The 2008 college football season kicks off with a busy Labor Day weekend schedule. Games will be played on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Here are my picks for the Thursday and Friday night games:

 

WAKE FOREST 26  BAYLOR 14

This is an interesting intersectional game between the Demon Deacons and the Bears. Wake’s program is on solid ground under Coach Jim Grober. Baylor is rebuilding under first year head coach, Art Briles.

 

VANDERBILT 27  MIAMI 23

It’s a good opportunity for Miami to have an SEC team visiting Oxford. It will be close but look for the road team, the Commodores to squeak by with the win.

 

OREGON STATE 31  STANFORD 27

It’s a tough PAC 10 opener for both teams to start the regular season. This game features an up and coming coach in Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh and an underrated coach nationally in Oregon State’s Mike Riley. 

 

TEMPLE 21  ARMY 10

How long has it been since the Temple Owls have been favored to win a road game? Temple coach Al Golden has his team going in the right direction. This will be a good start to their season.

 

SOUTH CAROLINA 35  N. C. STATE 20

Last season was disappointing for Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks.  They can’t afford to lose a home non-conference game.

Frank Giardina