Big Drew and Jim were LIVE from Big E's Sports Grill in Holland giving their final salute to one Justin Verlander. Also, Big Drew makes fun of Jim about last night's Central Michigan season-opening thriller. Also, Jeff Risdon joins the show to recap the Lions' preseason slate, and we dish out our FIRST college football picks session of the season!
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*THE PICKS*
#22 West Virginia +4 at #21 Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech looks to get back their team from last year, where they won 6 of their last 8 games, and returning 7 starters on defense will help with that. West Virginia has a somewhat new offense with only returning their running back from last year. Transfer Will Grier will look to beat that experienced D of Va Tech.
Kris - Virginia Tech
Fongers - West Virginia
Jeff Risdon - Virginia Tech
Jim - West Virginia
Drew - Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech +3 vs #25 Tennessee
After starting poorly, Georgia Tech was able to finish the season with a respectable 9 wins, and they return a lot of that team from last year. Their only weakness seems to be at the QB position, which is a huge hole in their triple option offense. For Tennessee, it looks like Butch Jones seat has never been hotter, and with a QB battle it doesn’t look good for the Volunteers.
Kris - Georgia Tech
Fongers - Tennessee
Jeff Risdon - Georgia Tech
Jim - Tennessee
Drew - Georgia Tech
Akron +30.5 at #6 Penn State
Penn State may be the most experienced team in the Big Ten, returning 16 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters, which could spell playoff for the Nittany Lions. Look for Penn State to stretch their muscles early and often to show that they are a true contender.
Kris - Penn State
Fongers - Akron
Jeff Risdon - Akron
Jim - Penn State
Drew - Akron
#3 Florida State +7 vs #1 Alabama
The national game of the week takes place in Atlanta this week. Alabama brings back a lot of their offensive power that took them to the national championship game, and even with new starters it’s still a Nick Saban coached team. Florida State is also bringing back a great offense that was led by a freshman QB, that won 10 games last year. But the Seminoles pride and joy is the 9 starters coming back on defense, that only gave up an average of 14 points a game in November last year.
Kris - Florida State
Fongers - Florida State
Jeff Risdon - Alabama
Jim - Alabama
Drew - Alabama
Western Michigan +26.5 at #4 USC
The Broncos made it all the way to the Cotton Bowl undefeated last year, behind seniors Zach Tyrell and Corey Davis. But their biggest loss may have been at the head coach spot, losing P.J. Fleck to Minnesota. USC, behind arguably the best QB in college Sam Darnold, look to show off their strength against a weak Western Michigan team.
Kris - Western Michigan
Fongers - Western Michigan
Jeff Risdon - USC
Jim - USC
Drew - Western Michigan
Bowling Green +17 at Michigan State
To say that last season was a disappointment for the Spartans might be the understatement of the century. On top of the 3-9 finish, off season turmoil gutted the experience off the Spartans. Even with all of the noise outside the program, the Spartans want to show that they’re fine, with a beat down of a MAC team.
Kris - Michigan State
Fongers - Michigan State
Jeff Risdon - Michigan State
Jim - Michigan State
Drew - Michigan State
#17 Florida +5 vs #11 Michigan
“3rd in his division.” “Can’t win the big one.” “Urban Meyer won a national championship in his third year… TWICE!” Everyone has their eyes on Michigan and Jim Harbaugh this season. Even after losing 9 starters on defense to the NFL, and three huge offensive weapons as well, so this Wolverine team is incredibly young. Speight looks to take young receivers, and running back corp to produce the same amount of offense as they had last year. For Florida, the big story is the 10 suspended players for this game, and the line keeps moving up as the game gets closer because of it.
Kris - Michigan
Fongers - Michigan
Jeff Risdon - Florida
Jim - Michigan
Drew - Michigan
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