By Chris Quebedeaux

SPORTS EDITOR

If it’s the first week of prep and college football, it must be time for the start of the Crowley Post-Signal Football Contest.

Right?

Right!

However, since this week is the season opener, there isn’t really much to ramble on about - no winners from last week to praise, no boobie prizes to hand out.

I could talk about the Saints’ amazing preseason run but it is what it is - preseason.

During baseball’s spring training, the Milwaukee Brewers had the best record in the National League. Today, in the stretch of the 2009 race, they are 14 games back in the NL Central race and 9.5 games out in the wild card race.

So much for preseason results, huh.

I could also talk about LSU football. Of course, if I don’t predict them to win the national championship, I will get hammered.

And I’m not quite ready to make a bold prediction like that.

In addition, I could talk about my Michigan Wolverines. But right now, the hot topic is practice time and who wants to hear about that.

As Allen Iverson would say: “Practice, we talking about practice, man. Not a game - practice. We’re talking about practice, man.”

So with a lack of interesting topics, let’s just get started with the picks:

On the prep scene locally, I’m taking Notre Dame over Teurlings. With the offensive weapons the Pios possess, this just could be their perfect season.

Of course I’m also taking Crowley over Jennings as well as Iota over Vinton and Church Point over Beau Chene.

I hate to say it, but I have to go with Rosepine over Rayne. Rosepine returns 15 starters from a squad that won eight games and made it to the second round of the Class AA playoffs last year.

In other prep action, I’m taking Abbeville over Iowa, Gueydan over Basile, Amite over Franklinton, Patterson over East St. John, Westminster over Vermilion Catholic, Lutcher over Destrehan, Acadiana over Northside and Eunice over Opelousas.

In the college ranks, I’m taking LSU over Washington in what should be a blowout.

I’m also taking Minnesota over Syracuse, Missouri over Illinois, Alabama over Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State over Georgia, Cal over Maryland, UL-Lafayette over Southern and Louisiana College over Bacone

The Cincinnati-Rutgers game is a freebie to all since it will be played Monday.