Week 3: The picks are in! The picks are in!

Get excited college football fans. Last night you watched a tremendous LSU defense stuff Chris Relf and the Bulldogs. This weekend you're getting a top-5 matchup in Tallahassee, a sanctioned brawl in Coral Gables and the battle for Notre Dame's season in South Bend. Onto the picks!

Marcus says...

Wisconsin -16.5 @ Northern Illinois
The line hasn’t moved and I expect a good game at Soldier Field on Saturday. NIU lost by 8 the last time they played (in 2009) and Harnish was only a Sophomore. Take the Huskies and the points.

West Virginia +1 @ Maryland
Coach Edsall will have his team prepared as the Mountaineers roll into town. Expect the Maryland defense to slow down Geno Smith. Maryland covers.

Western Michigan -7.5 vs. Central Michigan
The money is coming in on the Broncos as the line has moved to 7.5. That’s a big number in this bitter rivalry, but Cubit has something to prove. WMU is the better team and they’ll show it Saturday. The Broncos cover.

Miami (FL) -2.5 vs. Ohio State
Distractions abound for both sidelines and Ohio State is shaking off their scare from last week. I expect a focused Buckeye group in Coral Gables. I’m taking OSU and the points.

Kyle says...

Michigan State @ Notre Dame -5
The Irish continue to be favored based on what they've done offensively, namely put up about 500 yards a game and show extended flashes of brilliance in both the receiving and running game. That said, the ND defensive backfield is still soft, and MSU's B.J. Cunningham and Keyshawn Martin will rip through it. Sparty beats the spread.

Oklahoma -3.5 @ Florida State
In this matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 5, you're looking at a tale of experience. Landry Jones, Ryan Broyles and the Sooners D have been in a big game under the lights numerous times before. FSU hasn't in the recent past. Look for Seminoles QB EJ Manuel to struggle under the glare. Sooners cover.

Auburn @ Clemson -3
Auburn may not be as experienced or have the top flight talent they had last year, but Coach Gene Chizik has shown he knows how to win. Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers haven't played anyone yet, and Auburn has notched two wins over seasoned opposition. Auburn beats the spread.

Texas -4 @ UCLA
For as shaky as the Longhorns have looked, this is a team that actually seems to be headed in the right direction behind WR Jaxon Shipley and a duo of young quarterbacks. You can't say the same about Rick Neuheisel's Bruins, who appear lost at 1-1. Horns cover.

Season Standings:

Marcus - 4-4-0
Kyle - 3-4-1

Week 3: Links, links, links

Welcome to Thirsty Thursday, where we quench your desire for entertaining college football links.

If you read only one college football story THIS WHOLE SEASON, read this one, a devastating, thorough attack by The Atlantic Magazine on the NCAA's sham of a racket making money off of young, mostly black men. It's here.

Badger fans not feeling the online only format? http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20110912/WIS020101/110912170/Saturday-s-game-vs-Northern-Illinois-available-only-online?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

Chandler Harnish is ready for another shot at Wisconsin. http://northernstar.info/sports/news/article_3e2ebf18-df45-11e0-98e1-001a4bcf6878.html

Take it from us, location isn’t the only thing wrong with Ypsilanti http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/story/2011-09-14/eastern-michigan-football/50406048/1

Cubit needs to get it done against the Chips http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2011/09/nothing_ordinary_about_this_we.html

Fickell just a place holder? http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/FBC-OHIOSTATE_6055096/FBC-OHIOSTATE_6055096/

The battle for relevance in the sunshine state football landscape is on this weekend. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2011-09-15/central-florida-florida-international-showdown-of-unbeatens/50402622/1

Maryland sporting All Black unis this week against WVU. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2011-09-15/central-florida-florida-international-showdown-of-unbeatens/50402622/1

Edsall has experience with the Mountaineers http://newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/552040/Maryland-coach-knows-Mountaineers.html?nav=5063

Michigan State, 2-0, NOT favored against Notre Dame, 0-irrelevant.

New York paper: NOTRE DAME HAS A TURNOVER PROBLEM.

LSU's Jarrett Lee is back in the saddle.

The folk in Starkville (Stark-Vegas?) would LOVE an upset.

Michael Dyer: Darkhorse Heisman candidate?

This story traces the birth of the offenses for Auburn and Clemson

After it meant exactly nothing for UCLA last season, what will a W over Texas mean this year?

People write mean things about Garrett Gilbert, because Garrett Gilbert blows.

Arizona State: Illinois' first test.

ASU's QB looking forward to opportunity.

The Utah-USC score changes pretty much f***ed some sports books.

The BYU- Utah "Holy War" game: Insane.

Oklahoma, FSU to help T-Town economy.

Chief Osceola: Not popular with real Native Americans.

Week 3 - Do the Bulldogs have enough to play with LSU? Are you ready for Scandal Bowl 2011?

Week 3 - ACC and SEC Preview

We're on the eve of the start of Week 3 as LSU and Mississippi State will kick off under the lights in Starkville tomorrow night. Does Mississippi State have enough to overcome the mighty Tigers? Kyle has an opinion below. Miami and Ohio State meet in a rematch of the '02 title game. 10 years later and both teams are mired in scandal and waiting for the NCAA to reveal their fate. Neither will get sympathy from the TNG. Let's take a look at what's on tap...

ACC-
Georgia Tech -15.5 vs. Kansas
Boston College -7 vs. Duke
North Carolina -10 vs. Virginia
NC State OFF vs. South Alabama
Wake Forest OFF vs. Gardner Webb
Miami (FL) -2.5 vs. Ohio State


Marcus Says...
Miami (FL) -2.5 vs. Ohio State
Scandal Bowl 2011 kicks off in Coral Gables on Saturday night and Vegas is giving the ‘Canes a slight edge as the home team.  QB Jacory Harris will be back under center for Miami after serving a one game suspension.  Miami is 0-1 and backup QB Stephen Morris did not fair well in the opener against Maryland, throwing 2 INTs and 0 TDs.  The Hurricanes will still be without 3 players who are continuing to serve suspensions for taking improper benefits.  The Buckeyes come in having beat the U last year in Columbus.  Ohio State is still dealing with suspensions from ‘tattoo-gate’ and struggled last week to overcome Toledo.  QB play will be an issue for OSU as well as Joe Bauserman makes his first road start.  Buckeye nation is clamoring for Coach Fickell to get Freshman QB Braxton Miller on the field and they make get their wish if either Bauserman struggles or OSU wants a change of pace.  Take Ohio State and the points here.

SEC-
LSU -4.5 @ Miss. St.
Auburn @ Clemson -3
Ole Miss -1.5 @ Vanderbilt
Coastal Carolina @ Georgia OFF
Tennessee @ Florida -9
Navy @ So. Carolina -17.5
N. Texas @ Alabama OFF
Troy @ Arkansas -23


Kyle Says...
LSU -4.5 @ Miss St.
The Tigers come into their matchup with the Bulldogs on one hell of a hot streak. State is no joke, but they are smarting after a week 2 loss to Auburn in which its defense surrendered 41 points to a lesser offense than LSU Coach Les Miles brings to Starkville Thursday. LSU QB Jarrett Lee has been three things this season 1) an effective game manager 2) well protected (LSU’s line has given up just two sacks) and 3) good at converting third downs with his arm. LSU’s defense, though, is going to be too much for the Bulldogs to handle, and the Tigers cover in what promises to be an exciting game.

Auburn @ Clemson -3
Mysteries abound in college football this week. Like, how does Notre Dame, a team giving away wins like a guy on the street snapping hooker playing cards in Vegas, manage to earn the oddsmaker’s favor against MSU? Ditto Clemson. Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers have been impressive against two very unimpressive opponents and quarterback Tajh Boyd has yet to live up to his hype as a dual-threat QB, as he’s been ineffective in the ground game. A real defense, like Auburn’s, will have an easier time shutting down Andre Ellington and Boyd will have to rely on his arm to win this game. That’s not a  bad proposition, but he hasn’t faced a D like Auburn’s yet. The Tigers (Auburn variety) are scorching the ground with their RB Michael Dyer-led rushing attack, which should limit Clemson’s touches. Look for Auburn to beat the spread, easily.

Week 3: Big 12, Pac 12, MWAC, WAC, Independents. Can the Irish avoid an 0-3 start?

Another edition of Week 3 of The Nitty Griddy, where, just like Notre Dame, we give away all of our best stuff for free. Looking ahead to this weekend, UCLA gets another shot at a Texas team, Toledo gets to face another top-tier opponent, and the Holy War kicks off in Utah. Onto the picks!

Pac 12
Colo. St. @ Colorado -8.5
Texas -3.5 @ UCLA
Washington @ Nebraska -17
Missouri St. @ Oregon OFF
PC @ Cal OFF
Wash. St. @ SDSU -6
ASU -1 @ Illinois
'Cuse @ USC -17
Utah @ BYU -5
Stanford -10.5 @ Arizona

Big 12
Iowa St. @ UConn -4.5
Kansas @ Ga. Tech. -15
Texas Tech -20 @ UNM
W. Ill. @ Mizzou OFF
Stephen F. Austin @ Baylor OFF
Idaho @ A&M -36
Kent St. @ Kansas St. -17.5
Oklahoma -3.5 @ FSU
OSU -14 @ Tulsa

WAC
Nevada -6 @ SJSU
Houston -8 @ La. Tech
UTEP -3 @ NMSU
N. Dakota @ Fresno St. OFF
Hawaii -20 @ UNLV

MWAC
Boise St. -19 @ Toledo
Wyo @ Bowling Green -8.5
La. Mon. @ TCU OFF

Independents
MSU @ Notre Dame -4.5

Kyle says...

Texas -3.5 @ UCLA
The Horns come into this game with an unsettled quarterback situation and after an uncomfortably close victory over BYU. I'd pick against the Horns because they've struggled against UCLA, including the beatdown by the Bruins in Austin last year, EXCEPT for the fact that UCLA is just terrible. They haven't clicked offensively in a victory over San Jose St. and a loss to Houston, and Rick Neuheisel appears to see his imminent departure on the wall. Jaxon Shipley continues to show what he can do for Texas and the 'Horns cover.

Arizona St. -1 @ Illinois
I think Arizona State walks in this this one and covers easily. Illinois has yet to play a real game and ASU's offense proved it could show up in a big way in last week's last-second victory over Mizzou. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict gets the defense back in order after allowing 30 points last week and dominates away from the desert.

Utah @ BYU -5
The Holy War kicks this year in Provo with two teams who improved in losses last week. Someone is hungry for this. Utah's defense has been stingy, allowing 27 points in the last two games. BYU is battle tested, after have gone to both Austin and Oxford. But, look for the Y's Coach Bronco Mendenhall to scheme his way to a victory in front of the Cougar faithful.

Oklahoma -3.5 @ Florida State
The Sooners have a death grip on the No. 1 spot in the matchup of the weekend. No. 5 FSU is on the rise with a veteran laden defense. The difference here will come down to coaching, and I'm not sure the Sooners cover, but when Bob Stoops has time to prepare for anyone not named Boise State, as he did with last week's bye, it's going to be difficult to beat him. Boomer.

Michigan State @ -4.5 Notre Dame
After two weeks, the Irish are the best 2-loss team in the nation. Meanwhile, the Spartans turned in THE defensive performance of the year in their 44-0 shutout of FAU, where MSU allowed just one first down. With it's balanced, three-headed running attack, MSU simply needs to control the ball, sit back, and hand the Irish enough rope to hang themselves with given ND's penchant for turning it over. Any Irish win will have to be spearheaded by WR Michael Floyd, who inspires more than a few "Holy shit" moments per game. Look for the Spartans to come out ahead, even if they don't necessarily cover.

Week 3 Previews - B1G, Big East, MAC, Sun Belt - Will Wisconsin continue to roll? Is UM looking past EMU? Are you ready for Central/Western?

Welcome Nitty Griddy Nation to Week 3!

What a great weekend in College Football as we get closer to conference play. How about that UM/ND game? What an amazing finish. Northern Illinois almost got the W in Lawrence and Wisconsin continued to roll. While FIU went to Louisville and ripped the hearts of the Cardinal faithful.

Time to take a trip around the Big Ten, Big East, MAC and Sun Belt to get ready for Week 3...

B1G-

Michigan -28.5 vs. Eastern Michigan
Penn St -9.5 @ Temple
Iowa -3 vs. Pitt
Purdue OFF vs. SE Missouri St
Michigan State +5 @ Notre Dame
Indiana OFF vs. South Carolina St
Minnesota -3 vs. Miami (OH)
Nebraska -17.5 vs. Washington
Northwestern OFF @ Army
Wisconsin -16.5 @ Northern Illinois
Illinois +1.5 vs. Arizona St
Ohio St OFF @ Miami (FL)

BIG EAST-

Connecticut -4.5 vs. Iowa St
West Virginia +1 @ Maryland
Cincinnati -31 vs. Akron
South Florida OFF vs. Florida A&M
Louisville +7 @ Kentucky
Syracuse +14.5 @ USC

MAC-

Toledo +17 vs. Boise St
Western Michigan -6.5 vs. Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan +28.5 @ Michigan
Bowling Green -8 vs. Wyoming
Ohio -2 vs. Marshall
Ball St -4.5 vs. Buffalo
Kent St +14 @ Kansas St


SUN BELT-

LA-Monroe +27.5 @ TCU
Arkansas St +26.5 @ Va Tech
FIU +4 vs. UCF
Western Kentucky OFF vs. Indiana St
LA-Lafayette OFF vs. Nicholls St
Troy +24.5 @ Arkansas
North Texas +45.5 @ Alabama

Marcus says...

Michigan -28.5 vs. Eastern Michigan
The Wolverines are 2-0 and there is Hoke-fever in Ann Arbor.  Michigan rallied to score 28 points in the 4th quarter and took a chance throwing a fade route into the endzone with :08 on the clock to beat Notre Dame.  Denard Robinson has been electric at times this season, but will need to continue to improve as a passer and limit the interceptions for the Wolverines to compete for the Big Ten title.  The Eagles of Eastern Michigan also come in to the game 2-0, led by RBs Javonti Greene and Dominique Sherrer.  QB Alex Gillett has also gotten it done on the ground, as EMU has rushed for a total of 662 yards on the ground this year.  Unfortunately for the Eagles they’ll be facing a Big Ten defense this week.  Michigan comes into the game focused and covers here.

Wisconsin -16.5 vs. Northern Illinois
This game will be played along the Chicago lakefront at Soldier Field.  The Badgers offense put up 35 against Oregon State last week behind another good day from Russell Wilson.  The defense played even better as the shut out the Beavers.  This neutral site game should be a test for Wisconsin as they leave the comforts of Madison.  Northern Illinois was a road favorite last week at Kansas, but came up short and lost by a FG.  QB Chandler Harnish has now thrown for 7 TDs and rushed for 4 more.  I expect Wisconsin to win this game, but the Huskies won’t go down without a fight.  Early feeling is Northern Illinois and the points.

West Virginia +1 @ Maryland
The Mountaineers come in to the game 2-0 and QB Geno Smith has thrown for 620 yards and 6 TDs through the first two games.  The West Virginia defense has allowed 12.5 points per game, but against fairly weak opponents.  The Terrapins come in 1-0 as they didn’t have a game Week 2.  Maryland was impressive against the U as Danny O’Brien and Kevin Dorsey led the offense while the defense turned the Hurricanes over 4 times and scored twice.  Vegas has the line close here and I expect a good game with Maryland winning by a FG.


Western Michigan -6.5 vs. Central Michigan
The annual rivalry comes to Kalamazoo and Bill Cubit has to feel the pressure.  Coach Cubit has a 5 game losing streak against the Chippewas including a couple heart breaking losses in Kalamazoo over the last few years.  The Broncos looked good in the 1st quarter against Michigan, but didn’t have the depth to sustain.  Last week WMU pounded inferior Nicholls State, but still made a number of mistakes that would have cost them against better competition.  QB Alex Carder has shown flashes of his ability but hasn’t put together a complete game.  Central Michigan comes in to the game 1-1 after dropping a game at Kentucky last week.  The Chippewa offense has struggled early on to points on the board.  QB Radcliff has thrown 4 interceptions and will need to limit the turnovers against the Broncos.  Both teams need this W to compete in the MAC West.  Early feeling is Broncos by 7.  

FIU +4 vs. UCF
FIU’s confidence is soaring coming off a win at Louisville last week.  QB Wesley Carroll and WR T.Y. Hilton have been tough to stop.  A interception returned for a TD by the Panther defense last week really set the tone and was ultimately the difference in the game.  UCF embarrassed Boston College in Orlando last week and has given up 3 points all season.  The Golden Knights are led by their rushing attack, which currently ranks 12th in the country.  FIU is an underdog in their own house, but expect them to step up and play well.  FIU covers in a UCF win.  

Week 2 - Who do you love?

Week 2 is here and here's who we love this week...

Kyle's picks-

Missouri @ Arizona St. -8
ASU welcomes a poor Mizzou offense into the desert rudely. Look for Tigers QB James Franklin to struggle against one of the Pac 12's best defenses. Sun Devils cover.

Notre Dame -3 @ Michigan
I hemmed and hawed over this game. ND did some fantastic things on offense last week - unfortunately that included an extreme proficiency in turning the ball over. UM's defense hasn't shown it can contain a big time offense, though. Close your eyes and bet on the Irish.


S. Carolina -3 @ Georgia
The Gamecocks are a mess, but trotting Marcus Lattimore out at RB qualifies them as a hot mess. Georgia again struggles at home and SC covers.

Utah -@ USC -8.5
Neither team looked convincing in victories last week, but there is still something troublesome about USC's inability to get off the ball on the run. Utah keeps it close in LA and beats the spread.

Marcus' Picks-

Penn St vs. Alabama -10
Both teams come into the game unsettled at the QB position.  The money is coming in on Alabama as the point spread has moved to -10.  I still see a grind it out ground game, take Penn State and the points.

South Florida -20 vs. Ball State
There’s a buzz around the MAC about Ball State as they knocked off a Big Ten opponent last week.  Don’t expect the same result this week, South Florida covers.

FIU @ Louisville -3.5
The line has moved to -3.5 as money is coming in on FIU.  The Golden Panthers will put up a fight against Louisville, but the Cardinals win by a TD at least and covers.

Stanford -20.5 @ Duke
Andrew Luck will have a field day in Durham on Saturday.  The Cardinal cover in a game filled with players that actually go to class.

After Week 1, Kyle has a 1 game lead in the season standings. Although, weather played a factor in West Virginia not covering the 23 point spread (they were up 21 when the game was called).

Season Standings

Kyle - 3-1

Marcus - 2-2

Have a Great Weekend!

Thirsty Thursday reads

It's Thursday, and we're feeling linky, because college kids everywhere are feeling drinky, and it's weird to show up at (YOUR COLLEGE BAR HERE) as a 26 year old with a fake ID...

Duke heads into this weekend’s game against Stanford, coming off a loss to an FCS team... http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/09/07/sports/s130707D09.DTL

It’s the Va Tech defense against the East Carolina passing attack...http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Pirates-look-to-Lewis-Hardy-in-passing-game-2159380.php

OSU RB Agnew doubtful to play Saturday in Madison...http://democratherald.com/sports/article_b00ea1bb-5782-57a4-856a-ac9f867349ae.html

Quarterback competition ongoing in Tuscaloosa...http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/09/08/1726034/alabama-football-notes-crimson.html

Concerns about Big Ten newcomer Nebraska’s out of conference schedule...http://www.opposingviews.com/i/sports/ncaa-football/big-ten/will-weak-non-conference-schedule-hurt-nebraska

Tar Heel QB Renner is a ‘baby Brett Favre’? Rutgers coach Schiano seems to think so...http://www.dailytargum.com/sports/unc-qb-earns-ru-s-attention-1.2622038

The Jayhawks are not taking Northern Illinois lightly...http://www.kansan.com/news/2011/sep/06/northern-illinois-football-numbers-deceptive/

Steve Spurrier, Stephen Garcia don't always see eye to eye... http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/6939374/south-carolina-gamecocks-quarterback-stephen-garcia-unique-challenge-steve-spurrier

A week after squeaking out a season opening win, Auburn fans told NOT to panic... http://www.trackemtigers.com/2011/9/8/2411433/the-sky-is-not-really-falling

Brian Kelly: Against UM, I won't call my QB a "F---ing idiot"... http://www.indystar.com/article/20110908/SPORTS0604/109080382/Notre-Dame-s-Kelly-says-he-ll-watch-his-mouth?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|SPORTS

Air Force QB Jefferson suits up for a big MWAC showdown with TCU... http://www.gazette.com/sports/jefferson-124541-freeman-tim.html

Oregon's LaMichael James says he's learning from past mistakes... http://www.rgj.com/article/20110908/SPORTS06/109080325/Nevada-football-James-puts-focus-finding-right-path?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports

Cal and Colorado, both PAC 12 teams, play in a non-Pac 12 game Saturday. And other things that make perfect sense... http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/15547035/week-2-picks-it-doesnt-get-any-weirder-than-this

Like all of its students, Arizona State's football team will get blacked out for their matchup with Mizzou... http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/2011/09/07/20110907asu-football-black-out-against-missouri.html

As Texas prepares for BYU, the guys at BON give the Aggies a less-than-flattering farewell salute... http://www.burntorangenation.com/2011/9/7/2404570/bevos-roundup-we-are-going-west-probably