After an 11-4 start picking against the spread in Week 1, I slid back to 8-5 last weekend. Let’s see if I can get my opening weekend mojo back in Week 3.
[Editor’s Note: #13 Georgia, #15 Auburn not included due to games against FCS teams.]
Colorado State at #1 Alabama (-29.5)
As I said last week, Nick Saban packs it in early against inferior competition — take the Rams and the points.
— Pick: Colorado State
Tulane at #2 Oklahoma (-36)
The Sooners are firing on all cylinders right now and Baker Mayfield has his sights on the Heisman, signaling a blowout.
— Pick: Oklahoma
#3 Clemson at #14 Louisville (+3.5)
Louisville still has Lamar Jackson but Clemson is a much more balanced football team than the Cardinals.
— Pick: Clemson
Texas at #4 USC (-17)
USC beat Stanford by 18 and the Cardinal has a much better football team than the Longhorns.
— Pick: USC
Georgia State at #5 Penn State (-37.5)
The Panthers’ only game so far this season was a 17-10 loss to Tennessee State. This will be a bloodbath.
— Pick: Penn State
Fresno State at #6 Washington (-33)
Fresno State has to be worn out after playing at Alabama last weekend and the Huskies really pour it on cupcakes in typical Pac-12 fashion.
— Pick: Washington
Air Force at #7 Michigan (-23.5)
Jim Harbaugh should have had his team’s full attention after an ugly win over Cincinnati, leading to a much sharper performance vs. Air Force.
— Pick: Michigan
Army at #8 Ohio State (-30)
Army is a decent football team but you have to think Ohio State’s offense won’t stay dormant forever.
— Pick: Ohio State
#9 Oklahoma St. at Pitt (+14.5)
Pitt hasn’t exactly played inspiring football this season in an overtime win over Youngstown State and loss to Penn State but I just sense a sluggish performance from the Cowboys in a noon start on the East Coast.
— Pick: Pitt
#12 LSU at Mississippi State (+7.5)
These two have had some epic battles over the last four years; this season should be no different.
— Pick: Mississippi State
#18 Kansas State at Vanderbilt (+4)
Vanderbilt is vastly improved since the beginning of the Derek Mason Era but Kansas State is primed for a really special year.
— Pick: Kansas State
#19 Stanford at San Diego State (+9.5)
The Aztecs won at Arizona State last weekend and will be brimming with confidence to give another Pac-12 team all it can handle.
— Pick: San Diego State
SMU at #20 TCU (-19.5)
Chad Morris has things headed in the right direction in Dallas but TCU’s offensive is just too explosive for the Ponies.
— Pick: TCU
Oregon State at #21 Washington State (-21)
Oregon State has lost to Colorado State and Minnesota by a combined 55 points, foretelling doom in Pullman.
— Pick: Washington State
Illinois at #22 USF (-17)
USF has looked extremely shaky in comeback wins over San Jose State and Stony Brook and Lovie Smith’s defensive pedigree should be enough to keep Illinois within three scores.
#23 Tennessee at #24 Florida (-4.5)
Did you see Florida’s offense against Michigan that put up all of three points? Take the Vols.
— Pick: Tennessee
#25 UCLA at Memphis (+3.5)
This should be a sneaky good game between two high-powered offenses, but expect Josh Rosen’s magic to be enough to win and cover.
— Pick: UCLA
Week 1 Record: 11-4
Week 2 Record: 8-5
Overall Record: 19-9
