As much as I'd like to write this tomorrow and have it up then, I'm busy. And with Sunday only allowing 4 days for everyone to pick or possibly register late, I'll give the weekend for everyone to think their picks over.
If you need some rules or scoring info, because you missed the first two posts about it just simply click here. (Note, due to the fact that it is only about 11 people, registration is open throughout the entire season.)
But enough with the boring stuff, LETS GET TO THE GAMES.
As it works out, this will be written in time to give everyone a good 6 days before the first games (same as if it were a Sunday piece), so it works out good. And as I noted, we will vote on the MAC Game of the Week for double points. Find the poll and vote. Also, this being the first week, the weekly bonus will be 3 points for discussed/explained picks! Yeah, free points for cheap games, gotta love that.
But here is the list of the games now, with my picks included (in bold):
THURSDAY NIGHT
Villanova @ Temple - As good as I hear Villanova will be this year, I don't see the upset happening against a decent Temple squad
South Carolina State @ Central Michigan - Really? Do I have to say it? Central is BY FAR the better team here. Please have mercy on me Buster Bronco.
New Hampshire @ Toledo - Toledo is just too athletic for New Hampshire.
Bowling Green @ Idaho - This came close to being a candidate for GOTW, but fell short because its a Thursday game at 9pm, and that just doesn't scream college football. Idaho wins a close one.
SATURDAY
Miami (OH) @ #21 Mizzou - Should be a good game early, before Mizzou flexes their muscle that Kirk Herbstreit thinks will be a huge Big XII-2 contender.
Akron @ Ohio State - Ohio State gets really lucky to have such a weak opponent for their first game without Pryor and Tressel. But the athleticism is able to just run circles around a still developing Akron team.
Kent State @ #2 Alabama - No need to say it. If Kent State hangs with 'Bama, it'll be a miracle.
Western Michigan @ Michigan - My heart tells me Western will play the perfect game, stop Denard, and shut out the noise for the upset on national TV. My gut tells me that Brady Hoke knows these Broncos from the past, and absolutely has Michigan running with minimal nicks and blows Western away like in the 2009 game. I'll be at the game and hoping for the first, but dreading the 2nd.
Buffalo @ Pittsburgh - Buffalo a few years ago maybe pulls the upset on the transitioning Panthers, but Pittsburgh has too much skill to lose.
Ball State vs Indiana (at Indy) - as Phil_Friend said in his preview, this was a game to circle for Ball State fans. The Big Ten's perennial doormat still think they have the superior team, and Ball State wants to start their season on a strong note. However, Ball State has some work to do still, and Indiana wins this sloppy, sloppy game.
Howard @ Eastern Michigan - Eh, I don't know Howard too well, but this game shouldn't be too hard for an improving Eastern squad.
Army @ Northern Illinois - Chandler Harnish and Co. get an easy start on their march towards another great season.
Ohio @ New Mexico State - Ohio is the only away team I have winning, and it's against a team that was just awful last year.
That said, let me formally announce the 2011 Hustle Belt MAC Pick 'em open!
PICKS LOCK AT 7:00 PM TODAY