This Is Just An Exhibition. It Is Not A Competition. So, Please, No Wagering

I decided to add a new feature for the fall, really just to see if I'm any better than the folks who do this for a living. So, here's the McKinney Diner fall football picks!

Each week, I'll do the local high schools, college games of note (generally SEC fare and other big games) and the Cowboys game each week and we'll see how I do...both straight up and against the line.

High Schools

Lewisville Fighting Farmers at Grand Prairie: Grand Prairie hasn't won a game in their last 19 tries, but the Farmers have struggled in recent years. They gave up 30 points a game last year, but I think they should pull it out. Lewisville 26, Grand Prairie 18.

Colleges

Hawaii at Alabama (-16): Alabama's defense is always very tough and will be so much better than Hawaii's offense. Bama's offense is a question mark with a new quarterback and an inexperienced offensive line...but their running back Kenneth Darby might lead the SEC in rushing this year and will take the heat off the new quarterback. Alabama 35, Hawaii 17.

Washington State at Auburn (-14.5): I'm going to be there! Auburn usually struggles against out of conference opponents to open if they're from BCS conferences. Auburn's offense will be good everywhere but at the wideouts and their defense will be better than last year. But Washington State lost 4 games last year by 5 points or less in the Pac-10 and will play Auburn tough for a half, but look for Auburn to pull away in the 4th quarter. Auburn 31, Washington State 17

Southern Miss at Florida (-20): Seems like Southern Miss always gets after somebody on opening day, but the Gators have too much. Florida 38, Southern Miss 21

Louisiana-Lafayette at LSU (-30.5): Are you kidding? The only thing holding back LSU is LSU and they'll play lots of folks. LSU 49, Lousiana-Lafayette 13

Notre Dame at Georgia Tech (+8): I've thought Notre Dame is overrated but they'll score enough to cover against Tech, even on the road. Notre Dame 31, Georgia Tech 21

U.A.B. at Oklahoma (-21.5): OU learned some things from last year's embarrassing opener and Adrian Peterson will be WAY too much, especially at home. Oklahoma 35, U.A.B. 10

Southern Cal at Arkansas (+8): This team hung 70 on the Razorbacks last year. Granted they lost tremendous talent but Arkansas won't have the juice without McFadden and their starting quarterback...and playing in Fayetteville won't be enough of an advantage U.S.C. 31, Arkansas 10.

California at Tennessee (-1.5): Probably the best game on the docket this week. Tennessee is coming off a bad season with something to prove, but I don't think the Cal Bears can adjust to 105,000 in Neyland Stadium...they don't ever see anything like that in the Pac-10. Tennessee 21, California 17.

S.M.U. at Texas Tech (-26.5): S.M.U. is awful, even with a new quarterback at Tech, they just plug and play new ones. Texas Tech 42, S.M.U. 6

Well, there you have 'em folks. What do YOU think?