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College
Football Pick'em
The
ballot has been counted, and I have 10 of the most popular
games to analyze. My first week was brutal, taking only
3 wins in 11 attempts. If I was a baseball player I'd
start, but as a sportswriter, I was hamster balls. My
second attempt promises to turn out better. My motto
for the week is... Take the winning team.
Michigan
(-2.5) @ Wisconsin - The Wisconsin Badgers have
been a big money maker for me so far this season. Brian
Calhoun is the real deal in the back field, and the
Badger defense always finds a way to play well enough
to win. Last week the Badgers went into North Carolina
and took down the Tar Heels without much difficulty.
This week the Badgers have their toughest test yet,
as they host the Wolverines of Michigan. Unfortunately
for the Badgers, the Wolverines aren't the Tar Heels,
Owls, or Bowling Green. They are Michigan, 12th in the
country, and their only loss came in a bar-fight against
the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Will the Badgers be
ready when Michigan rides into town? Will the Wolverines
take Wisconsin to their first loss of the year? My bet
is that Michigan pulls it out on the road. The Wolverines
haven't played big competition, besides Notre Dame,
but neither have the Badgers. Chad Henne will have his
way with the Badger secondary, ala Omar Jacobs of Bowling
Green. Michigan's defense will have the final and deciding
say, as their ability to limit the Badgers will make
or break the game. Wisconsin has been good for me, but
all good things must come to an end. Take Michigan in
a battle of the Badger family mascots!
Lucky's Fearless Prediction: Michigan Wolverines
27 - Wisconsin Badgers 17.
Tennesse
@ LSU (-6.5) - The LSU Tigers went to Arizona
State and beat one of the best teams in the nation.
Even if they won on sheer adrenaline, the bottom line
is, they won. LSU is used to winning, and that's just
what they'll do when Tennessee comes to town this Saturday.
JaMarcus Russell gives the Tigers an offensive centerpiece
in addition to a team leader. The Tiger defense is always
on key. They'll be the third team in as many games to
hold the Vols offense in check. Ainge? Clausen? Neither
will torture the Tigers. Joseph Addal is a good back.
His explosive speed, teamed with a good Tiger game plan
will have the Vols on the ropes with their second loss
in three games. Take the Tigers down in Baton Rouge,
their home fans will be set to celebrate for the first
time in some time. Lucky's Fearless Prediction: Tennessee
Volunteers 10 - LSU Tigers 24.
USC
(-22) @ Oregon - The Oregon Ducks plan on giving
the Trojans a run for their money. Little do they know
that Southern Cal is going to destroy them. The Ducks
have fought themselves into the rankings with a two
touchdown victory in Houston, and win against D1-AA
Montana, and a slippery 3 point victory over Fresno
State. And the Ducks have a chance? Against the Trojans
of USC? Not a chance. If the Ducks gave up 34 to Fresno
State, they'll give up 75 to USC. Don't think for a
second that Oregon will have their way with the indestructible
Trojan defense either. This three touchdown spread will
look much more like last weeks USC - Arkansas game.
A USC victory by a landslide, jump on for the ride!
Lucky's Fearless Prediction: USC Trojans 54 - Oregon
Ducks 20.
Notre
Dame (-13.5) - Washington - Notre Dame had a tough
go against the Michigan State Spartans last week. Their
confidence was too high, as State jumped on them early
in the second half. Notre Dame fought back hard, and
sent the game into overtime, but the Spartan attack
won out with a great option run by tailback Jason Teague.
The Irish were good enough to win last week, and they'll
prove it by capsizing the Huskies in Seattle. So much
for that Husky winning streak! The Dogs, who pounded
out the Idaho Vandals last week, for their first win
in some time, are in for an early trick or treat. The
Huskies shouldn't even be on the same field as Notre
Dame. This game will have plenty of hard feelings, as
new Husky coach Tyrone Willingham plays for the first
time against his former team. In the end, the high emotions
will end up hurting the Huskies. Mistakes and fiery
tempers are always difficult when playing against a
stronger opponent. The Irish defense will take advantage
of a poor Husky offensive attack. Look for a tight game
in the opening quarter to transform into your average
blowout in the second half. Lucky's Fearless Prediction:
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 44 - Washington Huskies 13.
North
Carolina @ North Carolina State (-10) - The Tar
Heels have lost two close ones to two good teams in
Georgia Tech (21-27) and Wisconsin (5-14). The only
thing different this week will be the tight score. The
Tar Heels have been a formidable opponent in each of
their first two games, but the Wolfpack of North Carolina
State will be out to prove they belong in the top 25.
An early loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies dropped the
Wolfpack early. But they have plenty of big games later
in the season to prove they belong. This game against
their rival Tar Heels will just be a building block
in the right direction. NC State is better than the
Wisconsin team that held North Carolina without a touchdown
a week ago. I'm not saying NC will go scoreless, but
they won't find the end zone often against their cross-state
rivals. Take the Wolfpack in a show of dominance against
last years National Champions... in hoops! Lucky's
Fearless Prediction: North Carolina Tar Heels 13 - North
Carolina State Wolfpack 36.
TCU
(+3.5) @ BYU - Texas Christian's upset of Oklahoma
is looking less and less like a huge accomplishment.
But don't sell them short, their loss to SMU might be
more telling of their lack of focus than their lack
of talent. A big win in Utah took them to 2-1, which
is exactly what they needed after a devastating loss
in week 2. This week the Horned Frogs get hosted by
the BYU Cougars. This isn't only a battle of two football
teams, but a battle of religion. Haha... That's right!
The good Mormon college faces off against the nice Christian
boys of Texas in a real Holy War. Tye Gunn will shoot
down the pride of Brigham Young in Utah. You heard it
here first, the Horned Frogs have their loss out of
the way, with nothing but winning in their future. It
all starts in Utah against their arch enemies. Look
for the two headed rushing attack of Robert Merril and
Aaron Brown to find room to roam near the Salt Lake,
as TCU will shut down the potent BYU attack. Lucky's
Fearless Prediction: Texas Christian Horned Frogs 26
- Brigham Young Cougars 13.
Western
Michigan(-3.5) @ Temple - Western Michigan will
be the third team to take down Temple since the season
got underway. Western Michigan took a tough Virginia
team down to the wire until they lost by a couple touchdowns
late, and they actually have a win under their belt
after taking Southern Illinois by 6 at home. 2 and 2
is in the future for the Broncos. Temple can't be held
too much at fault, they're just bad. They started their
season against 3 ranked opponents, which can't do wonders
for their confidence. Because God knows, the Owls don't
belong on the same field with the Sun Devils , the Badgers,
or the Toledo Rockets. Temple got me last week, covering
the spread by a field goal. But not this week, I won't
let the Owls get me again. Take Western Michigan easy!
Lucky's Fearless Prediction: Western Michigan Broncos
37 - Temple Owls 14.
Boston
College (+3) @ Clemson - After losing a tight game
to the Seminoles of Florida State, the Boston College
Eagles have another tough test against Clemson. BC has
shown over the last few years, that they play well in
bounce back games. This week should be no different.
Boston College played a good game against the Seminoles,
but couldn't pull it together for important stretches
towards the end. Starting quarterback, Quentin Porter,
was walking around shortly after his ankle injury, and
the story is that he'll start in Clemson. Will Blackmon
is one of the most dangerous receivers in the country,
and he'll be showcased against a Clemson team which
has given up at least 25 points in each of their first
two games. Clemson is also coming off a big loss to
a Miami school, as the Hurricanes took the Tigers in
three overtimes, 36-30. The loser of this game will
be out of the hunt for an ACC crown with two early season
losses. The winner will need help, but be well within
striking distance if top teams falter. Look for the
Eagles to fight back for a big victory on the road.
Lucky's Fearless Prediction: Boston College Eagles
25 - Clemson Tigers 21.
Georgia
Tech @ Virginia Tech (-11) - The Yellow Jackets
grabbed a big win against a decent Connecticut team
last week. Quarterback Reggie Ball, the teams top rated
passer, wasn't available last Saturday and will be a
game time decision this week in Virginia. This is Tech's
biggest game by far, and you can bet if Ball can breathe
right he'll be on the field giving it his all. Lets
hope he's well enough to play. Either way, I'm taking
the Hokies to overpower the Yellow Jackets. Marcus Vick
will have his first big test, an exciting thing to be
a part of. I'll be tuned in as Vick shows the world
he's for real against the 15th ranked Jackets. Calvin
Johnson is a game breaker for Georgia Tech, and he'll
find room to catch passes against Tech. But the Hokies
will be able to clamp down on Tech toward the end zone,
causing prime time turnovers and field goals. In the
battle of the top ranked Tech's, Virginia will have
Georgia's number. Lucky's Fearless Prediction: Georgia
Tech Yellow Jackets 16 - Virginia Tech Hokies 31.
Iowa
(+7) @ Ohio State - Ohio State has already lost
a home game... why not make it two? Iowa is better than
people give them credit for, and if it wasn't for a
big time loss to their biggest rival, the Hawkeyes would
be a top 10 team. This is a huge game with grand implications
in the Big 10. Iowa has an average offense, but their
ability to slow the Ohio State attack should pan out
in the end. The Buckeyes are a little down since their
loss at home to Texas, so they will be at the top of
their game trying to start a new winning streak at home.
Drew Tate has one of the best arms in the Big 10, and
he'll have his game tight. Look for Tate to complete
right around 80% of his passes in the most important
game of the year this far. Neither of these big time
clubs wants to start off the conference schedule with
a loss. The Buckeyes will be starting Troy Smith at
quarterback. He's fast and athletic, and his ability
to run will be interesting and fun to watch. This game
should be a great one, as both teams have the ability
to light it up on offense and shut it down on defense.
This is what college football is all about. Take the
Hawkeyes against the Buckeyes. Lucky's Fearless Prediction:
Iowa Hawkeyes 23 - Ohio State Buckeyes 21.
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