So... like Florida State, Michigan and several others, I did not get off to a great start to the season. It's been awhile since I last made college football picks, so maybe I'm just a little rusty. Or maybe I'm just not very good at predicting college football games. If you bet on college football game last weekend using my advice (and you lost), I apologize. Although, you should have known better than to use my picks to bet on games. I don't even do that.
Well, let's hope Week 2 brings a little more luck than Week 1 did. The matchups won't get any easier to pick, though, especially as we move away from the "cupcake" games.
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| K.J. Costello and the Cardinal battle the Trojans Saturday night (photo via collegefootballnews.com) |
Record
Last Week: 17-4 vs. Spread: 8-9 Over/Under: 10-7
Friday
#18 TCU @ SMU (8:00 PM, ESPN2)
Before their big showdown with Ohio State next week, the Horned Frogs travel to Dallas to face off with another religious school that goes by a three-letter acronym. TCU easily disposed of Southern University last week. Meanwhile, SMU lost to North Texas. Shawn Robinson and the Frogs should stand at 2-0 when they welcome the Buckeyes next Saturday.
Spread: TCU -23.5 Over/Under: 60
Prediction: TCU 45, SMU 19
Saturday
New Mexico @ #5 Wisconsin (Noon, Big Ten Network)
Both the Badgers and Lobos started their seasons off with easy wins against inferior opponents. New Mexico is hoping to bounce back from a 3-9 season. Wisconsin is hoping to compete for a National title. The Badgers are far superior.
Spread: WIS -35 Over/Under: 60
Prediction: Wisconsin 52, New Mexico 20
#18 Mississippi State @ Kansas State (Noon, ESPN)
After serving a one-game suspension, Nick Fitzgerald is back under center for Mississippi State, and the Bulldogs might need him against Kansas State, which is a better team than Stephen F. Austin. The host Wildcats could give the 'dogs a run for their money, but I expect Fitzgerald and company to leave Bill Snyder Stadium with a victory.
Spread: MSU -8 Over/Under: 54
Prediction: Mississippi State 35, Kansas State 28
Western Michigan @ #21 Michigan (Noon, Fox Sports 1)
Trying to bounce back from a first week loss to Notre Dame, Michigan hosts in-state foe Western Michigan. The Wolverine offense should look better than it did against the Irish. The Broncos gave up 55 points in a loss to Syracuse. In past years, I could see Western giving Michigan a scare. Not this year, though. Jim Harbaugh's squad should get its first win of the season.
Spread: MICH -28 Over/Under: 56
Prediction: Michigan 32, Western Michigan 13
UCLA @ #6 Oklahoma (1:00 PM, FOX)
Chip Kelly's UCLA tenure did not get off to a good start, as the Bruins lost to Cincinnati last week. It won't get any easier this week against Kyler Murray and a talented Sooner squad. Oklahoma thrashed Lane Kiffin's FAU squad last week, 63-14. Chip Kelly and the Bruins could be in for a thrashing this week in Norman.
Spread: OKLA -30 Over/Under: 64
Prediction: Oklahoma 52, UCLA 14
William & Mary @ #12 Virginia Tech (2:00 PM, ACC Network)
Remember when I said that we were getting away from "cupcake" games? Yeah, I was wrong. After a resounding win against Florida State on Labor Day, the Hokies get a reprieve in the form of FCS school William & Mary. Virginia Tech won't literally be playing two people named William & Mary, but you might not be able to tell by the final score.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 42, William & Mary 0
Portland State @ #23 Oregon (2:00 PM, PAC-12 Network)
The cupcakes continue. Oregon plays host to in-state FCS foe Portland State, which lost to Nevada last week, 72-19. If the Vikings gave up 72 points to Nevada, imagine how many points the high-flying ducks, who put up 58 on Bowling Green last week, will score. A lot. They'll score a lot.
Prediction: Oregon 62, Portland State 7
Arkansas State @ #1 Alabama (3:30 PM, ESPN2)
A week after smashing Louisville, the defending champs face the Sun Belt's Arkansas State Red Wolves. Both Tua Tagavailoa and Jalen Hurts figure to get time at quarterback this Saturday, but after last week, it looks like Tua is the clear starter. It doesn't matter who plays quarterback this week. The Tide will role regardless.
Spread: ALA -37 Over/Under: 66
Prediction: Alabama 48, Arkansas State 14
#3 Georgia @ #24 South Carolina (3:30 PM, CBS)
Finally, we get away from the cupcakes (don't worry, we'll return to them). In the first of this week's two matchups between ranked teams, third-ranked Georgia travels to Columbia. Although they're on the road, the Bulldogs are favored by over 10 points against the up-and-coming Gamecocks. I also like the defending runners-up by over 10 points.
Spread: UGA -10.5 Over/Under: 56
Prediction: Georgia 32, South Carolina 21
Rutgers @ #4 Ohio State (3:30 PM, BTN)
Ah, back to the cupcakes. Although this is technically a conference games, Rutgers doesn't stand much of a chance against Heisman Trophy candidate Dwayne Haskins and the Buckeyes. The Scarlet Knights may find some room to run against OSU's secondary, but good luck stopping the offense.
Spread: OSU -35 Over/Under: 63
Prediction: Ohio State 60, Rutgers 21
Ball State @ #8 Notre Dame (3:30 PM, NBC)
Another in-state battle that probably won't be close. The Cardinals will be pumped up and ready to play the Fighting Irish in South Bend, but Notre Dame, coming off a big win over Michigan, are by far the more talented team.
Spread: ND -34.5 Over/Under: 62
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Ball State 10
North Dakota @ #9 Washington (5:00 PM, PAC-12)
After a disappointing first-week loss to Auburn, Washington can take out its anger on North Dakota. The Husky offense, which struggled with miscues in a 21-16 loss to Auburn, can work some things out against this FCS opponent. This one won't be close.
Prediction: Washington 52, North Dakota 3
Youngstown State @ #14 West Virginia (6:00 PM)
A week after an impressive drubbing of Tennessee by Will Grier and West Virginia, the Mountaineers host Youngstown State. The Penguins are a good FCS team, but they lost to Butler last week (in football, not basketball). Grier, who had 429 yards and five touchdowns last week, should continue his Heisman campaign at home this week.
Prediction: West Virginia 45, Youngstown State 14
South Carolina State @ #19 UCF (6:00 PM, ESPN3)
The Knights of Central Florida, who haven't lost in many moons, smashed UConn last week. Quarterback McKenzie Milton matched the other Heisman candidates with five touchdowns, and he'll probably throw five more this week against a South Carolina State team that lost to Georgia Southern 37-6 last Saturday.
Prediction: UCF 56, South Carolina State 6
Savannah State @ #22 Miami (6:00 PM, ACCN)
I like cupcakes (the food), but this is too much. After getting schooled at home by LSU last Sunday, the Hurricanes can work out their problems against another school nicknamed the Tigers. This one is an FCS school that got shutout by UAB (52-0) last week.
Prediction: Miami 62, Savannah State 0
#2 Clemson @ Texas A&M (7:00 PM, ESPN)
Dabo Swinney and the Tigers must be wary of Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies this weekend. Texas A&M isn't a bad team, and the atmosphere in Kyle Field will surely be electric. Plus, Clemson has some uncertainty at quarterback after freshman Trevor Lawrence outplayed senior incumbent Kelly Bryant last week. However, there is no uncertainty with the Tiger defense, which will cause problems for the Aggies.
Spread: CLEM -12.5 Over/Under: 53
Prediction: Clemson 31, Texas A&M 17
Southeastern Louisiana @ #11 LSU (7:00 PM, ESPN2)
Yet another in-state game that won't be close. The Tiger defense balled out against Miami last Sunday, and Joe Burrow looked solid in his first start at quarterback. LSU will destroy poor Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday night.
Prediction: LSU 42, Southeastern Louisiana 10
Alabama State @ #7 Auburn (7:30 PM, SEC Network)
Luckily for Auburn, there is a "State" after Alabama here. The Tigers kicked off the season with a top-ten victory, beating Washington, 21-16. This will not be a top-ten win (it won't even be a top-120 win, as the Hornets are an FCS team), but it'll be a win.
Prediction: Auburn 48, Alabama State 0
Kentucky @ #25 Florida (7:30 PM, SECN)
Kentucky heads to Gainesville hoping to beat the Gators for the first time in (*does the math*) 32 YEARS. The Wildcats have fallen victim to the Gators 31 straight times. Kentucky has a shot at breaking the streak this year, but Florida is still the more talented team. The skid will extend to 33 years without a victory over Florida for Kentucky.
Spread: FLA -14 Over/Under: 51
Prediction: Florida 35, Kentucky 19
#13 Penn State @ Pittsburgh (8:00 PM, ABC)
If you look up "Trap Game" in the dictionary, you will find this game (just kidding, "Trap Game" isn't in the dictionary). After the Nittany Lions escaped what would've been a disastrous upset loss to App State last week, they travel to Heinz Field to battle their in-state rival. At the end of last season, Pitt upended #2 Miami. In 2016, the Panthers shocked #2 Clemson (and beat Penn State). But I think #13 Penn State will hold them off.
Spread: PSU -9 Over/Under: 55
Prediction: Penn State 40, Pittsburgh 32
#17 USC @ #10 Stanford (8:30 PM, FOX)
The game of the week (in my eyes) feature two PAC-12 heavyweights out in California. Stanford quarterback K. J. Costello tore up San Diego State last week, throwing for 332 yards and four touchdowns. JT Daniels didn't have quite as gaudy numbers in his first start replacing Sam Darnold, but he put up a respectable 282 yards and one touchdown in a win over UNLV. Star Stanford running back Bryce Love struggled last week, but he should get it going Saturday. I think Stanford's experience at important positions will win out in the end.
Spread: STAN -6 Over/Under: 56
Prediction: Stanford 31, USC 24
UConn @ #20 Boise State (10:15 PM, ESPNU)
Connecticut got thumped by UCF last Thursday night. Boise State thumped Troy last Saturday. The Huskies, who couldn't stop McKenzie Milton last week, will have a hard time stopping Brett Rypien this week. The Blue-Field Broncos should stampede the Huskies.
Spread: BSU -31.5 Over/Under: 64
Prediction: Boise State 55, Connecticut 20
#15 Michigan State @ Arizona State (10:45 PM, ESPN)
The night ends with some #Pac12AfterDark, as Arizona State hosts 15th-ranked Michigan State. The Spartans barely escaped Utah State last week, and they don't have the look of a top-15 team. The Sun Devils, under new coach Herm Edwards, are just the team that could provide a shocker out west late Saturday night (early Sunday morning eastern time).
Spread: MSU -5 Over/Under: 54
Prediction: Arizona State 34, Michigan State 31
Stats and Info via ESPN.com
Lines and Over/Unders via Bovada
Lines and Over/Unders as of Friday Afternoon
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