Fifth and Inches (Week 2)

Howdy boys and girls. Time for week 2's edition of Fifth and Inches, brought to you this week by Dos Equis.

I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis. I get nothing for saying that, by the way.

I had an 8-6 week last week against the line, 17-3 on straight up winners and losers.

This week's schedule is kinda devoid of any really sexy matchups. In fact, I don't think there's one game with two teams in the Top 25 going against one another. Regardless...we press on:


**Thursday**

South Carolina (10) @ Vanderbilt (ESPN HD)

Always good to have South Carolina on TV because it gives us free reign to throw around the word Cocks several times in an e-mail. The Gamecocks woke up in the fourth last week to dispatch NC State 34-0, but switched QBs in the late going to do it.

That QB starts this week...and his name is Smelley. He was also the starter last year in a loss to Vandy...the Smelley Cock. South Carolina, 22-16.

**Saturday**

No. 12 Texas Tech (10) @ Nevada

No TV for this one, which is being hyped a little bit as a potential shootout. Tech scores just about everywhere they go, and traditionally, so does everyone else.

Both teams racked up big yardage totals and 49 points last week, but I don't think Nevada can keep pace in this one. Tech, 41-20.

No. 11 Texas (26') @ UTEP (ESPN2 HD)

The last time UTEP hosted a Big 12 school in a late-night start at the Sun Bowl, Tech eked out an OT win. But Johnny Lee Higgins and Jordan Palmer are long-gone off the Miners roster, and there aren't any Tech linebackers trying to cover receivers in this one.

UTEP lost 45-17 at Buffalo last week. FYI...they weren't playing the Bills. Texas, 45-13.

Cincinnati (ABC) @ No. 4 Oklahoma (21)

I have the hardest time remembering if Cincinnati has 2 Ns and 1 T...or vice versa. 21 is a big number to lay here, but playing OU in Norman is never fun. I think this one will be pretty competitive, really, but give OU to edge to pull away in the second half. OU...42-20.

SE Mizzou State (FSN PPV) @ No. 6 Mizzou

Mizzou,52-10.

La. Tech (FSN HD) @ No. 14 Kansas (20')

La. Tech upended Miss. State last weekend at home and hits the road for Kansas this weekend. Again, almost three TDs is a lot to lay in this one,...but I've convinced myself to do it. Kansas...38-16.

Texas A&M (Versus) @ New Mexico (2')

The Lobos were throttled 26-3 at home by TCU. The Aggies were beaten 18-14 by Ark. State at home. Together, it's been a tough week in their respective camps.

Aggie coach Mike Sherman promises things will get better, which is good, because they can't get much worse. New Mexico, 23-20.

Eastern Washington @ Colorado

EWU played well in Lubbock last week, while CU got a big win in the Colorado State game. Too bad there's no line on this one. Colorado, 40-17.

Kent State @ Iowa State (7')

Cyclones looking to jump out to 2-0 start. Iowa State, 27-19.

Northwestern State @ Baylor

Bears looking for first win for Art Briles. Baylor, 38-14.

Montana State (FCS Central) @ Kansas State

Montana State upset Colorado a couple of years ago. Kansas State, 49-14.

Houston @ Oklahoma State (16')

Actually, a pretty entertaining game this should be. Ideas why that came out like Yoda I do not have. Houston will bring athletes. Oklahoma State is coming off a road win to open the year at Washington State. I think this one's pretty tight. Oklahoma State, 27-18.

San Jose State (FSN PPV) @ Nebraska (26)

San Jose got by UC-Davis last week, 13-10. Big stage this weekend for the Spartans. Nebraska, 48-7.

Texas State @ SMU

Hmmm, hate to say it, but the Bobcats could jump up and win this one. But I'll still give the nod to June Jones and the Mustangs. SMU, 34-24.

San Diego State (NBC HD) @ Notre Dame (22)

Because I have a new TV and HD, I might actually watch this long enough to see Touchdown Jesus in high-def. Yeah, it took us about 20 seconds to become HD college football snobs. Oh, and SD State lost last week to Cal-Poly. Ouch. Notre Dame, 39-6.

New Hampshire (ESPN Classic) @ Army

Why is Army on ESPN Classic all the time now? Army, 29-20.

Miami, Fla. (ESPN HD) @ No. 5 Florida (21')

In years' past, this woulda been a sexy non-con game, but now it sets up to be just another Florida blowout with Tim Tebow bulldogging over people. Florida, 31-17.

Miami, Ohio @ Michigan (14')

The RichRod era at Michigan got off to a rocky start last week, as the Wolverines dropped their second straight season opener at "The Big House." Seriously, haven't we used "The Big House" enough? Laying 14-plus this weekend? It's risky. Michigan, 31-14.

Other interesting games
Central Michigan @ No. 1 Georgia (23') - Or are they No. 2 Georgia? Rankings slight might just propel the Dawgs to big-time scoring this weekend. Georgia...45-14.

No. 8 West Virginia (8) @ East Carolina (ESPN HD) - ECU's Pirates looking for second straight upset this weekend. Easier said than done. West Virginia, 34-21