Big Baby Dean's PickSlip for 8/30 and 9/1

Welcome to my first PickSlip of the 2008 NCAA Football season. Like the actual games, everyone starts on the same playing field. Enjoy the season and most importantly enjoy The PickSlip's hard work this year.

Saturday
2* East Carolina +9.5 vs Virginia Tech 12pm
This game went 17-7 last year. East Carolina is returning 7 starters on offense including their QB and 9 on defense. Coach Holtz runs a nice offense and just agreed to a 6 yr contract extension. Virginia Tech's offense looks to be weak with losing some players to the NFL and others to suspension (WR Luckett, RB Ore). VT's defense is only returning 4 starters. This should also be a low scoring game.
Pick: East Carolina +9.5

2* USC (-19.5) @ Virginia 3:30pm
As a fan of the NY Giants, I cannot wait to watch this USC defense this year. They have the best LB core in the country and both Cushing and Maleluga are projected to be top 15 picks in the NFL next year. Taylor Mays is also one of the best safeties in the country. Highly touted Mark Sanchez will finally take over the reigns of the USC offense. I don't expect much from him early but look for USC to pound the ball against the Wahoo's with Joe McKnight and CJ Gable. Virginia has lost their entire D-Line including Chris Long. Other than USC,o I don't expect much from the PAC 10 this year. Look for USC to run up the score in this one and many other games this year. Pick: USC -19.5

3* Oklahoma St (-7) vs Washington State 3:30pm
OSU should have a great offense with 7 starters returning including their QB Zac Robinson. The Cougars have one of the top receivers in the PAC 10 returning in Brandon Gibson. However, they have a new coach and it may take a while to learn his no huddle offense. This should be a high scoring game as OSU also runs the no huddle. This is kind of like a home game for Washinton State, but I'd still be surprised if the Cowboys didn't win by at least a touchdown. Pick: Oklahoma State -7

4* Illinois @ Missouri (-9) 8:30pm
I love watching this Mizzou offense. Chase Daniel along with Chase Coffman and 2nd yr all around player Jeremy Maclin will not disappoint you this year. Look for this team to continue to put up points. Their defense is also returning a lot of starters. Illinois Coach Zook is a fine recruiter, but I still don't trust Juice Williams or Illinois in this early big time matchup.
Pick: Mizzou -9

Monday
3* Tennessee (-7.5) @ UCLA 8:00pm
UCLA is down to their 3rd string QB already and their offense doesn't look too promising under first year head coach Rick Neuheisel. Tennessee is traveling across the country does scare me a little, but I don't see anything from this UCLA team. Look for QB Jonathan Crompton and company to roll. Pick: Tennessee -7.5

That's it for this week. Be sure to check out the picks from all of the contributors of The PickSlip. On Tuesday, we will have a recap from the weekend.