Picks from the barstool

This season I would like to make weekly predictions on the top college and NFL games along with my dad’s picks of the week, to be known as Digger’s Corner, and his Digger’s Dog of the Week....here we go with week 1 of college....

Vanderbilt @ Michigan - (Michigan - 25.5)......the Blue needs to make a statement in this game both offensively and defensively....the Commodores are young and have a new qb now that Jay Cutler is in the NFL....Michigan has to prove it to me first before I think they will cover the spread - Michigan 36-17

N. Illinois @ Ohio State - (Ohio State -17).....if the Buckeyes are supposed to be the number 1 team in the land, playing at home against a MAC team, then why are they only favored by 17???....Garrett Wolfe and the Huskies finished with the 14th best offense in the country last year....and the Buckeyes have lost 9 on defense - Ohio State 33-20

Rutgers @ N. Carolina - (UNC - 5)....I like Rutgers and their coach Greg Schiano....the Tar Heels may need some help from Roy Williams bunch....upset alert - Rutgers 23-20

Notre Dame @ Ga. Tech - (ND - 6.5)......the Irish are back....but are they?.....they have to prove they can stop a team as their defense was like a sieve last season.....Tech has held 13 of their last 19 opponents to under 20 points.....Irish win - but close - Notre Dame 26-20

Southern Cal @ Arkansas - (USC - 7.5).....the Trojans rolled the Hogs last season at the Coliseum 70-17....the key to this game is if Hog rb Darren McFadden plays....if he suits up, which I believe he will, the Trojans may have a problem - USC 31-27

Game of the Week
Cal @ Tennessee - (Tenn - 1.5).....this is quietly one of the best games of the year....Cal is supposed to be loaded with Heisman hopeful Marshawn Lynch leading the ground attack....but the Vols need something big to build off of after last season’s debacle....Cal is the better team, but Rocky Top celebrates - Tennessee 28-23

Digger’s Corner
Top Play - Michigan minus the points - the Wolverines want to make a statement and will roll this SEC team

Digger’s Dog of the Week
Northern Illinois with the points - this team is not coming into Columbus to just pick up a check....they want the check and the victory....