Week 3 CFB

I know it's still early so I can get some easy wins, but I feel pretty good going 15-5 in week 2. This improves my overall record to 27-13. Week 3

14 Georgia Tech (2-0) @ 20 Miami (1-0)
Both of these teams are coming off close, in-conference wins where they needed late scores to secure a victory. In Georgia Tech's case, they allowed a 24-0 lead to slip away to Clemson, who stormed back with 27 straight points to take a three point lead before back-to-back Yellow Jacket's field goals gave Tech a 30-27 win at home. Had it not been for a punt return touchdown and a fake field goal touchdown I'm not sure GT would have been able to win this game. Clemson's defense virtually shut down All-American RB Jonathan Dwyer and QB Josh Nesbitt, both on the ground and through the air. Transfer Anthony Allen rushed for 120+ yards, including an 82 yard score on GT's second play from scrimmage. Now, with all that being said, they still got a win and are 1-0 in the ACC. As for Miami, a back and forth game in Tallahassee vs. Florida State saw sophomore QB Jacory Harris orchestrate two late touchdown drives to steal a 38-34 win. The 'Canes were idle this past weekend and now return home to host the Yellow Jackets. Surprisingly, Miami's defense did not look very good vs. FSU and will need to clamp down in order to win this game. Last year, GT smoked Miami 41-23 while rushing for 476 yards and an 8.4 ypc average. Dwyer ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns on only 10 carries. If GT is able to get the running game going again this year it could be another long game for the 'Canes. I like Georgia Tech to control the ball, the line of scrimmage, and ultimately the game for the W.

8 Cal (2-0) @ Minnesota (1-1)
Minnesota was being touted as one of the dark horse teams in the Big 10 who had the talent and experience to make noise in the conference. However, despite the 2-0 record, the Gophers have looked very unimpressive. A 23-20 overtime win @ Syracuse was an okay road win but only a 20-13 home win vs. Air Force didn't look all that great. Now, Minnesota has a big test again at home against a high-powered offense in Cal. Heisman hopeful RB Jahvid Best has been running wild in the first two games despite not playing full games because they were blowouts. Best ran for 137 yards and two TDs in a 52-13 win vs. Maryland and then ran for 144 yards and a touchdown and added a receiving touchdown in a 59-7 beat down of Eastern Washington. I think Best will run wild for a third game and bolster his Heisman resume en route to a win on the road.


Tennessee (1-1) @ 1 Florida (2-0)
There's too much that can be said about this game. Florida has been licking their chops ever since Lane Kiffin took over as coach and ran his mouth at his press conference at Tennessee. Florida has rolled over their first two opponents by a combined score of 118-9. The defense is the best in the nation and has more depth than possibly any defense ever. Two-deep at every single defensive position and incoming freshmen who can make plays. Last season Florida went up to Rocky Top and dominated in a 30-6 win. This season Tennessee is coming off a home loss to UCLA in which the offense struggled mightily and only mustered 15 points. The defense gave up a late touchdown drive the Bruins which cost them the game. The best advice for the Vols may to just make sure they keep their mouths shut and don't give Florida any more bulletin board material because if they do this one may get even uglier than anticipated. The Gators will win this one in the swamp by at least 30 points.

The rest of my picks:
3 USC (2-0) OVER Washington (1-1)
13 Virginia Tech (1-1) OVER 19 Nebraska (2-0)
18 Utah (2-0) OVER Oregon (1-1)
17 Cincinnati (2-0) OVER Oregon State (2-0)
2 Texas (2-0) OVER Texas Tech (2-0)
10 Boise State (2-0) OVER Fresno State (1-1)
11 Ohio State (1-1) OVER Toledo (1-1)
24 North Carolina (2-0) OVER East Carolina (1-1)
7 BYU (2-0) OVER Florida State (1-1)
23 Georgia (1-1) OVER Arkansas (1-0)
UCLA (2-0) OVER Kansas State (1-1)
Auburn (2-0) OVER West Virginia (2-0)
Notre Dame (1-1) OVER Michigan State (1-1)
Clemson (1-1) OVER Boston College (2-0)
Kentucky (1-0) OVER Louisville (1-0)
12 Oklahoma (1-1) OVER Tulsa (2-0)
Baylor (1-0) OVER UConn (1-1)