Yikes! Week 3 was almost as bad as week 2 (maybe worse). Frank will probably pull the whole idea if I carry a losing record after this week. Nevertheless, positive energy and a little luck of the Irish (they haven’t used any yet) will lead to a winning record this week. Bet the ranch…
Clemson (-7.5) @ NC State
Clemson has put together a solid year offensively, starting with their opening win in the Bowden Bowl and victories over two cupcakes in Louisana-Monroe and Furman. NC State, on the other hand, has struggled mightily against D1-A teams this year, losing to both Central Florida and Boston College. It basically comes down to a very good rushing attack for Clemson against a very poor defense for NC State. The Wolfpack just aren’t at the level to compete yet.
Prediction: Clemson 31 NC State 17
Georgia Tech (-3.5) @ Virginia
Georgia Tech laid an absolute egg last weekend (probably because I picked them to win), but Virginia folds everytime they face a talented team. The Cavs opened up the season with a horrible performance against Wyoming, but rebounded to win their next two. Those two wins, however, came against cellar-dwellers Duke and North Carolina. GT is too good of a team to have a repeat performance of last week’s disaster against Boston College.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 28 Virginia 13
Baylor (-3.5) @ Buffalo
I’ve been to UB’s stadium and its not exactly the most intimidating place to play. Many of the Texas recruits that matriculated to Baylor played in front of larger crowds in high school. Annual cupcake Buffalo was beat up by both Penn State and Rutgers this year, sandwiching a victory over an even worse Temple team. While the reason for betting against Baylor is usually “well, it IS Baylor”, the same rule usually applies to Buffalo. Basically what’s happened is a 100 word semi-reasoning behind why one awful team is better than an even more awful team. The Big XII cellar isn’t quite as dark as the MAC.
Prediction: Awful 21 Even Worse 14
Oregon (-17) @ Stanford
I really think Oregon is a solid team, especially after looking at their first three games. The blowout win over Michigan stands out, but blowout wins over solid mid-majors Houston and Fresno State are equally telling. The offense is lights out and the defense is good enough to get the team by. Stanford, on the other hand, is not very good no matter who is their coach. They looked poor against UCLA to open the season, and San Jose State isn’t exactly the best measure of talent. The game is in Palo Alto, but I can’t see Stanford stopping the Duck’s offense.
Prediction: Oregon 38 Stanford 17
Obligatory Fighting Irish Prediction:
Notre Dame (+12.5) v. Michigan St.
Oh God, he didn’t do it again did he? He didn’t waste another pick on the Irish (who haven’t scored an offensive touchdown this year). He didn’t go with his heart in picking Notre Dame to win, despite the fact that they haven’t scored an offensive touchdown yet this year. Why would anyone ever think that an 0-3 team, which hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown yet this year by the way, would beat a team with a 3-0 record. What an idiot! What is he thinking??
“And that’s why you’re Michigan State” –Kirk Herbstreit (9/23/06)
Prediction: Wake Up the Echoes 21 We Must Protect this Flag 17
That’s all for this week. Hopefully this doesn’t turn into a Nick Bakay segment.
Last Week: 1-5
Overall: 8-9
