This week in college looks a lot uglier than last week. In fact, there is only one game between two ranked teams. It is a very interesting game though. On the pro side of the game, there are five very interesting games to look forward to all throughout the day. Also, for anyone interested, last week I went 3-2 in college and 3-2 in the pros. So, 6-4 overall, not too bad.
College
No. 10 Iowa vs. No. 18 Arizona
Iowa, as seemingly always is coming in under the radar, as is Arizona. Both teams could be the winners of their respective conferences and quite possibly meet in the Rose Bowl. These teams met last year too while Iowa was winning their games by a touchdown or less seemingly. Iowa won that game 27-17, and the score was closer than the game was. Iowa dominated the game on defense, while Foles couldn't muster anything in the game. I expect a different outcome here, as it is in Arizona and it has a late start. Iowa is not used to starting games at 9:30 local time.
Pick: Arizona 24, Iowa 14
No. 4 Texas vs. Texas Tech
This rematch of the 2008 classic game where Texas Tech walked off with a victory at the last second is not met with too much fanfare throughout the country, as Tech is not considered to be one of the premier teams of the Big 12 and Texas is expected to walk all over Tech. I expect the same thing. This is going to be a interesting match up between the gun slinging Tech offense and the vaunted Texas secondary to see who will come out on top. Personally, I think that Texas is going to intercept Taylor Potts at least two times and come out with good field position from there.
Pick: Texas 38, Texas Tech 17
No. 7 Florida at Tennessee
A classic rivalry once again renewed. But, over the past few years, Florida has dominated, as Tennessee has not won since 2004. The Gators should continue to overwhelm the Vols here, even though they have not looked particularly good in their first two games against underwhelming competition. Tennessee, on the other hand challenged itself against Oregon, who looks to be the runaway favorite in the Pac-10. Tennessee hung in there versus the Ducks for the first half, but got annihilated in the second half. They may do the same thing here. Derek Dooley has a rebuilding team in Knoxville, so it shouldn't be too hard for the Gators to pick them apart.
Pick: Florida 52, Tennessee 14
Notre Dame vs. Michigan State
These teams are notorious for close games, as last year was a 33-30 win by the Irish. I expect no difference this year, as Notre Dame bounces back from a tough loss to Denard Robinson and the Wolverines.
Pick: Notre Dame 23, Michigan State 21
Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina
If Georgia Tech had won last week at Kansas, this game would have definitely been on the slate for this week, but it was a toss up between this and Nebraska/Washington, and I think this game offers more intrigue. Georgia Tech I think will pull away from NC during the second half with the Tar Heels defense still embroiled in the whole NCAA investigation of the school. Georgia Tech suffered a lapse last week against a Kansas squad which lost 6-3 to a Division 1-AA school in week one, and former Navy coach Paul Johnson must be infuriated by that, so hence the blowout victory here.
Pick: Georgia Tech 42, North Carolina 10
NFL
Miami vs. Minnesota
Minnesota is coming off a lousy game against the Saints where they really couldn't move the ball all that well and the defense looked sound in the first half, but allowed Pierre Thomas and the rest of the Saints to run all over them in the second half. Miami on the other hand, looked very similar to the Vikings as they did not look too good against the Bills, who are the worst team in the AFC East by far. I expect this to be a very competitive game, low scoring as well with a lot of rushing happening. Both teams love to run, and I'll give it to Minnesota as they come back home and they certainly do not want to fall into an 0-2 hole to start the season.
Pick: Minnesota 14, Miami 10
Baltimore vs. Cincinnati
These two teams week one games could not have been more different from each other. Baltimore was embroiled in a defensive struggle against the Jets where they barely pulled away with a victory and the Bengals were forced to pass often as they fell behind the Patriots 31-3. So, needless to say, I have no idea what to expect here. But, I think that the Ravens offense is better than what they showed against the Jets and I think the Bengals defense is better than what they showed against New England. The Ravens will probably try and get Ray Rice going early and then try some play action to their quartet of talented receivers in Mason, Boldin, Houshmandzadeh, and Heap. The Bengals will probably just go with what works instead of pulling out all these different formations like they did against the Patriots and coincidentally they fell behind early. This game will be very close, and I like the home team again to bounce back and win it.
Pick:Cincinnati 23, Baltimore 20
Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee
Pittsburgh looked pretty lethargic against the Falcons last week on offense until Rashard Mendenhall sent everyone home happy with the 3rd longest run in overtime in NFL history to win it for the Steelers. Tennessee then looked amazing on offense and defense, but in all fairness, they were playing the Raiders, who make nearly every team look better. I expect Tennessee to come back to earth a bit against the Steelers and their top notch defense and I expect the Steelers to get Mendenhall going early to take some pressure off Dennis Dixon. Mendenhall will get going early and be a very good starter for anyone's fantasy team this week.
Pick: Pittsburgh 24, Tennessee 17
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
Titanic clash between two bitter AFC East rivals here. New England looked as if they could not be stopped last week against Cincinnati and the Jets looked like they were in a complete standstill for most of the game last week on offense. I expect the Jets to be better on offense this week and to be jacked up for a rivalry game. I also expect that Tom Brady will have a tougher time against the Jets secondary this week. Brady will still put up some good numbers, like 230 2TD, but nothing like he had last week. I expect Shonn Greene not to have his fumble-itis this week either and be solid on the ground too, and Mark Sanchez to get a little bit better from his performance against the Ravens and their really good defense.
Pick: New England 17, New York 16
New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Manning brothers are meeting for only the second time in their history and it gets the prime time spotlight. Peyton and the Colts struggled mightily last week against the upstart Texans while the Eli and the Giants handled the falling Panthers easily. I expect the Colts to bounce back from last week and win because there is no chance that Peyton will allow his team to have another down game.
Pick: Indianapolis 27, New York 13
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