Free 2006 NCAA Football Picks Week 3

After Week 2 blew me out of the water, I’m stuck floating on a small raft at 10-11 on the season. This week I plan on sending up a flare, and see if I can’t get rescued by at least 8 wins in Week 3. My tactics are really quite simple this week; I plan and picking the winner against the spread. I know, I know, I try to do that every week, but I figured if I could break it down a little bit, my picks might figure it out. Take a gander at my quest to return a winner. 13 games for your ogling pleasure.

BYU Cougars @ Boston College Eagles (-6): In this same match up last season in Utah, BC broke down Cougar offense and allowed just a field goal. This season could show much of the same. The normally high powered BYU attack appears to get shut down by disciplined and athletic defenses. BC has one of those, despite their early season trouble. The Eagles should easily up end the Eagles by a score or two.

Troy Trojans @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-17): “Getting too much love for their close loss to FSU, the Trojans are,” says Master Yoda. Georgia Tech’s solid play against the Fighting Irish wasn’t a fluke, they should easily push past the Trojans’ defense, and all but eliminate Troy’s offensive assault. Calvin Johnson is the most dominant receiver in college football. He’ll show Trojan defenders what its like to play against NFL talent. GT should win easily at home.

Miami of Ohio Redhawks (-10.5) @ Kent State Golden Flashes: Miami has a nice little program up their in Ohio. Losses to Northwestern and Purdue shouldn’t weigh on the Redhawks’ shoulders. Two tough opponents to start the season can only help the Redhawks dominate a far inferior Golden Flashes team. Senior Ryne Robinson will have a huge game taking the flashes to the house a couple of times. Miami (Ohio) will dominate in a landslide.

Miami Hurricanes (+4.5) @ Louisville Cardinals: Michael Bush’s departure hasn’t hurt the Cardinals yet, but yet is now, not Saturday. I expect after Saturday the Cards will be missing the most powerful back in all of college football. Miami hasn’t played well this year, and they might not be the Miami of old, but as an underdog against the Cardinals, I have to take The U! Here’s to hoping they lose, while betting them to win. Cheers!

Oklahoma Sooners (+5) @ Oregon Ducks: The Sooners should take down the Ducks. Oregon plays in the Pac-10, which doesn’t bode well for their level of play. The Sooners haven’t impressed me much this season, but great players step up for big games, and Adrian Peterson is a great player. Oklahoma has to step up in this one. With 5 points to play with, the Sooners are the safest bet in this one.

Boise State Broncos (-7) @ Wyoming Cowboys: Wyoming isn’t a good team, and the Broncos are as good this year as they were expected to be last year. A 42-14 win over Oregon State isn’t the most impressive thing a team could do, but it sure shows the Broncos are ready to slap the Cowboys around. Sophomore rusher Ian Johnson 329 yards and 7 touchdowns in the first two weeks.

Fresno State Bulldogs (-3.5) @ Washington Huskies: This isn’t a tough game to pick. The Huskies aren’t a good football team, while the Bulldogs are. So, I’ll take the Bulldogs. I’d take Fresno -10, hell, I’d take them by 2 touchdowns. Washington will win a few this year, but not this one.

Arizona State (-9.5) @ Colorado: Last years’ starting quarterback, Sam Keller, recently transferred, so there is no question the job belongs to Super Sophomore, Rudy Carpenter. The chants of “Rudy, Rudy, Rudy” won’t come from the Colorado fans, but if you listen close you’ll be able to hear it all the way from Arizona. Its my personal experience that, when a kid finally gets to play without looking over his back, he plays better than ever. I expect this game to be a blowout in the 42-14 mold.

Game(S) of the Week
– So many good games means more games of the week.

Michigan Wolverines @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-5.5): After giving up on the Irish after a tough game on the road against Georgia Tech, I’m hopping back on the ND bus. Michigan has a nice team, but the Irish are too tough at home, and too talented on offense for the Wolverines. I put the Wolverines in the same category as Penn State. You all saw that game last week right? Chad Henne hasn’t impressed me for quite some time, but if he can play up to his promise, he’ll give the Wolverines a chance. Still, 6 points should be easy for the Irish to cover.

LSU Fighting Tigers @ Auburn Tigers (-3): It’s hard to believe a team with Fighting Tigers representing them wouldn’t be as good as a team with just regular, plain old, normal Tigers as their mascot. But this time, that is the case. Auburn has a better running game, and a better defense. Solid play in every aspect of the game will give Auburn a slight edge, and playing at home should help them win by 10.

Clemson Tigers (+5) @ Florida State Seminoles: I’ve got to go with the younger Bowden in this one. Clemson let me down in Week 2, with a loss to the BC Eagles. But this week, the younger Bowden will outsmart his Pops, and Clemson will take home the title. FSU’s win over Miami impressed a few people, but their near loss to the Troy Trojans pulled the bandwagon over and gave its driver a fat citation. Which Seminole team will show on Saturday? It doesn’t matter, Clemson will take it regardless.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (+19) @ USC Trojans: I don’t know if the Trojans are good enough defensively to dominate any decent team in college football. A 19 point spread makes me think domination, and I don’t think the Cornhuskers are a pushover. This isn’t your daddy’s Nebraska squad, they won’t run the option at you all day long, however they will throw the ball around and try to make big plays defensively. I like the Huskers to disrupt the USC O-line, causing some breakdowns in protection in what should be a close contest.

Florida Gators (-3) @ Tennessee Volunteers: I loved the Vols for their Week 1 trouncing of the Cal Bears, but this week should be too much for Tennessee to handle. The Gators are athletic, speedy, and strong defensively. Their offense is beginning to run with flawless precision, and honestly, the Vols just can’t compete with that. Tennessee’s luck will let them down in Week 3.

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