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8/30/03 — 6 p.m. EST

Southern Cal at Auburn

Auburn -4

Matt Linehart takes over at quarterback for Carson Palmer at USC and the schedule doesn’t work out kindly for Linehart. Making his starting debut at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers return 18 overall starters, including eight on a defense that will give Linehart fits. Auburn also has that stellar cast of running backs — Cadillac Williams, Tre Smith, Ronnie Brown and Brandon Jacobs — that will go against a USC defense that was tops in the Pac-10 last year in rushing defense. Something will give and you can count on Auburn’s ground game to come through Saturday.

Since 2001, Auburn is 4-1 against Top 10 teams and we like the Tigers by at least a touchdown in this one as Linehart can’t get the Trojans into gear.

8/28/03 – 7:30 PM EST

Miami (FL) v. Louisiana Tech

Miami -28

O/U 62.5

Dave jumps in to the swing of things with a FREE PICK.

Offensively, Miami has lost their two main weapons in Dorsey and McGahee. However, you may recall tailback Frank Gore was in line to be the starter last year until a knee injury put McGahee in the limelight. At QB, Brock Berlin makes a homecoming of sorts for his inaugural season as starter. On the other side, Louisiana Tech is entering the game after a disappointing 4-8 season last year, but QB Luke McCown can air it out with the best of them; on pace to become the number 2 all-time passing leader in the NCAA this year.

But you’ve gotta have D. Everyone is touting Miami’s defense as being one of the best in the country. However, they lost 5 starters from last year, and of their remaining 6, only 3 are retaining their starting positions. By mid-season things should settle down into a tight rhythm, but we see some holes coming into tonight?s game from inexperience. Tech’s defense offers little more than an average collegiate lineup, but they will be looking to play tonight. Miami is the highest ranked team to come into Shreveport in over 40 years, and that will give the home team something to play for.

Four touchdowns is big number, we see Louisiana Tech staying within the 28.

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College Football 2003

BCA Classic

Kansas St. v. California

Kansas St. – 28

O/U 58

The 2003 College Football season gets underway on Saturday, August 23rd with the BCA Classic being played in Kansas City between Kansas State and Cal. While we polish up the features behinds the scenes on GridIronPicks.com, we are giving away the house with a FREE PICK to open the season.

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On to Saturday’s Free Play!

As far as season openers go, this is going to be a yawner of a game. K-State’s QB Eli Roberson brings 6 other returning starters on offense (including RB Darren Sproles) ) into this game and should make a quick return to their high-powered offense. Three of the four starters who moved on after last season were lineman, which definitely gives the Wildcats a strong upper hand when it comes to experience with the ball. Cal on the other hand, coming off a 7-5 season last year, is bringing an inexperienced defense with only 2 returning starters. Based on the experience alone, K-State looks to dominate in the red zone.

Flipping sides, Cal sports a one-dimensional offense, and that dimension left with Kyle Boller.

Kansas State will explode to cover the 28 points.