakers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Boise State Broncos, North Carolina Tarheels, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Drew Brees' team
What I do other than pick football games: Watch football games