Not for Betting Purposes: Week 3 CFB Picks Of The Pac 10 and Other Games

The 2010 College Football predictions got off to a rousing start last week. If you followed my picks last week, you went 13-0 (12-1 against the spread.)

While this week's slate of games does not quite reach the standard nationally of last week, it is a most important week out of conference for the Pac 10.

There are two games that give the conference an opportunity to enhance its national reputation with Washington hosting No. 8 Nebraska and No. 9 Iowa traveling to Tucson to take on No. 24 Arizona in the weekend's only game featuring two ranked teams. 

The Pac 10 enters Week 3 with five teams ranked in the top 25. Knocking on the door of the rankings is a Cal Golden Bear squad that has scored 52 points in each of its first two games. (Of course, as we know with the Jeff Tedford's teams, they are sure to earn a good ranking, only to flush it down the toilet sometime in late October or early November.)

One thing the Pac 10 needs to consider is its poor scheduling of some out of conference games. There is no shame in traveling to play a BCS opponent, but why in the world does a major conference travel to play teams from the WAC and other like conferences? 

Those games can only hurt your team, and the reputation of the conference.

With that, lets get to the games:

Pac 10:

No. 18 USC at Minnesota (USC by 18.5)

Pat Hamblin: Which USC team will show up? The zero defense/high-octane offense from the Hawaii game or the penalty-laden team that squeaked by the Virginia Cavaliers? The Golden Gophers and coach Tim Brewster have their own issues after losing to FCS- South Dakota last week. Look for Minnesota to control the clock while Lane Kiffin looks to pick up the tempo with more no-huddle offense. USC covers the spread, but late.

Pick: USC

No. 8 Nebraska at Washington (Nebraska by 4)

Under Steve Sarkissian, the Huskies have played well at home, upsetting USC (minus Matt Barkley) and nearly beating LSU. Washington has a chance to earn itself, and the conference, a significant boost should it get by Nebraska and its revamped Black Shirts on defense.

The game features two of college footballs most exciting quarterbacks in UW's Jake Locker and the Huskers Taylor Martinez who leads his team in both passing and rushing. UW hangs close but Nebraska's defense is too strong.

Pick: Nebraska

Arizona St. at No. 11 Wisconsin (Wisconsin by 15.5)

The Sun Devils may have the Pac 10's best defense, but their offense is inept. Against a Badger team that does not mind a grind it out type of game, ASU has a chance to hang around with quarterback Steven Threet, a Big Ten transfer from Michigan. The Badgers will win and move into the top ten, but ASU covers.

Pick: ASU to cover (Wisconsin to win)

Washington State at Southern Methodist (SMU by 21)

The Cougars are bad. They are even worse on the road. Compounding matters, Wazzu has no defense and June Jones' SMU team can put up points. The spread may seem high at 21, but with SMU being at home, there's a good chance they cover.

Pick: SMU

Louisville at Oregon St. (OSU by 16)

The Beavers will end up being in the top half of the conference, but they always seem to struggle early in the season. Despite Ryan Katz' inexperience under center, Oregon St. is simply the better team in this matchup, but I do not see them covering, even in Corvallis.

Pick: Louisville to cover (OSU to win)

Portland St. at Oregon (Oregon by 51.5)

PH: As Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times has pointed out, the Ducks are scoring a point a minute after two games this season. Look for that average to increase after this sacrificial payout game with Portland St. Darron Thomas and LaMichael James should get significant sideline time this week but look for Lache Seastrunk to show why he was such a highly recruited running back.

Pick: Oregon (to win AND cover)

No. 23 Houston at UCLA (Houston by 3)

Case Keenum is healthy and the high octane Cougars are looking to make a statement against the struggling Bruins who are just looking for a way to score consistently. The Bruin secondary, led by Rahim Moore, should have plenty of opportunity to pick off passes but if UCLA can hold Houston to 40, will it be enough when neither Kevin Prince or Richard Brehaut are getting done at QB?

Pick: Houston

Wake Forest at No. 19 Stanford (Stanford by 17.5)

The Demon Deacons have given the Cardinal fits in the past but Jim Harbaugh's program is on a mission this season. If it seems like Harbaugh is trying to make a statement against every coach he has faced, that's because he is. Look for Andrew Luck to rebound from a mediocre passing game against UCLA and for Stanford to improve to 3-0.

Pick: Stanford

Pac 10 Game of the Week:

No. 9 Iowa at No. 2 Arizona (Iowa by 1)

This game features two programs with differing styles. Iowa likes to pound the ball and then get you with the play-action pass. The Wildcats like to spread the field and throw the ball around.

This is a rematch of a game played last year in Iowa and result will not be much different, though closer, as the Hawkeyes align themselves for a run at Ohio St. and a possible BCS National Title game appearance.

Pick: Iowa

Other Games:

No. 12 Arkansas at Georgia (Georgia by 3)

Georgia continues to go without WR AJ Green. Arkansas QB Ryan Mallet is a Heisman Tropy contender. Razorback coach Bobby Petrino is not a Georgia favorite after his brief run with the Atlanta Falcons, but he gets it done here.

Pick: Arkansas

Air Force at No. 7 Oklahoma (Oklahoma by 18) 

The Sooners proved last week that the Utah St. game was merely looking ahead. The Falcons certainly caught their attention by beating a BYU squad last week that knocked out Sam Bradford and the Sooners last year. Bob Stoops does not lose at home and will not this week to the Air Force Academy.

Pick: Oklahoma

No. 10 Florida at Tennessee (Florida by 15)

This game loses some of its bite with the Volunteers being down and Lane Kiffin skipping out of town. UT will not move the ball on the Gator defense and Urban Meyer has too many weapons. At least he does if his center and quarterback can figure out how to snap the ball.  

Pick: Florida

Clemson at Auburn (Auburn by 6)

I have no doubt in my mind the Tigers will win the game. Oh, they are both Tigers? Well in that case I know that Clemson had C.J. Spiller graduate and it plays in the ACC. Auburn rolls on the Plains.

 Pick: Auburn

No. 6 Texas at Texas Tech (Texas by 4)

The last time these two met in Lubbock, Bobby Knight was on Gameday and Michael Crabtree was the hero with his winning touchdown catch in the waning seconds. The key will be if Texas can score early. In 2008 it did not and lost the game. If the Longhorns establish an early lead, their defense will contain the Red Raider attack that is still adjusting to new head coach Tommy Tuberville.

Enjoy the games.

My thoughts on college football can be followed on Twitter at @plh55.