Joe D’Amico Sports Picks & AASI Handicapper Review

Oregon Ducks.

I think we’ve seen that laying big numbers so far early on in this college football campaign, has burned a few favorites for sure. And laying this type of wood here can be scary. But if you recall, Boise State only stepped up in class a few times a season ago and got shellacked each time. They lost their season opener on the road at South Florida 34-7, got demolished in the first week of October on the road at Notre Dame 28-7, took an ugly home loss on November 1 at the hands of Fresno State, 30-7, and the last time they took the field on a December 13 Bowl game, they were annihilated by Washington 38-10. As I mentioned a moment ago, each time this team was asked to step up in class, they fell way short. They must face the No. 2 team in the country in the Oregon Ducks in Eugene. This is no small task, my friends. Now I do understand this is a lot of points. But I also understand coming in here the second-ranked team in the nation, compels the Ducks to put a blowout on the board early. They don’t have a very tough opponent for quite a while. Style points count as we know in college football. And coming out and drubbing their first opponent is going to give them just what they need to stay ranked where they are. If you recall, the last time these two teams met was back in the September 2024 where at home Oregon was a 17.5-point favorite, and eked out a 37-34 victory. I’m sure that game has been haunting this team for a while. It shouldn’t have been that close. I look for Heisman-candidate quarterback, Dante Moore to absolutely light up the scoreboard in the air here. Trust me when I tell you, they will not be surprised or caught off guard here. A few years ago, when they broncos lost their biggest contributor, Jeanty, it was certainly significant to last year‘s play. Oregon is 7-2 against the spread the last nine nonconference games, and as I mentioned earlier, I feel this will be a big showing for head coach Lanning, and the No. 2 Ducks. Take Oregon. Thank you.

Duke.

My friends, I feel Tulane will be a solid force in the AAC this season. This was a good team a season ago. But when they were asked to step up in class during the regular and postseason, they got crushed by Mississippi both times, in the regular season by 35 points, and in the bowl first round by 31 points. Now I’m not trying to sell Duke as good as a team as Mississippi, my friends. But the Blue Devils are a very good team. Their offense is explosive, and they have a defense that matches up well with today’s opponent. I mentioned revenge earlier. The Green Wave took last years meeting at home 34-27 as a slight fav. Prior to that Duke took the three previous meetings. They were upset they lost to an AAC team. Please remember they finished the season on a high-note, taking down North Carolina and Wake Forest in the last few games of the regular season, beat a very good Virginia team in the conference championship, and then took down Arizona State in their bowl game. This team is expected to be a stronger squad this season under the guidance of Manny Diaz. They brought in a San Jose State transfer who knows how to air the ball out at quarterback being that he played in the Mountain West, and they have an exceptional ball carrier in Nate Sheppard, who ran for over 1,132 yards last season. Take Duke. Thank you.

James Madison.

It’s no secret both teams are dealing with quarterback situations. But James Madison comes into this matchup knowing they dismantled Liberty last September, 31-13. This is a Flames team that was a disaster last season following a very successful season the year before. Not only were they horrible in the win/lost column, but they also covered just three games a season ago. Meanwhile, the Dukes are expected to take their conference again this season, as they were extremely strong last year. This team won all but one regular season game, then destroyed Troy in the conference championship, and looked very competitive against Oregon in the first round of the Bowls. They put up 34 points on a Ducks team that was one of the best in the country. I mentioned at the start of this breakdown and both teams have quarterback question marks. But JMU brought in solid play-callers from both Memphis and UCF, while they brought in Liberty’s running back. I look for this team to make a statement here. Take the Dukes. Thank you.

Pitt Panthers.

Sure, Miami Ohio is good in the MAC, but historically this team falls way short when facing superior conference foes. They’ve really never been able to put up points on better opposition. Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi, is defense all the way. They are known to be very stout against the run are expected to come in here just as solid defensively a we have seen them in recent seasons. The problem they had was inconsistency at the quarterback position. It seems those days are over. Please remember this team has won six straight season openers going 5-1 against the spread, and some of those lines were pretty high. Speaking of quarterbacks, the Redhawks will be starting McComb after transferring from Kansas without taking a game snap and it will be a very tough day for this young man. He must line up against a ferocious “D” known for its pressure on the quarterback and tight coverage. I expect the home team here to come out with some fire, and show the ACC that they mean business this year. Take the Panthers. Thank you.