Week Two is here and there are a few good games, but I am ready for next weekend, which will likely be the first huge weekend. The blog started out great last week going 4-0 straight up in national games, 8-1 straight up in SEC games (lost the HDN game once again!) and 2-0 against the spread in "If I Were a Bettin’ Man..." picks. Let’s keep it goin.
Thursday: 7:00: Arizona @ #9 Oklahoma State (ESPN) – This is a rematch of last year’s Alamo Bowl, which Okie State dominated 36-10. Mike “I’m a Man, I’m 40” Gundy is hosting Nick Foles and the Wildcats in Stillwater this time. The home crowd will be wild tomorrow night. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon get a lot of love, but I think Foles deserves a little credit. He has led the Wildcats to back-to back bowls. In the season opener last week, he passed for over 400 yards and 5 TDs. He deserves some respect, but all of that being said, the Cowboys will be too much. Okie St. 41-33.
Friday: 9:30: Missouri @ Arizona State (ESPN) – You’re gonna have to stay up late for this one kiddos. My boy Vontaze Burfict will be looking to lay some licks on the Mizzou Tigers. Missouri doesn’t have Blaine Gabbert anymore, and the Tigers struggled scoring only 17 at home against Miami (OH) last week. The Sun Devils offense will continue to develop this night as the defense shuts Mizzou down. ASU 20-7.
Saturday: See the previous week’s blog if you don’t remember the Saturday morning routine. After you repeat it a couple of times, you will get the hang of it. Straight to the games…
11:00 AM (or Big Ten kickoff time as I like to call it): That’s right there are 5 Big Ten kickoffs at this time once again. Spend 7 minutes each on the following games: Iowa @ Iowa State (Fox Sports), Oregon “Did We Really Lose to Sac St.” State @ #8 Wisconsin (ESPN), and Central Michigan @ Kentucky (ESPNU). Kentucky wins 14-11 although they are “Vandy bad” this year. After you spend 7 minutes each on these, time to change the channel again to the best game of the morning.
11:21 AM: #16 Mississippi State @ Auburn (ABC – SEC Network) – Did the War Eagles really roll Toomer’s Corner after the big Utah State win? Maybe it was a symbolic roll since the Bammers tried to kill the trees last year. Anyway, some of the main characters in the Cam Newton Saga from last year are on the same field for the first time since the story broke. That should add to the suspense of the game. I’m sure Dan Mullen would like to run it up on Tigers if he can. Auburn is hoping that another last minute victory is in the devil’s plans this week. Once again the Bulldogs won a game they were supposed to last week against a Memphis team that is now 15 point underdogs to Arkansas State this week (WOW). We all know what the Aubie did. Something tells me Auburn will play a lot better this week; they have no choice, do they? I’m not expecting the Mississippi State beatdown that a lot of people are predicting, but I think they do sneak out with a win because the Auburn defense is SO bad. Cowbells 34-27.
2:30: Five ranked teams get going at this time.
#6 Stanford @ Duke (ESPNU) – See “If I were a bettin man…” below.
Cincinnati @ Tennessee (ESPN2) – This will be a game with a lot of explosive plays. Cincy put up 72 last week; Tyler Bray’s first two passes last week were for 47 and 81-yard touchdown passes. With Zach Collaros, Isaiah Pead (I. Pead for short), DJ Woods, Tyler Bray, Da’Rick Rogers, Justin Hunter, and Tauren Poole taking the field, you can quickly tell this game is going to be all offense. With this defense optional game, I will go with the home team and the team with (maybe) a little more firepower. Vols 34-31.
#3 Alabama @ #23 Penn State (ABC) – A huge nonconference matchup at State College, PA! #6 in all-time wins Penn State versus #8 all-time Alabama. The Tide had a 5 turnover game last week while Penn State forced 3. Not an ideal situation for a young offense like Bama’s. The good news is the defense is incredible. The Crimson Tide find a way to get it done because I do not see Penn State scoring much on Bama. This game will be a grinder. Alabama 17-10.
3:30: #12 South Carolina @ Georgia (ESPN) – This will be the time of day you need to get the computer/extra TV going for sure. This game has turned huge for Mark Richt in a matter of days once the Bulldogs were manhandled by Boise State last Saturday. Many (including myself) think this game could decide the SEC East, but I would like to backtrack on that a little because if Georgia plays like they did last week, they won’t finish in the top half of the east this year. I usually give Richt the benefit of the doubt here and say he pulls it out, but the Gamecocks have too many weapons and the Bulldogs have no bite on either side of the ball. Rumor is that QB Aaron Murray may have some real issues with his ribs after Boise roughed him up last week, which would be even worse for Georgia if true. Although really sloppy last week, the Gamecocks pull it out between the hedges 24-17.
6:30: Utah @ Southern Cal (Versus) – See “If I were a bettin man…” below.
7:00 PM: Notre Dame @ Michigan (ESPN) – The Michigan Wolverines, one of the self-proclaimed founders of college football and winningest program of all-time, were finally able to afford lights for their football field. They will host their first night game in the Big House Saturday night against who else but Notre Dame. Both teams will be wearing some cool throwback uniforms for this game too. Michigan won a lightning-shortened game last week, while Notre Dame was “upset” although this blog told them to watch out for South Florida. The Irish moved the ball but turned it over deep in opposing territory several times. Brian Kelly’s head almost blew up in the meantime (http://www.athlonsports.com/overtime/notre-dames-brian-kellys-insane-sideline-screaming-gallery). Kelly named Tommy Rees starter this week after Dayne Crist did not get it done last week. Based on Notre Dame's dismal performance last week and the huge home-field advantage the Wolverines will have this game, I do not see how Michigan loses this one – especially with Shoelace still at QB. Somehow Notre Dame is favored in this one but give me Meeechigan 31-27.
In other SEC games not mentioned above, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Florida, and LSU roll against some dismal competition and Vandy can’t quite get over the hump versus Connecticut.
If I Were a Bettin’ Man…
Stanford (-21) @ Duke – Stanford rolled over San Jose State 57-3 last week at home. The Cardinal are playing a team comparable to the one they just beat on the road in Duke. The Blue Devils are coming off of a nail-biter home loss against Richmond (YES, RICHMOND) 23-21. Did you realize the best QB in the nation Andrew Luck plays for Stanford? This is gonna be a lot like when Alabama rolled into Durham last year and was up 35-3 in the first 20 minutes of a 62-13 win. Take the Cardinal really big!
Utah (+9.5) @ Southern Cal – Lane Kiffin led his troops to an inspiring 2 point win at home against maybe the worst Big Ten team this year (Minnesota). Utah is playing their first PAC 12 game ever and will definitely be pumped for the occasion. They have a veteran team that will not be scared of the environment. Once again, USC is just playing for their NFL futures with another uninspired effort. The Utes show will give the Trojans all they want.
Enjoy the weekend and remember War Memorial tailgaters - only you can prevent the girl/white trash fights!
-Ernie
-Ernie
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