College Football Saturday, Sept 29th. All day observations.

Sept. 29th 1:08 PM


I am no fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks but, it is clear that they need to shut down for the season. I know that is not possible but, they seem to have given up. They were a top 10 team and possible BCS title contender  at the beginning of the year. Either everybody was flat wrong about their talent, or the Petrino scandal just rocked them to the core. Whatever the case they need to rid themselves of the clown they have as head coach ASAP because he clearly is no leader. A leader would have had them fired up after the LA-Monroe loss. They still would have been beaten but, good lord show your fans something. Then the Rutgers loss. Geez. Pig People...you deserve better. Texas A&M is just killing them.

West Virginia and Baylor are tied at 35 at halftime. West Virginia is the perfect team for the Big 12. All offense, no defense. ...I now believe Texas is the clear front winner to win the Big 12. At least the Horns play big boy defense and run the ball well.

I am going to be very wrong about my Minnesota over Iowa prediction.


Montee Ball has been cleared to play against Nebraska later today.

1:40 PM 

WVU is pulling away from Baylor. Can they hit 70? I may not like their Defense but, Geno Smith is a monster at QB. He put up huge numbers last season as well in the blowout loss to LSU. He is hard to contain (hello, captain obvious) 

Mizzou is having all kinds of trouble at UCF. Remember that defensive lineman who tweeted that Georgia plays "Old man football" and that they could "dominate" Now the Tigers are 0-2 in the SEC and struggling against UCF. I guess the old men aren't as frail as they supposedly looked. 

Is the SEC still the best?

   With so much talk about who can dethrone the SEC, people need to realize something. The SEC is not the best conference from top to bottom this season. They are VERY top heavy with maybe 2 very good teams, 1 possibly great team, and 1 Juggernaut. The Big-12 and Pac-12 are better as a whole. They have many more competitive teams just not as many stacked teams at the top. I still believe the SEC wins another BCS title but, it is the beginning of the end for that run. ...It doesn't mean they are going away for long though.

That is a status update I wrote on facebook a few nights back. After writing it I decided to find out what the numbers said and if my statement was true. Below are my findings. 


Look at the Big-12. Currently they have 6 teams in the AP Top 25 (#7 Kansas St. #9 West Virginia, #12 Texas, #15 TCU #16 Oklahoma and #25 Baylor) 

The Pac-12 has 4 teams in the AP Top 25 (#2 Oregon, #8 Stanford, #13 USC, and #18 Oregon St.) Note that Arizona and UCLA just dropped out of the Top 25.

The SEC currently has 6 teams in the AP Top 25. (#1 Alabama, #3 LSU, #5 Georgia, #6 South Carolina, #11 Florida, and #21 Mississippi St.) 

Obviously the SEC dominates the Top 10. Which supports my top heavy theory. But, take a look at the rest of the unranked teams in all three of the leagues. 

The SEC has 3-1 Tennessee, 2-1 Texas A&M, 1-3 Arkansas, 1-3 Auburn, 2-2 Missouri, 3-1 Ole Miss, 1-3 Vanderbilt, and 1-3 Kentucky. (The combined record for SEC unranked teams is: 14-17) 

The Big-12 has 2-1 Oklahoma St. 3-0 Texas Tech, 3-0 Iowa St. and 1-3 Kansas. (The combined record for the Big 12 unranked teams is: 9-4) Please note that the Big 12 has 4 fewer teams than the SEC, and 2 fewer than the Pac-12. 

The Pac-12 has 1-3 Colorado, 3-1 Arizona, 1-3 Cal, 3-1 Arizona St. 2-2 Utah, 2-1 Washington, 3-1 UCLA, and 2-2 Washington St. (The combined record for the Pac-12 unranked teams is: 17-14) Please not the the Pac-12 has 2 fewer teams than the SEC but 2 more unranked teams than the SEC. 

Then let us compare the non-conference opponents for each league so far: 

SEC- North Carolina St, Buffalo, Bowling Green, Clemson, Jacksonville St, North Texas, SE Louisiana, Cent Arkansas, Jackson St, Michigan, Louisville, East Carolina, Western Kentucky (twice), Georgia St, LA-Monroe(twice), Washington, UTEP, Kent St, Northwestern, Presbyterian, SMU, Arizona St, UAB, Troy, Florida Atl (twice), Idaho, Texas, Tulane, Rutgers, S Carolina St, S Alabama, and Akron. 

That is 8 teams from Automatic Qualifying BCS conferences and 27 non AQ teams. 

SEC Out of conference record so far: 29-6

Big-12- Marshall, Tulsa, Savannah St. SD St. NW St. Missouri St. Wyoming, UTEP, SMU, Miami, Iowa, Rice, Florida A&M, Texas St, Grambling, New Mexico, Arizona, LA-Lafayette, James Madison, North Texas, New Mexico, Sam Houston St, W. Illinois, Ole Miss, LA-Monroe, Maryland, Virginia, N. Illinois, 

That is 6 teams from Automatic Qualifying BCS conferences and 22 non AQ teams. 

Big-12 Out of conference record so far: 25-3. (If the Big-12 had 14 teams like the SEC I am sure their numbers would be very similar) 


Pac-12- N. Colorado, Rice, BYU, N. Arizona, San Jose St, Nevada, Colorado St, Hawaii, Toledo, SDST, Arkansas St, Utah St, S. Utah, Sac St, E. Washington, Syracuse, Wisconsin, Fresno St, LSU, Nebraska, Illinois, Oklahoma St, Duke, UNLV, Ohio St, Tennessee Tech, Portland St, Missouri, Fresno St, BYU, S Carolina St, Houston, 

That is 11 teams from Automatic Qualifying BCS/Independent conferences and 21 non AQ teams. 

Pac-12 Out of conference record so far:  23-9 (The Pac-12 has 12 teams compared to the SEC's 14) 

So what does all this mean? 

I think it means that when you take a look at the numbers and the number of teams in each conference (SEC- 14, Big-12- 10, Pac-12- 12) and then you average those numbers out, you get three conferences that stack up pretty much evenly at this point. All three conferences have played each other head to head. The glaring absence so far is head to head match-ups between the heavy hitters in each conference. There just hasn't been a game like Oregon-LSU from 2011 to gauge anything. All three conferences have very similar out of conference records and opponents. All three at this point and time are very equal in my mind. The SEC is not head and shoulders above the Big-12 or Pac-12 in 2012. Not yet any way. As I write this, Stanford is having a hard time against Washington in the 3rd qtr. The Cardinal currently lead 6-3. Why does that matter? If this game stays close or if Washington should happen to win, we have out first possibly real "gauging" of the conference powers. You see, three weeks ago, LSU dominated Washington in every phase of the game. It was very ugly. Washington was humiliated 41-3. Stanford upset USC a week later. The same USC who is picked by many to win the BCS title. I know very well that each team is different and that anything can happen in any given game. Just take note that as of now that is the closest comparison we have if Washington is able to pull an upset of keep it close. I still believe though that Oregon is the class of the Pac-12. Not USC. 

The truth is, it is nearly impossible to say which conference is better in 2012. What is true is that the dominance of the SEC is not as apparent as it was during SEC 6 year BCS title domination. Obviously the SEC recruits better than anyone in the country with Texas and USC running a close second. In my opinion I think if you really want an answr you just have to look at coaching. The SEC still has a stalwart of big name coaches...at the top. But, the SEC has had its share of coaching turnover as well as brilliant assistant coaches being plucked away by other schools in other conferences. Factor in the Petrino scandal at Arkansas last winter as well. Meanwhile the Big-12 and Pac-12 have hired some really great young coaching minds to be head coaches and I think that will further bridge the gap between conferences as time goes on. I always like to say everything is cyclical. That is even true in college football. Though it may not seem like it right at this moment, there will come a day when the SEC plays second fiddle to another power football conference.   

Week 5 Picks: 

Last week I was 13-2. I am 49-10 for the season. I again correctly called the Upset of the week with Kansas St. beating Oklahoma in Norman. I am 2-1 in upset picks this season. 

Alabama 49 Ole Miss 6

Oregon 64 Washington St. 27

LSU 52 Towson 9

Florida St. 37 South Florida 13

Georgia 37 Tennessee 17

South Carolina 40 Kentucky 6

West Virginia 45 Baylor 31

Texas 27 Oklahoma St. 17

TCU 34 SMU 21

Michigan St. 20 Ohio St. 17

Texas A&M 35 Arkansas 14

Minnesota 21 Iowa 20 

Nebraska 27 Wisconsin 24

Arizona 33 Oregon St. 31

Upset of the Week: 

Boston College 29 Clemson 27



Happy Week 5! 

College Football Week 4

   My how the mighty (or so we presumed) have fallen. 3 weeks into the college football season and the power of the BCS, the unquestioned might of college football, The SEC...no The SEC West has taken a credibility hit. I bet you thought I was about to talk about the USC loss to Stanford. Sorry but, no. What was once thought of as a more powerful conference than the AFC West in the NFL has a rather big black eye. All thanks to the little school that could....Louisiana-Monroe. The Warhawks swooped into Arkansas nearly two weeks ago and shocked the Pig People and all of college football. Then they took their act on the road again and nearly upset an Auburn team that seems to have lost its will to live (beware, coach Chizik....beware) So what do the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks have to do with the real powers of the SEC West, LSU and Alabama? A whole lot if you are paying attention to schedule strength. Listening to sports radio this week and following Twitter, I have noticed a trend in the SEC media. Right now it is a mere "What if" scenario. But, I ask what if, "What if" becomes reality? What if LSU has a loss before playing Alabama, and Alabama takes a loss to LSU in Baton Rouge? If you heard Colin Cowherd this morning you know where I am going with this. You see, Alabama's strength of schedule has taken a  hit due to the Arkansas loss to UL-M. Not to mention the Hogs not showing up against Alabama. 52-0 was great for Alabama but, the Tide needed Arkansas to be a good win. Arkansas is now unranked. If Michigan losses to Notre Dame they fall out of the top 25 and there goes another Bama early schedule darling. Suddenly Alabama has a few wins over teams like Western Kentucky and the upcoming Florida Atlantic. Sure the Tide crushed Arkansas...so did Louisiana-Monroe. How hard can that be, right? Now the Tide look down their schedule and do not have a game against any of the powers in the suddenly resurgent SEC East. There are no Georgia's, no Florida's, and no South Carolina's. Auburn is a shell of its former self. Mississippi St. would be a nice win but, the Bulldogs will never be a team to crow about beating when you consider the National Media's view of them. Ole Miss is awful and Texas A&M will be canon fodder for the Tide. So now there is one team for the Tide to hang their hats on beating. They HAVE to beat LSU in Baton Rouge because a loss will not get the Tide back to the BCS. Not with that schedule. A win over LSU would give them a win over a hopefully top 5 team on the road. That would then give them a shot at the SEC East champ and another top 5 or 10 match-up. Alabama has to go undefeated to get back to the BCS title game. But, so does LSU. The Tigers have a tougher in conference schedule this year, having drawn Florida at the Swamp, and South Carolina in Baton Rouge. Not to mention the Tigers have crushed a Pac 12 Washington team that will give the Tigers a sort of measuring stick against the rest of the Pac 12. But, if LSU loses to Alabama, and or anyone else they may not have enough steam to get back to the BCS either. Granted LSU could lose early to Florida or South Carolina or God forbid a slip-up against Auburn or Texas A&M and then beat Alabama to catapult them right back into the BCS title game mix. But, what if their are two undefeated non SEC teams? Does a one loss SEC champ bounce over an undefeated Oregon? or an undefeated Oklahoma or West Virginia? Last year the answer was yes. This year....I think the voters would be hesitant to put the SEC in just because they are the SEC. The name and prestige may not be enough this year. The SEC needs to have an undefeated team or a 1 loss team that doesn't have to contend with multiple undefeated conference champs. Conventional wisdom says it will all work out. The ACC will not go undefeated. A strong Pac 12 and Big 12 will cancel each other out and there seems to be no real threat from a non BCS school like Boise St. Notre Dame deserves attention as well but, they still have Michigan, Oklahoma, and USC on their schedule so I think Notre Dame will have more than 1 loss. SEC fans need not thumb their noses up at everyone else this year because believe it or not there are other conferences as a whole right now who are better than the SEC from top to bottom. Yes, the SEC hands down has two maybe 3 of the best teams in the country but, you never know when a Louisiana-Monroe is going to come out of nowhere and throw a monkey wrench into the mix.

I give full credit for this blog to the Herd on ESPN Radio and reading tweets from Paul Finbaum. I just thought it would be an interesting thing to expand on.

Last week I was 12-3 with my picks. I am 36-8 for the season. Not to mention I called the upset of the week by picking Stanford over USC.

Boise St. 26 BYU 19

LSU 30 Auburn 17 (This game scares me...don't know why. It just does)

Oregon 37 Arizona 24

Florida St. 20 Clemson 17

South Carolina 27 Missouri 17

Notre Dame 24 Michigan 21

USC 38 Cal 17

Baylor 34 UL-Monroe 21 (I think the magic might be dying out by now)

TCU 33 Virginia 13

Alabama 49 Florida Atlantic 0

Texas A&M 56 South Carolina St. 0

Arkansas 27 Rutgers 21

Georgia 31 Vanderbilt 13

UCLA 28 Oregon St. 24

Upset of the Week:

Kansas St. 24 Oklahoma 20. (The Wildcats become the first visiting top 25 team to win in Norman since Bob Stoops because coach. Obviously not a huge upset but, pickings are slim this week)

Pinnacle College Football Week 3 Picks and Previews Blog

College Football Week 3 Picks and Previews Blog 

Are we already at the 3 week mark in the 2012 college football season? Week 2 gave us a major upset, major disappointments, and the realization that this could be 2011 all over again.

How might you ask could it be like 2011 again? Ask yourself a question. Then when you admit the answer (if you are not an SEC fan) please take a moment to compose yourself and calmly start reading again. We could have Alabama vs LSU again the the BCS title game. Impossible you say? There is no way the voters would allow that you scream. The SEC will have too many 1 or 2 loss teams you come back with. Point taken. But, as reality sets in just ask yourself a question. Who is going to beat either Alabama or LSU besides...well Alabama or LSU? I know some of you are probably rattling off a few would be challengers but please hear me out here. Below I will list the teams that can challenge LSU and Bama for a berth in the BCS title game.

USC- The obvious easy choice. But, I don't think the depth of the Trojans will carry them through the season undefeated. They will more than likely have to play Oregon twice. Not to mention the PAC 12 is vastly improved and there are a few teams that if they can catch USC on an off night, they can upset the Trojans.

Oklahoma- The Sooners will have a hard enough time coming out of the Big 12 with just 1 loss. I just don't see Oklahoma having enough in the tank to go undefeated and make it to Miami for the BCS title game. West Virginia, Kansas St. and Texas will have something to say about that as well.

Oregon- I believe the Ducks have the best shot at making it to the BCS title game and ending all notions of an LSU Alabama rematch. But, what I said stands in USC's way also stands in the way of the Ducks. Playing USC possibly twice and the improved PAC 12 could result in a loss or two and derail the Ducks. If I had to bet I would say the Ducks would be the team to represent someone other than the SEC in the BCS title game.

Florida St.- They have the talent. They have the historical pedigree. But, lately they also have the misfortune of dropping games to the likes of Clemson and Virginia Tech. I don't see it happening but, if the Noles get out of the regular season undefeated and get past the ACC title game, they will be a strong consideration for the BCS title game.

Georgia- An SEC East team to shake up the dominance of the SEC West teams? Well they certainly have the easy schedule to work with. If they get past South Carolina it could be smooth sailing. It would take a very strong showing in the SEC title game to even be considered. In the end I just don't think Georgia has the firepower to upset an LSU or Alabama. I won't totally rule it out but, I just don't see it.


West Virginia- I really like this team. Their offense is special. Their QB is special. Their coach is an evil genius. They would have to get to the BCS title game by going undefeated in a conference that they have never played in. They certainly have the offense. They are a threat. But, what happened to them last year when they went head up with an SEC defense? They were beaten 47-21 by LSU...At West Virginia.

Kansas State- The Wildcats could be the little engine that could this season. Collin Klein is one of the most exciting players in the country and Bill Snyder is one of the classiest and best coaches in the game. If things bounce the right way for the Wildcats I could see them getting to the BCS title game. But, I must again reference the match-ups with the SEC. The Cotton Bowl last year against an Arkansas team with a suspect defense. Arkansas 29 Kansas St. 16. I don't see them beating Alabama or LSU.

Clemson- Talent? Yes! Good coach? If you say so. But, lets be honest here. Clemson will start off around 8-0 and then drop off the face of the Earth. It happens every year. (And, yes I think West Virginia just scored again)

So there you have it. A 1 loss SEC team could again face an undefeated SEC team in the BCS title game. LSU-Alabama: The rematch of the rematch of the rematch.... That is just a scenario that could become a reality if things stay the same. The voters would ultimately have to decide if they would put a 1 loss team from a weaker conference in front of an SEC 1 loss team (Bama or LSU) that lost only to the lone undefeated team in the country. The outcome would obviously have to be very close again and not like the 21-0 Bama rout of LSU in the title game. That title game outcome could also justify not matching the two against each other again. Not to mention it wasn't a highly rated game outside of the South. What makes this rematch a lock though is if we are looking at all 2 loss teams and then a 1 loss Bama or LSU facing an undefeated Bama or LSU. I personally would like to see the SEC winner (if it is eligible...but, you know they will be) face a team from the PAC 12 or Big 12. At the end of the day though Bama and LSU are far above everybody else by way of passing the eyeball test this early in the season. Thankfully we all know that the landscape in college football is ever changing by the second. I know 99% of the people outside of Alabama and Louisiana are disagreeing with me on this and that is fair. But, be honest with yourselves. There is a very real chance it could happen again. But, another "known outcome" was that Arkansas was going to crush the powder-puff team on it's schedule known as Louisiana-Monroe. That didn't work out so well did it?

We also got to witness two new SEC teams make their debut this past week. Texas A&M lost at home to Florida and Missouri lost at home to Georgia. Both new schools have nothing to hang their head about. They both could have won. In the end though we saw what separates the SEC from the rest of the country. Extreme depth. The top tier SEC schools (even the ones having down years) have so much 4 and 5 star talent stockpiled that they can keep sending these stud players into the game. I though pound for pound that Texas A&M was better than Florida. The problem was that in the 2nd half, the Aggies could get nothing going while the Florida defense just clamped down on them and would not let up. (and yes A&M fans I know that the 2nd half was your weakness last year) I think Missouri was just outplayed and over matched as the game wore on. At the end of the day I think both Mizzou and A&M will have a better first year in the SEC than anybody thought going into the season. I am still holding out hope for a Texas A&M vs Texas match-up in the Cotton Bowl.



Week 2 Picks: 11-4
Season Total: 24-5



Here are my picks for week 3 of the college football season:

Auburn 38 Louisiana-Monroe 20 (Lightening can't strike twice in the same place...right? Auburn will not start 0-3)

LSU 48 Idaho 0

Tennessee 24 Florida 22

TCU 42 Kansas 8

Florida St. 34 Wake Forest 7

Alabama 38 Arkansas 13 (No fight in the Hogs after the ULM loss)

Notre Dame 20 Michigan St. 16

Texas 35 Ole Miss 10

Texas A&M 42 SMU 13

Ohio St. 30 Cal 21

Kansas St. 43 North Texas 12

Virginia Tech 34 Pitt 14

BYU 24 Utah 17

Missouri 29 Arizona St. 25

UPSET OF THE WEEK:

Stanford 27 USC 24

NFL Blog Week 2. Picks and Previews.

   NFL Blog Week 2:

   The first week of the NFL season has come and gone. There is much to be learned after the first week has been played. Although it is wise not to overreact about your team winning or losing the first game.

I was very surprised to see the Jets come out and lay the wood to the Bills. I really thought that the Bills defense would make the Jets look silly and start the countdown to the firing of Rex Ryan. Boy was I wrong. I think many others were too though. The question now is can Mark Sanchez continue to play like he did in week 1, or was week 1 a one time thing? I personally believe that the Tim Tebow signing made Sanchez a better QB. I never thought Tebow was any type of competition. I somehow doubt Rex Ryan did either. I do believe that Ryan brought Tebow in to light a fire under Sanchez. To make him focus. To let him know that the big contract that he just signed was not going to guarantee him anything. And, to be the king of NYC...to dethrone Eli... he (Sanchez) was going to have to work for it. He was going to have to be made uncomfortable. So yes, I believe Rex fooled us all. And he did it by possibly making a very average QB realize that he can be a great QB.

Remember the theory that college football coaches made lousy NFL coaches? With the exception of a few great college football coaches who excelled in the NFL (I'm looking at you Jimmy Johnson) Most college coaches have gone crawling back to college after having the NFL tan their hides (Can you say Steve Spurrier?) Well, now I believe that it may not matter any more. Take Jim Harbaugh for example. He coaches arguably the best team in the NFL. He does not come with any gimmicks, he only simply comes with the old fashioned tried and true adage of Hard work equals success. The 49ers have undergone an incredible transformation under Harbaugh and I believe in the next few years his name will be mentioned in the same breath as Belichick's in terms of overall coaching. I can't guarantee he will have the rings that Belichick has but, not many will.

How about the incredible debut of Robert Griffin III!?! RGIII made believers out a Saints team that many believed would be on an emotional high and eventually become too much for RGIII and the Redskins to overcome. So is RGIII the real deal? Should we put him in Canton already? I say time will tell on both questions. Right now you have to admit that the Redskins look pretty good after giving away so much to get Griffin. He certainly has the tools to succeed. One thing people need to realize and not fall victim to the common stereotype is that RGIII is not a run first athletic QB. He is a truly efficient passer that will make all of those who do not respect that fact pay very dearly.

So what will week 2 bring us? The match-ups I am eagerly awaiting are Packers/Bears, 49ers/Lions, Broncos/Falcons, and Jets/Steelers. Will Jay Cutler's new offensive weapons be enough to reclaim division superiority over the Pack? Will the Packer's defense be better than the 2011 version? Who will win the heavyweight match-up between the 49ers and Lions? Can Peyton defeat the Falcons and the underrated Matt Ryan? Are the Jets for real? The Steelers will test them. Are the Cowboys for real? Is RGIII ready to do it again? Can he? We will see... Here comes Week 2!


I went 12-4 with my picks last week and I am surprised. I expected to go 8-8 or so because Week 1 is usually so hard to pick because of the many unknowns going into it. Hopefully I can land around the same 12-4 mark this week...hopefully.

Chicago at Green Bay. I like Green Bay by 6 in this game at home. I do not see the packers going 0-2.

Kansas City at Buffalo. Buffalo by 3.

Cleveland at Cincinnati. Cincinnati by 10. 

Minnesota at Indianapolis. Minnesota by 7. 

New Orleans at Carolina. New Orleans by 9. 

Houston at Jacksonville. Houston by 7. 

Oakland at Miami. Oakland by 4. 

Arizona at New England. New England by 13.

Tampa Bay at New York Giants. Giants by 6.

Baltimore at Philadelphia. Baltimore by 5. 

Washington at St. Louis. Washington by 8. 

Dallas at Seattle. Dallas by 7.

New York Jets at Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh by 3.

Tennessee at San Diego. Titans by 7.

Detroit at San Francisco. 49ers by 7.

Denver at Atlanta. Atlanta by 4.

Week 1 NFL picks.

Week 1 of the NFL is upon us…

   The start of the NFL season is comparable to the start of the Holiday season in the U.S. Obviously, many significant others dread the fact that their other half will be embarking on a 4 ½ month binge of unhealthy food and lounging in ones favorite couch or chair. In the South the start of the NFL (and college season for that matter) has been a sort of psychological boost because it usually means that the long hot dog days of Summer are nearing an end and maybe, just maybe if you are lucky (depending on where you live) you may just get a nice cool front to whet your appetite a bit. I wish it were that way here in Texas but, as I type this on the day before the start of the NFL season it was 102 degrees today. Yes…September 4^th. 102. that is Texas for you.

   32 teams and their fans have that wonderful thing called hope as of right now. Next week at this time, 16 of those teams and fans will be wondering what went wrong. There are so many storylines going into this season. Can the Giants repeat? Will Tom Brady and the Patriots ever hoist the Lombardi Trophy again? Will Tony Romo ever get over the hump? Will the Saints bounce back from “Bounty Gate”? How will the new crop of rookie QB’s fare? RGIII or Andrew Luck? Will we ever see regular refs again? And many many more.

It all begins tomorrow night and I am very excited to get the season kicked off. Here are my Week 1 picks:

(Please note, I only pick what I believe will be the outcome and final score of a game. I just try to keep it simple and fun)

Dallas 24 New York Giants 20 (Is this actually the year where Tony Romo silences his critics? I have a funny feeling it is. But, that doesn't mean I am picking the Cowboys to go to the Superbowl. Both teams are very banged up in key positions)

Chicago 27 Indianapolis 13

Philadelphia 34 Cleveland 13

Detroit 20 St. Louis 13

New England 21 Tennessee 14

Kansas City 24 Atlanta 21

Minnesota 20 Jacksonville 17

New Orleans 24 Washington 23

Buffalo 17 New York Jets 14

Houston 24 Miami 9

San Francisco 21 Green Bay 17

Seattle 13 Arizona 10

Tampa Bay 21 Carolina 20

Denver 23 Pittsburgh 20

Baltimore 20 Cincinnati 14

San Diego 24 Oakland 20 

2012 College Football picks for week 2. Texas A&M and Mizzou are in the SEC and more.

2012 College Football picks Week 2

I was 13-1 last week. One game was not played (Texas A&M/ La. Tech) due to the Hurricane. I missed on my upset pick of Auburn over Clemson.

In SEC news: There should not be any doubt that Alabama is #1 right now. They should be until and if they are beaten. Much of the league was up to their winning ways again with the exception of Auburn and Kentucky. Kentucky is probably the worst SEC team this year and could go winless in league play. Auburn on the other hand is a team that is very young and still in transition. Clemson was just a better team Saturday night and I had fully expected Auburn to be a little further along. I seriously doubt that the Tigers will have a losing year. Georgia had a poor defensive game if you consider that the Bulldogs were taking on a supposedly very overmatched Buffalo Bulls team. LSU looked to be looking ahead to Washington this week as they played with very little emotion. Les Miles seemed to not show very much of the promised new look passing attack, and new QB Zach Mettenberger looked very shaky after taking a hard hit from a North Texas defender. Imagine if an Alabama player had done that. Florida seems to have solved its QB problem and will now start Jeff Driskell against Texas A&M on Saturday. Speaking of the Aggies, they and the Mizzou Tigers make their debut in the SEC this week. A&M has Florida visiting Kyle Field, and Missouri welcomes the Georgia Bulldogs. I look for both games to be played with high emotion. You may even see the new teams both win. I am doubtful about that at this moment but, I could see it happening.

In Big 12 news: Oklahoma survived a scare from UTEP in El Paso. Is this 2011 all over again for the Sooners? I doubt it. Consider this a tiny blip on the Sooner radar. The Texas Longhorns beat back a feisty Wyoming team that in the end could not match the speed or skill of the Horns. The Big 12 has become a bottlenecked conference at the top. The usual suspects of Texas and Oklahoma are very good again. Oklahoma State after scoring 84 points on Savannah St. look to pick up where they left off in 2011, my dark horse pick to win the conference, Kansas State can play with anybody in the country and will challenge for the Big 12 title. Newcomer West Virginia looks to be very impressive. The other newcomer, TCU will play its first game this week and they look to challenge in the Big 12 but, with the top already so bottlenecked with strong teams I believe TCU will fall around the middle of the pack.

My picks for Week 2:

USC 49 Syracuse 20

LSU 48 Washington 24

Georgia 34 Missouri 23

Texas 41 New Mexico 9

Kansas St. 26 Miami 17

TCU 56 Grambling 6

Alabama 45 Western Kentucky 0

Auburn 20 Miss St. 17

Nebraska 41 UCLA 21

Oklahoma 35 Florida A&M 10

Arkansas 48 ULM 13

Oregon 55 Fresno St. 19

South Carolina 27 East Carolina 13

Michigan 37 Air Force 24

Upset of the Week:

Texas A&M 22 Florida 21 (Florida is not the Gators of 2008-09, folks. They are not well coached, penalties eat them alive, and they have very shaky QB play. A&M is an enigma with a new coach. They are very young. But, Kyle Field will be rocking and Florida had serious issues at home last week. I can’t believe I’m picking this but, yes the Aggies start off SEC play with a win) 

Picks from Week 1:

2012 College Football Picks. Week 1:

LSU 48 North Texas 6

Alabama 33 Michigan 16

(UPSET GAME) Auburn 23 Clemson 19

Texas A&M 24 Louisiana Tech 14

South Carolina 28 Vanderbilt 13

Georgia 63 Buffalo 0

Texas 34 Wyoming 9

Michigan St. 20 Boise St. 13

USC 55 Hawaii 3

Oregon 65 Arkansas St. 7

Oklahoma 56 UTEP 3

Nebraska 28 Southern Miss 10

Virginia Tech 27 Georgia Tech 17

Arkansas 59 Jacksonville St. 12

Baylor 27 SMU 13