College Football Picks - Week 2

It wasn't bad, nor was it great. I went 8-2 in my first week with a humbling 5-5 against the spread. I said I was going out on a limb with that SMU upset, and I truly was. Way off there. If only I'd substituted that Ohio bonus pick in my regular 10, things would have gone better.

The wins were okay, but I definitely stumbled against the spread.

This week lacks any big time games between ranked teams, but isn't short on intrigue, especially as the SEC's two newest members both host their first conference games. I was tempted to throw Kansas/Rice in there, because that game surprisingly has two Sports Stars of Tomorrow alums in it: Dayne Crist and Sam McGuffie. That game didn't make the cut, though. These did:

Welcome to the SEC
#24 Florida +1 at Texas A&M 
Well, the Aggies wanted the SEC. Here it comes. Most people are expecting A&M to get absolutely destroyed as it goes through the SEC. I'm pretty much in that boat. The problem, this week, though: I'm not sure Florida is all that good. Vegas doesn't either, as the Aggies are a slight favorite in the game. It should be a great environment at Kyle Field, and that will be tough on Florida's young quarterbacks. The Gators have one thing going for them that A&M doesn't though: they have a game under their belt. They shook off some rust against Bowling Green while the Aggies had their season opener postponed. The Aggies are breaking in a new quarterback themselves, not to mention a new coach. I thought A&M might be ready for a statement, then I saw this:

Talking smack to a strong SEC program before you've played a conference game? I don't care if nobody directly associated with A&M put that up. It's still bad karma. Florida makes a statement without the use of a billboard.
The pick: Florida 27-21

Welcome to the SEC II
#7 Georgia -2.5 at Missouri
First things first: despite having a family full of Georgia fans, I discovered for the first time this week that Samuel L. Jackson is a Georgia fan. How cool is that?
But I digress. This is a huge game for Missouri as it begins SEC play against arguably the top contender in the SEC East. Not only would a win here be a great statement for Mizzou, but a win would suddenly have people asking if Missouri could win the SEC East. I know that seems like a stretch and a knee-jerk reaction, but if they knock off the top contender, why couldn't they?
Georgia was a little shaky against Buffalo last week, but the Bulldogs did have four defensive starters suspended. I am expecting all four to conveniently be back in time for this big road SEC opener. The defense should be stronger, the freshman running backs looked solid last week, and (with all due respect to A.J. McCarron) I think Aaron Murray is the best quarterback in the conference. Top to bottom, Georgia simply has more talent and should win. But, if Missouri wants any inspirational quotes, I'd suggest Ezekial 25:17.
The pick: Georgia 31-24

Fundamentally sound
Miami FL at #21 Kansas State -7
Kansas State is just rock solid. They may not have the athleticism to beat a team like Alabama or USC, but the Wildcats won't beat themselves. They're tough, they're well-coached, and quarterback Collin Klein continues to develop as a dangerous threat. Miami is building and is on the right track, but this road test will be too much for the Hurricanes.
The pick: Kansas State 41-31

Marve-elous?
Purdue at #22 Notre Dame -14
There really wasn't anything bad to say about Notre Dame's opener against Navy. The Irish basically did everything right against a team they really outmatched physically. The concern against Purdue, though, is that the Irish will see a passing attack quite superior to Navy's this week. Purdue isn't exactly USC, but they do have a former high school All-American at QB in Robert Marve. Navy simply doesn't pass the ball unless it is trying to catch a defense sleeping. So, Notre Dame's inexperienced secondary was hardly tested last week. Marve, meanwhile, looked pretty sharp in Purdue's opener, even though it was against Eastern Kentucky. He should be able to move the ball against the Irish. I think the balance Notre Dame has on offense, though, will be the difference. They have a solid stable of backs that should pace them to a comfortable victory.
The pick: Notre Dame 36-21

Valley game?
South Florida +1 at Nevada
This is a tough call for me. South Florida has plenty of skill, especially at quarterback with B.J. Daniels. Turnovers, though, limited their potential last year. Nevada is coming off a big road win at Cal. Sometimes teams have a letdown after a big win. I think the Wolf Pack comes down to earth this week as USF puts it all together for a nice road win of their own.
The pick: South Florida 30-27

Get your popcorn... or corn... ready
Iowa State +4 at Iowa

Iowa and Iowa State play this week. Thankfully, not for this.

I can't let the great state of Iowa forget the trophy that was once designed for this game. In their defense, the outrage was loud. Thankfully, the good folks at Iowa Corn changed it, and the new design for the Cy-Hawk Trophy actually looks kinda cool.
As for the game, Iowa State started slow then pulled away and beat what I think is a pretty good Tulsa team. Iowa did not look good at all. I hesitate to go with the road team, but ISU seems to be trending upward while I'm just not sure about Iowa.
The pick: Iowa State 28-27

Rest of the West
Auburn +3 at Mississippi State
The SEC West is likely coming down to Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas. Then there's these two teams. Neither is elite, but neither is bad. I thought Auburn had a solid effort against a good Clemson team in last week's loss. It's hard to judge Mississippi State after the Bulldogs crushed lowly Jackson State 56-9. I think Auburn bounces back from a tough loss with an improved effort on defense. Clemson piled up 528 yards of offense on them. I don't think Mississippi State can score like that. Auburn wins a low-scoring game.
The pick: Auburn 21-20

It's alright, it's okay, we'll be working for them someday
Vanderbilt -3.5 at Northwestern
Northwestern won some bragging rights last week in the game dubbed the "Prose Bowl," as it beat Syracuse, another school known for its journalism alums. This week, the Wildcats battle another school that I did not have the SAT scores to get into. Vanderbilt battled but lost to a good South Carolina team last week. I think the 'Dores are pretty solid, and they'll take out some frustrations this week.
The pick: Vanderbilt 31-21

Tiger bait
Washington at #3 LSU -23.5
I'm not sure how you prepare for LSU, but Washington had an interesting approaching this week. They brought a live Tiger to practice. While LSU may not be so dangerous that you could get mauled, the Tigers are pretty close. In Baton Rouge against a team traveling across the country, I'll take the Tigers and the big spread.
The pick: LSU 45-17

Another 84?
#18 Oklahoma State -13.5 at Arizona
Oklahoma State lit up the scoreboard against poor Savannah State, a 62.5 point underdog, last week. The Cowboys couldn't do anything wrong and won 84-0. It won't be that easy that week, but that's not saying much. True freshman QB Wes Lunt looked strong last week for the Cowboys, and he'll do well again against an overmatched Arizona team.
The pick: Oklahoma State 41-20

I'll leave you with this: poor Savannah State is at #6 Florida State this week. The line is a ridiculous 70.5. You know it's an awful game when the opposing team walks in wondering if it can stay within ten touchdowns. Honest question: how much worse could a local high school power do?