Week 1 - Ok St v.Miss St - This is my perspective...I welcome all takes...

COVER EASILY!!!

OTM - Apparently always likes the all the favorites. 

The real money to be made will be when OTM actually likes the underdog.  When that happens, consider a strong play on the favorite because John Q Public types are typically horrible when it comes to picking upsets.

Damn, I love this guy. Please keep posting your pics. It is like watching John Q Public personally make selections.  Master of the Obvious.

Money in the bank to fade over a season- Would you please consider entering your picks in the Covers contest?

OK St has two potential all conference linebackers in Lavey and Lewis.     The secondary has 3 returning starters.   Thus, the back 7 are strong.   The front four are competent.    I believe Gundy will stack the box to slow the run and make Russell beat them through the air.  There is no question Miss St has talent at the WR and TE spots, but will they gel in game one, in a shootout on a neutral field, 3/4 filled with OK St fans/alumni in Houston?     OK St returns 7 starters on D, and 8 starters on O.    If this game were mid season, I think there would a descent shot for a Miss St cover, since the secondary will get reps and the starting WR's will get game experience.  But,  in game one, against arguably the most prolific (maybe 2nd to Oregon) in D1, it is going to be tough to catch up.

I'd like to get DUFL, Packers92, JDN, Train, et al perspectives.  And where the hell is Nos???

I actually think people might be underestimating MSU a little in all of the SEC preseason forecasts that I've seen. But the problem I have with them in this spot is playing an uptempo team like OSU that early in the season in the backyard of some of their prime recruiting prospects. Gundy will be dead serious about making a statement in this game. I know people in general are down on the Big 12. But I guarantee you a top Big 12 team (that I think will win the conference) can handle a middle of the pack SEC team on a neutral field. The question is if you think the 13 points is too much. Personally I think the line is about right. But If I had to play it, it would definitely be OSU or nothing.

Ummm  getting 13 points isnt a FAVORITE IDIOT!!

I would rather be retarded tha IGNORANT LIKE THESE IDIOTS!!!!

CAN YOU READ SPELL COMPREHEND???

+ points means that team is getting those amount of points  - means that team is giving up those amount of points!!!!!!!!

  TRYING TO HELP YOU EXPERT MOUTH RUNNERS UNDERSTAND HOW SPORTS GAMBLING WORKS!!

STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES!!!

For me this game has always been an over play if I like the number.  I agree with Corley that MSU is a bit underrated in public perception because of last year's late season - I wouldn't call it a collapse, but underperformance.  I think Miss. St. will have a bit of a chip and want to prove the naysayers wrong and, also, hold up the SEC's reputation.  Does that mean win the game?  Probably not, but it is *definitely* possible they could win the game with ball control, running the ball well & consistently, forcing/capitalizing on turnovers, field position, no penalties, etc.  As for Oklahoma St., everybody talks about their firepower, with good reason, but bleacherreport.com had a surprising ranking of their OL as either 2nd or 3rd best in the BXII, which surprised me -- better than OU and on par with Texas.  If they give the QB good protection and MSU cannot get to him or disrupt his timing, it'll be long night for the bulldogs.  This is probably a no play because the game could go down either way or, possibly, the over.

GW

thanks for the take gwjtf....I still have not decided if I will take OK St and give the points.    I believe if this were OK ST v LSU,  S Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, or Florida , this would be a competitive matchup (with Ok St losing a majority of those matchups.    Those are the elite teams in the SEC.  Miss St is not an elite SEC team.     Miss St's O Line is good, but not dominant.   Miss St has inexperienced but talented skills folks at WR and the secondary, that will be very good by mid season and probably carry Miss St to a forecasted bowl.  but, will they all be clicking in week 1.   I don't think so.     Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been to both the Miss St (premium) scout sides and the OK St free scout site.   Miss St is hoping for a 6-6 record and a bowl game in the SEC while Ok St thinks believes a BCS National Championship game is a reasonable possibility if things fall right.    Does that imply a 13 point plus MOV for Ok ST, I don't know.     But, it appears that one considers itself and elite team while the other hopes it can have a winning season.   I think in week 1, that moxie may be pivotal in a potential Ok St cover... 

13 points is a lot to give "any" SEC team.  But, I think with talent and coaching being relatively even, the differences will be 1) a spread system v. 3 yards and a cloud of dust, and 2)  a significant advantage to Ok St at the skill positions in week 1.   

I have 49 more days to make my final picks.  This is one of my top 4 along with Texas -42 over NM St, Alabama -18 over Va Tech, and Florida St. -10.5 over Pitt. 

Thanks again!   GL

Corely,John Bond RIP..Last I checked the banner is still hanging and Gus will bring the Auburn fans another one soon.Garbage might be an overstatement.I really dont think State can keep with OSU,but it wouldnt be the 1st time I was wrong.

Corley - I don't know about War but I will tell you - Gus and the *excellent* staff he has assembled will have Auburn on the right track sooner than later.  I am hugely biased for Gus because I think he is a brilliant coach who has finally been given his first opportunity to do what he's prepared for his entire life - run a major program & win like hell. 

Of course QB is the big question at Auburn.  Gus will either find one or make one. A lot of folks give Mike Leach props to bounce back in year 2 after a disappointing year 1.  Mike Leach *will* bring WSU back to national relevance.  But they have so far to go, and he is still instituting his system and gaining personnel. Can they cover Auburn week 1 on the road against IMO significantly superior speed and talent across the board? No. Especially against a competent new opposing HC hell bent on (and expected to) winning now.

Auburn has too much talent and Gus will spoon feed his QBs enough to be effective - just like he did in Hughes at Shiloh and at Springdale (winning a slew of state championships along the way); at Arkansas, Tulsa & Auburn, until he had a Cam Newton (no spoon feeding necessary).

Gus will absolutely score points and will win with anyone - he'll win a(nother) NC with the right one.  Auburn wins their first game at home 48-24 with the outcome not in doubt by the 3rd quarter - (WSU gets a score or two in garbage) ....

GW

gwt - I just read on a Auburn v. Wash St preview that WSU may start three "walk ons" on the O Line.  

SB Nation

https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/football/2013/5/13/4325490/auburn-vs-washington-state-2013-offseason-preview-q-and-a

Auburn is favored by 13.5 on BOL as of today.    This game just got elevated on my ranking list.    Steel's Power ratings have both around 123.   But, if you look at the position rankings, there is no comparison.  I think a lot of people will be scared off of backing Auburn because of last year's debacle (at least the public).     I will appreciate any additional perspectives that you have with regard to this matchup.   There seems to be a lot of optimism around Auburn this year.  The Pirate is the Pirate, but I think he will need 1-2 more years to get the talent that he needs to compete in the Pack 12.    I think the final score will be more like Auburn 42 Washing State 14.  Thanks in advance.