This article is part of our College Football Picks series.
My picks from last week went 2-5, but whereas I was rather ashamed of myself in going 3-6 in Week 1, I have a comparatively small amount of self loathing due to the former mark.
Alabama (-28.5) somehow got back-doored with a quintessential garbage time touchdown after losing a fumble with 1:34 left. Wyoming (+24.5) was down by just seven with a few minutes left in the third quarter but then turned the ball over four times and gave up five touchdowns. North Carolina State (-4.5) was thoroughly outcoached but still would have been in position to cover if not for its since-benched kicker missing two field goals. Still, everything sucks, especially me.
But no longer! This, I assure you, is the week I ascend to some sort of infallible consciousness. Let's get this awful show started.
Picks are listed in chronological order, not one of preference.
Baylor (-30.5) at Rice
Perhaps I should be leery of a road line of 30.5, but Rice lost 14-46 to Western Kentucky in Week 1, allowing 552 yards and three touchdowns through the air, and last week allowed 348 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to Army. Both the Baylor passing and running games should thrive in this, and Rice quarterback Tyler Stehling has shown an inability to pass that should keep Rice in the whole Baylor digs early.
Wisconsin (-34) vs. Georgia State
It's certainly a big line, but I like the chances of the home team seeing to it. Wisconsin's
My picks from last week went 2-5, but whereas I was rather ashamed of myself in going 3-6 in Week 1, I have a comparatively small amount of self loathing due to the former mark.
Alabama (-28.5) somehow got back-doored with a quintessential garbage time touchdown after losing a fumble with 1:34 left. Wyoming (+24.5) was down by just seven with a few minutes left in the third quarter but then turned the ball over four times and gave up five touchdowns. North Carolina State (-4.5) was thoroughly outcoached but still would have been in position to cover if not for its since-benched kicker missing two field goals. Still, everything sucks, especially me.
But no longer! This, I assure you, is the week I ascend to some sort of infallible consciousness. Let's get this awful show started.
Picks are listed in chronological order, not one of preference.
Baylor (-30.5) at Rice
Perhaps I should be leery of a road line of 30.5, but Rice lost 14-46 to Western Kentucky in Week 1, allowing 552 yards and three touchdowns through the air, and last week allowed 348 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to Army. Both the Baylor passing and running games should thrive in this, and Rice quarterback Tyler Stehling has shown an inability to pass that should keep Rice in the whole Baylor digs early.
Wisconsin (-34) vs. Georgia State
It's certainly a big line, but I like the chances of the home team seeing to it. Wisconsin's defense has been convincingly crushing through its first two games, and Georgia State is a miserable program at the moment. Even the bowl-eligible squad from last year couldn't run the ball at all, and this year's team can't throw it either. Wisconsin should run wild even if Corey Clement (ankle) is unavailable, as Georgia State surrendered 789 yards and nine touchdowns through the first two games.
Rutgers (-5.5) vs. New Mexico
New Mexico managed to lose last week to a New Mexico State squad that was without star runner Larry Rose, and this week the Lobos will be without their own top runner in Teriyon Gipson (concussion), who has 243 yards and four touchdowns on just 20 carries in the first two games. I think Rutgers RB Robert Martin and WR Janarion Grant go wild, and New Mexico, by its own definition, can't throw the ball as an option offense.
Middle Tennessee (-6) at Bowling Green
I should have submitted this article Wednesday night, when the line was still -5.5. Bowling Green looks like an awful team to me; a team with no defense and no quarterback. Middle Tennessee, meanwhile, has an offense Bowling Green can't stop, and a pass defense that held Vanderbilt to 113 yards on 28 attempts last week.
Florida State (-2) at Louisville
Lamar Jackson is the Heisman frontrunner, and I think that will remain the case even after this game, but I just don't think he'll be able to single-handedly beat a squad as deep and well-rounded as Florida State, who just happen to have its own sensational quarterback in Deandre Francois.
Oregon (+3.5) at Nebraska
If there's one obvious trap game in my picks this week, I would have to single out this game. But for whatever scraps of good sense I might have, I can't resist reaching bare-handed for the stove on this one. Nebraska doesn't have a standout running back, and quarterback Tommy Armstrong is liable to fold if he has to carry the team, especially in distressing conditions. With eight sacks and three interceptions in the first two weeks, Oregon's defense should be able to rattle Armstrong a bit, especially if the Ducks' offense can score steadily, the chances of which I like.
San Diego State (-10.5) at Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois doesn't look like a good team. It didn't look like a good team while it had quarterback Drew Hare, who might be out for the year, and replacement quarterback Ryan Graham looked pretty bad last year. San Diego State, meanwhile, looks like a mid-major of Houston-type ambitions after beating California last week. Donnel Pumphrey is the nation's most accomplished player, and the Aztecs defense is both talented and experienced.
