Well, this week "Crone" and "Uncle Joey" are moonlighting as the Paper bag Prognosticators after combining for a dismal 1-5 record in their picks last week. Maybe they'll do better without looking.
MSU vs. Central Michigan
Crone - The MSU football team is wounded, and the only prescription is ? more cowbell, er, Central Michigan.
The Chippewas are coming off a 41-10 loss to Indiana. Wow.
MSU is in a two-week process of finding a quarterback to lead them through the season. Spartan fans should get a chance to see redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves - one way or another - and at least one of the other two quarterbacks.
If Indiana can blow out CMU, so can MSU.
MSU 48, CMU 7
Uncle Joey - Crone's right, the Chippewas are the perfect opponent for MSU now. This game should be a guaranteed win for the Spartans. It doesn't matter who's taking snaps Saturday, there's no way MSU should even give Central a game. (I'd stick with Damon Dowdell until Drew Stanton is healthy.)
The Spartans should work out some problems from last week: Dropped passes and interceptions, unnecessary penalties and inconsistent run defense.
MSU 31, CMU 17
Notre Dame vs. No. 8 Michigan
Crone - Michigan looked good against Miami(Ohio), but who wouldn't after causing seven turnovers in one game. The Wolverines get their first real test of the season when they do the Irish Jig with the boys from South Bend, Ind. (Notre Dame for people living under a rock).
Notre Dame let me down against Brigham Young, so if I pick them here, they would probably do it again. This will not be a good year for the Irish unless they can win a game like this one. And they won't.
U-M 35, ND 17
Uncle Joey - Things don't look good for Irish coach Ty Willingham. The honeymoon is over. After leading his team to a 10-3 record in his first season, quality wins for Notre Dame have been rare. Now, Willingham's job might be in jeopardy after last weekend's season-opening loss at BYU.
Notre Dame does have the home-field advantage but it won't be nearly enough to hold off U-M. If Willingham doesn't turn things around soon, the luster on this rivalry could begin to fade. Remember, U-M beat the Irish 38-0 last season.
U-M 38, ND 3
Arkansas vs. No. 7 Texas
Crone - Texas coach Mack Brown is supposedly on the hot seat in Austin, Texas. What I'm trying to figure out is why? The Longhorns have been a top 10 team with Brown and nothing less. They have a Heisman Trophy candidate in running back Cedric Benson and seem to be the dominant team in the Big 12, along with Oklahoma.
But Arkansas always gives the 'Horns trouble and will again this year. Quarterback Matt Jones plays football and basketball for the Razorbacks and led them to a 38-28 upset over Texas last season. Arkansas gets Texas at home, but I still think the 'Horns will hook the Razorbacks. It's payback.
Texas 35, Arkansas 31
Uncle Joey - I'll tell you why Mack Brown is on the hot seat: he can't beat Oklahoma. The Longhorns haven't beat the Sooners since 1999. Plus, he tends to lose nonconference games, like he did last season when Arkansas beat Texas 38-28.
Arkansas no longer has running back Cedric Cobb, who was the key to the Razorbacks' win last year. And the Longhorns definitely still have Benson in the backfield. As much as I doubt Brown - and want to disagree with Crone - Texas should cruise to the win.
Texas 24, Arkansas 10
No. 5 Miami vs. No. 4 Florida St.
Crone - This game was postponed due to Hurricane Frances. Is that a good or bad sign for Miami?
It's hard to pick a winner in the Florida State vs. Miami game, especially when it's the opening game of the season for both teams and the fact they are No. 5 and No. 6 in the nation, respectively.
Both return a starting quarterback, Brock Berlin for Miami, and Chris Rix for FSU, so there is really no edge there. I really dislike both players, so I don't know who to pick. Hmmm, wide-left or wide-right? Either way it doesn't matter.
Miami 23, FSU 21
Uncle Joey - Another season for Florida State with Chris Rix at quarterback. How long before he self-destructs? I can just see Rix now: Rolling right, thinking he has a receiver open on the left side of the field. Rix then hurls the ball across his body for the easiest interception of some free safety's life. Rix can be a good quarterback at times but he also has the tendency to make dumb mistakes at the worst times.
Rix and the Seminoles lost their final game 16-14 against Miami in the Orange Bowl last year. (It's worth mentioning that Rix was 6-for-19 for 96 yards with a touchdown and interception each in that game.) Florida State lost to Miami earlier that season too, 22-14.
But I see things changing. I see Rix putting it all together against the Hurricanes, connecting with senior receiver Craphonso Thorpe for a late-game touchdown to make the difference.
FSU 27, Miami 21
