My most confident pick of this Saturday is the Oregon Ducks as they and running back De’Anthony Thomas travel east to face the Virginia Cavaliers. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
It’s another great Saturday packed with some solid matchups in College Football as we get ready for conferences to start their
Each week, I’ll give a quick update on our Fantasy CPR Group which you can join by following this link. Last week, my entry did well with 44 points but it was six points behind our leaders “O’Briens Fers” and “mdaallen.” They take the early lead, but there’s still plenty of time to jump in and show your college football knowledge with good picks the rest of the season.
Here’s my picks for week 2. Since you can find in-depth previews on other sites devoted to specifically these games, I’m going to just give you my quick take on each game and the one deciding factor that I found in my research that made me go that way. Here they are:
Aug 30, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Herb Waters (6) runs for a touchdown as Florida Atlantic Owls defensive lineman Cory Henry (31) gives chase during the third quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
1 POINT: Miami Hurricanes over Florida Gators- Miami at home has a good chance against their in-state rival. Florida gets some key starters back, but was unimpressive last week against Toledo and will need to step up their game. I don’t think they will as Miami moves to 2-0. The ACC looked good in week 1. Miami are two-point home ‘dogs.
2 POINTS: Georgia Bulldogs over South Carolina Gamecocks- Georgia can’t afford to drop to 0-2 as they host South Carolina after losing at Clemson last week. Georgia was solidly beaten by SC last year and will be out for revenge in between the hedges this afternoon. Georgia’s offense looked good last week, and I just don’t trust South Carolina’s offense enough to pick them here. Georgia is favored bat home by 3 1/2.
3 POINTS: Houston Cougars over Temple Owls- Houston won last week routing Southern 62-13 while Temple lost by 22 at Notre Dame. This will be the first conference game for both the new ACC teams. Houston’s balanced offense should be able to get them the road win this afternoon. Houston is favored by 2 1/2.
4 POINTS: Utah State Aggies over Air Force Falcons-The Aggies are heading to Colorado to take on Air Force. USU last last week at Utah 30-26 while Air Force beat Colgate. Air Force’s ground attack is impressive, but Utah State QB Chuckie Keeton brings more options to Utah State. USU is 6 1/2 point road favorites.
Aug 31, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Dennis Norfleet (23) is tackled by Central Michigan Chippewas defensive back Anthony Scarcelli (23) second half at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 59-9. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
5 POINTS: Michigan Wolverines over Notre Dame Fighting Irish- The Irish travel to the Big House for just the second night game in the history of the stadium. It’ll be a raucous environment in Ann Arbor, and I expect the home team to rise to the occasion and avenge last season’s loss in South Bend where they had plenty of opportunities but came up just short losing 13-6 . The Wolverines are four point favorites.
6 POINTS: Duke Blue Devils over Memphis Tigers- Memphis opens its season by welcoming the Blue Devils. Duke won their opener against NC Central in a rout 45-0. Memphis was just 4-8 last year and lost one of their main receivers (Marcus Rucker) and DE’s (Robert Steeples). Duke is favored by five.
7 POINTS: Northwestern Wildcats over Syracuse Orange- Last year, these two programs played a 42-41 thriller in the Carrier Dome that the Wildcats pulled out at the end. Since then, the Orange have had some serious turnover while the Wildcats are currently ranked in the top 20. Syracuse hung in there with Penn State but doesn’t have the offense to win in Evanston tonight. Northwestern is heavily favored by 16.
8 POINTS: Cincinnati Bearcats over Illinois Fighting Illini- The Bearcats crushed Purdue last week 42-7 and now visit another Big 10 lightweight as they visit Champaign. Cincy is favored by between 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 on the road against the Illini.
Aug 31, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Daje Johnson (4) scores a touchdown against the New Mexico State Aggies during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas beat New Mexico State 56-7. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
9 POINTS: Texas Longhorns over Brigham Young Cougars- After a slow start, the Longhorns offense found its groove last week routing New Mexico State 56-7. BYU’s offense was slow all day possibly due to the rainstorm they played Virginia in. The Cougars look to bounce back, but after losing to Virginia I don’t have much confidence in them even at home. Texas is all the way up to a eight point favorite as they head to Provo.
10 POINTS: Oregon Ducks over Virginia Cavaliers- Oregon’s offense looked as elite as ever in their opener as they piled up yards and points against Nicholls State winning 66-3. Virginia also got a win by beating BYU 19-16. This will be the farthest Oregon will travel all season, but the Ducks are 23 1/2 point favorites as they head to Scott Stadium. I don’t think the Cavaliers have the offense to keep up with the Ducks or the defense to slow them down.