Week 3 picks

Week 3 is upon us, ladies & gents. Here in the Northeast the weather has turned cool- not cold yet- and the leaves they are a-changing. I couldn't think of a better time of year than the present, as we now have a sneak peek at what the hundreds of football teams across the country have to offer (except for a few, like the Ivy League who open up play this weekend) for us this year. And yet we still have the majority of the season left to go. If I could be permanently stuck in one time frame now might be the one I choose.

Anyway, enough of the bullshit. Let's get down to what matters- picking some winners and dodging the "trap games." Action starts up tonight with Georgia Tech paying a visit to "The U" to take on the Hurricanes. Last week's Thursday night match up featured a thriller in GT/Clemson, let's hope this week's does the same. Personally, I like the way the Yellow Jackets showed some resilience after letting a huge lead slip away and then coming back for the win. The Hurricanes' week 1 win over Florida State looked impressive at the time and was certainly an entertaining game to watch, however I am not sure how impressive it is now that Florida State is coming off a squeaker win against FCS Jacksonville State at home. Tonight should tell us a little more about UM.

Thursday Sept 17
MIAMI 5.5 Ga Tech- Jackets look like the better team, will rely on the run.

Friday Sept 18
Boise St 7.5 FRESNO ST- Watch out for the Bulldogs- they're under the radar right now and could play the spoiler.

Saturday Sept 19
ARMY 7.5 Ball St- Did I read that right? Army is the favorite 2 weeks in a row, coming off a loss to Duke?? Take the Cards.
PURDUE 13 N Illinois- Boilers nearly topped the Ducks in Eugene- not an easy feat. Huskies still looking for their bite.
MICH 24 E Mich- Wolverines have gotta be charged up after ND win.
CLEMSON 7 Boston Coll- BC always plays Clemson tough. Look for an Eagles cover.
PENN ST 30 Temple- This one will get out of hand early.
KANSAS 22.5 Duke- Both teams coming off road wins, but Jayhawks are too much for Dukies.
Ohio St 20.5 TOLEDO- You kidding me? LOVE the Rockets here. OSU has a 'knack' for not blowing teams out and Rockets offense looks capable.
UNC 7.5 ECarolina- Heels escaped UCONN with a win; ECU is pissed about WVU loss- look for a better game from the Pirates.
Cal 14 MINN- Bears looking ahead, Gophers looking to go 3-0. Take the points.
KENTUCKY 14 Louisville- Wildcats will get a better game than they bargained for.
ALABAMA 38.5 NTexas- Tide rolls through North Texas.
COLORADO 7 Wyoming- You can't pay me to take the Buffs 3 weeks in a row even though I want to in the shadows of the Wyoming/UT massacre. Be careful here.
SO MISS 15.5 Virginia- Cavs look hopeless. But they show some fight for Groh even though he'll be gone by season's end.
MARYLAND 6 Mid Tenn- Tough call. Both teams are hit or miss. Go with the Terps at home.
TROY 6.5 Uab- Blazers may win outright. Take the points.
IOWA 5.5 Arizona- Hawkeyes in sync after blowout of ISU. Ride 'em.
AKRON 4 Indiana- Hoosiers upset the Zips, but Hoo cares?
Usc 18.5 WASH- USC is due for a steam rolling after last week's close win.
VA TECH 5 Nebraska- Hokies stop the Huskers in jacked-up Lane Stadium.
NOTRE DAME 10 Mich St- Both teams licking their wounds from Mich schools. Sparty's won 6 straight in South Bend.
FLORIDA 29.5 Tenn- Man that's a lot of points for an SEC rivalry. Says a lot about both schools. Tough call, go Gators.
OKLA 17.5 Tulsa- Sooners show there is life after Bradford.
OREGON 5 Utah- Both teams yet to cover, but Ducks have yet to impress.
So Methodist 6 WASH ST- Cougs have a chance to win this one, go with 'em.
San Diego St 3 IDAHO- What the hell, the Vandals have already covered once.
Nevada 3 COLO ST- Wolfpack get on track after rocky start @ ND.
BAYLOR 10.5 Uconn- Huskies will surprise the up-and-coming Bears.
RUTGERS 15.5 Fl Int'l- FIU has a couple of big-play threats. Panthers keep it close but lose.
PITT 7 Navy- Battle of running teams. Pitt comes out on top.
Cincy 1 OREGON ST- Rodgers brothers make this one a lot closer than the ass-beating Cincy planted on the Beavs 2 years ago. Cincy wins a close one.
N'western 3 SYRACUSE- Orange hungry for their first win. Tougher game than NU anticipates.
WMICH 16.5 Miami OH- Broncos hitting their stride, buck the Redhawks.
VANDY 9 Miss St- A must-win SEC game for both teams who struggle to find SEC victories.
Bowling Green 3 MARSHALL- Falcons are the better squad and Marshall looks confused so far.
OKLA ST 32.5 Rice- Cowboys got burned looking ahead. The effects still linger.
TEXAS A&M 19.5 Utah St- Battle of the Aggies isn't much of a battle.
Iowa St 3 KENT- Cyclones still dizzy after home ass-beating. Take the points.
BYU 7 Florida St- Cougs get the job done, send 'Noles packing.
SCAROLINA 20.5 Fl Atlantic- Owls catch a break with SC coming off heart breaker.
LSU 26.5 La-Lafayette- Cajuns had their moment in the sun against KState. Back to reality.
UCF 4 Buffalo- Bulls take it on the road and win.
Air Force 17.5 NEW MEXICO- Lobos catching a break with Falcons swooping after loss to Gophers.
AUBURN 7 West Va- Mountaineers may win this one outright folks. Take the points.
ARKANSAS 1 Georgia- This should be a great game. Tough call here, I'll go with UGA because of their defense.
Utep 13.5 NEW MEXICO ST- Miners haven't won a game- 13.5 is too much for an unproven team.
TEXAS 17.5 Texas Tech- TT's offense will find a way to keep it close.
STANFORD 17 San Jose St- Cardinal on the rise, looking for a big win.
ARIZ ST 19.5 La-Monroe- Warhawks take another road whoopin'.
UCLA 12.5 Kansas St- Bruins deserve this favoritism, K-state has sucked so far. Lock of the week, bitches.
UNLV 7 Hawaii- Runnin' Rebs finish the job this time.

That's a wrap for the FBS games this week. I'd also urge you to keep an eye on the following FCS games this weekend:

Thursday, ESPNU
Howard @ Florida A&M- Get a look at the Rattlers as they aim at 3-0 and a place in the top 25 tonight. Howard is coming off a season opener in which they got waxed by Rutgers. Be sure to catch the bands at halftime too- you won't be disappointed.

Saturday
Delaware State @ #19 Delaware- When you're talking rivalries in Delaware, this is where the conversation ends. Blue Hens win again but as usual its a bitter feud.
#14 Wofford @ Wisconsin- Traditional FCS power gets a crack at a big time FBS program on the road. It will be interesting to see if this ends up being a tight contest.
Harvard @ #22 Holy Cross- We gave you a piece of the Crusaders last week. Next week we'll be at the Harvard/Brown opener in Cambridge. Fitton Field should be a great place to be this Saturday if you're an FCS fan.
Old Dominion @ Jacksonville- 1st season ever for ODU football; this is their first game against a Division 1 school.
Rhode Island @ #23 UMASS- Rams look to keep this year's gridiron edition of Douchiest State in New England closer than years past.
#11 Elon @ Wake Forest- Can Elon take advantage of the Deacons' slow start?
#2 Villanova @ Pennsylvania- Quakers open their season with a bang as the 'Cats come rolling into Franklin Field. This could be a statement win for the Ivy, or a cross-town beat-down. Either way, if you're in the greater Philly area this weekend you should check it out (and send us a report on the tailgating).
Hofstra @ #1 Richmond- Spiders get their 3rd legitimate test in as many weeks. Let's see if they can keep the streak alive and remain top banana.
Portland St @ #5 Montana- Vikings take it on the road to open Big Sky play this year, at a very 'Grizzly' venue. Watch for the Grizz to win, but they'll have their hands full with a potent Portland State offense.


That's all I've got for you now. Be good.

Beav