With Zero Week and Week one in the books, we head into week two at 23-18-1. Here are my picks for the games of week two, against the spread:
Purdue -3.5 Ohio
My Pick: Purdue
Analysis: Purdue is 7-0 in this series, and has won 13 straight home openers. The Boilers looked strong ATS against Louisville last week despite the loss.
Result: Purdue 44-21 (1-0)
Oklahoma State -28 South Alabama
My Pick: Oklahoma State
Analysis: The Cowboys poured it on early against Tulsa, and Tulsa is a better overall team than the Jaguars. Even on the road, I will take Mason Rudolph and company with ease here.
Result: Oklahoma State 44-7 (2-0)
UCF -2.5 Memphis
My Pick: Memphis is 0-4 in Orlando all-time, and UCF has won 9 straight in the series after dropping their first ever meeting with the Tigers. UCF is coming off of a huge win, and Memphis was severely flat against ULM last week.
Result: Game Cancelled
UCLA -23.5 Hawaii
My Pick: Hawaii +23.5
Analysis: UCLA will win this one, and is 2-0 all-time against UH, but they last played in 1939. Hawaii has had a strong start, and UCLA could be in for a hangover here. The Bruins have won 8 straight non con home openers, and will pull this one out, but not by over 3 TDs.
Result: UCLA 56-23 (2-1)
Kansas -6 Central Michigan
My Pick: Kansas
Analysis: Jayhawks have never lost to CMU, and last played them in 2014, a 24-10 win for KU. CMU was flat as a board against Rhode Island last week, and got pushed to OT.
Result: Central Michigan 45-27 (2-2)
Oregon -13.5 Nebraska
My Pick: Oregon
Analysis: Oregon has won 25 of their last 26 against non con foes, with that loss to Nebraska last season in Lincoln. The Huskers defense was ravaged by Arkansas State last week, and Oregon looks to be back to scoring points in buckets.
Result: Oregon 45-38 (2-3)
Wisconsin -32 FAU
My Pick: Wisconsin
Analysis: After a slow start last week, the Badgers pounded out 59 straight points in a win over Utah State. FAU was taken down by 23 against Navy, and Wisconsin is worth the extra points at home.
Result: Wisconsin 31-14 (2-4)
Army -16.5 Buffalo
My Pick: Army
Analysis: Army lost to the Bulls by a FG in OT last season to ruin a solid start to their season. Army was stellar last week in the win over Fordham. My gut has me giving Army the pick for revenge.
Result: Army 21-17 (2-5)
Michigan State -7.5 Western Michigan
My Pick: Michigan State
Analysis: Last week very well could have taken some life out of the Broncos after a strong showing with USC. Michigan State looked solid against Bowling Green. Sparty is 12-2 all-time against the Broncos, and have not lost in this series since 1919.
Result: Michigan State 28-14 (3-5)
Rutgers -5.5 Eastern Michigan
My Pick: Rutgers
Analysis: Rutgers is 16-5 in their last 21 road games, and won their only ever meeting with EMU. The Knights showed some promise in a 16 point loss to Washington, while EMU beat Charlotte 24-7 last week. FBS size will mean the difference here.
Result: Eastern Michigan 16-13 (3-6)
Old Dominion -4 U Mass
My Pick: ODU
Analysis: ODU is now 2-0 over U Mass in the modern era, and is 5-3 in road openers since resurrecting the program. The Monarchs won 36-16 last season.
Result: ODU 17-7 (4-6)
Northwestern -4 Duke
My Pick: Northwestern
Analysis: Wildcats are on a 2 game winning streak vs. Duke, and are 12-2 all-time against the Blue Devils. This is the third straight year the two have played.
Result: Duke 41-17 (4-7)
USF -17.5 U Conn
My Pick: USF
Analysis: USF has won the last five games, and has not played a complete game yet. U Conn struggled to beat Holy Cross at home last week. THis is the week that USF breaks out.
Result: Cancelled
West Virginia -24 East Carolina
My Pick: WVU
Analysis: The Mountaineers came up short against Virginia Tech, but ECU lost to FCS member James Madison by 20. Look for WVU to get more than back on track here, and easily cover.
Result: West Virginia 56-20 (5-7)
Michigan -34.5 Cincinnati
My Pick: Michigan
Analysis: After a slow start against Florida, Michigan should relish a shot against a team that only beat Austin Peay by 12. This should be a fairly easy win for the Wolverines.
Result: Michigan 36-14 (5-8)
Louisville -10 North Carolina
My Pick: Louisville
Analysis: Cardinals got big numbers against Purdue for Lamar Jackson, but did not cover. North Carolina allowed big numbers to Cal in a loss, and failed to cover as a favorite. I like the Cards here.
Result: Louisville 47-35 (6-8)
Kansas State -36.5 Charlotte
My Pick: Kansas State
Analysis: Charlotte is not in the same universe with K State and Bill Snyder, and Jesse Ertz lit it up against Central Arkansas.
Result: Kansas State 55-7 (7-8)
Iowa -2.5 Iowa State
My Pick: Iowa
Analysis: Hawkeye defense should have enough in the tank to frustrate the Cyclones in this one, even though I would love to take ISU. Keep your head about you in this one.
Result: Iowa 44-41 OT (8-8)
Boston College PK Wake Forest
My Pick: Boston College
Analysis: The Eagles are 7-3 against the Demon Deacons, and won the last two meetings in this series. The Eagles looked solid on the road last week, and should be able to take a close home opening win.
Result: Wake Forest 31-14 (8-9)
New Mexico -7 New Mexico State
My Pick: New Mexico
Analysis: New Mexico has won 4 of the last 5, with that lone loss under Bob Davie coming last season. Lobos are out for revenge at home.
Result: New Mexico State 30-28 (8-10)
UTEP -1.5 Rice
My Pick: UTEP
Analysis: Rice has lost 20 of their last 25 true road openers, and both teams laid major eggs in their openers. If I have to go one way or another here, it's with the Miners at home.
Result: Rice 31-14 (8-11)
Colorado -35.5 Texas State
My Pick: Colorado
Analysis: The Buffs were not entirely on fire against Colorado State in the opener, but Texas State is as bad as it gets, and barely got away with a win over Houston Baptist.
Result: Colorado 37-3 (8-12)
Ball State -14.5 UAB
My Pick: Ball State
Analysis: UAB got their return to college football win against Alabama A&M last week, but Ball State should have enough in the tank to take the Blazers down this week.
Result: Ball State 51-31 (9-12)
Syracuse -9.5 Middle Tennessee
My Pick: Syracuse
Analysis: The Orange had a solid opener against a lower tier FCS team, and Middle Tennessee never showed up against Vanderbilt. The Blue Raiders have a ton to prove, but can they do it on the road? Probably not.
Result: Middle Tennessee 30-23 (9-13)
Indiana -3 Virginia
My Pick: Indiana
Analysis: Virginia is just 3-3 against non con foes in their last 6 games. Indiana has lost their only two meetings with Virginia, but this could be the one that spins it.
Result: Indiana 34-17 (10-13)
Penn State -21 Pitt
My Pick: Penn State
Analysis: Penn State was on fire last week, while Pitt got pushed to OT by Youngstown State. Penn State has all the chips this week.
Result: Penn State 33-14 (10-14)
Alabama -43.5 Fresno State
My Pick: Fresno State +43.5
Analysis: Fresno State is not good, so let's start there. Alabama wins this game, but until their offense shows me something more, this spread is just too big right now.
Result: Alabama 41-10 (10-15)
Navy -13.5 Tulane
My Pick: Navy
Analysis: The Middies got the ground game working last week and pounded FAU. Tulane is working their way up, but Navy is too big a task.
Result: Navy 23-21 (10-16)
Western Kentucky -7.5 Illinois
My Pick: WKU
Analysis: Neither team looked great last week in wins, but WKU has one thing Illinois does not, and that is an offense that can move the football.
Result: Illinois 20-7 (10-17)
Baylor -16.5 UTSA
My Pick: UTSA +16.5
Analysis: After Baylor blew it to Liberty last week, we're supposed to believe that they are good enough to get more than two TDs here? Give me a break.
Result: UTSA 17-10 (11-17)
Texas -26 San Jose State
My Pick: Texas
Analysis: Offense is not the problem for the Horns, and they should be able to move the football against the Spartans at home.
Result: Texas 56-0 (12-17)
TCU -3.5 Arkansas
My Pick: Arkansas
Analysis: Arkansas has largely dominated this series, and won last season 41-38. TCU looked strong last week, but I like the Hogs at home here.
Result: TCU 28-7 (12-18)
Tulsa -16 Louisiana-Lafayette
My Pick: Tulsa
Analysis: Tulsa gets the offense going this week against a team that allowed a ton of points to FCS member SE Louisiana a week ago. Tulsa all day here.
Result: Tulsa 66-42 (13-18)
NC State -24 Marshall
My Pick: NC State
Analysis: NC State has a big boy D line that should be able to handle the Marshall offensive front and create havoc. The offense really moved the football well last week, and Marshall had problems with the pass. NC State uses that this week to get the win and cover at home.
Result: NC State 37-20 (13-19)
Toledo -9.5 Nevada
My Pick: Toledo
Analysis: Logan Woodside should have a field day against the Wolfpack secondary and move Toledo to 2-0 after Nevada blew a solid early lead on the road at Northwestern in a 31-20 loss last week.
Result: Toledo 27-13 (14-19)
Florida State -34.5 UL-Monroe
My Pick: Florida State
Analysis: I would rather stay away from this game, and likely will not drop actual cash on it until I see how the Seminoles react without Francois at QB. ULM pushed Memphis hard last week, so anything is possible, but I still see the War Hawks getting completely outclassed here.
Result: Cancelled
Missouri -2.5 South Carolina
My Pick: Missouri
Analysis: The Gamecocks are 3-2 over the last five years vs. the Tigers, but they could not stop NC State on defense last week despite winning the game. Missouri will have to win in a shootout, but they have the weapons for that.
Result: South Carolina 31-13 (14-20)
SMU -13 North Texas
My Pick: SMU
Analysis: A couple of years ago, I would have struggled with this pick, but this seems like a year of total corner turning for the Mustangs.
Result: SMU 54-32 (15-20)
Clemson -5.5 Auburn
My Pick: Clemson
Analysis: Beating Clemson in Death Valley is a virtually impossible thing. Tigers get the edge.
Result: Clemson 14-6 (16-20)
The Rest
Notre Dame -4.5 over Georgia Result: Georgia 20-19 (16-21)
Mississippi State -8.5 over Louisiana Tech Result: Miss. State 57-21 (17-21)
Oklahoma +7.5 over Ohio State Result: Oklahoma 33-16 (18-21)
Stanford +6.5 over USC Result: USC 42-24 (18-22)
Idaho -6.5 over UNLV Result: UNLV 44-16 (18-23)
Minnesota +2 over Oregon State Result: Minnesota 48-14 (19-23)
San Diego State +4 ArizonaState Result: San Diego State 30-20 (20-23)
Utah -1.5 BYU Result: Utah 19-13 (21-23)
Houston -1 over Arizona Result: Houston 19-13 (22-23)
Washington State -10 over Boise State Result: Washington State 44-41 OT (22-24)
Total 2017 Record: 45-42-1
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