Baum's can't miss picks of the week:

Hello everyone and welcome. Football season is upon us once again and that means time for some guessing and gambling. And because you are busy heating cheese dip and passing out at halftime, we here at PerformanceEnhancedBlogging are giving you five for-sure picks that will allow you to keep your sad and poorly funded little operation afloat for one more week.

Baum starts the season 0-0. And here are the moneymakers:

1. Oregon Ducks @ Boise State Broncos(-3) Over/Under 64

I'm only taking one from the Thursday night set because I am too ready to start the season and this is too good to pass up. If you can stay up and stand the seizure-inducing colors of Boise State's stadium, then you will get to chance to see two of the highest-powered offenses in the nation trade touchdowns. The Ducks averaged 42 points a game last year while the Broncos could only muster 39, so the scoring will score in bunches. Oh, but you know what you won't see? Defense. These teams combined to give up an average of 51 points per game last year (28 by Oregon; 23 by Boise), so seeing both teams score 32 shouldn't be a surprise anyone. Take the
over.

2. Buffalo Bulls (+8.5) @ UTEP Miners

RB James Starks for Buffalo is good. He is very good. He is the main reason they were able to win the MAC Championship last year. And Turner Gill is a very good coach, but a repeat as Mid-American Champs is very unlikely without Starks, who will have season-ending shoulder surgery soon.

This game is a replay of last year's season opener in Buffalo, when the Bulls stampeded to a 42-17 victory. Now the game has moved across the country, waaayyy down south near the border and Buffalo's star running back is gone. It is clear this game will not be a Bulls blowout, and they may even lose, but 8.5 points on year removed from a 25 point victory is too good to pass up. Take Buffalo and the points.

3. Maryland Terrapins @ California Golden Bears (-21)

This game is another replay of one that went the other way last year that is changing sites. Maryland was able to upset Cal at in College Park last year and must now travel all the way to the Pacific Ocean to lock-up again. California is greatly improved over last year's 8-4 squad and Maryland probably won't be able to win seven games again this year. But it is still early in the season and few teams look as sharp now as they will in October. Expect the Golden Bears to win in a possible route, but don't expect three touchdowns. Maryland and 21 will take it.

4. Kentucky Wildcats -15 @ Miami Redhawks

Kentucky is not going to blow many people out. But, reversely, Miami isn't going to beat many teams either. Miami hasn't won in Oxford since September 13 of last year, when they beat Charleston Southern by 11. Kentucky can beat up on lesser teams. Take the Wildcats, and lay the points.

5. Miami Hurricanes (+6.5) @ Florida State Seminoles

Is FSU ready to be meaningful again? This would certainly be a solid game to make a statement in. Well, they will win this game by a touchdown, but probably not be in the top 15 at the end of the year. It's the Noles by at least a touchdown.