10 Best Football Games-Week 3

Last week was quite a week of football, as it featured a slew of great games in both college and the NFL. This week has a few feature games followed by some not so good ones in both the NFL and college. But, now on to the games!

College

No. 24 TCU at Texas Tech, tonight, 7:30, ESPN

This is the first conference game for both teams. But, the difference is that Tech has played the likes of SMU and Stephen F. Austin to start their season to start 2-0 followed by this game. TCU meanwhile lost their opener against SEC foe LSU by ten, and then came back the following week to beat Southeatern Louisiana. So, really, this is the first true test for Tech and then it will be interesting to see how TCU responds to a much better team. Tech is second in the NCAA in passing yards, continuing the shootout trend started by former coach Mike Leach and now under former Leach quarterback Kliff Kingsbury. TCU must rely on sluggish starter Trevone Boykin to try and and get the team back on the winning track. TCU also will need Big 12 Rookie of the year Devonte Fields to come up big and wreak havoc on freshman Baker Mayfield in order for TCU to continue to try and stay in the top 25.

Pick: TCU 42, Tech 31

No. 16 UCLA at No. 23 Nebraska, Saturday, noon, ABC

This is one of two premier games in college this week, the other game is being previewed next. UCLA is coming off a nice victory in the opening week against Nevada, and has had two weeks to prepare for a rematch against Nebraska, whom the Bruins beat last season in Los Angeles. UCLA's minds may not be focused on the game though, as they lost walk on receiver Nick Pasquale last week. Nebraska is coming off a dominating victory over Southern Miss, and are looking to avenge their loss against UCLA when they gave up over 600 yards and slashed the Nebraska defense to pieces. Expect that to happen again.

Pick: UCLA 35, Nebraska 30

No. 1 Alabama at No. 6 Texas A&M, Saturday, 3:30, CBS

Rematches for Nick Saban are no match for the other team normally. Saban only has two losses against teams which is a rematch of the previous year. That is not a good sign for Jonny Manziel and the Aggies. Yes, the game is at TAMU, yes, Manziel has played very well in his first two games. Granted, those games were also against the likes of Rice and Sam Houston State too. But, still, go with Bama, who look to dominate.

Pick: Bama 40, TAMU 21

UCF at Penn State, Saturday, 6, BTN

This looks to be a good game, as both teams are coming in undefeated. Both teams have played two FBS opponents, and it can continue to be a good building block for freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg for Penn State.

Pick: Penn State 34, UCF 23

No. 21 Notre Dame at Purdue, Saturday, 8, ABC

This is a rebound game for Notre Dame, as they;re coming off another tough loss at Michigan. But, they can easily rebound against a poor team like Purdue. Notre Dame has won five straight meetings against the Boilermakers. Notre Dame will get their sixth straight victory here, as Purdue has not looked too good in their first two games.

Pick: Notre Dame 45, Purdue 10

NFL

New York Jets at New England, tonight, 8:30, NFLN

Neither team looked good last week in their victories. The Jets had to drive down the field and get help from a stupid penalty Tampa gave them to be in position for the winning field goal. New England struggled against rookie quarterback EJ Manuel and the Bills before executing another late fourth quarter drive to get the win. This week, New England will bounce back easily this week. The Jets are not a very good team, and the Patriots always seem to bounce back when they struggle the week before.

Pick: New England 34, New York Jets 20

San Diego at Philadelphia, Sunday, 1, CBS

Philly came out swinging last week, putting together an amazing first drive which resulted in a touchdown for the Redskins after a turnover. But, the next drive, the Eagles do the same thing, which results in a touchdown for the Eagles. Then, the Eagles continued to put their foot on the gas, jumping out to a 33-7 lead in the middle of the third before letting go and letting the Redskins back into the game. San Diego jumped out to a huge lead of their own in the second half of last week's Monday Night Football doubleheader, and did choke it away. This week, I expect the Eagles not to let go of the gas and continue to push their blur offense on a fairly weak Chargers team.

Pick: Philly 42, San Diego 28

Washington at Green Bay, Sunday, 1, Fox

Both teams lost last week, so that means this game is crucial for making the playoffs. While starting out 0-2 may not seem like a big deal, when less than 25% of those teams make the playoffs, it is a big deal. Both teams are also looking to improve their defenses from last week when both teams gave up over 30 points. Washington is hoping Robert Griffin III can come back this week and look as crisp as he did in the second half of last week's game. If he does, it will be a close game, but if he doesn't look for Green Bay to run away with it.

Pick: Green Bay 37, Washington 23

Denver at New York Giants, Sunday, 4:25, CBS

It's Manning Bowl III. Last week, both Mannings looked completely different, as older Brother Peyton looked to be saying to the world that he wants another MVP and to lead his Broncos back to the Super Bowl for the first time since John Elway won his second in 1998. Younger brother Eli didn't look good at all, committing many turnovers and letting the game slip away from him. I do not expect this game to be any different from the past two Manning Bowls, where Peyton won with the Colts.

Pick: Denver 35, New York Giants 21

San Francisco at Seattle, Sunday, 8:30, NBC

This is a rivalry game. Both teams hate each other. Both teams feature really good defenses. Both teams feature really good quarterbacks. This game is a two game swing for the winner and will be a huge gain for leverage in the NFC West. Only advantage is that Seattle is at home, where it will be loud inside.

Pick: Seattle 23, San Francisco 21