LEAKED: MY COLLEGE GAMEDAY PICKS COLUMN ... AND SOME NFL THOUGHTS

Before we get into my College GameDay picks, which you can read in print in Saturday's Bristol Press sports section, I have some quick things to hit on about last night's NFL season opener between the Giants and Redskins. (Also, there is breaking news that St. Paul will be the only team left in the Northwest Conference next year ... read the story below this post).

1. Reportedly, Michael Strahan (AP photo, right) was paid $75,000 to make his appearance last night in the pre-game ceremonies for the Super Bowl champions. Are you kidding me? And he had the gall to tell the crowd that they were wrong for thinking he wouldn't return to stand in front of "greatest fans in all of sports." I guess he should have said, "Well, thank God the Giants paid me the dough, because otherwise I would've cared less about being here, in front of you, tonight." I wonder if any other former Giant player was paid to make an appearance. I don't think I would have even thought to ask, as a former player, for that kind of payment.

2. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has to be hoping and praying that his pick for head coach - Jim Zorn - turns into a better coach than he was last night. Zorn mismanaged that game as badly as anyone could have. I sat in disbelief when the team huddled on every play with just three minutes to play and down by two scores. It was an unbelievable sight. And Zorn should have kicked the field goal with a little under a minute to play to cut the lead to six and try for an onside kick – which is what they would have had to do anyway. If those things continue, Zorn won’t and shouldn’t make it through the season.

3. And finally, was that a boring game or what? That second half was horrible. If I didn’t have Clinton Portis on my fantasy team, I might have checked out what else was on television.

Sports Editor Brad Carroll takes a look at the top college football games of the day

LAST WEEK: 4-3 (spread); 4-3 (overall); 1-0 (upset picks)

THIS SEASON: 4-3 (spread); 4-3 (overall); 1-0 (upset picks)

Cincinnati at No. 4 Oklahoma; 3:30 p.m.; ABC

The Skinny: After both Cincinnati and Oklahoma beat up on some patsies last week, the first test for both teams begins today. Well, it’ll be a little more of a test for Cincinnati than Oklahoma. The Sooners will score points, a ton of points, so that’s a given. Cincinnati, with new QB Dustin Grutza, is going to have to match them score for score because the Bearcats defense has no shot at keeping Oklahoma in check. The Pick: Oklahoma (-21.5) wins it 55-20.

Miami at No. 5 Florida; 8 p.m.; ESPN

The Skinny: Miami is nowhere near the team it was just a few seasons ago, but this is a rivalry game, so throw that fact out the window. Plus, Florida hasn’t beaten Miami in 23 years, with the Canes winning the last six meetings. While that points to Miami having the momentum, it should actually play into Florida’s favor – as the superior Gators, with QB Tim Tebow (AP photo, right) know they can’t take a win for granted. But I can’t see it ending in a blowout. The Pick: Florida (-23) wins it 38-24.

No. 8 West Virginia at East Carolina; 4:30 p.m.; ESPN

The Skinny: You gotta love this if you’re an East Carolina fan – two home games against ranked opponents to start the season. Nice job by the program, especially after winning the first one over Virginia Tech. Now it’s West Virginia that comes into town. The Mountaineers aren’t the Hokies, as they have talented QB Pat White to lead the offense, so this will be a completely different story. Last year, West Virginia beat East Carolina 48-7. The Pick: West Virginia (-8) wins it 31-21.

No. 10 Texas at Texas El-Paso; 10:15 p.m.; ESPN2

The Skinny: I don’t think there was a more depressing start to a season than the one UTEP had last week. UTEP was crushed by Buffalo – Buffalo! – 42-17, allowing 484 total yards. UTEP turned the ball over three times and picked up just 67 rushing yards. Oh yeah, it was their seventh straight loss. Texas, on the other hand, destroyed Florida Atlantic last week, which was big because they played horrible against bad teams early last year. The Pick: Texas (-26.5) wins it 56-7.

Louisiana State at No. 14 Kansas; 7 p.m.; FSN

The Skinny: Kansas was our adopted team last year, and they rewarded us with a 12-1 season and a victory over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. The expectations are just as high this season. Kansas opened with a 40-10 victory over Florida International, but the team wasn’t happy with their performance, a good sign for tonight’s game. Louisiana State got a big win last week, topping Mississippi State 22-14, but Kansas should be too much. The Pick: Kansas (-20.5) wins it 42-21.

San Diego State at Notre Dame; 3:30 p.m.; NBC

The Skinny: Joseph Brady’s favorite team should open their season with a big win at home today on NBC. Coach Charlie Weis and the Irish are hoping this is the year they get back on the college football map, and while this sole game won’t make that happen, it would be a nice start. I just wish the spread was a point lower. The Pick: Notre Dame (-21.5) wins it 42-17.

Stanford at No. 15 Arizona State; 10 p.m.; FSN

The Pick: Arizona State (-14) wins it 27-20.

Brad’s brother, Craig Carroll, is back to defend his championship from a year ago. He got off to a rough start last week, finishing with a 2-5 record. Here are his picks for the week: Oklahoma, Miami, West Virginia, Texas, Kansas, Notre Dame, Arizona State.