Picks Trying Not to Suck: Offseason Special

By Dr. Buffalo Wild Wang

(Editor's Note: It's been way too long since we've heard from Upstate New York's top urologist. The good doctor has graciously offered time out from his busy schedule of urologizing to offer up his favorite plays of the upcoming season, before the point spreads are even set. Homerism previously posted his picks. All yours, Wang.)

After blowing Homerism away last year, The Wild Wang spent the entire offseason trying to negotiate a raise from our fearless leader. My plea fell on deaf ears and yours truly will yet again be working for free this season. (Ed.'s Note: You got your basket of teriyaki wings, if I recall correctly.) With that being said, let’s see if I can get off on the right foot with some early picks.

Tulsa at Tulane (Sept. 4th)

No better place to start than the hometown team. The Green Wave will look to start the 2009 season off on the right foot after suffering through a 2-10 record last year. The Golden Hurricane will bring their high-powered attack under Todd Graham to the Bayou with visions of adding another conference title. David Johnson may be gone, but the Wang is willing to bet that Graham has plenty of weapons waiting to step in. 

The Pick: Dr. Wang will take the Golden Hurricane in a route that easily covers the spread.

BYU vs. Oklahoma (Sept. 5th)

*Arlington

The first-ever football game to be played in Jerry Jones’ new playground features the Sooners against the Stormin’ Mormons. There will be plenty of points to come by in this game, which should be exciting for the Wild Wang and his wife, who plan on attending. BYU’s offense should keep the score somewhat close, allowing Sam Bradford a chance to kick off his repeat Heisman campaign in style. 

The Pick: I expect the Sooners to hit 60 in the game and win big.

Tulsa at Oklahoma (Sept. 19)

Seeing a trend here? Dr. Wang is trying to stay close to him in his preseason picks. The last time Tulsa matched up with the Sooners, OU came away with a 41-point victory. The Golden Hurricane did have some success against the Sooner D. I expect a similar game here, with both offenses moving the ball. This line should be big, and the Tulsa faithful will be looking for the upset. 

The Pick: The Wang will go with the ‘Cane to cover. OU pulls away late.

Buffalo at Temple (Sept. 26)

Buffalo fans were elated this offseason when program savior Turner Gill turned down the Syracuse job to return to the Queen City. Chuck Barkley, on the other hand, wasn't too happy when his Auburn Tigers snubbed Gill. This was one of the best games of the college football season last year, as the Bulls won on a last-second Hail Mary. There will be a new signal caller for Buffalo this year who will have to step in for the departed Drew Willy. Temple is better, but it still stinks. Once the Owls lose the season opener to the Villanova Wildcats, the rest of the season will be downhill. The Bulls will continue what the 'Cats start. 

The Pick: Buffalo covers at the Linc.

Texas A&M at Oklahoma State (Nov. 14th)

The Aggies make a trip to the newly renovated T. Boone Pickens Stadium. The Pokes should have a pretty solid squad this year, once again giving OSU fans the hopes that they may be able to crack the top three in the Big 12 South. While I don’t expect them to be able to compete with OU and Texas yet again, I do think they handle this game against a less than stellar A&M team quite easily. These are just the kind of games where OSU rolls, before succumbing to the real teams in the schedule. 

The Pick: Pokes big.

Oklahoma vs. Nebraska (Dec. 5)

*Big 12 Championship game at JerryWorld

Dr. Wang foresees a third Dallas trip for the Sooners this season and a chance for a four-peat as Big 12 champs. I tend to agree with Homerism and think the Sooners will be lucky to escape Lincoln with a win. That being said, the Big 12 championship game belongs to Stoops and the Sooners. Having previous experience at a new stadium can’t hurt either. It may give OU that much more of an advantage. What really matters here, though, is that OU is just the better team. The Sooners will show it here in a big win.

The Pick: Four straight.