Week 3 Picks

Week 3, finally get to see some teams show who their real teams are by now. I was 16-5 last week, so let's hope this one goes a lot smoother.

FRIDAY 10 Boise State (2-0) v. Fresno State (1-1)

A very good Fresno offense vs. a very good Boise defense is the key matchup. I believe they will meet somewhere in the middle in that battle, and I believe that Boise's offense will own the T.O.P. and score on the Bulldog D who was weak last weak at Wisconsin. Broncos win on a green field for the first time this year, 31-14.

Temple (0-1) v. 5 Penn State (2-0)

Penn State's looked above average on offense, but very dominant on defense allowing just 7 points in each of their first 2 games. Temple is coming off an embarrassing defeat to FCS opponent Villanova. I don't see any reason why the Owls would redeem themselves this week. The touchdown trend continues as The Nittany Lions take this one 35-7.

8 California (2-0) v. Minnesota (2-0)

Minnesota is 2-0 against two mid-level OOC teams this year. The problem is, Cal is not mid-level, they're a really good team with a habit of putting up lots of points (55.5 ppg thus far). Minnesota does not have the firepower on offense to keep up with Jeff Tedford's Bears. I have Cal in the Metrodome by a score of 45-13.

11 Ohio State (1-1) v. Toledo (1-1)

Ohio State brought shame upon me by choking against USC and Pryor keeps verifying my belief that he is in fact NOT a dominant quarterback on the levels of Tebow, McCoy, Bradford, and Snead thus far. He may get there, just not right now. Lucky for him, the Rockets have a horrendous defense (45 ppg) which leads me to believe that the Buckeyes take this one 52-21.

Duke (1-1) v. 22 Kansas (2-0)

Kansas, very good. Duke, not very good. Duke is coming off a victory over Army (not as impressive as it was 60 years ago), but the week before that had a 8 point loss to the Richmond Spiders. Meanwhile, Kansas has a trifecta of WATHLETE skill players the likes of which we've never seen before. Todd Reesing has gotten all of the press since their run to the Orange Bowl. But Jake Sharp (6.1 YPC this year) and Kerry Meier (9 rec. 130 yds so far) are as electric as it gets in the Big 12. Kansas goes video game upside Duke and routs 56-10.

East Carolina (1-1) v.  24 UNC

Less than impressive win last week vs. UCONN, but maybe that proves they can win close games. The Tar Heels have a very balanced offensive attack, including a solid quarterback in TJ Yates. I don't see Carolina overlooking a mediocre Pirate team, UNC pulls it out 27-20.

Eastern Michigan (1-1) v. 25 Michigan

I have to say I did see a huge improvement in Michigan (even though I picked a loss last week for them), but they took it to a new level against Notre Dame. They found their quarterback for the next 4 years in Tate Forcier. Rich Rodriguez recently said in an interview that he's proud of Forcier but the race isn't over for Sheridan and Robinson. Like anyone believes that nonsense from Rich, this is going to be a big year for the Wolverines and it continues here. Michigan 42-6.

North Texas (1-1) v. 4 Alabama

Riley Dodge is easily the best player to come to the Mean Green side, but that isn't saying much. UNT is another subpar OOC game for Alabama that I believe will be in the game until the 3rd quarter until the Tide pulls away. Rammer Jammer 38-21.

Tennessee (1-1) v. 1 Florida

The most talked about game of the year so far, but not because it'll be a close game. It's because Lane Kiffin should play for the New York Jets, he may not have the talent but he sure has the mouth for it. If Crompton throws 3 picks vs. UCLA, I can't imagine how he'll fair against a much, much better team in Florida. Piss off the Gators and you'll pay (i.e. Georgia last year 48-10), I think this will be much of the same. Gators swamp the Vols 56-13.

3 USC v. Washington

I don't think that the QB questions are going to be a distraction for USC, but I do expect some kinks that need working out from Aaron Corp during this game. Steve Sarkisian knows who he's going up against and will have his team prepared. Too bad Jake Locker does not have the talent around him that an inferior Aaram Corp does or this game could swing the other way. Closer game in Seattle than some would think, but USC prevails 28-24.

Tulsa (2-0) v. 12 Oklahoma (1-1)

Tulsa may have one of the best offenses in the country putting up a combined 81 points in their first 2 games. But thats against New Mexico and Tulane and not a National Title contending defense. Frustrating week for high powered Tulsa. OU wins in Norman 34-20.

19 Nebraska (2-0) v. 13 Virginia Tech (1-1)

Winning in Blacksburg is tough, anyone in the ACC knows that. Tyrod Taylor is good but not great, they will win their games this year as the Hokies always have, through defense and special teams. On the other hand, Zac Lee is one of the most talented, under-discussed quarterbacks in the country. And I can never bet against a Bo Pellini coached defense. I have the Cornhuskers in an upset here, 27-14.

18 Utah (2-0) v. Oregon (1-1)

The balanced attack of Cain and Asiata is a very formidable threat to an average Oregon defense. Although, I still am not convinced that this year's Utah team is a very good team, I do think they'll beat a subpar team in Oregon. The Utes win this one 24-20.

17 Cincinnati (2-0) v. Oregon State (2-0)

I think Oregon State's a good team, but I think Cincinnati is a great team. 5th year Senior Tony Pike is a quarterback with a big arm that puts up June Jones-like numbers. I dont see the #1 scoring offense in FBS slowing down in this one, Bearcats big 52-10.

Florida State (1-1) v. 7 BYU (2-0)

Max Hall is a 2nd tier elite quarterback, (the big 3 are 1st tier) and has lead his polygamist Cougars to a 2-0 record. FSU could be 2-0 right now if the referees had the balls to get the Hurricanes off of the field and play the final 0:01 on the clock, but that's neither here nor there. You've got to be a moron to pick the Seminoles in this game, so I guess I'm a moron. Noles 21-20.

UL-Lafayette (2-0) v. 9 LSU (2-0)

You have got to hand it the Ragin' Cajuns for scheduling probably the tought OOC slate of any non-BCS team. They've already managed the Kansas State part of that gauntlet, beating the legendary Bill Snyder 17-15. They have LSU this week then travel to Lincoln next week, and i just don't see them winning either of those games. They're the second best team in Louisiana but they're going to get whooped up upon by the best team in the county-less state. LSU in a snoozefest 20-7.

Texas State (1-0) v. 15 TCU (1-0)

Nothing of note to discuss here, besides bad scheduling by the TCU A.D. There is zero warranted complaining in December if TCU goes undefeated and gets stuck in a mediocre Christmas bowl game. This is because of scheduling the likes of Texas State and SMU, which if anyone wants to bring up UVA and Clemson, that is irrelevant due to the fact that neither are ranked or will produce good football teams this year. If I must predict a score, I'll say TCU 42-6.

Rice (0-2) v. 16 Oklahoma State (1-1)

There will be a lot less excitement in Stillwater this week than there was last week, considering they are essentially out of the National Championship hunt. Regardless, I think the offense kicks it into gear for some payback against a rough Rice team waiting for YouTube star Sam McGuffie to regain eligibility. Pokes 52-10.

SE Louisiana (2-0) v. 5 Ole Miss (1-0)

The Lions have a good quarterback in Brian Babin, but he's proved this against the likes of Texas A&M-Commerce and Union College. That being said, they'll have a rough introduction to SEC football. Now that the Rebels are healing up from a flu epidemic that haunted the football team at the Memphis opener, they should look very different. Johnny Brown had a career day and headlines an improved secondary. The linebackers look to be getting better and the d-line is dominant as expected. Jevan Snead will have his pick of guys to throw to today because they will all be open and this will be a late arrival-early exit game for the fans. Rebels roll 59-0.

21 Georgia (1-1) v. Arkansas (1-0)

I'll admit that I could not have been more wrong about the UGA-USC game last week by way of score as well as who won. This game however, I am confident will go according to plan. Ryan Mallet is a great quarterback with a great group of receivers (ranked 2nd in the SEC by ESPN blogger Chris Low) and the premiere back in the SEC Michael Smith. Georgia has a young defense who will be exposed every which way. The 'Backs will own the Time of Possession battle and have a lot to throw at Joe Cox. Arkansas doesn't just upset, they torch the Bulldogs. Final Score Bulldogs 14 Razorbacks 31.

Texas Tech (2-0) v. 2 Texas (2-0)

The Longhorns looked vulnerable last week against the Cowboys. And no not against the $1 billion cross-state Cowboys, they looked weak against the WYOMING Cowboys. I am one of the few who thinks that the Red Raiders are more talented than they were a year ago which is why I expect them to hang around Saturday night. Regardless I have the Longhorns coming away with this one late, 38-34.

I have 3 upsets in this one with 7 BYU, 13 VA Tech, 21 UGA all going down. Let's all just have a silent prayer for the man working the scoreboard in Gainesville this week, he'll definitely be busy keeping up with half of it...