MizzouRah's Picks Week I

Posted on: August 28, 2019 at 16:28:05 CT

We rallied to finish 43-43-3 last year ATS so we started badly but ended up at .500 exactly. I don't know what that is worth to my few faithful readers but I guess we will take another shot at these picks this year. Time is rather short so I will keep this article shorter than it used to be.

Let's start as always with MIZZOU (+18) at Wyoming. Obviously, the big change for the Tigers as at quarterback this year and Kelly Bryant presents a different (less of an obvious NFL) skill set than Drew Lock brought to the table. I can't think of a better security blanket for this QB than Albert O though and a great offensive line and running game. MU is going to have to generate a pass rush to have the type of success fans (such as myself) are hoping to see this year because the secondary and most offensive positons are pretty loaded. Oh, it would be nice if we actually gained some yardage on punt returns this year also.

Wyoming lost a lot on defense from last year and what they didn't lose, quite a few of those guys are injured. As long as MU doesn't get cute the Tigers should run right over these guys. Still, I have this at -14.5 so I will not use one of my picks this week on the 18. This could be a backdoor cover for Wyoming so I will officially pick a few other games. I LOVE my MU over 8 wins bet this year though. NO PLAY at -18

I'll give some quick ideas on other games. Again, sorry for the short descriptions but hopefully we can generate some discussion.

Thursday night I'll take UTAH -6.5 as I think early on the rivalry aspect won't play out as much as a talent difference.

Friday night I'll take UTAH STATE (+3.5) as I like the new/old coach there and the QB play. Also, Wake Forest just isn't a tough place to travel to.

Also, give me WISCONSIN -12. Even though I think the Badgers might take a step back this year it is a chance to fade Charlie Strong.

I have COLORADO -10.5 but I'll take 13.5 as CSU is a really bad FBS team.

I'm going to take SOUTH ALABAMA (+36) in strictly a line move play as this one is up from 32. I understand the optimism around Nebraska football (and the over under 8.5 wins actually seems reasonable to me) but the start last year was so rough. I don't need many growing pains to cover the 36.

I'll take TOLEDO (+12) at Kentucky. UK didn't have much of an offense last year and they lost a lot on D. Toledo is probably the MAC favorite so I'll take the points.

I like to look for live dogs in week one and I think LOUISIANA TECH qualifies at plus 20.5. I'd sure try to get this at 21 but again, I expect some growing pains with the Texas offense and Louisiana Tech has good coaching and some talent at the skill positions and a solid secondary.

I have SOUTH CAROLINA -7.5 but we will still take them at -10. North Carolina just isn't a very stable program right now and the Gamecocks have considerably more talent across the board.

Finally, just for fun let's take INDIANA STATE (+4.5) with the outright upset over ku! I expect the Les Miles era to be more of the same lack of success as we have seen recently!

EDIT: GOOD LUCK TO YOUR (non-Cowboy) team!

Edited by MizzouRah at 15:10:23 on 08/29/19