Pick’Em Gauntlet: Week One Results And ECU Predictions

The Smoking Musket Pick ‘Em Gauntlet is an online college pick ‘em game where we will try to pick the winners of the weekly Big 12 contests plus Yahoo! editors' selected games (usually the games involving the top 25 teams). We do pick against the spread (when available). There are usually 20-30 games to pick each week and each correct pick is worth one point. The winner (excluding Musket staff) will be the person at the end of the regular season who has the most correct picks/points. Points are cumulative, so don't worry if you happen to miss a week or two. We will award the winner a WVU Nike T-shirt at the conclusion of the games in December.

All participants are subject to the Official Rules as determined by SB Nation.

Our game, as in the past, will be hosted by Yahoo! Fantasy. GAME LINK

Our first Pick'Em Gauntlet group has filled up but don't worry, we've set up a second group for those who haven't joined yet. People in the second group will still be competing against those in the first group.

League ID: 10804

Password: LetsGo

We have 30 games to pick this week, starting with games on Friday night (6:30 PM ET) continuing through Pac12 After Dark Action. Deadline for each pick is 5 minutes before kickoff.

Here are the leaders (Top 9) after week 1. Congratulations to BlueDogTX for winning the opening week (all you win for this is kudos).

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Matt Kirchner had the score right for last week’s game, with the Mountaineers on the winning side, so I’ll let his prediction open the show this week.

Matt Kirchner

ECU is definitively very bad.

West Virginia is most likely reasonably good.

This will either be very easy or I'll have an amazing Hot Take Me Home Country Roads next week.

West Virginia 69 - ECU 13

*Editor’s note:

WVUNite

The short week plus the lack of depth in week one keep this a lower scoring affair than the team is capable of. Grier plays 3 quarters and Chris Chuganov throws his first career touchdown.

West Virginia 49 - ECU 14

BartimusPrime

The offense again starts slowly, but the second and third quarters see a good bit of scoring. It's important to get an RB into the end zone in the first half.

West Virginia 37 - ECU 14

Dan Thomas

West Virginia gets back on track after losing their Week 1 game to Virginia Tech. QB Will Grier goes over 400 yards passing while RB Justin Crawford scores a couple of touchdowns.

West Virginia 49 - ECU 17

John Radcliff

Yarrrrr we're gonna win big! Maybe get some booty along the way!!!

West Virginia 55 - ECU 10

Michael Miller

Will Grier has another big game and throws a bit of a welcome back party for Marcus Simms. Expect Simms to burn the Pirates’ secondary, striking fear the hearts of the Big 12.

West Virginia 52 - ECU 13

Nick Shoemaker

I think West Virginia will bounce back with it being the home opener. I also think East Carolina did not have anyone truly stand out last week, like WVU did. My prediction is West Virginia starts a winning streak.

West Virginia 48 - ECU 19

StatsBoyAndi

WVU over ECU in *yawn*

West Virginia 49 - ECU 10

ZACampbell

While JMU is as quality opponent as there is at the FCS level, losing by 20 doesn't set the stage for what the french call a "quality season". And, while West Virginia did lost its opener, it was by mere inches and to what is quite possibly a co-contender for the ACC title in 2017. Will Grier's rust has been firmly shaken off, Marcus Simms is back as the flyer out on the perimeter and Tony Gibson's defense likely wants to take out their week one frustrations on the next opponent in their direct path. Unfortunately for ECU, all of this awaits them in Morgantown. Look for Chris Chugunov in the fourth quarter and for Justin Crawford to break the 200 yard mark.

West Virginia 52 - ECU 14

Jordan Pinto

WVU comes out ready to play on a short week and jumps on ECU quick. Marcus Simms makes his presence felt early, then we ride the backfield trio to an easy win.

West Virginia 45 - ECU 10

WVUIE97

ECU just isn't very good. The good Rev. Willy G. (the younger) gets a rest late, as does most of the first team after piling up plenty of yards and points. We might even see a defensive score in this one.

West Virginia 55 - ECU 10

Robert Hurst

The game starts a little slow, but proves no trouble for WVU

West Virginia 45 - ECU 17

abpriddy

50/50 run-pass split, WVU cruises to an easy win. Minor red zone issues. 3 FGs. Pretty uninteresting.

West Virginia 44 - ECU 13