New Orleans offense is going to play at the same level as a season ago. They have no setbacks from last year’s explosive unit and have been in rhythm when the first team offense has been on the field in the preseason. They return almost every player on that side of the ball from a year ago, so the Saints will be able to score points in this game. New Orleans also has a very strong home field advantage, one of the strongest in the league, especially in these primetime games. The Saints were able to decisively win several primetime home games last season and over the last few years. Some people view this game is a huge chance at revenge for Minnesota after losing here last season. However, the Vikings offense isn’t going to be in rhythm. Brett Favre is banged up and hasn’t had much time to work with the offense. This game is a tough challenge for him to start with, and most people don’t realize that Minnesota had a very easy schedule to start last season. That made it easier for Favre to get a few warm up games before facing tougher teams. One of the biggest blows to Minnesota though is that Sidney Rice, who is one of Favre’s favorite targets, is going to miss the first of the year. His absence is a big blow to the Vikings offense. Last year Minnesota should have won the NFC Championship game, but they have too many things going against them in this game to get the win. Look for New Orleans explosive offense and Minnesota’s offensive problems to be the difference in this game. 4 UNIT SELECTION

Temple is simply getting too much respect here against a team that was the conference champion last year. They don’t have quarterback Dan LeFevour anymore, but they do return over half of their starters from a season ago, including four starters on the offensive line. They also return some of their best defenders from a season ago as well. Temple isn’t a high scoring team, and their best player, running back Bernard Pierce, is slightly banged up with a head injury. Last week Temple needed a last second field goal to beat Villanova too. I feel that the Chippewas are being disrespected too much because of losing their head coach and star quarterback, but this team returns several good players from last year’s squad. Temple is a quality team with several returning players, but I don’t think they are this much better than a good Central Michigan team. The Owls don’t have much of a home field advantage either. Look for this game to be close and be within one score. 3 UNIT SELECTION

Oddsmakers aren’t adjusting fast enough to some of these new spread offenses in the SEC. Last season totals were too low, and this total is way too low for these two teams. Auburn is going to be a very high scoring team this season, but they score too fast for their defense to get rest. Auburn gave up 26 points last week to Arkansas State, and I don’t expect them to shutdown a Mississippi State team that put up 49 points against Memphis last week. The Bulldogs have a full season in Dan Mullen’s spread offense after last season, and they appear much more comfortable in it now. They have inexperience at quarterback, but it shouldn’t matter too much because of the good offensive line they have returning. I also expect the Bulldogs offense to be aided by playing this game at home. Look for this game to fly over the total. 4 UNIT SELECTION

Navy doesn’t return any starters in their line backing group and only two out of seven starters on their front seven. Last season they struggled a little against power running teams such as Pittsburgh, Ohio State, and Temple. They had a good year statistically last year, but that was also boosted by playing weak offenses such as Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky, Wake Forest, Rice, and Army. The better offenses they played had success moving the ball, despite all of the experience in the defense. However, I expect Navy’s offense to be dominant this season. They return Ricky Dobbs, arguably the best quarterback in the last 20 years for Navy, as well as their two dominant left and right tackles, which is critical to their triple option offense. They also get their outstanding fullback back, and that position is so critical in this offense to keeping defenses honest. Last season the Maryland defense really struggled, giving up an average of 31 points per game and almost 400 yards per game. The Terps gave up over 30 points per game seven times last season, getting torched by every quality offense they faced. I don’t look for that to dramatically change this season, and Navy’s offense will be very tough for this undisciplined unit to stop. However, Maryland has some good athletes returning on offense. Navy’s defense will have a hard time stopping the athletic quarterback Jamarr Robinson, who has playing experience from last season and is a junior. Last season tailback Da’Rel Scott had a problem with a broken wrist, after a great season two years ago. However, he’s healthy now and should be able to run well behind three returning offensive linemen. Navy has a history of playing shootout style games against better opponents and matching score for score. I look for both teams to approach close to 30 points. 3 UNIT SELECTION

Tulsa should have a much more potent offense this season, returning four starters on the offensive line, but more importantly their starting quarterback G.J. Kinne. Overall the Golden Hurricane return nine out of eleven starters on offense as well. Homefield hasn’t really mattered in this series either, with the road team covering the last three times these teams have played. This game should be a big statement game for the Tulsa program overall. They had a very disappointing season last year, going 5-7, including a six game losing streak, before ending the year with an overtime win over Memphis. However, that stretch included games against the best conference teams one after another when they weren’t’ playing well. However, the defense returns three out of four starters on the defensive line, so both the offense and defense looks more stable than last year. Meanwhile, this season looks to be a down year for East Carolina. They hired Ruffin McNeil to replace Skip Holtz as the head coach, but McNeil has no head coaching experience and his defense wasn’t particularly dominant at Texas Tech. He only returns six starters overall and is also trying to install a Texas Tech style spread offense. The Golden Hurricane were embarrassed by the Pirates last year at home, losing 44-17, so there is added motivation for them in this game to avenge the blowout loss. East Carolina’s team has hardly any returning starters, a new coach with a new offensive and defensive scheme, and facing a team returning several starters with a big revenge factor. The Pirates don’t have a dominant home field advantage, so I think Tulsa won’t be affected by playing on the road in this game, especially with it being the first game of the year. Look for Tulsa to avenge last year’s disappointing season with a big road win here. 4 UNIT SELECTION