College Football Picks, Week 2

I apologize for the dearth of posts since last weekend. I am currently in Europe for a two-week project for work. Thanks, to the wonders of modern technology and the Internet (thank you, Al Gore), I know what his happening in America, and can comment on such trivial things as college football.

Before I move on to picks: What is up with the Texas Aggies? Dennis Franchione never lost to Arkansas State. Neither did R.C. Slocum (though he did lose to Louisiana-Lafayette once). Mike Sherman is off to an inauspicious start after the Ags lost at home to the Red Wolves of ASU, 18-16. It’s going to be a long year in Aggieland at this rate.

Last week: 16-4. Sort of disappointing. Thanks, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M.
Season: 16-4

Cincinnati at Oklahoma: Sooners take a step up in competition this week. This won’t be a 50-point win, because Cincinnati can play. Still, the game is in Norman. The Sooner starters will play the entire game, but OU should win comfortably. Pick: OU

San Jose State at Nebraska: Spartans get to make some money for their athletic department with this trip to Lincoln to take on the Big Red. I wouldn’t blow this game off, though, if I were Nebraska. Nebraska should win the game, however. Pick: Nebraska

Texas A&M at New Mexico: The Aggies lost the easiest game on their non-conference schedule, and now must travel to the Land of Enchantment. UNM got spanked at home last week by TCU. The Ags are shellshocked. New Mexico gets a win against a BCS conference team. Pick: New Mexico

Louisiana Tech at Kansas: The Bulldogs got a win last week, defeating Mississippi State in a rare home game against a BCS school. The Jayhawks will have their hands full this week. However, they will keep their home winning streak intact. Pick: KU

Montana State at Kansas State: Remember Montana State? In 2006, the Bobcats traveled to Boulder and shocked Colorado. K-State knows all about that. The jury is still out on the Wildcats, but they should be able to handle Montana State. Pick: K-State

Southeast Missouri State at Missouri: At least Mizzou is keeping the money in state for this rent-a-win. Pick: Missouri

Texas at UTEP: This will be the biggest regular season game in El Paso in years. The two schools share names, a color, and fight songs. The similarities end there. In football, UT got off to a good start with a rout of a decent Florida Atlantic team. UTEP, meanwhile, got manhandled at Buffalo. Texas has a young team, but should be able to handle this one. Pick: Texas

Northwestern State at Baylor: Believe it or not, this could be a tough game for the Bears. But, it’s hard to actually pick a FCS team on the road at a BCS conference team, even one as bad as Baylor. Pick: Baylor

Eastern Washington at Colorado: Eastern Washington represented themselves well last week in a 49-24 loss at Texas Tech. Now, their Big 12 tour continues in Boulder, Colorado. Eastern Washington returns home 0-2. Pick: Colorado

Kent State at Iowa State: Last year, Kent State ruined Gene Chizik’s debut at Iowa State by upsetting the Cyclones. Lightning won’t strike twice in the same place. Pick:
Iowa State

Houston at Oklahoma State; There should be lots of points scored in this one. OSU opens their newly remodeled stadium. Pick: OSU

Texas Tech at Nevada: This will be the biggest game in Reno, Nevada since the Wolfpack moved to Division 1-A. The Red Raiders worked some kinks out during last week’s win over Eastern Washington. They should be able to beat the Wolf Pack. Pick: Tech

Oregon State at Penn State: OSU-West makes the cross-country trip to Happy Valley. It’ll be a long way back for the Beavers. Pick: Penn State

Ole Miss at Wake Forest: The days of overlooking the Demon Deacons are over, and have been for a couple of years now. Pick: Wake Forest

South Carolina at Vanderbilt (Thursday): USC-East sputtered early, but skunked N.C. State last week. Vandy got a surprise win at Miami (Ohio). Steve Spurrier owns Vanderbilt. Pick: SC

Miami at Florida: Grudge match in the Sunshine State. The old Miami isn’t back yet. Go with the Fighting Tim Tebows. Pick: UF

BYU at Washington: Washington plays the first of three big-time non-conference opponents at home. The Y is more than good enough to win at U-Dub. Pick: BYU

West Virginia at East Carolina: Pirates are coming off of a comeback win over Virginia Tech. Now, they have a home game against mighty West Virginia. This game will be better than the Mountaineers would like for it to be. Still, WV has more than enough to beat them. Pick: West Virginia

Georgia Tech at Boston College: Very competitive ACC game. Pick: BC

Miami, Ohio at Michigan: The Bo Schembechler Bowl. Both teams are coming off losses. Michigan lost to Utah, while Miami lost to Vanderbilt. Meatchicken should bounce back at home. Pick: Michigan