Week 8 CFB Picks

Last Saturday, the popular ESPN show College Gameday was in Madison, Wisconsin, for the game between the Badgers and Ohio State. Per usual, fans came with many funny signs. Wisconsin basketball player Nigel Hayes also came with a sign. The sign said "Broke College Athlete Anything Helps" and had a Venmo account at the bottom. He was, of course, making a statement about the NCAA's rules involving student-athletes, opening up further discussion on whether college athletes should be payed (while Hayes receiving money would be soliciting, he said it is his friends account, and all money will be donated).

There are people on both sides of the paying student athletes debate. NCAA president Mark Emmert continually stresses that they are student-athletes, not professionals. Those who support paying college athletes argue that they are more athletes than students, and they make Emmert and the NCAA, as well as athletic departments and coaches, a whole lot of money. Those who oppose it argue that college athletes get plenty of financial aid in the form of scholarships and other things.

I don't know how I feel about paying college athletes, but I definitely lean towards Nigel Hayes' side. Yes, many college athletes get full scholarships and financial aid, but not all of them do. And you know who else can get full scholarships and financial aid? College students who don't play sports. College students who don't play sports can also have jobs during the school year so they can make some extra money. Many college athletes, especially at the highest level, hardly have time for classes, much less jobs. Another thing a college student who doesn't play sports can do is profit off of his/her own image or memorabilia. For instance, if a college student is in a popular band, he/she can get sponsorships and sign autographs for money. College athletes cannot do that, as it is against NCAA rules. But the NCAA does profit off of those college athletes. It just doesn't make sense.

To conclude, while I don't know if paying student-athletes is necessarily the answer (do starters get more than bench players? Does it vary by sport and position?), the NCAA can (and should) at least allow college athletes to profit off of themselves, which includes selling memorabilia and getting sponsorships. Because there are many college athletes, like Nigel Hayes, who need money, and they are severely limited by how they can (legally) make that money.

Last Week: 13-4 (8-9 vs. Spread)
Overall: 90-32 (65-65 vs. Spread)

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
BYU 34, #14 Boise State 28 (10:15 PM, ESPN)
Boise State is unbeaten, but the Broncos' toughest opponents have probably been Washington State and Oregon State. BYU is 4-3, but the Cougars have wins over Arizona, Michigan State, and Mississippi State. They also upset Boise State just last season, and could do it again.

Saturday
NC State 21, #7 Louisville 35 (Noon, ABC)
Louisville surely won't take the Wolfpack lightly after they almost knocked off Clemson (the team responsible for Louisville's only loss) last Saturday. The Cardinals didn't perform all that well in a win over Duke last week, so it might not be a blowout, but they'll get the win.
#10 Wisconsin 32, Iowa 24 (Noon, ESPN)
The 4-2 Badgers have shown in close losses to Michigan and Ohio State that they are a very good team. Meanwhile, the 5-2 Hawkeyes haven't shown much, other than that they are probably not on the same level as Wisconsin, having lost to North Dakota State and Northwestern.
#22 North Carolina 37, Virginia 23 (3:00 PM, ACCN)
The last three weeks, North Carolina has had a complete flop (a 34-3 loss to Virginia Tech) sandwiched by two impressive victories (over Florida State and Miami). I feel like the Tar Heels are closer to the team that beat two ranked foes than the team that got blown out by VT.
Eastern Michigan 24, #20 Western Michigan 38 (3:30 PM, ESPN3)
P.J. Fleck's squad continues to roll at 7-0, and could crash the New Years 6 party if they don't trip up in the MAC. This week they play their rivals from the Eastern part of Michigan, whom they should not overlook, but also shouldn't (and won't, in my opinion) lose to.
#6 Texas A&M 32, #1 Alabama 30 (3:30 PM, CBS)
I'M DOING IT! I AM DOING IT! Alabama hasn't had trouble with anyone so far (besides Ole Miss), but A&M, which has a talented quarterback (Trevor Knight), a very good rushing offense (12th in the nation), and arguably the best defender in the nation (Myles Garrett), is the best team Bama's faced.
Illinois 13, #3 Michigan 58 (3:30 PM, BTN)
Nothing to see here. This should be another cakewalk for the Wolverines. The Fighting Illini enter the Big House at 2-4, sporting losses to North Carolina, Western Michigan, Nebraska (hey, at least those are good teams), and Purdue (never mind).
Purdue 14, #8 Nebraska 48 (3:30 PM, ABC/ESPN2)
Speaking of the Boilermakers, they fired head coach Darrell Hazell this week after a 3-3 start to what looks to be another season in the bottom part of the Big Ten. On the other side, Nebraska is 6-0 after escaping upset-minded Indiana last week.
Memphis 28, #24 Navy 38 (3:30 PM, CBSSN)
Memphis is actually favored at Navy on Saturday. The Tigers are 5-1, there one loss coming to Ole Miss. The Midshipmen are 4-1, their one loss coming to Air Force. However, they boast a win over Houston, and they are probably the better team.
TCU 31, #12 West Virginia 38 (3:30 PM, ABC/ESPN2)
West Virginia comes in unbeaten on the season, having dispatched of Texas Tech last weekend. The Mountaineers face what may be their toughest test in TCU, but the Horned Frogs, like WVU, haven't beaten anyone of major significance.
#19 Utah 32, UCLA 30 (4:00 PM, FOX)
3-4 UCLA is the favorite at home against a 6-1 Utah team that has had some close calls. This might be another close call, but the Runnin' Utes, unlike UCLA, have been able to emerge victorious in most of those close calls.
#17 Arkansas 34, #21 Auburn 24 (6:00 PM, ESPN)
Arkansas is coming off a victory against Ole Miss, and although the host Tigers are favored, Razorback quarterback Austin Allen and company have performed well and have the talent to come out of Jordan-Hare Stadium with a win.
Oregon State 13, #5 Washington 52 (6:30 PM, PAC12N)
Washington has been mighty impressive, and it continued last week with a 70-21 trouncing of Oregon. It should be the same old song and dance this week against a the other team from the state of Oregon. The Beavers are 2-4 on the season.
#11 Houston 45, SMU 17 (7:00 PM, ESPN2)
Houston was cruising right along through the first five weeks of the season, but then they seemed to hit a road block, losing to Navy and almost losing to Tulsa. I don't expect as much difficulty against SMU, which is 2-4 and had lost three in a row.
#2 Ohio State 32, Penn State 24 (8:00 PM, ABC)
The Buckeyes escaped Madison last Saturday night with a comeback victory, and will have to go to another hostile environment this Saturday night. They shouldn't have as much trouble with Penn State, but it might be another dog fight.
#16 Oklahoma 47, Texas Tech 38 (8:00 PM, FOX)
The Sooners should be weary of the pass-happy Red Raiders, especially in Lubbock, but the same thing was said about Texas Tech last week, and West Virginia silenced that. It'll be a barn-burner, but Oklahoma definitely has the upper hand.
#23 Ole Miss 33, #25 LSU 31 (9:00 PM, ESPN)
We end the night with a battle between two talented but somewhat disappointing SEC teams. The Tigers fired head coach Les Miles and haven't beaten anyone nearly as talented as the Rebels, who are 3-3 but have played close with multiple good teams.

NFL Week 7 Picks

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke on a variety of issues Wednesday during owners meetings in Houston, including the reason television ratings are down, the ongoing potential relocation of the Raiders to Las Vegas, and his opposition to sports gambling. He also mentioned the reasoning for the league's continued crackdown on celebrations, saying "It comes down to balancing a lot of issues. We do believe players are role models." 

Goodell's response is far from satisfactory. It is also curious that, in a sport where jarring hits are common, concussions are a problem, and questionable suspensions for off-the-field incidents, the commissioner's main focus seems to be on not wanting young viewers to be negatively influenced by watching players have fun and express their emotions.

I do agree that there comes a point when celebrations can be a little excessive, but the NFL is punishing even the most pedestrian celebrations, confirming its stigma as the "No Fun League". Maybe the policing of fun is one of the reasons that ratings are down (although there are many other potential reasons).

It's not just celebrations that the league is cracking down on. It also recently restricted teams from sharing highlights on social media after a big play/touchdown, causing the Browns and Eagles Twitter accounts to "recreate" highlights this past Sunday. 

All in all, sports, even professionally, should be fun, and if the players look like they're having fun, it's more fun to watch. And in this age of social media, video is posted immediately, and people expect to get highlights immediately. That's why it's self-detrimental for the NFL to make ridiculous restrictions on celebrations and sharing highlights on social media, and that's why Roger Goodell and company continue to be called the "No Fun League".

Last Week: 9-6 (8-7 vs. Spread)

Overall: 52-38 (44-47 vs. Spread)

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday

Bears 17, Packers 28 (8:25 PM, CBS)

Believe it or not, Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer has been playing better than Aaron Rodgers. That, coupled with the fact that Green Bay won't have Eddie Lacy, could make this a close game. However, the Packers have more talent and are at Lambeau.

Sunday

Giants 30, Rams 24 (London, 9:30 AM, NFLN)

The second international game of the season pits two 3-3 team against each other. Rams quarterback Case Keenum played well last week, but L.A.'s inconsistent defense couldn't stop Detroit's pass offense. Eli and the Giants will be hard to stop, as well.

Saints 32, Chiefs 26 (1:00 PM, FOX)

The Saints have won two straight since starting 0-3, and they are averaging 31 points per game, second in the NFL (on the other hand, their scoring defense is worst in the NFL). Kansas City has a stout defense, but I think the best passing offense in the league will get the win.

Colts 21, Titans 24 (1:00 PM, CBS)

The Colts were up 23-9 in Houston Sunday night with three minutes to play. They proceeded to lose 26-23 in overtime. Despite a solid offense, it's hard to have faith in Indianapolis right now, especially on the road against an improving team with a strong rushing attack.

Browns 23, Bengals 31 (1:00 PM, CBS)

Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler played his heart out for the Browns last week, but they still fell short (once again). They may be without receiver Terrelle Pryor, who's arguably their best player, this week, and if he doesn't play, they probably won't find their first win of the season.

Vikings 34, Eagles 21 (1:00 PM, FOX)

This is a battle between two teams who had pleasantly surprising starts to the season. But while the undefeated Vikings have continued to pleasantly surprise, the Eagles have lost their last two games after starting 3-0.

Redskins 38, Lions 34 (1:00 PM, FOX)

Washington is riding a four game winning streak after starting 0-2, and the offense, behind Kirk Cousins, has played very well (they are fifth in the NFL in passing yards per game). Detroit's three wins have been by a combined eight points.

Raiders 35, Jaguars 27 (1:00 PM, CBS)

Oakland suffered its worst loss of the season (so far) last week, falling 26-10 to Kansas City. They should be able to get back on track against the Jaguars. While the Jags have won their last two games to move to 2-3, those two games were against the Colts and Bears, two sub-par teams.

Bills 24, Dolphins 13 (1:00 PM, CBS)

The Dolphins upset the Steelers last week, beating them by 15 points. That probably says more about the inconsistent Steelers, though, than it does about the 2-4 Fins, and Miami runs into a Buffalo team that has won four in a row, all by at least two possessions (33-18, 16-0, 30-19, and 45-16).

Ravens 32, Jets 14 (1:00 PM, CBS)

The Jets are a mess right now. They are 1-5, have lost their last four games by at least 10 points, and have made a change at quarterback, replacing Ryan Fitzpatrick with Geno Smith. Smith may play better than Fitz has been playing, but he's shown in the past that he is not the answer.

Buccaneers 35, 49ers 19 (4:05 PM, FOX)

Colin Kapernick showed last week that he's a better option than Blaine Gabbert, but that doesn't mean he played well, as San Francisco lost 45-16 to the Bills. The Bucs have also struggled (and lost veteran receiver Vincent Jackson for the season), but they are coming off a win.

Chargers 32, Falcons 42 (4:05 PM, FOX)

This is sure to be a slugfest, as both teams are in the top three in scoring offense (San Diego's #3, Atlanta's #1) and in the bottom half of the league in defense. San Diego held on to beat Denver last week, but they almost blew it (as they've done in other games).

Patriots 35, Steelers 10 (4:25 PM, CBS)

This should be a good one, folks. Tom Brady faces off against Ben Roeth... what's that? Big Ben's hurt (again)?! Landry Jones is starting?!! Okay, never mind. Brady and the Patriots will blow out the Steelers, despite the efforts of Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.

Seahawks 32, Cardinals 28 (8:30 PM, NBC)

The Cards have finally played how I was expecting them to play at the beginning of the season, but I guess that's easier to do against the 49ers and Jets. Seattle is a whole different animal. The Seahawks escaped with a victory over Atlanta last week, and I think they'll do the same in Arizona this week.

Monday

Texans 28, Broncos 23 (8:30 PM, ESPN)

Denver quarterback Trevor Siemian finally struggled last week in a loss to the Chargers, and Brock Osweiler finally showed why Houston payed a lot of money for him in a win over the Colts next week (and Lamar Miller finally found the end zone). I think the Texans will continue that this week.

Week 7 CFB Picks

Last week in college football saw huge blowouts (Michigan 78-0 over Rutgers), exciting finishes (Florida State 20-19 over Miami on a blocked PAT), upsets (Navy 46-40 over #6 Houston), and hurricane-outs (LSU at Florida). We already have one of those things covered this week (the Navy-East Carolina game scheduled for tonight was postponed), and hopefully we'll have the other things as well.

Note: As I did with my NFL picks, I am now mentioning my record against the spread in addition to my straight record.

Last Week: 10-4 (7-7 vs. Spread)
Overall: 77-28 (57-56 vs. Spread)

(Home Teams Listed Last)

Friday
Duke 17, #7 Louisville 52 (7:00 PM, ESPN)
After a bye last week (followin their first loss of the season), Louisville and Lamar Jackson are looking to get back in the win column, an they should do so with ease against Duke, who is not Clemson (I know, shocking).
Saturday
NC State 13, #3 Clemson 35 (Noon, ABC)
Speaking of Clemson, they also get what should be a relatively easy conference game, as they face NC State in Death Valley. The Wolfpack are 4-1, but that one loss was to East Carolina, and their best win was last week against 2-4 Notre Dame.
Kansas State 32, #19 Oklahoma 48 (Noon, ESPN)
K-State and Oklahoma face off in a battle of 3-2 Big 12 teams Saturday. Of course, the difference is that the Sooners have had a much tougher schedule thus far, facing three teams that were ranked at the time.
#20 West Virginia 45, Texas Tech 42 (Noon, FS1)
Patrick Mahomes II (who leads the nation in passing yards) and the Red Raiders will be looking to knock off the unbeaten Mountaineers at home, and they could definitely do it. However, I think WVU will get by Texas Tech, who lost to Kansas State last week.
#10 Nebraska 28, Indiana 31 (3:30, ABC/ESPN)
This is another game where a home underdog could pull off the upset. In this one, I'm actually picking the Hoosiers, who have already upset Michigan State at home, to give Nebraska its first loss of the season in Bloomington.
North Carolina 24, #16 Miami 35 (3:30 PM, ABC/ESPN2)
North Carolina and Mitch Trubisky did not perform well last week against Virginia Tech (a 34-3 loss), while Miami fell to Florida State late. The Hurricanes, as long as they don't dwell on last week, should win pretty handily.
#24 Western Michigan 42, Akron 28 (3:30 PM, CBSSN)
WE HAVE A MAC TEAM IN THE TOP 25!!!!! The Broncos are unbeaten, and boast an upset win over Oklahoma State haha just kidding! Obviously it was Central Michigan who beat OSU, not Western! MAC foe Akron could pose a threat, but Western Michigan should be able to get the win.
Wake Forest 20, #14 Florida State 38 (3:30 PM, ESPN)
Wake Forest should not be taken lightly, but Florida State, fresh off an exhilarating victory in Miami, are much more talented. Dalvin Cook (785 yards rushing, 7 TD) is a Heisman candidate, and Deondre Francois (1,557 yards passing, 9 TD, 2 INT) is a future Heisman candidate.
Kansas 7, #11 Baylor 52 (3:30 PM, FS1)
On the bright side, Kansas already has more wins then it did all of last season. The bad news is, the Jayhawks are 1-4 (the one win coming against Rhode Island the first week of the season) and face a 5-0 Baylor team (at Baylor) that should demolish them.
#1 Alabama 37, #9 Tennessee 21 (3:30 PM, CBS)
The undaunted Crimson Tide face another tough conference test, at ninth-ranked Tennessee. The Vols are on a run of ranked teams themselves (this is their fourth straight ranked opponent), and they're coming off a double-overtime loss to Texas A&M. The Tide will roll again.
#17 Virginia Tech 40, Syracuse 24 (3:45 PM, ESPNU)
Va Tech dismantled then-#17 North Carolina last week, and there is no reason to think they won't do the same thing this week against the Orange, who have been blown out two games in a row (50-33 to Notre Dame and 28-9 to Wake Forest).
#21 Utah 32, Oregon State 20 (4:00 PM, PAC-12)
The Utes keep things interesting. Last week, they were down 14-12 at halftime before going on to beat Arizona 36-23, the week before, they lost by five, and the week before, they won by four. They might make it close again, but they should win.
Missouri 14, #18 Florida 32 (4:00 PM, SECN)
Neither of these teams played last week, but for different reasons. Mizzou had a bye, while Florida's game against LSU, who blew out Missouri the week before, got postponed due to Hurricane Matthew. The Gators won't be impeded by Mother Nature this week.
Tulsa 21, #13 Houston 45 (7:00 PM, ESPN2)
The Houston Cougars were riding high until last week, when they got upset by Navy. Houston's not necessarily out of the playoff race, but they'll have to win out, and do it in impressive fashion. That starts with a home meeting with 4-1 Tulsa Saturday.
#12 Ole Miss 38, #22 Arkansas 28 (7:00 PM, ESPN)
Arkansas is coming off a loss to the best team in the nation. Ole Miss led Alabama at one point when they faced the Tide, but ended up losing by five. As long as they don't blow a lead like they did against Bama and Florida State, the Rebels will emerge victorious.
#2 Ohio State 42, #8 Wisconsin 28 (8:00 PM, ABC)
This week's marquee primetime matchup features two of the four Big Ten teams in the top ten. Wisconsin needs to bring the defense at home against the talented Buckeyes, but they also need to fare better against OSU's defense than they did against Michigan's (a 14-7 loss).
Colorado State 14, #15 Boise State 48 (10:15 PM, ESPN2)
The blue field Broncos continue to rise up the rankings, and could continue to do so after this week's meeting with 3-3 Colorado State, which has lost its last two games (at Minnesota and home against Wyoming).

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that Western Michigan beat Oklahoma State. It was Central Michigan, not Western Michigan, who upset Oklahoma State. The author regrets this error.

NFL Week 6 Picks

Tom Brady returned from suspension last week and promptly tore up the Cleveland defense to the tune of 460 yards and three touchdowns. That got me thinking about stability at the quarterback position. Brady took over behind center for New England in 2001, and has been a steady (and highly productive) constant ever since. Meanwhile, many teams (including New England before Brady came back) have had to shuffle through multiple quarterbacks already this season. 41 different quarterbacks have started games this season, and 52 have appeared in a game.

Some teams have thrived despite uncertainty at the quarterback position. The Minnesota Vikings are 5-0 even after losing starter Teddy Bridgewater to a torn up knee prior to the season, then trading for Sam Bradford and starting Shaun Hill in Week 1 so Bradford could learn the playbook. The team that traded Bradford to Minnesota, the Philadelphia Eagles, was going to start Bradford or Chase Daniel ahead of rookie Carson Wentz, but ended up starting Wentz, who has impressed in leading the Eagles to a 3-1 start. The Denver Broncos trotted out former seventh round pick Trevor Siemian as the starter to begin the season, and he (and the Super Bowl-winning defense) got them to 4-0 before sitting last week due to injury. The Patriots shuffled through Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie Jacoby Brissett (and even considered resorting to starting former college quarterback Julian Edelman) during Brady's four-week suspension, but still came out of it at 3-1. And who could forget about Dallas rookie Dak Prescott, who has helped lead the Cowboys to 4-1 after starting the preseason third on the depth chart?

Other teams, predictably, have not been able to weather the storm of quarterback uncertainty. The quarterback graveyard that is Cleveland has seen Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler, Charlie Whitehurst, and even Terrelle Pryor take snaps as signal-caller, and the Browns are the last remaining winless team at 0-5. The Chicago Bears have gone from ineffective Jay Cutler to ineffective (albeit efficient) Brian Hoyer, and have stumbled to a 1-4 start.

Interestingly, some teams that do have stability at the premier position have struggled thus far. Drew Brees and the Saints are 1-3 (thanks to a never-ending awful defense), Phillip Rivers and the Chargers are 1-4 (again, thanks to a poor defense, as well as injuries to key players), and Andrew Luck and the Colts are 2-3 (due to a weak supporting cast, especially on defense and along the offensive line).

Sure, quarterback is a very important position, but I think it is more important that a team has a strong defense and supporting cast, as well as a solid contingency plan in case something goes wrong. As we have seen, some teams (such as the Patriots, Broncos, and Vikings) have those important factors covered, allowing them to still succeed despite question marks surrounding the quarterback, while others (such as the Browns and Bears) don't have enough to survive chaos at the quarterback position.

Note: From now on, I'll be referencing my record against the spread (and paying more attention to the spread when picking), for those of you who are into that.

Last Week: 9-5 (7-7 vs. Spread)
Overall: 43-32 (36-40 vs. Spread)

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
Broncos 34, Chargers 17 (8:25 PM, CBS)
Trevor Siemian is expected to start for Denver after missing last week's loss due to injury. The 4-1 Broncos win with their defense, while the 1-4 Chargers are defensively-challenged (athough first round pick Joey Bosa impressed in his debut last Sunday).
Sunday
49ers 14, Bills 21 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Colin Kaepernick has finally been freed from under the shadow of Blaine Gabbert, and I think it's for the better. However, he throws about as accurately as Gabbert (which is not a good thing), and he faces Buffalo's ferocious defensive line.
Redskins 28, Eagles 24 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The surprising Eagles suffered their first loss of the season last week (24-23 to the Lions), and I think they'll suffer their second loss to their NFC East rivals, who are on a three-game winning streak after losing their first two games.
Browns 21, Titans 17 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Browns will win at least one game this season, and this might be their best chance. Cody Kessler looks like he'll get the start after leaving early last week with an injury. Both teams will probably lean on the ground game, since they both rank in the top five in the NFL in rushing offense.
Ravens 23, Giants 31 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Both of these teams are on losing streaks (Baltimore's lost the last two, New York's lost the last three), but the Giants have looked better and have more talent, and I think they'll get back on track this Sunday.
Panthers 32, Saints 38 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Panthers have struggled mightily thus far, as have the Saints. Both have one win, but while New Orleans' three losses (and one win) were all by three points or less, just two of Carolina's four losses are, and they haven't looked great on either side of the ball.
Jaguars 28, Bears 16 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Neither of these teams are very good, as Chicago's one win was by three points over Detroit, and Jacksonville's one win was by three points over the Colts in London. However, the Jags are the better defensive team, and they'll get the win.
Rams 27, Lions 23 (1:00 PM, FOX)
This is a battle between two inconsistent teams. The Rams have lost 28-0, won 9-3, won 37-32, won 17-13, and lost 30-19. The Lions have won 39-35, lost 16-15, lost 34-27, lost 17-14, and won 24-23. I'll go with the Rams and their defense over the Lions and there offense.
Steelers 35, Dolphins 14 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The 'Fins lost by two possessions to the Titans last week, and their only win was in overtime over the winless Browns. The 4-1 Steelers, whose wins have all come by at least eight points, have too much talent for Miami to handle.
Bengals 27, Patriots 38 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Touchdown Tommy is back, and there is no stopping him. The Bengals will undoubtedly give Brady and the Pats more of a challenge than hapless Cleveland, but New England will emerge victorious thanks to Brady and his terrifying tight end tandem.
Chiefs 24, Raiders 31 (4:05 PM, CBS)
The underrated Raiders are 4-1, have one of the best offenses (statistically) thus far, and have a fearless risk-taking coach in Jack Del Rio. Kansas City has been inconsistent, picking Ryan Fitzpatrick six times two weeks ago, then giving up 43 to Pittsburgh last week.
Falcons 31, Seahawks 35 (4:25 PM, FOX)
This should be a fun game to watch, between Atlanta, the best offensive team in the NFL (457.4 yards per game), and Seattle, the best defensive team in the NFL (264 yards allowed per game). I'll give it to the Seahawks at home.
Cowboys 28, Packers 34 (4:25 PM, FOX)
The Cowboys, led by rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, are 4-1 and have the best rushing offense in the NFL (155.2 yards per game), but it's hard to bet against Aaron Rodgers and company at home.
Colts 21, Texans 28 (8:30 PM, NBC)
This is a key game in the race for the AFC South. Brock Osweiler and the rest of Houston's offense need to play better, but their defense may give Indianapolis' offensive line (and, by extension, Andrew Luck) some trouble.
Monday
Jets 21, Cardinals 27 (8:30 PM, ESPN)
The Monday night game pits two disappointing teams (so far) against each other. Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to struggle for the Jets, and he's lost Eric Decker for the year. I keep expecting Arizona to get out of this slump, because they have the talent.

Week 6 CFB Picks

After some exciting affairs last week in college football (namely Clemson beating Louisville in a close battle), there looks to be more of the same this weekend. The Top 25 slate is a little abbreviated, due to byes, three games between ranked teams, and the Florida vs. LSU game being postponed because of Hurricane Matthew (which could also possibly affect some other games), but their will surely be plenty of excitement once again.

Last Week: 15-6
Season: 67-24

Friday
#3 Clemson 42, Boston College 24 (7:30 PM, ESPN)
After a worrisome first few weeks, Deshaun Watson and Clemson are back to Playoff contenders after a competitive win over Lamar Jackson and red-hot Louisville. They should keep the train moving against Boston College.
#19 Boise State 40, New Mexico 21 (9:00 PM, CBSSN)
Boise State is still quietly undefeated (although they haven't faced much competition), and the Broncos will probably remain unbeaten against New Mexico, a team that has lost to New Mexico State and Rutgers this season.
Saturday
Texas 34, #20 Oklahoma 38 (Noon, FS1)
The Longhorns started 2-0 (including a win over then-ranked Notre Dame), getting into the Top 25, but then lost two straight. The Sooners, meanwhile, reappeared in the rankings after a win last week at then-ranked TCU. It might be close, but Oklahoma is the better team.
#6 Houston 45, Navy 23 (3:00 PM, CBSSN)
5-0 Houston continues its cruise through the American Athletic Conference with a meeting at Navy. The Midshipmen are 3-1 and shouldn't ever be taken lightly, but they are also coming off a loss to Air Force.
#9 Tennessee 28, #8 Texas A&M 31 (3:30 PM, CBS)
Tennessee and Texas A&M meet in this week's top 10 matchup. The Vols escaped Georgia with a win last week thanks to a last-second Hail Mary. I don't think they'll escape this week against Trevor Knight and the Aggies at A&M.
#25 Virginia Tech 24, #17 North Carolina 41 (3:30 PM)
Virginia Tech makes its season debut in the Top 25, and the 3-1 Hokies (who haven't beaten anyone of much significance) get a welcoming gift in a meeting at North Carolina, where Mitch Trubisky (1,711 yards passing, 13 TD) and the Tar Heels have started 41 (edging FSU last week).
Indiana 14, #2 Ohio State 45 (3:30 PM, ESPN)
Indiana is coming off a big upset win over Michigan State, and they almost knocked off Ohio State last season, but this year's Buckeyes are different, having blown out all four of their opponents. J.T. Barrett and the defense should carry them to another blowout at home.
#21 Colorado 35, USC 38 (4:00 PM, PAC-12)
Colorado is now ranked, while USC used to be ranked. But, to give the Trojans the benefit of the doubt, their three losses were to three ranked teams. The Buffs have two straight wins (over the Oregon teams), but USC might be more talented than those teams.
#1 Alabama 38, #16 Arkansas 17 (7:00 PM, ESPN)
Do not be deceived by the fact that this is a contest between two ranked teams. 4-1 Arkansas's best win is a 41-38 win over TCU the second week of the season. 5-0 Alabama has dominated thus far, including wins over two ranked (at the time) teams.
#4 Michigan 52, Rutgers 14 (7:00 PM, ESPN2)
Rutgers just suffered a 58-0 beat down at the hands of Ohio State, and this week, they'll probably suffer a similar fate against Michigan. I don't think it'll be as bad, because Michigan;s offense was quiet last week and the Knights are at home, but it'll be bad.
#5 Washington 48, Oregon 32 (7:30 PM, FOX)
Well, I guess Washington is for real. They demolished Stanford and silenced Christian McCaffrey last week, dominating in the trenches (and every other aspect). The Ducks have lost three straight (Nebraska, Colorado, and Washington State).
#23 Florida State 38, #10 Miami 42 (8:00 PM, ABC)
This game (as of right now) will be played, unlike the game in Gainesville. It should be a good game. Even though the Noles are have lost twice (including last week), they have a lot of talent. But the Hurricanes will take this one.
Arizona 34, #24 Utah 37 (10:00 PM, FS1)
We get two late-night Pac-12 games involving ranked teams this Saturday, which means extra wildness. Anyone could take this matchup of middling Pac-12 teams, but I'll go with the ranked Utes at home.
Washington State 31, #15 Stanford 48 (10:30 PM, ESPN)
More craziness. Washington State, who knocked off Oregon last week, could take this game against a Stanford team coming off a demoralizing loss, but I think the Cardinal (and Christian McCaffrey) get back on track.

NFL Week 5 Picks

Welcome back! It's Week 5, which means some suspended players are back , including that Tom Brady guy, who I'm sure will be determined as he and the Pats play the only winless team remaining (guess who). On the other side, the Eagles, Broncos, and Vikings remain unbeaten. At least one of those will probably change this weekend.

Last Week: 10-5
Season: 34-27

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
Cardinals 28, 49ers 21 (8:25 PM, CBS)
Both teams head into this Thursday night showdown at 1-3, but while the Niners weren't expected to be good, Arizona's start has been a surprise. Even with backup quarterback Drew Stanton starting, the Cards have enough talent to beat San Francisco.
Sunday
Patriots 42, Browns 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Patriots are coming off their first loss of the season, and Tom Brady is back from suspension. They get to face the 0-4 Browns. Expect Brady to go off, but it might be a closer game than some people expect.
Eagles 35, Lions 30 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The 3-0 Eagles are fresh off a bye, and while i don't believe Philadelphia is a Super Bowl contender, I believe Detroit is worse. The Lions are 1-3 with a last-minute win over the 1-3 Colts, a loss to the 1-3 Titans, and a loss to the 1-3 Bears
Bears 24, Colts 30 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Speaking of the Bears, they are coming off their first win of the season, but Brian Hoyer will probably start at quarterback again, and they lost wide receiver Kevin White to injury this week. Andrew Luck should be able to outlast Chicago.
Titans 14, Dolphins 17 (1:00 PM, CBS)
This is another battle of 1-3 teams. Tennessee's only win was against the Lions, and Miami's lone victory came against  the Browns. Neither team is good, but I think the Dolphins have more overall talent.
Redskins 32, Ravens 28 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Ravens suffered their first loss last week, while the Redskins won their second straight game. The Ravens, in my opinion, are probably the weakest 1-3 team, and they may continue to come back down to earth this Sunday.
Texans 28, Vikings 24 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Minnesota has rocketed to a 4-0 start thanks to their defense, as well as solid play from the offense. The Texans bounced back last week after a disappointing loss to New England, and I think they'll pull off the upset here.
Jets 13, Steelers 21 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Ryan Fitzpatrick has caught the interception bug, throwing nine combined interceptions in the last two games (both losses). After a blowout loss to Philadelphia, the Steelers blew out Kansas City (who picked Fitzpatrick six times the week before) last Sunday night.
Falcons 28, Broncos 34 (4:05 PM, FOX)
Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and the Falcons have been on fire since a first week loss, scoring 35, 45, and 48 points, respectively, in three wins, but the defending champs, no matter who is under center, continue to win with their standout defense.
Bengals 28, Cowboys 31 (4:25 PM, CBS)
This should be a good game, between the talented rookie combination of Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliott for the Cowboys and the talented veteran combination of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green for the Bengals. I'll go with Dallas in Arlington.
Bills 21, Rams 7 (4:25 PM, CBS)
The Rams, somehow, are 3-1, even without playing first overall pick Jared Goff.  The Bills, meanwhile, are coming off a shutout of the Patriots, and might shut down L.A.'s questionable offense Sunday afternoon.
Chargers 17, Raiders 32 (4:25 PM, CBS)
San Diego has been close in every game, but is 1-3. Oakland has been close in every game, but is 3-1. The combination of quarterback Derek Carr and receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree will lift the Raiders past the Chargers.
Giants 27, Packers 38 (8:30 PM, NBC)
Yes, Odell Beckham Jr. can get a little too emotional sometimes. Yes, people get in his head. But this isn't some "crybaby" or "dirty player". He's a talented player who gets emotional. People need to R-E-L-A-X. Speaking of which, I'm choosing Aaron Rodgers and the Pack.
Monday
Buccaneers 21, Panthers 28 (8:30 PM, ESPN)
Carolina has struggled thus far, and now reigning MVP Cam Newton is out with a concussion (it's not known whether he or backup Derek Anderson will start Sunday), but I think they get back on track with a home win over the Bucs Monday night.

NFL Week 4 Picks

This is the point in the NFL season where the contender and the "pretenders" start to distinguish themselves. An 0-3 team has never gone on to make the playoffs. This is the part of the season where playoff and divisional races start (relax, they just start) to take shape.

Last Week: 7-9
Season: 24-22

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
Dolphins 13, Bengals 28 (8:25 PM, NFL)
The Dolphins went to overtime against a Browns team that was using Cody Kessler and Terrelle Pryor at quarterback. Now they face a Bengals team with Andy Dalton at quarterback (as well as A.J. Green and a much stronger defense than Cleveland).
Sunday
Colts 35, Jaguars 38 (London, England, 9:30 AM, CBS)
The Colts avoided 0-3 with a last-minute game-winning drive from Andrew Luck. They may need that again this week in London against a Jacksonville team hungry for their first win of the season. However, Blake Bortles needs to play a lot better for them to get that win.
Browns 24, Redskins 21 (1:00 PM, CBS)
I love Hue Jackson. Hue Jackson is wonderful. He maintained his endearing positivity even as the walls were crashing down around him last week, and he almost beat Miami with a creative combination of Cody Kessler and Swiss utility knife Terrelle Pryor at quarterback.
Titans 17, Texans 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Texans layed an egg against the short-handed Patriots last Thursday, then lost all-world defensive end J.J. Watt this week, likely for the rest of the season. However, the Titans still have basically no offense (they've scored 16, 15, and 10, respectively, through their first three games).
Seahawks 21, Jets 17 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Oy, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitz threw six interceptions last week in a 24-3 loss to the Chiefs. The Seahawks defense doesn't look to provide a reprieve for Fitzpatrick, and while Russell Wilson is hobbled, he is expected to play Sunday.
Bills 30, Patriots 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The way they've played (considering injuries and everything), the Patriots could go 16-0. However, odds say that doesn't happen, and I still think they will have one loss when Tom Brady comes back. The Bills defense could provide fits for whoever is quarterback.
Panthers 35, Falcons 28 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Falcons have looked really good so far (especially offensively) and go into a competitive matchup with the Panthers (whose perfect season they ended last season), who are 1-2, but still have Cam Newton and company.
Raiders 38, Ravens 24 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Raiders have also looked good offensively thus far (aside from a 17-10 win over Tennessee last week. The Ravens are 3-0, but all three wins were close ones over struggling teams. Oakland (in my opinion) has more talent, and (in my opinion) will take this game.
Lions 42, Bears 21 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Bears are awful. Like, really awful. Like, worse than the Cleveland Browns. Yeah, that bad. The Lions offense hasn't missed a best without Calvin Johnson, as offseason acquisition Marvin Jones has been Matthew Stafford's favorite target so far this season.
Broncos 34, Buccaneers 30 (4:05 PM, CBS)
After the first week, when Jameis Winston looked like a quarterback on the verge of stardom, the Bucs have struggled. The unbeaten Broncos continue to show defense does win championships, and having a quarterback who looks as good as Trevor Siemian looked last week helps too.
Rams 17, Cardinals 27 (4:25 PM, FOX)
The Rams have rebounded from a poor first week performance, winning a defensive battle against Seattle and an offensive battle in Tampa. The Cards have gotten off to a rocky start, but still have the talent to contend in the playoffs.
Saints 38, Chargers 32 (4:25 PM, FOX)
The Chargers have suffered some key injuries so far (namely Keenan Allen, Danny Woodhead, and Manti Te'o), but they have one more win then the winless Saints, who fell to Atlanta Monday night. I think they get their first win this weekend.
Cowboys 30, 49ers 24 (4:25 PM, FOX)
The Niners are not good, and Blaine Gabbert is not a good quarterback. Colin Kaepernick has more talent, but either way, San Francisco probably won't win against the Cowboys (even without Dez Bryant).
Chiefs 24, Steelers 32 (8:00 PM, NBC)
The Steelers were embarassed by Philadelphia last week, while the Chiefs embarassed Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets. Pittsburgh should get back on track Sunday night, even against a dangerous defense like Kansas City.
Monday
Giants 34, Vikings 28 (8:30 PM, ESPN)
The Vikings can't keep this up forever, can they?! Even with the loss of their starting quarterback and starting running back, their 3-0 behind their disruptive defense. But Eli in primetime isn't the easiest matchup.

Week 5 CFB Picks

We are entering the meat of the college football season. This is when conference schedules really start to heat up, and there are some enticing matchups on this weekend's docket. There are battles between ranked teams in the Big Ten (Wisconsin-Michigan), SEC (Tennessee-Georgia), ACC (Louisville-Clemson), and Pac-12 (Stanford-Washington), and many more interesting games.

Last Week: 12-4
Season: 52-18

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
Connecticut 21, #6 Houston 48 (8:00 PM, ESPN)
The Cougars have cruised through their first four games (although their only real challenge was the first week vs. Oklahoma), and they don't face another real test (on paper, at least) until a much-anticipated meeting with Louisville November 17. They have to not slip up until then, and they shouldn't against a UConn team that has lost to Navy and Syracuse and beaten Maine and Virginia by a combined six points.
Friday
#7 Stanford 42, #10 Washington 35 (9:00 PM, ESPN)
I still don't really know just how good this Washington team (they did survive a bit of a test at Arizona last week), but I do know Stanford, led by Heisman candidate Christian McCaffrey (who has 436 yards rushing and 119 yards recieving thus far), is a tough team. Since this is a late Friday-night Pac-12 contest, expect a wild game, but expect the talented and experienced Cardinal to overtake the Huskies in the end.
Saturday
Rutgers 7, #2 Ohio State 45 (Noon, BTN)
Ohio State has looked mighty impressive thus far (much better than they looked in their 2014 National Championship season), but some injuries are piling up, so it will be interesting to see how the deep Buckeyes respond to those injuries. Rutgers, led by former Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash, is an improved team (they're 2-2 with a blowout loss to Washington and a 14-7 loss to Iowa), but still isn't near the level of Ohio State.
#23 Florida 23, Vanderbilt 3 (Noon, SECN)
The Gators blew a halftime lead at Tennessee last week, and starting quarterback Luke Del Rio, who didn't play last week, probably won't play this week either. However, Florida should bounce back at Vandy, a 2-2 team that got by on the skin of their teeth last week against Western Kentucky (a 31-30 victory). Florida will play better than they did last time they faced the Commodores (a 9-7 victory last season).
#13 Baylor 42, Iowa State 14 (Noon, FS1)
The Bears, despite all of the offseason turmoil off the field, are 4-0, one of those wins being a 35-24 win over Oklahoma State last week. They should be 5-0 after a meeting with a 1-3 Iowa State team. Baylor shouldn't overlook the Cyclones, since the last time these two teams met, the then-#2 Bears fell at home to then-2-4 Iowa State at home, but these are very different teams, and Baylor probably will not trip up this time.
Alcorn State 10, #20 Arkansas 48 (Noon, SECN)
I don't know what Arkansas is doing out here playing FCS schools the fifth week of the season, but I guess maybe I should cut them some slack, since they've already played two ranked teams (at then-#15 TCU in a 41-38 win the second week of the season, and vs. then-#10 Texas A&M last week in a 45-24 loss). Anywho, the Razorbacks shouldn't face any trouble at home against 1-2 Alcorn State on Saturday.
#22 Texas 45, Oklahoma State 48 (Noon, ABC)
This looks to be a solid matchup between two Big 12 teams who've suffered warts this season. Texas lost their last game, two weeks ago against California, and their one marquee win (a 50-47 overtime win the first week against Notre Dame) doesn't look nearly as good now that the Fighting Irish are 1-3, and while 2-2 Oklahoma State is also coming off a loss (35-24 last week at Baylor), They are more than capable and have home-field advantage.
#14 Miami 38, Georgia Tech 24 (Noon, ESPN2)
Georgia Tech face a second straight top-15 team after suffering their first loss last week against Clemson (26-7), and they could cause some headaches with their triple-option offense, but Brad Kaaya (694 yards passing, seven touchdowns, three interceptions) and the Hurricanes. The 'Canes have only played Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, and Appalachian State, but still, they've only allowed a combined 23 points.
North Carolina 32, #12 Florida State 45 (3:30 PM, ESPN)
The 3-1 Tar Heels may give Florida State a challenge on Saturday afternoon, but after getting smoked by Louisville and struggling against South Florida last week in a 20-point win, Jimbo Fisher will be expecting a much better performance out of the likes of Deondre Francois (951 yards passing, seven touchdowns, two interceptions), Dalvin Cook (498 yards rushing, four touchdowns), and Travis Rudolph (233 yards receiving, three touchdowns).
#8 Wisconsin 28, #4 Michigan 40 (3:30 PM, ABC)
If not for the Louisville-Clemson game, this one would definitely be the game of the week. Even so, it's a top ten matchup between Big Ten teams. The Badgers boast wins over LSU and Michigan State, which are impressive victories, but LSU just fired their head coach, and Michigan State is definitely not the playoff team they were last season. The Wolverines face their first real test this weekend, and they have the talent and coaching to pass it with flying colors.
Illinois 13, #15 Nebraska 35 (3:30 PM, ESPN2)
Nebraska, led by Tommy Armstrong Jr. (931 yards passing, eight touchdowns, one interception; 281 yards rushing, four touchdowns), have been a pleasant surprise, storming into the top 15 after a 4-0 start highlighted by a Week 3 victory over Oregon. They should cruise at home against the 1-2 Fighting Illini, who are coming off a bye week after two straight losses (to North Carolina and Western Michigan)
#11 Tennessee 38, #25 Georgia 28 (3:30 PM, CBS)
Another week, another SEC Top 25 matchup. This week, the Tennessee Volunteers, who finally showed something in a comeback victory over Florida last week after some tense moments against inferior competition the first three weeks, face off against the Georgia Bulldogs, who are coming off a 45-14 loss to Ole Miss. If this were one week ago, I might go with Georgia, but after Tennessee showed up last week, it's definitely the Vols.
#9 Texas A&M 40, South Carolina 17 (4:00 PM, SECN)
The Gamecocks could put a scare into the Aggies, but they aren't what they used to be. They sport losses to Mississippi State and Kentucky, as well as close wins over Vanderbilt and Eastern Carolina. Texas A&M has victories over UCLA and Arkansas, and Trevor Knight (1,055 yards passing, seven touchdowns, two interceptions; 308 yards rushing, five touchdowns) and company should add another win this weekend in South Carolina.
Oklahoma 45, #21 TCU 38 (5:00 PM, FOX)
Oklahoma, who came into the season with high expectations after a College Football Playoff appearance last season, as already lost twice (to Houston and Ohio State), making a repeat appearance highly unlikely. However, the Sooners still have Heisman hopeful Baker Mayfield, and they're playing a TCU team that has lost the only real challenge they've faced so far (a 41-38 loss to Arkansas three weeks ago).
#18 Utah 42, California 38 (6:00 PM, PAC-12)
2-2 California is favored at home over 4-0 Utah, even though they are coming off a 10-point loss at Arizona State. While I do think this will be a nail-biter, but Kyle Wittingham's Utes are undefeated and coming off a 31-27 victory against USC. I could see either of these strong Pac-12 teams winning in Berkeley on Saturday night, but I'll go with Utah in a barn-burner that comes down to the final minutes.
Memphis 24, #16 Ole Miss 38 (7:00 PM)
Ole Miss as a team is a lot like quarterback Chad Kelly as a player. Both show impressive flashes of excellence, but also make back-breaking mistakes. Kelly has 1,235 yards passing and 12 touchdowns, but he's thrown three picks and been sacked nine times. Ole Miss destroyed Georgia last week and had big leads over Florida State and Alabama, but lost those two games. I do think the talented Rebels will beat 3-0 (a weak 3-0) Memphis.
Kentucky 13, #1 Alabama 50 (7:00 PM, ESPN)
There isn't much to talk about here. Kentucky is not good, and Alabama is very, very good. That's all. But I'd like to fill up five lines of text (for the sake of being consistent), so I'll give a bit of a history lesson: The last time Alabama played Kentucky was October 2013, a 48-7 Bama win, and the time before that was October 2009, a 38-20 Bama win. The Wildcats hosted both contest. blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.
#19 San Diego State 38, South Alabama 7 (8:00 PM, ESPNN)
San Diego State may finish undefeated. They're 3-0 and play in the the Mountain West. Their toughest opponent remaining is probably Utah State. I don't know how good this San Diego State team actually is, and probably won't unless they lose. They probably won't lose this weekend against South Alabama, who did beat Mississippi State the first week of the season but has also lost to Georgia State and Louisiana-Lafayette.
#3 Louisville 48, #5 Clemson 35 (8:00 PM, ABC)
Here is the game people have been looking forward to, including myself. It pits two College Football Playoff contenders against each other in Death Valley. It pits the preseason favorite to win the Heisman (Deshaun Watson) against the current Heisman favorite (Lamar Jackson). It also pits an impressive team that has destroyed all four of its opponents (including Florida State) against a team that has struggled so far this season.
#17 Michigan State 35, Indiana 32 (8:00 PM, BTN)
Last Week, Michigan State showed that they are not as they were last season in a blowout loss to Wisconsin. Indiana isn't great, but shouldn't be underestimated (just see the Ohio State game last season). They could conceivably pull off the upset at home in Bloomington, but Mark Dantonio's Spartans, while not as good as last season, are still a solid team, and should be able to escape with the win.
Utah State 28, #24 Boise State 40 (10:15 PM, ESPN2)
Boise State is also not what it used to be, but the Broncos are unbeaten and ranked (with wins over Louisiana-Lafayette, Washington State, and Oregon State). Utah State isn't awful, but they have losses to USC and Air Force, and this game is being played on "Ol' Blue". As a late-night west coast game, anything can and will happen, but in the end, the Boise State Broncos should emerge victorious.

NFL Week 3 Picks

Injuries are the worst. Through just two weeks of the NFL season, several starters have hit the training room. Running backs (including Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, Danny Woodhaead, Jonathan Stewart, and Ameer Abdullah) and some quarterbacks (Jimmy Garoppolo and Josh McCown), as well as starters at numerous other positions, got hurt last week. Hopefully there are less injuries this week.

Last Week: 8-7
Season: 17-13

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
Texans 28, Patriots 21 (8:25 PM, CBS)
The Patriots will trot out third-round pick Jacoby Brissett (from NC State) behind center tonight. They usually find a way to do well no matter who is out on the field, but it'll be tough against J.J. Watt and the Texan defense.
Sunday
Browns 17, Dolphins 35 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Oh, the Browns. I don't know what kind of sick joke the football gods are playing on them, but it needs to stop. They've lost two quarterbacks, their 1st round pick (receiver Corey Coleman), impressive rookie defensive end Carl Nassib, and center Cameron Erving, and it's only Week 3.
Cardinals 31, Bills 20 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Bills have stumbled out of the gate this season, starting 0-2 and firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman. They should improve, but it will be a tough challenge against an Arizona team that has performed much better this season.
Raiders 34, Titans 17 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Titans stole a victory against Detroit last week, but don't expect their offensively-challenged team to stay with the Oakland offensive attack this Sunday. The Raiders have scored a combined 63 points the first two games, as opposed to Tennessee, who's scored a combined 32.
Ravens 27, Jaguars 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Ravens are off to a 2-0 start this season after an injury-riddled 2015, while the Jaguars, retooled in the offseason, are 0-2. However, Baltimore's two wins were ugly ones over the Bills and Browns, and the Jags have enough talent to win.
Lions 34, Packers 38 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Aaron Rodgers has not been on an Aaron Rodgers level the first two weeks of the season, especially Monday night, when he got outplayed by Sam Bradford in a loss to the Vikings. He may get outplayed by Matthew Stafford, but the Lions, who blew it last week versus Tennessee, won't win.
Broncos 28, Bengals 35 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Broncos are 2-0 on the strength of their defense, which had two touchdowns last week against the Colts. This will be a marquee matchup between two good defenses, but the Bengals offense gets the edge at home.
Vikings 20, Panthers 33 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Sam Bradford was a revelation Monday night against Green Bay, but Carolina will not provide an easy second opponent. The defense is not what it was last year, but it will be tough sledding without Adrian Peterson.
Redskins 24, Giants 38 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Maybe RG3 wasn't the problem. Apparently, there is some grumbling within the Washington locker room regarding Kirk Cousins after an 0-2 start. Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Josh Norman: The Rematch will be something to watch, but New York will take the victory.
Rams 14, Buccaneers 38 (4:05 PM, FOX)
The Rams defense silenced Seattle last week in a 9-3 win. The offense is still non-existent (they have yet to score a touchdown), and although the Bucs layed an egg last week, their offense looked marvelous in Week 1.
49ers 17, Seahawks 21 (4:05 PM, FOX)
The Niners shutout St. Louis in Week 1, and then Seattle lost to the Rams in Week 2. However, the Seahawks obviously have the head-to-head advantage due to their superior talent. As long as they show more than they did last week, they should win.
Jets 24, Chiefs 27 (4:25 PM, CBS)
This will be a good game between two teams who could easily be 2-0. It might be a battle of the defenses, but the running backs (Kansas City's Spencer Ware and New York's Matt Forte) will be key factors.
Chargers 32, Colts 35 (4:25 PM, CBS)
Andrew Luck has, for the most part, looked like Andrew Luck so far. Unfortunately, the Colts defense has, for the most part, looked like the Colts defense, which is to say below average. Indy has started 0-2 the last three seasons, but won the third game last year and the year before.
Steelers 42, Eagles 20 (4:25 PM, CBS)
I'm not drinking the Eagles Kool-Aid (or the Carson Wentz Kool-Aid, even though he's looked good so far), mostly because their first two opponents were the Browns and the Bears. The Steelers are a much better team, talent and production wise.
Bears 14, Cowboys 34 (8:00 PM, NBC)
The Bears are bad once again, and they'll be quarterbacked by Cleveland and Houston cast-off Brian Hoyer. Dak Prescott has looked good for the Cowboys so far, and last week he actually got Dez Bryant involved quite a bit.
Monday
Falcons 34, Saints 38 (8:30 PM, ESPN)
This should be a high-scoring game. It will be indoors (both teams play their home games inside), and neither of these teams is exactly known for defense (although the Saints somehow held the Giants to 16 points in a loss). NO should get their first win on Monday.

Week 4 CFB Picks

Last week brought us surprising blowouts (Louisville beat Florida State 63-20, and Ohio State beat Oklahoma 45-24), comebacks (Alabama beat Ole Miss 48-43 after being down 21 at one point, and Michigan was down 21-7 early against Colorado, but came back to win 45-28), near-comebacks (Notre Dame scored the final 14 points versus Michigan State in a 36-28 loss, and Mississippi State did the same in a 23-20 loss to LSU), and upsets (Nebraska over #22 Oregon, and, more notably, North Dakota State over Iowa). Let's hope for more of the same this week.

Last Week: 15-5
Season: 40-14

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
#5 Clemson 27, Georgia Tech 24 (7:30 PM, ESPN)
The defending runner-up has struggled so far, and may have some trouble with Georgia Tech's triple-option attack. However, I think the Tigers, who are more talented than the Yellow Jackets but have underachieved, will survive.
Friday
USC 28, #24 Utah 34 (9:00 PM, Fox Sports 1)
There is some good late-night Pac-12 action this week, starting with this battle between the Trojans, who were ranked at the beginning of the season before losing two of their first three games, and the Utes, who have entered the rankings with a 3-0 start.
Saturday
Kent State 17, #1 Alabama 48 (Noon, SEC Network)
Never underestimate the MAC, but never bet against the mighty Tide. They should have no problem with the 1-2 Golden Flashes after they rallied to beat Ole Miss last weekend. The meat of Alabama's schedule is still two weeks away.
#12 Georgia 28, #23 Ole Miss 30 (Noon, ESPN)
In the first battle of ranked teams this week, Georgia, who beat Nicholls and Missouri by a combined three points, face off against Ole Miss, who is 1-2 due to two blown leads against ranked teams. The Rebels will hold on this time.
#13 Florida State 45, South Florida 17 (Noon, ABC/ESPN3)
The Seminoles, fresh off a shellacking at the hands of Louisville, should fare much better in this intra-state battle against USF, who's 3-0 with solid wins over Northern Illinois and Syracuse. FSU should look more like they did the first two weeks.
#11 Wisconsin 24, #8 Michigan State 37 (Noon, Big Ten Network)
This is the game of the week, a Big Ten showdown between two defensive powerhouses. MSU, though, showed a lot more in a 36-28 win at Notre Dame last week then Wisconsin did in a 23-17 win over Georgia State.
Penn State 27, #4 Michigan 40 (3:30 PM, ABC/ESPN3)
The Nittany Lions may stick with the talented Wolverines for a while, but Michigan is number four in the country. They fell behind early last week against Colorado, but turned on the burners and cruised to a victory.
#19 Florida 42, #14 Tennessee 21 (3:30 PM, CBS)
This is a weekend filled with strong SEC matchups. This one might not be as close as the rankings may suggest. Florida has cruised to three victories so far, while Tennessee played close with Appalachian State and Ohio.
#18 LSU 32, Auburn 28 (6:00 PM, ESPN)
LSU hasn't looked great thus far, but they are still very talented. Auburn was within one possession of both Clemson (lost by six) and Mississippi State (lost by seven), but lost both games. Expect another close loss Saturday night.
#6 Houston 48, Texas State 14 (7:00 PM, ESPNU)
The Cougars should blowout Texas State, who got crushed 42-3 by Arkansas last week. After a 10-point victory over Oklahoma in Week 1, Houston has beaten Lamar 42-0 and Cincinnati 40-16. They shouldn't have much of a test until they face Louisville November 17th.
Oklahoma State 42, #16 Baylor 45 (7:30 PM, FOX)
The Cowboys recovered from a heartbreaking loss to Central Michigan with a hard-fought win over Pitt last week. This week they face a Baylor team that has blown by it's first three opponents, but hasn't been tested.
#20 Nebraska 42, Northwestern 28 (7:30 PM, Big Ten Network)
In the battle of the Big Ten "N" teams, Nebraska, led by Taylor Martinez and coming off a 35-32 victory against Oregon, should take care of 1-2 Northwestern, who's lost to Western Michigan and Illinois State (but beat Duke last week).
#7 Stanford 40, UCLA 38 (8:00 PM, ABC)
This will be a fun contest between a team with arguably the best running back in the nation (Christian McCaffrey) and a team with a very talented and impressive young quarterback (Josh Rosen). I give the slight edge to McCaffrey and the Cardinal.
#3 Louisville 52, Marshall 24 (8:00 PM, CBS Sports Network)
The Cardinals are flying high, coming off a trouncing of Florida State. They should continue flying high against the Thundering Herd, who are coming off a 65-38 loss to Akron. Louisville must prepare for another ranked battle next week in Death Valley.
#17 Arkansas 27, #10 Texas A&M 32 (9:00 PM, ESPN)
Yet another battle of ranked SEC teams. The Razorbacks outlasted TCU in Week 2, but other than that, barely beat Louisiana State 21-20, and destroyed Texas State 42-3. The Aggies, meanwhile, sport strong wins over UCLA and Auburn.
#9 Washington 48, Arizona 46 (10:30 PM, Pac-12 Network)
More late-night Pac-12 madness. I still don't know just how good Washington really is (they've played Rutgers, Idaho, and Portland State), and I know Arizona isn't amazing, having lost to BYU the first week of the season. Expect a wild game.

NFL Week 2 Picks

Now that I have one week of the NFL season under my belt, hopefully I'll be more accurate with my picks than I was last week (but probably not). The first week was filled with many games that could have gone either way (13 games were decided by single digits), and Week 2 could see more of the same (the Thursday night game was a 37-31 Jet victory over the Bills). So, here's hoping more of those close games go my way (pick-wise, and fantasy-wise, as I lost in both of my leagues last week).

Last Week: 9-6
Season: 9-6

(Home Team Listed Last)

Sunday
Ravens 34, Browns 35 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Yes, the Browns aren't good. Yes, they got destroyed by a rookie quarterback in Week 1. Yes, they could quite possibly go 0-16. On the other hand, yes, the Browns have won their last three home openers, and yes, Josh McCown has played well against Baltimore.
Bengals 28, Steelers 32 (1:00 PM, CBS)
This is a battle of two ultra-talented wide receivers. A.J. Green caught 12 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown last week as the Bengals got past the Jets, and Antonio Brown twerked his way to eight catches, 126 yards, and two touchdowns as Pittsburgh dominated Washington.
Titans 17, Lions 35 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Tennessee should have more success against Detroit's defense than they did versus Minnesota's, but the Lions' offense is much better than the Vikings'. Matthew Stafford tore up the Colts defense with 340 yards and three touchdowns last week.
Cowboys 37, Redskins 34 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott played pretty well in last week's loss to the Giants, but his supporting cast (running back Zeke Elliott, the receivers, and the defense) must do better this week against a Washington defense that was blasted by Pittsburgh last week.
Saints 42, Giants 45 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Both of these teams are dynamic offensive threats with good veteran signal-callers and explosive pass-catchers. Both teams also have suspect defenses, especially New Orleans, whose defense (which was the worst in the NFL last season) gave up 35 points to Oakland in Week 1.
49ers 13, Panthers 28 (1:00 PM, FOX)
San Francisco is not as good as they looked last Monday in a 28-0 win versus L.A. (the Rams aren't good), and Carolina is not as bad as they looked last Thursday in a 21-20 loss to Denver (they were playing the defending champs in Denver).
Dolphins 21, Patriots 32 (1:00 PM, CBS)
New England will lose a game before Tom Brady comes back (Week 5), but probably not this one. The Pats showed the machine keeps churning no matter who isn't playing (Brady and Rob Gronkowski last week), while Miami squandered an opportunity in Seattle.
Chiefs 24, Texans 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
These two teams are similar in my eyes. Solid offenses led by solid quarterbacks and strong running games, supported by talented defenses. However, Houston has a better defense, and as they showed last week, more explosive offensive weapons.
Seahawks 34, Rams 13 (4:05 PM, FOX)
Both of these teams struggled last week, but the Seahawks still came out with a win, while the Rams didn't put a point on the board. The Los Angeles offense can't play the way they did Monday night against San Francisco, but they probably will against Seattle's defense.
Buccaneers 31, Cardinals 32 (4:05 PM, FOX)
Jameis Winston is an ascending quarterback in the NFL, and he showed it last week with a four touchdown performance against Atlanta. Arizona has a better defense than the Falcons, and a productive offense led by Carson Palmer, David Johnson, and Larry Fitzgerald.
Jaguars 30, Chargers 21 (4:25 PM, CBS)
Jacksonville kept up with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, but couldn't beat them, while San Diego lost in overtime to Kansas City and lost star receiver Keenan Allen for the season. Allen tore his ACL after missing parts of last season with injuries.
Falcons 21, Raiders 27 (4:25 PM, CBS)
The Raiders out-shot the Saints last week (after a successful two-point conversion in the final minute), and while they probably won't score 35 points again this week, they should play better defensively.
Colts 24, Broncos 30 (4:25 PM, CBS)
Andrew Luck didn't miss a beat last week after missing much of last season with injury, scoring four touchdowns against Detroit. Unfortunately, the Indy defense also did't miss a beat, allowing 39 points in a loss.
Packers 32, Vikings 17 (8:30 PM, NBC)
I don't know who's starting at quarterback for the Vikings on Sunday night (Sam Bradford? Shaun Hill? Adrian Peterson?), but I do know who's starting for the Packers, and he's a lot better than whoever Minnesota throws out there.

Monday
Eagles 17, Bears 21 (8:30 PM, ESPN)
Carson Wentz looked really good against the Browns, but the key words there are "against the Browns". The Bears aren't playoff-caliber either, but they should pose more of a test for Wentz. This could be an ugly game.

Week 3 CFB Picks

Considering how "boring" last week's college football schedule looked on paper, of course it didn't turn out to be nearly as boring. Georgia and Clemson almost lost to inferior foes, Arkansas upset TCU in overtime, and Central Michigan shocked Oklahoma State on an untimed down (that, according to the rules, shouldn't have happened, but oh well) that resulted in a Hail Mary lateral play. This week looks a lot more interesting on paper, so I'm excited to see what happens. 

(Yes, I know this is a day late, and I missed the Houston-Cincinnati game. Don't @ me)

Last Week: 20-3

Season: 25-9

(Home Team Listed Last)

Friday

#21 Baylor 50, Rice 17 (8:00 PM, ESPN)

The Bears have beaten their first two opponents (Northwestern State and SMU) 55-7 and 40-13, respectively. The Owls have lost their first two games (at Western Kentucky and Army) 46-14 and 31-14. You know how this will (probably) go.

Saturday

South Carolina State 14, #5 Clemson 35 (Noon, ACC Network)

Okay, maybe it's about time we start worrying about Clemson. They won both of their first two games by just six points. The key word there is "won", but they do need to perform better if they want to go back to the National Championship. This week provides another seemingly easy test.

#2 Florida State 38, #10 Louisville 42 (Noon, ABC/ESPN3)

The first marquee match up features two ACC teams with young, talented quarterbacks. FSU redshirt freshman Deondre Francois and UL sophomore Lamar Jackson are both Heisman hopefuls who will put on a good show Saturday. I'm going with my man Lamar and the Cardinals.

Ohio 23, #15 Tennessee 32 (Noon, SEC Network)

Always be weary of MAC schools. Tennessee had trouble with App State in Week 1, but cruised past Virginia Tech last week. I expect this Saturday's contest to be somewhere in the middle, with the Bobcats keeping up early but the Vols pulling away late.

North Dakota State 24, #13 Iowa 37 (Noon, ESPN)

North Dakota State is no ordinary FCS foe. They've won multiple consecutive National Championships and have knocked off FBS teams before. However, Carson Wentz is starting for the Philadelphia Eagles right now, not the Bison.

Georgia State 10, #9 Wisconsin 44 (Noon, Big Ten Network)

The Badgers avoided a potential let down after their upset of LSU, and look to be a contender in the competitive Big Ten race. They shouldn't have any problems with 0-2 Georgia State, who have lost by double digits to Ball State and Air Force.

#25 Miami 32, Appalachian State 27 (Noon, ESPN)

Miami is only favored by 3.5 points, and for good reason. The Mountaineers almost knocked off Tennessee Week 1, and face another Top 25 opponent this weekend, this time at home. I could see an upset, but I think Brad Kaaya and the Canes will escape with a victory.

#1 Alabama 32, #19 Ole Miss 35 (3:30 PM, CBS)

Ole Miss has been a thorn in Alabama's side the past couple of years, beating them in 2014 and 2015. They've already suffered a loss this season (to Florida State), but Rebels senior quarterback Chad Kelly had experience beating the Tide.

Colorado 24, #4 Michigan 48 (3:30 PM, Big Ten Network)

The Wolverines, who've dominated thus far, need to avoid an upset in a "trap game" of sorts versus a team that's much better than the first two they played. I think they will avoid that "trap", and fly high into conference play.

#22 Oregon 47, Nebraska 35 (3:30 PM, ESPN)

This is another potential upset, as Nebraska has a strong offense led by dual-threat quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., but I think the Ducks win what will surely be a high-scoring game between two teams who scored at least 43 points each of the first two weeks.

#17 Texas A&M 28, Auburn 24 (7:00 PM, ESPN)

This should be a good game (I mean, it's between two above average SEC teams, so it'll be hard fought). However, Texas A&M is definitely better than Auburn, having beaten UCLA already this season (Auburn lost to an under-performing Clemson ball club).

Mississippi State 17, #20 LSU 32 (7:00 PM, ESPN2)

This should be another strong SEC match up, although both teams already have losses on the season. While LSU lost to now-#9 Wisconsin the first week of the season, Mississippi State fell to South Alabama.

North Texas 10, #23 Florida 42 (7:30 PM, ESPNU)

The Gators have disposed of UMass and Kentucky, and should do the same against North Texas, which is like the seventh or eight (or 14th) best team in the state of Texas (their at least worse than SMU, whom they lost to in Week 1).

#12 Michigan State 32, #18 Notre Dame 33 (7:30 PM, NBC)

This is another must-see games on a weekend filled with them. I could see this one going either way, but I'll go with Notre Dame, at home with quarterback Deshone Kizer, whose seen as a legit top NFL prospect, getting the victory.

North Texas 13, #24 Arkansas 29 (7:30 PM, SEC Network)

In another game with a lesser team from the state of Texas (I don't know if they're better or worse than North Texas, but I'll say better), newly-ranked Arkansas shouldn't have much problem with the Bobcats.

#16 Georgia 28, Missouri 17 (7:30 PM, SEC Network)

I don't know what in the world was going on with Georgia last Saturday, when they sweated past Nicholls (an FCS school) 26-24, but hopefully (for them) they will return to "normal" this weekend against Mizzou, which is not an FCS school.

#3 Ohio State 38, #14 Oklahoma 32 (7:30 PM, FOX)

Urban Meyer's Buckeyes should be very well prepared for this primetime match up. Meyer chatted with former OSU offensive coordinator Tom Herman, whose Houston team beat Oklahoma Week 1, and Oklahoma's backup QB decided to call OSU's defense "basic" on radio. 

Portland State 12, #8 Washington 52 (8:00 PM, Pac-12 Network)

I still don't know much about the hyped Huskies, but they're 2-0 so far (with blowouts of below average teams), and they play FCS opponent Portland State this weekend, so I probably won't know any more about them next week.

USC 34, #7 Stanford 38 (8:00 PM, ABC)

A Saturday night meeting of these two Pac-12 teams from Southern California should be entertaining. Two of the best skill players in college football face off (USC receiver Juju Smith-Schuster and Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey), and I'll give McCaffrey the edge.

#11 Texas 42, California 39 (10:30 PM, ESPN)

Wild things happen in late-night games out west, and Texas has already won a wild game this season (an OT victory over Notre Dame), so I'll go Longhorns over Bears in a game that comes down to the last few minutes (or overtime).

Week 2 CFB Picks

Well, that was quite a first weekend for college football. Upsets galore (seven Top 25 teams went down), comebacks, outstanding performances - just a great weekend of football. Unfortunately, the excitement of Week 1 is a stark contrast to the Week 2 slate (at least, on paper), which may lead to a let down of sorts. But, as we saw last week (and many other times in the past), you never know what could happen.

Last Week: 15-6
Season: 15-6

(Home Team Listed Last)

Friday
#13 Louisville 38, Syracuse 14 (8:00 PM, ESPN2)
I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but Lamar Jackson is really good. He had eight total touchdowns in a rout of Charlotte, and I'm looking for him to put on another show this week against Syracuse, who, while not great, is probably much better than Charlotte.

Saturday
Central Michigan 24, #22 Oklahoma State 35 (Noon, Fox Sports 1)
You always have to watch out for those MAC teams. Oklahoma State beat Central Michigan 24-13 last season, and I could see a similar result this time. Regardless of the final margin of victory, the Cowboys should beat the Chips in Stillwater.
Prairie View A&M 3, #20 Texas A&M 49 (Noon, SEC Network)
FCS team alert! I don't know much about Prairie View A&M (I believe they are the Panthers), but I do know Texas A&M beat a ranked UCLA team last week, is at home (one of the homes of the "12th Man"), and has a lot more talent than P.V. A&M.
Nicholls 0, #9 Georgia 52 (Noon, SEC Network)
Two in a row!! I know even less about Nicholls than I do Prairie View A&M, but I do know they will probably at least a few "Leon Sandcastles" to have a chance of shocking star running back Nick Chubb and the Bulldogs.
UCF 17, #5 Michigan 45 (Noon, ABC)
Central Florida will definitely provide more of a challenge for Michigan than Hawaii did (which isn't saying much), but the Wolverines should have no problem with the Knights in the Big House, especially since Blake Bortles is not walking through that door.
Lamar 7, #6 Houston 38 (Noon, ESPN3)
No, Houston is not going up against one guy. However, Lamar still doesn't stand much of a chance against a talented team that showed it belonged in the Playoff picture after an impressive victory over Oklahoma (33-23) last week.
Troy 13, #2 Clemson 32 (12:30 PM, ACC Network)
Again, not one guy. Although, again, they probably don't stand a chance of pulling off the monumental upset. Clemson did struggle with Auburn in a 20-13 victory last week, and they might struggle a little again this week, but there's a reason they're ranked #2 (because they were voted #2).
Charleston Southern 10, #3 Florida State 56 (12:30 PM, ACC Network)
STOP IT WITH THE FCS TEAMS!!! Anyway, where were we? Ah, yes, Florida State showed a lot in a comeback victory over Ole Miss Monday, including the impressive skill set of redshirt Freshman Deondre Francios (and that the last name Aguayo is a good one to have if you're a kicker).
Tulsa 24, #4 Ohio State 52 (3:30 PM, ABC)
Tulsa is better than Bowling Green, Ohio State's Week 1 opponent (or so I've been told), but Ohio State, per usual, has talent everywhere, even if it's inexperienced talent. Ohio State will try to oil the machine as well as possible in advance of next week's trip to Norman, Oklahoma.
Akron 13, #10 Wisconsin 28 (3:30 PM, Big Ten Network)
The Badgers need to avoid a letdown against the Zips after their big upset over LSU last weekend, and while I think that they will avoid being the recipient of an upset this time, their may be some tense moments.
SMU 28, #23 Baylor 48 (3:30 PM, Fox Sports 1)
This Texas battle may turn out to be one of the highlights of a pretty barren college football slate, pitting a team that has been considered by the Big 12 (as part of their expansion plan) against a team already in the Big 12. The current Big 12 team should take this one.
Nevada 23, #18 Notre Dame 42 (3:30 PM, NBC)
Colin Kaepernick isn't walking through that door. The Wolfpack may possibly give the Irish, who are coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to Texas, a scare, but Notre Dame won't lose for the second straight week, especially if they KEEP DESHONE KIZER IN AT QUARTERBACK.
Western Kentucky 7, #1 Alabama 42 (3:30 PM, ESPN2)
Western Kentucky once again has a quarterback who can throw the ball a lot (Mike White threw for 517 yards in a 46-14 win over Rice last week), but, in case you haven't heard, this Alabama football team is decent (or so I've heard).
Wofford 13, #19 Ole Miss 38 (4:00 PM, SEC Network)
Wofford is fun to say. It's also yet another FCS school facing a Top 25 FBS program. Ole Miss blew a lead in a loss to Florida State Monday, so they can take out their anger (or whatever feeling) on Wofford.
Idaho 16, #8 Washington 34 (5:00 PM, Pac-12 Network)
Meanwhile, up in the Pacific Northwest, I still don't know how good this much-hyped Washington team is, but I'm guessing they're probably better than the Idaho Vandals. Just a guess, though. Who knows? Maybe not.
Florida Atlantic 14, #25 Miami 40 (6:00 PM, ACC Network)
On the complete opposite side of the country, Miami takes in a matinee against FAU. Brad Kaaya and the Hurricanes shouldn't have much of a problem putting away, like, the seventh or eighth (or 14th, I don't know) best team in Florida.
Louisiana Monroe 14, #14 Oklahoma 40 (7:00 PM)
The Sooners will try to regroup after a loss to Houston and prepare for a meeting with Ohio State against UL-Monroe. They should be able to get in the win column, but it'll be interesting to see what they change after the Houston loss.
UTEP 19, #11 Texas 51 (7:00 PM, Longhorn Network)
This is another intra-state battle withn Texas, one that isn't quite as intriguing. The Longhorns were able to come out with the win in a wild overtime win versus Notre Dame, and while the two-quarterback system worked out in that game, it'll be interesting (as always) to see how it goes.
Arkansas 24, #15 TCU 38 (7:00 PM, ESPN)
This game and Virginia Tech-Tennessee are probably the marquee games of the weekend, which says a lot about the weekend. TCU struggled more than they probably should have against South Dakota State, but Arkansas almost lost to Louisiana Tech, so...
Iowa State 17, #16 Iowa 31 (7:30 PM, Big Ten Network)
Iowa State could give their in-state rival a game (they're definitely no stranger to that), but this Cyclone team doesn't seem to be very good (they lost 25-20 to Northern Iowa last week), and this is a pretty talented Hawkeye team.
Jacksonville State 6, #21 Iowa 47 (7:30 PM, ESPNU)
After an eye-opening loss to Wisconsin, LSU is looking for things to go a lot more smoothly against FCS foe J'Ville State (and they most likely will). Leonard Fournette should have a field day after struggling last week.
Virginia Tech 32, #17 Tennessee 28 (8:00 PM, ABC)
This game is being played at Bristol Motor Speedway, so that's interesting. It also could prove to be an interesting match up, between the upset-minded Hokies and the (overrated?) Volunteers, who barely survived App State last week.
Virginia 20, #24 Oregon 58 (10:30 PM, ESPN)
This isn't necessarily the Oregon of old, but Virginia lost to Richmond by 17 last week, so Oregon doesn't have to be the Oregon of old. The Ducks will cruise to a Pac-12 versus ACC victory in Eugene.

NFL Week 1 Picks

Football season is now in full gear. College started in earnest last week, and the NFL starts this week. With that, of course, comes my weekly NFL picks column. If you think my college football pick column is just me randomly guessing, my NFL column is even more so. So, with that being said,let's begin!

(Note: Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
Panthers 32, Broncos 17 (8:30 PM, NBC)
The NFL season kicks off with a Super Bowl rematch. Cam Newton and company look to lead Carolina to another Super Bowl Appearance. while Denver starts a new era at quarterback. It'll be interesting to see how Trevor Siemian does in his first start.

Sunday
Browns 24, Eagles 21 (1:00 PM, CBS)
This is a bit of an "upset pick". The Browns probably won't be great, especially defensively, but the offense, featuring RGIII, a solid running back tandem, and a talented group of receivers has explosive potential. Plus, the Eagles aren't good, and are starting rookie quarterback Carson Wentz.
Packers 28, Jaguars 21 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Jaguars should be an improved team this year, as they have a rising young offense and key additions on defense. But Green Bay is still Green Bay, with Aaron Rodgers, a reportedly slimmed-down Eddie Lacy, and a now-healthy Jordy Nelson.
Bills 27, Ravens 17 (1:00 PM, CBS)
If everyone's healthy, Buffalo has a good offense. Dual-threat Tyrod Taylor, beastly receiver Sammy Watkins, and "Shady" McCoy are very skilled. The Ravens have too many questions on both sides of the ball, starting with Joe Flacco and Steve Smith, both of whom are coming back from injury.
Bears 13, Texans 31 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Bears were not good last season, and probably won't be good defense. The Texans sneaked into the playoffs on the strength of their defense, then added quarterback Brock Osweiler, running back Lamar Miller, and rookie receivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller in the off season.
Buccaneers 34, Falcons 24 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The young Bucs could be good, as Jameis Winston continues to improve with his towering pass-catchers, and the good young defenders (such as Lavonte David and Vernon Hargreaves) keep getting better. I think they can knock off Atlanta on the road. Vikings 13, Titans 17 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Both of these teams feature conservative offenses that are run-heavy, especially now that Teddy Bridgewater is out for the Vikings. Minnesota traded for Sam Bradford, but apparently are starting Shaun Hill this week. Good luck with that.
Bengals 28, Jets 21 (1:00 PM, CBS)
This could be a good game, as both teams have strong defenses and solid offenses. Two storylines to watch will be how the Bengals do without offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and receivers Mohammed Sanu and Marvin Jones, and how new Jet running back Matt Forte performs.
Raiders 27, Saints 38 (1:00 PM, FOX)
This is another potentially good match up. As I mentioned on HAC 3 Strikes (the podcast I co-host; check it out), both teams seem to be in the same "tier", with Oakland on the rise. However, the Saints are still good, and they added some talent to help out Drew Brees.
Chargers 17, Chiefs 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Chargers improved defensively (drafting pass-rusher Joey Bosa third overall) and offensively (signing deep threat Travis Benjamin), but the Chiefs are still a solid (if unspectacular) team, especially defensively.
Dolphins 12, Seahawks 30 (4:05 PM, CBS)
The Dolphins, under new coach Adam Gase, have the potential to be good (especially offensively), but the Seahawks are an elite team with just one really big question mark (the offensive line), and they'll be playing at home, in the loudest stadium in the NFL.
Lions 20, Colts 17 (4:25 PM, FOX)
Both of these teams have plenty of question marks, as well as some very good talent. Andrew Luck returns for the Colts, but their already-suspect defense may struggle without Pro Bowl corner Vontae Davis (even after they signed veteran Antonio Cromartie to fill in).
Giants 42, Cowboys 35 (4:25 PM, FOX)
Their are few things that are guaranteed in this world. Death, taxes... and a close, high-scoring football game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys. This should be another barn-burner, even with Dallas starting rookie Dak Prescott at quarterback. Patriots 21, Cardinals 34 (8:00 PM, NBC)
These two elite teams meet in the first Sunday night contest of the season, but New England will be on the road without Tom Brady. The vaunted Arizona secondary shouldn't have nearly as much trouble with a Jimmy Garoppolo-led team.

Monday
Steelers 22, Redskins 17 (7:10 PM, ESPN)
The first Monday night game of the season could be a close one, between a Washington team that added All-Pro corner Josh Norman and rookie receiver Josh Doctson in the off season and a Steelers team without Le'Veon Bell (three game suspension) and Martavis Bryant (season suspension).
Rams 20, 49ers 10 (10:20 PM, ESPN)
The first week ends with a marquee match up between two playoff contenders game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Both have less-than-stellar quarterback situations, with Blaine Gabbert facing off against Case Keenum (1st overall pick Jared Goff is third-string).

Week 1 CFB Picks

The football season is upon us. For the next four months or so, there won't be any weekends without football. Saturdays will be filled to the brim with college football from now until winter. With the return of football comes the return of my weekly (hopefully) picks (or, to put it more accurately, somewhat educated guesses). This week is mostly games that probably won't be very competitive, but there are some enticing matchups on the Week 1 slate. I'll provide a final score prediction and a brief note about each game featuring a ranked team (according to the AP, and then the Playoff Committee, once those rankings start), as well as my "Game of the Week" (highlighted in blue) and "Upset Alert" (highlighted in red), if I see one happening. Let us begin...

(Note: Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
Charlotte 7, #19 Louisville 49 (7:00 PM, ACC Network)
The 49ers of Charlotte, who compete in Conference USA, went 2-10 last season. They shouldn't pose a threat to the talented Cardinals (look out for quarterback Lamar Jackson in the Heisman race).
Appalachian State 13, #9 Tennessee 34 (7:30 PM, SEC Network)
Yes, I know App State has a bit of a history (they shocked #5 Michigan in 2007), but that is not the norm for the Mountaineers, and it was nine years ago.
Friday
Furman 10, #12 Michigan State 50 (7:00 PM, Big Ten Network)
Furman will have the "honor" of being the first FCS team to take on a ranked FBS team this season. They "get" to play a team that made the College Football Playoff last season.
Northwestern State 17, #23 Baylor 55 (7:30 PM)
Baylor has had off-the-field turmoil this offseason, but the Bears should have no problem with FCS foe N'western State.
Kansas State 14, #8 Stanford 42 (9:00 PM, Fox Sports 1)
This is a Power 5 Conference meeting (Big 12 vs. PAC-12), but the Cardinal, led by Heisman finalist Christian McCaffrey, are much better than the Wildcats.
Saturday
Bowling Green 24, #6 Ohio State 42 (Noon, Big Ten Network)
Ohio State can sometimes cause some consternation in these kinds of games, especially with this team being inexperienced. But they have enough talent to cruise past the Falcons.
Hawaii 21, #7 Michigan 52 (Noon, ABC)
Hawaii already has a loss on the season, falling to Cal 51-31 last Thursday in Sydney, Australia. They'll likely go to 0-2 Saturday after a trip to the Big House.
#3 Oklahoma 38, #15 Houston 32 (Noon, ABC)
I initially went with Tom Herman's Cougars, who beat Florida State in the Peach Bowl last year, to pull the upset, but Baker Mayfield and the Sooners may prove too much.
Rutgers 21, #14 Washington 45 (2:00 PM, PAC-12 Network)
The Huskies seemingly came out of nowhere to be a dark horse pick for the Playoff this year. I'm not sure about that, but they should beat the Knights in new Rutgers coach Chris Ash's debut.
Southeastern Louisiana 3, #21 Oklahoma State 48 (3:30 PM)
Southeastern Louisiana is yet another FCS cupcake, and the Cowboys should have no problem with them (in other words, I know nothing about Southeastern Louisiana, other than the location).
Miami (Ohio) 13, #17 Iowa 32 (3:30 PM, ESPNU)
Iowa starts off another relatively easy schedule (they don't play a ranked non-conference team, and they don't play Ohio State or Michigan State in the Big Ten) with one of the MAC's weaker teams.
#16 UCLA 34, Texas A&M 28 (3:30 PM, CBS)
The Bruins come in with outstanding (and outspoken) sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen, while the Aggies counter with former Oklahoma standout Trevor Knight.
#5 LSU 35, Wisconsin 17 (3:30 PM, ABC)
The Badgers start with a top SEC team for the second straight year. Last time didn't go well (they lost to Alabama 35-17), and this time probably won't go very well either.
UC Davis 12, #24 Oregon 49 (5:00 PM, PAC-12 Network)
Apparently, the name of Oregon's new quarterback is Dakota Prukop. He's probably pretty athletic, but no matter how good he is, the Ducks should roll past UC Davis.
#18 Georgia 24, #22 North Carolina 32 (5:30 PM, ESPN)
I'm just feeling North Carolina here. I don't know why (or what I mean by that), but I'll go with the Tar Heels at home in this ACC-SEC battle.
Massachusetts 10, #25 Florida 38 (7:30 PM, SEC Network)
Florida's Week 1 starter will be the son of Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio (Luke), and he and the Gators shouldn't have many problems with UMass.
#20 USC 13, #1 Alabama 32 (8:00 PM, ABC)
This is being hyped as a marquee, primetime matchup, but I don't think it'll be all that close. USC does have star receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, but Alabama is Alabama.
South Dakota State 21, TCU 52 (8:00 PM)
Trevone Boykin may be gone, but the Jackrabbits still probably won't strike much fear into the high-powered Horned Frogs.
#2 Clemson 35, Auburn 21 (9:00 PM, ESPN)
Another ACC-SEC battle (and a battle of Tigers), Auburn could give Clemson a scare, but they should come out on top behind Heisman favorite Deshaun Watson.
Sunday
#10 Notre Dame 31, Texas 24 (7:30 PM, ABC)
The Fighting Irish may struggle employing a dual-quarterback system (a la Ohio State, circa 2015), but they have tons of talent, more so than the revenge-minded Longhorns.
Monday
#11 Ole Miss 32, #4 Florida State 28 (8:00 PM, ESPN)
The experience difference between the quarterbacks is pretty large in this one. Ole Miss has Chad Kelly, an accomplished senior, while FSU will start redshirt freshman Deondre Francois.