Well, I'm not going to lie.  Last week was rough.  Real rough.  1-4 against the spread was not what I was expecting, and it put me into a big hole.  But that doesn't mean I can't claw my way out.  This week I got not 1, not 2, but 6 picks for college's week 2, and hope to have a more respectable showing.  As always, the home team is in caps.

Pitt (-4) over BC

Maybe I'm being a little hard on my Eagles, picking against them (against spread last week, not straight up) for the second week in a row, but the offense concerns me.  They may have eventually put up points against the Minutemen, but they only scored 6 points in the first half.  This Pitt defense is bigger, faster, and more talented than UMASS, and if BC comes out slow like last week they are going to be in for a long night.  Until the offense shows more consistency I don't trust them against an "on the rise" Panthers team.

East Carolina (+17) over SOUTH CAROLINA

Is part of this an over reaction to last week, when SC got picked apart by Kenny Hill?  Sure.  But I don't think it's a wild over reaction.  The Gamecocks secondary was projected to be bad before the A&M game.  And East Carolina was a GOOD football team last year.  They went 10-3, and QB Shane Carden threw for over 4000 yards with a completion percentage of over 70%.  He's back at the helm this season, and picked up right where he left off last season.  I'm not saying East Carolina upsets SC, but I wouldn't rule it out.

Usc (+3 ) over STANFORD

I'm going to let you in on a little secret .  I think Stanford is a little overrated.  I know what the record was last year and I know about the defense but I think talent wise they don't match up with USC .  USC may not have the same depth, but they are loaded with athletes, and last week were the most impressive team in college football not named Texas A&M.  But the big edge for me is coaching.  Steve Sarkisian caused Stanford fits while he was at Washington last year, and with a more talented roster I think he finds a way to best the Cardinals.

Mississippi (-20) over VANDERBILT

I know 20 points is a lot, but Vanderbilt sucks.  Last week they played Temple, at home, and lost by 30.  To Temple.  In that game, they failed to score an offensive touchdown.  And I can't reiterate this enough... It was against Temple.  Now I know I BO-Lieve in Bo Wallace more then most, and I know he can be erratic at times, but if Temple can win by 30 it wouldn't shock me if Ole Miss wins by 40.  Give the points and BO-Lieve !!!

Missouri (-4) v TOLEDO

I feel like I must be getting punked or something.  Missouri is an SEC team playing a MAC team and only giving up 4?  I don't care if it's on the road, it's still Toledo.  Missouri won 12 games last year, and have Maty Maulk, one of the most underrated QBs in the NCAA.  This is going to be a blow out.  

Michigan State (+11.5) v OREGON

This is the best college game of the week, and maybe the best non-conference game of the season.  I understand Oregon has an explosive offense, but I don't think people are realizing how good this defense for MSU is.  They are an elite defensive team.  Michigan State plays everyone tough.  If you take there loses over the last 2 years, the average scoring difference was only 4.5 points.  They have a solid offense, and I think the keep this within 10.

Big Country 

Thursday, September 5, 2014