1 Week Down...1 Week Closer...8 More Picks

Welcome back loyal readers to another week of picks

Last week had our ups (Alabama, Fresno State, UCLA)

and our downs (Washington, Illinois, Appalachian State)

so with that in mind let's get to this week's action!

Notre Dame OVER San Diego State
       While this might not seem like a bold prediction after SDSU's loss to Cal Poly Pomona last week for a Notre Dame program that was hard pressed for wins last year starting the season off 1-0 will be a big improvement. Jimmy Clausen has a year under his belt and should be much improved in what could be a make or break season for Charlie Weis.

Oregon State OVER Penn State
       Believe it or not OSU was the number 3 team in the Pac-10 last season and had literally fumbled the game away against Stanford last week (and a loss to Stanford shouldn't mean much, ex, USC). Penn State looked impressive with their win over Coastal Carolina, but you have to remember who they were playing and take the stats form that game with a grain of salt (But not too much JoPa, you know about your cholesterol) Oregon State has the assets to shock some people in Happy Valley this weekend

Mississippi OVER Wake Forrest
        This one is pretty simple. The SEC is better than the ACC (ex South Carolina's shellacking of NC State). Wake is good but the Rebels at Ole Miss are better and that pure athleticism should be enough to keep this game in check

Arizona State OVER Stanford
          I would love to be wrong on this one, but I just am not convinced. A team that is vying for the Pac-10 title should not beat a Big Sky team by 16. Stanford got very lucky that Oregon State did everything they could to give the game away last week, but they played a tough game nonetheless. Coach Harbaugh would love to go on the road and take a game from a legitimate contender. Rudy Carpenter is way too inconsistent when he is pressured. If he can stay focused and calm he should be able to carve up the Stanford secondary for almost 400 yeard but if the Stanford D gets in his head like they did to OSU it could be a long night in the Valley of the Sun.

Navy OVER Ball State
            Navy is a very good team, with a very good offense and that offense should roll over Ball State this Saturday. Maybe Navy beating Notre Dame last year flipped a switch in these players. And if Duke beats Northwestern this weekend (Mark it down) then Navy and Duke will be undefeated next week when the Blue Devils host the Midshipmen.

Balls To The Wall Call- East Carolina Over West Virginia, Miami OVER Florida

So that's 8 picks this week...Oregon State, ASU, Navy, Duke, East Carolina, Miami, Mississippi and Notre Dame! Happy Saturday Loyal Readers!

Last week (3-2) BTTWC (0-1)