Picks For the Weak: Week 3

Two weeks of Picks are in the books, and man — I guess there is feeling in college football. If there is anything that has been learned over our first two weeks of football is that there is an emotion attached to this game. Maybe that’s why the computer sucks so much at picking games so far this year.

It wasn’t just Toledo that gave the staff here at tBBC a scare. BYU almost derailed everyone’s hopes of a win when they nearly beat Texas over the weekend. And how about those Hoosiers? They came damn close to actually beating a BCS conference team. That would of been fun.

Poor Bloomington.

But like all walks of life, college football is dog eat dog. Natural Selection does not favor Indiana. All is right in the world when Indiana loses. And its clear that the Meeeeechhigan defense couldn’t stop a tree leaf from blowing in the wind. Darwin was on to something when he took voyage on the HMS Beagle. I’m pretty sure he knew back then that Michigan football would always suck. Sadly that’s a species that will never evolve.

Weekly Review:

Overall, it wasn’t a bad week for the staff here at tBBC as Mali The Great and Eric the Greater continued their battle to the top. Both went 9-1 on the week — With Mali getting the asterick bonus for taking Asteroid/Sinkhole in Saturday’s slugfest at Michigan. We got to chalk that up as a win because a.) An asteroid crashing on the earth would of been cleaner than this game and b.) I’m pretty sure there was a sinkhole sighting. What else can explain the lack of defense ‘under the lights.’

Oh wait. We’re talking about Notre Dame and Michigan aren’t we. Well everyone but Jim pumped their fist (sorta, when no one was looking) when MEEEEEEChiGANN pulled off the thriller. We also all pulled for Alabama over Penn State and Wisconsin over Oregon State. Here is a look at last week’s standings.

Mali 9-1 – Eric 9-1 -Jim 7-3 – Experts 7-3 – Joe L – 7-3 Joe D 6-4 – Computer – 4-6

I’m still projected to beat the computer! I took some fliers on Cinci (only to select), and Georgia (dumb idea) that put me behind everyone else. Jim’s only losses were selecting Notre Dame over Michigan, Mississippi State over Auburn and Mizzou over Arizona State. Mali’s only loss came in the Mizzou/ASU game. Eric took the Utes over USC.

Overall Standings – Eric – 15-4 Experts – 14-5 Mali – 14-5 – Jim 12-7 THE JOES – 10-9 Computer 8-11

Now, let’s get to week THREE action

Thursday September 15th

#3 LSU vs #25 Mississippi State

Umm…. I’m glad that everyone got a free win in this one. What happened to the team that WHOOPED the Wolverines? It’s okay though, even the dumb computer got a win. I thought it be close, but this one wasn’t. A solid SEC caliber W with the 25- 6 victory on Thursday. WHOO for 1-0!

Computer: LSU 29 MSU 24

Friday September 16th

#4 Boise State @ Toledo

Buckeye fans saw first hand how competitive this Rockets team is and how much they can make oppurtunities out of nothing with a big screen play. Kellen Moore and the Broncos are rolling and are heading to the Glass Bowl after a week off. Can you say trap game? Maybe I’m crazy but I really think Toledo has a chance in this game. They have two more chances to get a win over a BCS opponent for the sixth straight chances, and though Syracuse is a more likely win, the Rockets are on an all-time high after their close call in Columbus. They’re at home too… The Broncos are the far better team but anything can happen right? Nobody here is brave enough to think so. The fact of the matter is Toledo has given up 44 points per game in weeks after they face Big Ten Opponents.

Computer: Boise 42 Toledo 24 (92%)

Saturday, September 17th

#18 WVU @ Maryland

The Mountaineers have yet to be tested n 2011, with wins over rival Marshall and Norfolk State. Maryland has a solid win over Miami and is tested every time they put their uniform on. I’m sorry, I kinda like it. State pride, nothing wrong with that… Danny O’Brien is a very talented passer and Geno Smith has been the only thing holding West Virginia together. Dana Holgorsen has got to find a way to run the football to win this game. West Virginia won the game convincingly last season, but that was with Noel Devine in the backfield. Expect a close game on Saturday, in what could be a preview of conference rivals down the road.

Computer: WVU 28 Maryland 24 (63%)

Pittsburgh @ Iowa

Ugly. This seemed like a very competitive game at first, but Pitt is coming off back to back ugly performances against Buffalo and Maine. Iowa lost to Iowa State last Saturday… Tino Sunseri is a talented quarterback but has struggled this year in a new hurry up offense. The Pitt offense has really looked lethargic, but so have the Hawkeyes, specifically on the ground. Ray Graham on the other hand leads the nation in rushing yards, and the spread offense has been something that Iowa just hasn’t played well against the last few seasons. This game has the making of a good one, if Iowa can hang in it late.

Computer Pitt 28 Iowa 24 (61%)

#15 Michigan State @ Notre Dame

So if the Wolverines can break free on the ground, then we know the Spartans shouldn’t have any problem right? I have no idea what’s going on in Notre Dame, but if Brian Kelly doesn’t ride the ship and get things fixed soon, he can kiss his dream job goodbye. With that being said, Notre Dame has the talent to knock off the Spartans. Kirk Cousins is playing lights out right now and Michigan State responded with a big win last weekend against Florida Atlantic after coming out a bit flat to open the season against Youngstown State. The Fighting Irish will be desperate, but it’s hard to get in the corner of a team that has looked downright awful.

Computer: MSU 31 ND 28 (60%)

Tennessee @ #16 Florida

Vols or Gators? Both teams are 2-0 going into this game, but really haven’t been tested. Tennessee was considered the underdog last week against Cinci, but Derek Dooley had his team playing at another level. Tennessee has lost 6 straight to Florida, and what makes this game so interesting is the winner has gone on to be the SEC champion 12-19 times. Who would of thought that Tyler Bray would be this good early in the season? He has put the Vols on his back, and hopes to do so on Saturday. He has close to 700 yards passing on the season with 7 TD and no INTs. Meanwhile John Brantley is still struggling to live up to the hype. He already has two interceptions and despite controlling the passing game, has struggled with accuracy. If the Vols want to win, they will have to stop the rush led by Florida senior Chris Rainey.

Computer: Tennessee 20 Florida 25 (62%)

Miami (OH) @ Minnesota

The Redhawks fell just short of beating Mizzouri to open the season, but they have a good chance at defeating a down and out Minnesota team. Jerry Kill is back on the sidelines, but so is the team that lost to New Mexico State last week. The Redhawk defense shut down everyone on offense in week one, and should have a good chance here of doing so. The Gophers have the talent to be a competitive team, but it’s just not even close to coming together. This could be another barnburner for Minnesota.

Computer: Miami (OH) 25 Minnesota 20

Washington @ #11 Nebraska

The Huskies and Huskers have played some good football games the last few seasons, and Saturday will be nothing different. After walloping Washington early in the season, the Huskers met them at the Holiday Bowl and just played flat football. Nebraska has struggled to start the season on defense, and they are still perfecting that no huddle offense. Keith Price has been looking good so far early this season, but the question is can the Washington offense play up to expectations. They really haven’t been challenged until now.

Computer: Washington 17 Nebraska 24 (70%)

#1 Oklahoma @ Florida State

It was a blowout loss for Florida State in Jimbo Fisher’s second game as head coach of the Seminoles against the Sooners in Oklahoma. From that point, the Seminoles rolled and finished with 10 wins. Don’t expect that this year from either team, in the first real BCS showdown of 2011. We arguably have our best QB matchup of the year with E.J. Manual taking on the stasche man Laundry Jones. This game will come down to turnovers, and I’ll take the home team to control the game.

Computer: Oklahoma 33 Florida State 31 (55%)

Ugly Game of the Week – Ball State Vs. Buffalo

Can I get a little MAC love from the congregation…. If you watch this game, it’s because you’re either at a bar drunk, or…. You are drunk and click on the wrong webcast on your laptop. Ball State got smacked by USF last week, but did beat Indiana (is that even an accomplishment for a MAC team anymore?). Buffalo lost to Pitt to open the season, but rebounded with a win against Stony Brook. That win gives them 2 in their last 13 tries… This game is gonna be gross, and I can’t believe the majority of the board is taking a former Brady Hoke team…

Computer: Buffalo 23 Ball State 15 (79%)