College Football Picks Week 3: Texas and 3 Ranked Teams on Upset Alert
The plot is set to thicken in Week 3 of the 2011 college football season, with big-time teams around the country heading into difficult matchups with unranked opponents. These three traditional powerhouses, in particular, are ripe for the pickin' on Saturday.
Texas
The Longhorns got hooked by the Bruins in Austin last year, 34-12. No. 23 Texas isn't that much more experienced this time around. Mack Brown's boys will have plenty of support from a Burnt Orange faithful that's gotten used to the almost-biannual pilgrimage to the Rose Bowl.
What they won't have, though, is stability at quarterback. With Garrett Gilbert officially benched after a poor start against BYU, Brown plans to switch between sophomore Case McCoy (brother of Colt) and freshman David Ash. Without an established running back to help carry the load, the 'Horns will struggle to stay on top of lowly UCLA, which has plenty of problems of its own under center but has three quality backs—Johnathan Franklin, Malcolm Jones and Derrick Coleman—on whom to lean.
Ohio State
Once a marquee matchup of powerful programs, Saturday's game between No. 17 Ohio State and Miami has become something of a running joke in college football. Charles Robinson and Dan Wetzel will be stalking the sidelines at Sun Life Stadium, keeping an eye out for boosters giving out green handshakes with reckless abandon.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes and the Hurricanes will have at it on the field. Ohio State was lucky to escape the Horseshoe with a 27-22 win over Toledo last week, while the Hurricanes had the week off after falling to Maryland in Week 1. Miami coach Al Golden will welcome Jacory Harris back into the fold. His presence under center will be a huge boost to the 'Canes' spirits as well as their chances of upending OSU at home.
Florida
Elsewhere in the state of Florida, the No. 16 Gators will renew their longstanding rivalry with the Volunteers on the "Third Saturday in September." Florida has won each of the last six meetings between these two traditional SEC powers, though Tennessee has one big advantage in this one (literally)—6'6" quarterback Tyler Bray. The lanky sophomore from California has been a stud for Derek Dooley's squad this season and will be in prime position to pick apart Florida's revamped secondary, sans safety Janoris Jenkins.
