College Football: Week 2

Well, last week was ugly.  I went 3-4 in my picks, including the Game Nobody Cares about.  That is ridiculous.  This week we have some good match ups as week #2 of the NCAA football season gets under way.  Here are some games I will be watching:

Arizona @ Oklahoma State (Thursday night):  Both teams are 1-0 after fairly easy games in week one.  Oklahoma State looked pretty “iffy” on the defensive side of the ball giving up 34 points, but the offense is legit once again.  Sounds familiar.  The Wildcats have one of the most underrated players in the country in QB Nick Foles.  Foles may have had the best opening week of anyone in the country, going for 400+ yards and 5 tds.  Look for no defense and TONS of points.  Good thing this one is in Stillwater.

My Pick:  Oklahoma State 48  Arizona 39

Mississippi State @ Auburn:  The Bulldogs took Cam Newton and the eventual National Champs to the wire last year, losing 17-14.  I think it will be different this year.  Auburn BARELY survived a “ho hum” Utah State team and Mississippi State is finally starting to turn the corner on the way to becoming a legitimate SEC team.  This one should be fun, but I think the Bulldogs pull it out.

My Pick:  Mississippi State 23  Auburn 20

Alabama @ Penn State:  I’m not sure this one will be close, but it is always fun to see these two teams square off.  Well, let me think about this….the Tide won fairly easily on opening weekend, but the QB situation is still not squared away.  McCarron threw 2 picks and only 1 touchdown and Heisman hopeful Trent Richardson only ran for 37 yards.  That will have to change to beat a tough Penn State team.  Granted, the Nittany Lions QB situation is not great either.  Watch for the Tide to get out to an early lead, but Penn State will fight to keep it close.  Richardson will break 100 yards for the first time this year.

My Pick:  Alabama 35  Penn State 20

South Carolina @ Georgia:  What a bad week for Georgia.  The Bulldogs had a chance to show that they belonged in the SEC elite with a marquee win over Boise State.  Didn’t happen.  Not only did they lose, they had the second worst uniforms of the weekend.  South Carolina won in week 1, but had to hold off a scrappy East Carolina team.  Watch for this one to be the game of the weekend.  The two best young RB’s in the SEC face off with Lattimore against Crowell.  Things get VERY uncomfortable for Mark Richt after this week.

My Pick:  South Carolina 31  Georgia 27

BYU @ Texas:  This game is a DEFINITE trap game for Texas.  BYU didn’t look great against Ole Miss last weekend, but they are a well coached team that can prove troublesome to teams or are young or not well coached.  Texas showed signs of life and excitement against Rice last week with wild formations and different looks that will help confuse Big 12 defensive coordinators.  This showdown will be a great measuring stick to show where the Longhorns are at this season.  Oh, and Texas has NEVER beaten BYU.  (0-2)

My Pick:  Texas 30  BYU  20

Notre Dame @ Michigan:  The first night game in the Big House?  Is that what someone said?  Hard to believe.  Anyway, both teams are coming off rain soaked games that ended with different outcomes.  Notre Dame lost to South Florida and changed QB’s in the process.  Michigan beat Western Michigan in a rain shortened game.  I think Denard Robinson will help Michigan control the tempo of the game with his ability to extend plays (and make them) with his feet.  Notre Dame is a good team, but I think the Big House crazies will be distracting enough to help the Wolverines pull off a big win.  Irish go to 0-2.

My Pick:  Michigan 33  Notre Dame 30

Upset Pick of the Week:  Indiana 27  Virginia 24:  While this may not make the front page of the papers, Indiana has been horrible lately.  This would be the first “big win” of the Kevin Wilson era.

Game Nobody Cares About:  Kentucky Wesleyan 40  Pikeville 21