Week 2

The professor is back! Okay, so my first week wasn't the best. I went 2-3 against the spread. My picks of Indiana and Alabama won, and my picks of Stanford, San Jose State, and Clemson lost.

I learned that I need to do more research. I went too much with my gut in Week 1 and did not do enough research.

I will try to do better, so here are my Week 2 picks:

The lines come from ESPN.com: http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/17487801/college-football-full-list-week-2-odds-westgate-las-vegas-superbook

All times are Eastern Time Zone

Army -8.5 vs. Rice (Saturday at noon)
This is my weekly match-up between two non-Power 5 conferences. Army only had 15 passing yards against Temple, but they picked up 329 yards on the ground. The Black Knights looked very strong against Temple, the defending American Athletic Conference. Army's 50% (7 for 14) third down conversion rate is a good sign. The triple option offense can wear down a defense and the Army offensive line starts three juniors and two seniors. The Rice defense gave up 649 yards and 46 points to Western Kentucky, and it's going to be another long day against Army. The Army Goes Rolling Along!

USC -16.5 vs. Utah State (Saturday at 2 P.M.)
On the flip side, I don't think USC is nearly as bad as their Week 1 score would make you think. They just played Alabama, and I think USC will be extra motivated to perform well after their blowout Week 1 loss. They have nine returning starters on offense including Juju Smith-Schuster, one of the most talented wide receivers in the country (and probably the one with the best first name). The Trojans are going up against an Aggie defense that is only returning three starters. I think the talent of USC will be too much for Utah State.

Alabama -28 vs. Western Kentucky (Saturday at 3:30 P.M.)
I predicted complete dominance by Alabama last week and dominate, they did. By far the most consistently dominant team I've seen over the past few years. Their offensive and defensive lines dominate both sides of the line of scrimmage. Alabama had an interception returned for a touchdown, forced two fumbles, and gave up fewer than 200 total offensive yards. Oh, and they also put up 52 points . All of this was against a talented USC team. I don't expect Western Kentucky to fare any better. I know I used forms of the word dominate several times, and while it may not good journalistic style, that's how good Alabama is. The Tide continues to roll!


Akron +24.5 vs Wisconsin (Saturday at 3:30 P.M.)
Yes; Wisconsin's Week 1 upset against LSU was extremely impressive, and, no, I don't think I should read that much into Akron's victory over the Virginia Military Institute. I don't see Wisconsin putting up a ton of points against a stout Akron defense that was the 15th best in the FBS last season. Akron quarterback Tommy Woodson, in his third year as a starter, has consistently improved and should be able to score a couple times. I'm taking the points and going with Zippy!

Texas Tech +3 vs. Arizona State (Saturday at 10 P.M.)
Texas Tech puts up a ton of yards and scores a bunch of points. Their potent spread offense led by second year starter Patrick Mahomes II, who put up over 4,500 passing yards in 2015, should continue to do so against the Sun Devils. Even with a weak defense, a Red Raider team that is that strong offensively is a good bet against an Arizona State team that returns six starters from a defense that ranked 120th against the pass in 2015. Expect Texas Tech to win a shootout.

Game I would most like to see in person: Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
A record crowd of 150,000 people are expected for this game, which will be held at Bristol Motor Speedway. Having been at sparsely attended games as well as sold-out games, I know the difference that a large energetic crowd can make to the atmosphere. Tennessee will be out to demonstrate that they are a top-10 team and that their week 1 nail-biter against Appalachian State was a fluke. A good game and a great crowd should make this the place to be on Saturday.

With that, it's time to see how I do.