College Football Predictions Week 3
First off, I know I missed my roundup for last week. I had too much stuff going on that weekend. I may be discontinuing that column and writing this exclusively (predictions only vs. both). Regardless, I'll take a quick look at how I did last week:
With 22 games on the docket last week, I ended up going 18-4, thanks in part to pants-shitting performances by Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. Moving on to this week:
TOP 25
(1)Alabama @ Duke
The Tide shouldn't have much of a problem here. Mark Ingram will finally play and inject some more power into an already powerful offense. 31-14 Bama
(2)Ohio State vs. Ohio
Ohio State comes off a big win against the Canes. This matchup should be a walkover. Don't expect the Wildcats to put up much of a fight. 42-10 Buckeyes
(3)Boise State @ Wyoming
The Broncos are back in action this week facing a Wyoming team that got beat down by Texas last week. The same should happen this week, although Boise's high ranking is really starting to come into question after the realization that Virginia Tech may not be a legitimate FBS team. 38-17 Broncos
(4)TCU vs. Baylor
The high-powered Horned Frogs offense looks to demolish another team this week. Baylor managed to hang with Texas for a quarter, and could magically do the same with TCU. I wouldn't bet on it, though. This game should be over early. 56-17 Horned Frogs
(5)Oregon vs. Portland State
The Ducks pulled away at Tennessee after a lengthy rain delay. There's no reason to believe they won't pull away much earlier in the game this week. 52-9 Ducks
(6)Texas @ Texas Tech
The Longhorns look to continue their winning ways against a stingy Red Raiders team. Mastermind Mike Leach isn't roaming the sideline anymore so Texas shouldn't be as worried. Being a home game might help the Raiders a bit, but not enough. 31-17 Longhorns
(7)Oklahoma vs. Air Force
I generally feel bad for the service academies when they have to play tough teams like this. They won't win this game, and it shouldn't be close. Oklahoma destroyed Florida State last week, this game should be a repeat. 49-10 Sooners
(8)Nebraska @ Washington
The Cornhuskers go on the road and play at a tough stadium. That shouldn't matter much. Jake Locker is looking to cement himself as the best QB in next year's NFL draft, but he won't be doing much to help himself in this game. 24-14 Huskers
(9)Iowa @ (24)Arizona
This may be the marquee matchup this week. Iowa goes to the (almost) west coast and takes on a rising PAC-10 power in the Wildcats. QB Nick Foles, a Michigan State transfer, leads the Wildcats offense, and it's a good one. QB Ricky Stanzi and the Hawkeyes look to continue their hot streak. This could end up being a grudge match, and should be the first good measuring stick for both teams. 21-17 Hawkeyes
(10)Florida @ Tennessee
This game would be a lot more interesting if Lane Kiffin were still coaching at Tennessee. After getting blown out by Oregon in the second half last week, the Vols will be looking to bounce back in a big way. A win here would do that. Florida has been suspect through the first 2 weeks and this game should be a good barometer of where they're really at. 24-14 Gators
(11)Wisconsin vs. Arizona State
The Sun Devils, led by Michigan transfer Steven Threet, come into Madison looking to keep their winning ways going. Unfortunately for them, RB John Clay and the Badgers are a good team. Better than the Sun Devils. And they're at home. The end. 27-14 Badgers
(12)Arkansas @ Georgia
This should be a legitimate test for QB Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks. An in-conference road game is a good stage to announce that you're still in the running for the Heisman and your team is one to be reckoned with. WR AJ Green is still out for the Bulldogs after his jersey-selling scandal. 24-17 Razorbacks
(13)South Carolina vs. Furman
The Gamecocks are at home and are playing...who? Please, can we not have a repeat of last week's Virginia Tech debacle? 35-7 Cocks
(14)Utah @ New Mexico
Utah continues their march toward being in the BCS-bowl mix again this year. New Mexico shouldn't pose much of a challenge. 42-10 Utes
(15)Louisiana State vs. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs go into Death Valley a week after being carved up by Auburn. QB Jordan Jefferson could have a big day as long as the Tigers take the Auburn gameplan and run with it. 31-14 Tigers
(16)Auburn vs. Clemson
The matchup of the Tigers. Auburn QB Cameron Newton is a rising star in the SEC. He looks to lead his Tigers past the Clemson Tigers in a matchup that will have announcers and viewers alike confused as hell. 21-14 Auburn
(17)Miami (FL) off this week
(18)USC @ Minnesota
The Trojans go to Minnesota this week looking to prove they're for real. A road win against a Gophers team that lost to South Dakota last week wouldn't really help, but it can't hurt either. USC shouldn't have much trouble. 30-14 Trojans
(19)Stanford vs. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons are a real tricky team that likes to stick with tougher opponents in big games. This game could be no exception. Going to the west coast normally doesn't bode well for visiting teams, but you just never know with Wake. Ultimately I think Stanford is too good a team here. 31-17 Cardinal
(20)Michigan vs. Massachusetts
Yawn. Next. 56-7 Wolverines
(21)West Virginia vs. Maryland
If this game were at Maryland, I'd give the Terps a chance. But, since it's not, I don't. It really could end up being a close game, but Maryland does not win this game. 17-10 Mountaineers
(22)Penn State vs. Kent State
Ahh yes. The ever-present Big-10 vs. MAC matchup. Penn State got stomped last week in Tuscaloosa and JoePa and the Nittany Lions might want to take out some anger. Poor Golden Flashes. The Golden Flashes? What are they, superheroes? 38-10 Nittany Lions
(23)Houston @ UCLA
QB Case Keenum continues his march toward a Heisman trophy. The Cougars offense is more potent than the Stanford offense UCLA faced last week. They got beat at home by the Cardinal, and they'll get beat at home by Houston this week. 28-14 Cougars
(25) Oregon State vs. Louisville
Another matchup where an east coast team goes west (just like Fievel did!). Oregon State, led by James and Jacquizz Rodgers, have an offense that stacks up with anyone in the nation. Louisville doesn't have much to their name. 42-17 Beavers
Local/Notable
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
The Spartans are back on national TV this week as they host the Irish in an 8pm tilt. Last year the Spartans were, dare I say, upset in South Bend after an abysmal performance by the offense. Their (now) 3-headed running attack should lead them again this week, but Kirk Cousins and the receiving corp really needs to step up. So far, the MSU defense has been a strength, which is really a surprise. I don't know whether to expect that to continue or not.
The Irish looked pedestrian in their loss to Michigan last week. QB Dayne Crist coming out with an odd injury certainly didn't help, but such are the breaks. Their offense did look good when Crist was in, and he's expected to be good to go this week. Look for Brian Kelly to exploit MSU's suspect secondary this week. These teams always play tight games, and this year's should be no exception. 31-24 Spartans
With 22 games on the docket last week, I ended up going 18-4, thanks in part to pants-shitting performances by Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. Moving on to this week:
TOP 25
(1)Alabama @ Duke
The Tide shouldn't have much of a problem here. Mark Ingram will finally play and inject some more power into an already powerful offense. 31-14 Bama
(2)Ohio State vs. Ohio
Ohio State comes off a big win against the Canes. This matchup should be a walkover. Don't expect the Wildcats to put up much of a fight. 42-10 Buckeyes
(3)Boise State @ Wyoming
The Broncos are back in action this week facing a Wyoming team that got beat down by Texas last week. The same should happen this week, although Boise's high ranking is really starting to come into question after the realization that Virginia Tech may not be a legitimate FBS team. 38-17 Broncos
(4)TCU vs. Baylor
The high-powered Horned Frogs offense looks to demolish another team this week. Baylor managed to hang with Texas for a quarter, and could magically do the same with TCU. I wouldn't bet on it, though. This game should be over early. 56-17 Horned Frogs
(5)Oregon vs. Portland State
The Ducks pulled away at Tennessee after a lengthy rain delay. There's no reason to believe they won't pull away much earlier in the game this week. 52-9 Ducks
(6)Texas @ Texas Tech
The Longhorns look to continue their winning ways against a stingy Red Raiders team. Mastermind Mike Leach isn't roaming the sideline anymore so Texas shouldn't be as worried. Being a home game might help the Raiders a bit, but not enough. 31-17 Longhorns
(7)Oklahoma vs. Air Force
I generally feel bad for the service academies when they have to play tough teams like this. They won't win this game, and it shouldn't be close. Oklahoma destroyed Florida State last week, this game should be a repeat. 49-10 Sooners
(8)Nebraska @ Washington
The Cornhuskers go on the road and play at a tough stadium. That shouldn't matter much. Jake Locker is looking to cement himself as the best QB in next year's NFL draft, but he won't be doing much to help himself in this game. 24-14 Huskers
(9)Iowa @ (24)Arizona
This may be the marquee matchup this week. Iowa goes to the (almost) west coast and takes on a rising PAC-10 power in the Wildcats. QB Nick Foles, a Michigan State transfer, leads the Wildcats offense, and it's a good one. QB Ricky Stanzi and the Hawkeyes look to continue their hot streak. This could end up being a grudge match, and should be the first good measuring stick for both teams. 21-17 Hawkeyes
(10)Florida @ Tennessee
This game would be a lot more interesting if Lane Kiffin were still coaching at Tennessee. After getting blown out by Oregon in the second half last week, the Vols will be looking to bounce back in a big way. A win here would do that. Florida has been suspect through the first 2 weeks and this game should be a good barometer of where they're really at. 24-14 Gators
(11)Wisconsin vs. Arizona State
The Sun Devils, led by Michigan transfer Steven Threet, come into Madison looking to keep their winning ways going. Unfortunately for them, RB John Clay and the Badgers are a good team. Better than the Sun Devils. And they're at home. The end. 27-14 Badgers
(12)Arkansas @ Georgia
This should be a legitimate test for QB Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks. An in-conference road game is a good stage to announce that you're still in the running for the Heisman and your team is one to be reckoned with. WR AJ Green is still out for the Bulldogs after his jersey-selling scandal. 24-17 Razorbacks
(13)South Carolina vs. Furman
The Gamecocks are at home and are playing...who? Please, can we not have a repeat of last week's Virginia Tech debacle? 35-7 Cocks
(14)Utah @ New Mexico
Utah continues their march toward being in the BCS-bowl mix again this year. New Mexico shouldn't pose much of a challenge. 42-10 Utes
(15)Louisiana State vs. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs go into Death Valley a week after being carved up by Auburn. QB Jordan Jefferson could have a big day as long as the Tigers take the Auburn gameplan and run with it. 31-14 Tigers
(16)Auburn vs. Clemson
The matchup of the Tigers. Auburn QB Cameron Newton is a rising star in the SEC. He looks to lead his Tigers past the Clemson Tigers in a matchup that will have announcers and viewers alike confused as hell. 21-14 Auburn
(17)Miami (FL) off this week
(18)USC @ Minnesota
The Trojans go to Minnesota this week looking to prove they're for real. A road win against a Gophers team that lost to South Dakota last week wouldn't really help, but it can't hurt either. USC shouldn't have much trouble. 30-14 Trojans
(19)Stanford vs. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons are a real tricky team that likes to stick with tougher opponents in big games. This game could be no exception. Going to the west coast normally doesn't bode well for visiting teams, but you just never know with Wake. Ultimately I think Stanford is too good a team here. 31-17 Cardinal
(20)Michigan vs. Massachusetts
Yawn. Next. 56-7 Wolverines
(21)West Virginia vs. Maryland
If this game were at Maryland, I'd give the Terps a chance. But, since it's not, I don't. It really could end up being a close game, but Maryland does not win this game. 17-10 Mountaineers
(22)Penn State vs. Kent State
Ahh yes. The ever-present Big-10 vs. MAC matchup. Penn State got stomped last week in Tuscaloosa and JoePa and the Nittany Lions might want to take out some anger. Poor Golden Flashes. The Golden Flashes? What are they, superheroes? 38-10 Nittany Lions
(23)Houston @ UCLA
QB Case Keenum continues his march toward a Heisman trophy. The Cougars offense is more potent than the Stanford offense UCLA faced last week. They got beat at home by the Cardinal, and they'll get beat at home by Houston this week. 28-14 Cougars
(25) Oregon State vs. Louisville
Another matchup where an east coast team goes west (just like Fievel did!). Oregon State, led by James and Jacquizz Rodgers, have an offense that stacks up with anyone in the nation. Louisville doesn't have much to their name. 42-17 Beavers
Local/Notable
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
The Spartans are back on national TV this week as they host the Irish in an 8pm tilt. Last year the Spartans were, dare I say, upset in South Bend after an abysmal performance by the offense. Their (now) 3-headed running attack should lead them again this week, but Kirk Cousins and the receiving corp really needs to step up. So far, the MSU defense has been a strength, which is really a surprise. I don't know whether to expect that to continue or not.
The Irish looked pedestrian in their loss to Michigan last week. QB Dayne Crist coming out with an odd injury certainly didn't help, but such are the breaks. Their offense did look good when Crist was in, and he's expected to be good to go this week. Look for Brian Kelly to exploit MSU's suspect secondary this week. These teams always play tight games, and this year's should be no exception. 31-24 Spartans
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