Thehooks
Football Pick
Sample Week 1

The Written previews:

College 5 Hook
The Money Back Guaranteed Pick

Minnesota –15.5 @ Kent State

What happens when your team loses not one but two 1100-yard backs? Well, if you are a team like Minnesota you look at your Senior QB Bryan Cupito to step into the spotlight. He has started the last two seasons and has a 2 to 1 TD-INT rating. Look for him to step up his game this year. But you may ask yourself about the running game. Pinnix has rushed well over the last 2 years with limited touches of course and will take care of the running game.

The defense returns 7 starters which means the defense should be better than last year. So what does that mean for Kent State? A long Thursday night game. Kent State lost to Buffalo last year! Buffalo! That was Buffalo’s only win of the year. Let’s not forget that Kent State only won one game as well. They should be a better team this year but this isn’t a good starting game for them. Look for Kent State to improve on their record this year with many returnees on both offense and defense. If Kent can somehow stop the running game of Minnesota, they may have a chance, but it’s not going to happen. Minnesota will throw a mix of running and passing against the Flash and they will not know what hit them. Take the Golden Gophers in this opening match-up.


College 5 Hook
Reno Gazette Journal Selection

Nevada/Fresno State OVER 56

Thehooks will play the local game to start off the season. The play we are promoting is the over 56 points in the game this Friday. The last two times Nevada has gone to Fresno the total points have been right around 70. I expect the game to have plenty of big plays from both teams.

Nevada is stacked on offense and on the air last Saturday we botched a few of the names and we apologize because the Wolfpack have a trio compared to the Dallas Cowboys in Rowe, Hubbard, and Spencer. There is no team in the WAC conference that will be able to stop this team from hanging at least 30 points every game. Yes we know that Fresno will have a decent defense but like we said, no one in the WAC can stop this offense.

Fresno starts a new QB. Pinegar had been there since 1992, and some will say that the offense will slip. Well you’re wrong, and if you do not believe me watch the offensive line of the Bulldogs on Friday. They are without a doubt the best line in the WAC. The Bulldogs will be able to run the ball and put the pigskin in the endzone. The Wolfpack also has to be careful of the special teams play of the Bulldogs. Fresno could possibly score more than once this Friday.

Fresno will have revenge on their minds and some might say Nevada is at a disadvantage because the Bulldogs have been gearing up for them all summer. Think again, Nevada is lucky because once the QB play comes around for Fresno this year, they will then truly be scary to play.


College 5 Hook
The 900 Pick

UTEP @ San Diego St -1

A new HC is in the Aztecs locker room and he is looking to take his team to the promise land. SDST has been up and down for the last few years but this year, HC Long has brought in a different attitude and the Aztecs are taking it in. His hardnose practice regimen has been paying dividends. The offense brings back its starting QB O’Connell and starting RB Hamilton from last year. They will run a two back backfield at times and another RB Bornes for that spot. WR spot is still up for grabs as they lost their top 2 but have many that can fill their shoes.

Defense is where the new coach has made the biggest strides in. The defense looks tough especially since most of the practice is an offensive practice. A new rushing defense is in place which will put a lot of pressure on QB’s. Where the Aztec are the strongest are at the LB and secondary spots where out of the 7 spots, 6 of them have returning players.

U.T.E.P will come into SDST after an 8-4 season. U.T.E.P. relies on Carson Palmer’s little brother Jordan. A great talent but is known for his mistakes (19INT’s last year). Look for continuous pressure on Palmer by the Aztecs and make him throw the ball before he is ready. Against an experienced secondary, Palmer will struggle. Look for SDST to come away with some turnovers, which will lead to a victory in Aztec land. Take San Diego State.

College 4 Hook

Stanford/Oregon Over 54.5

This should be one of the most entertaining games this weekend. Stanford is a real darkhorse in the PAC Ten and will be able to score on everyone. Oregon will also be able to light up the scoreboards with Dixon at the helm.

Stanford has the experience on the offensive side of the ball to be considered a top 25 team. Their offensive line is solid and now that the team is in Coach Harris's second year this unit could be very special.

Both defenses are much weaker than the other side of the ball and both coaches know that they will have to outscore teams to get into the win column. There won't be too many 24-21 games when these teams are on the field.


College 4 Hook

Northwestern -3 @ Miami OH

Northwestern is team that is known for putting points up on the board. They are also known for there ability to give up just as many points. They averaged giving up 480ypg a game last year. They have a returnee in RB Sutton and WR Herbert but they have to replace QB Basanez. But the biggest replacement will be their coach Randy Walker who died of a heart attack this summer. So what does this mean for the Wildcats? Games played by the heart. Is that good betting advice? Not all the time but in the first game of the year, you bet your ass it is. This team wants to win this one for their coach and dammit they will do everything for that to happen. They have some great returnees from the defensive side of the ball that will look to improve from their dismal performances last year.

Let’s not forget Walker recruited well and even got a few transfers especially on the defensive side of the ball (DE Howard). This team will come out and make sure they go back to Northwestern with a victory. Look for the Wildcats to win this one for Coach Walker!


College 3 Hook

East Carolina @ Navy -11

Navy has an offense that defenses haven’t been able to figure out yet. For yet another year, they lead the nation in rushing (319ypg). The Midshipmen use many different RB’s and don’t forget about the FB which for most colleges and pros is just a blocker but in Navy’s offense is a rushing machine. Nothing will change this year. They have a new QB this year in Hampton and according to quite a few scouts this kid could be special. The OL hasn’t changed which will help Hampton stay comfy in the backfield and when your RB’s and FB’s average over 300 yards on the ground a game anyone can feel comfy behind the center.

Let’s not forget about the defense, which returns 9 out of 11. This team looks stacked this year and doesn’t play too hard of a schedule; the Midshipmen could be in for a big year. Only thing you need to know about East Carolina especially for this game is their defense struggles stopping the run. They struggled two years ago, made a bit of an improvement but in half their games they gave up over 200 yards! Look for the Midshipmen to take advantage of this over and over and over again on Saturday.

East Carolina has a solid offense but if their defense can’t stop the run, the offense will never see the field. Look for the Midshipmen to run East Carolina defense into the ground and keep the O off the field. Take Navy.


College 3 Hook

E. Michigan @ Ball State -4

Ball State has 18 starters returning and maybe most importantly they have 7 out of the top 8 defensive lineman back and return a huge experienced offensive line with their starting QB back at the helm.

Ball State won 3 out of their last 4 games last year and will continue to build on that success with a victory in front of their home fans. Also noted here, Ball State is 5-2 ATS the last 7 versus E. Michigan.

Eastern Michigan will be improved but start a new quarterback on the road which usually does not bode well. They get no breaks as their first 3 games are all on the road and will definitely put this team in the hole to start the season.

College 3 Hook

LA TECH @ Nebraska -21

LA Tech travels to Lincoln with their weakest team in 5 years while the Cornhuskers will have one of their best teams in that same span. LA Tech only has 9 starters back from a team that was screwed by not being invited to a bowl game last year. This year the Bulldogs will struggle to win 4 games and this is not one of them.

Nebraska has a chance to explode this year and will start this weekend against the over matched Bulldogs. Zac Taylor should put up huge numbers and the party will start Saturday. Expect the Cornhuskers to lay it on and not look back this weekend.



Thehooks is your one stop sports service featuring: NFL football picks, great football picks, Free college football picks, Free NFL picks, college football predictions, NFL football predictions, sports betting advice, great football articles, Matchups, Statistics, and more. The information contained at this site is for news, entertainment and amusement purposes only. Any use of this information in violation of any federal, state and/or local laws is prohibited.