By: Jeff Melinyshyn (@jmel1125)
Week 2 is in the books and it could not start any worse or better (if you faded my pick of USC). There was a lot to unpack and amazing action.
I want to shout out to Kentucky and Colorado. What a game and two coaching staffs that left it all out on the field. Colorado made me look good but Kentucky is still a dog and will go far. Here’s to recap Week 2 dubs: Miami, UNC, Va Tech, Bama, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, and West Virginia. Not a bad Week 2 in my eyes. I heard that a program used this article about what I wrote as bulletin board material, and it sparked some upgrades. I love hearing that and more importantly, improving their players and helping the team out. But onto week 3 and cannot wait for this action to kick off. A lot of juicy matchups.
USC vs Miami
USC is coming off what should have been a win against Auburn but just could not capitalize against a solid defense. Miami on the other hand just keeps rolling and the question has to be will they get their defense sorted out? The offense has shown it can be powerful. This should be a good game and USC has shown their defense can ball out.
Sportsbook Prediction: USC (-4.5), O/U 75.5.
Jeff’s Opinion: USC is going to be a favorite, but I like the underdog. I am taking Miami and the over may not hit. I would take the under.
Pick ‘Em: Miami
Oregon vs Notre Dame
Notre Dame is still a season away. It stinks being at this place right now, but they have the pieces that could potentially lead to good things. Oregon just keeps doing what they need to do. After a down season, yeah there’s going to be talk about their schedule, but you play who is on it. They have no control over the schedule.
Sportsbook Prediction: Oregon (-14.5), O/U 70.5.
Jeff’s Opinion: Don’t be that person to try to take Notre Dame, just take Oregon to cover and call it a night.
Pick ‘Em: Oregon
Texas A&M vs Auburn
This is a juicy matchup. A&M needs a victory like a fat kid needs cake. But Auburn just got a big-time victory over USC last week. The weather may not be the southern weather we think. My forecast says snow. Auburn can run the ball. A&M has questions and can put those to rest for a week with a win.
Sportsbook Prediction: Auburn (-10.5), O/U 74.5
Jeff’s Opinion: I like Auburn in this one. Take the points and call it a night.
Pick ‘Em: Auburn
Michigan vs Clemson
Michigan showed up in the weather against LSU last week. Much respect for the Michigan staff for that game plan. Clemson is still trying to figure things out. Their offense is still a work in progress. Notre Dame has scored more points than them.
Sportsbook Prediction: Michigan (-12.5), O/U 75.5
Jeff’s Opinion: Michigan is allowing just 76 points against while Clemson is allowing 114. Michigan has found something. I like Michigan this season, the first time I am taking them this season. Ike, don’t let me down.
Pick ‘Em: Michigan
Penn State vs Texas
Wow, Penn State is the only winless team in the Big Ten and scored 52 points through the first two weeks. The offense looks good at times but then it seems they cannot move the ball at all. Texas got a win that they needed to right the season. Penn State is desperate, Big Ten play is coming next week.
Sportsbook Prediction: Texas (-8.5), O/U 77.5
Jeff’s Opinion: I like Texas in this game. This is huge for both teams but Texas showed life while Penn State is still looking for a sliver of life. Starting 0-3 probably was not in the cards, but they lost a lot of top-end talent as seniors from the squad last year.
Pick ‘Em: Texas
Ohio State vs Kentucky
Wow, thanks Ohio State for ruining the game. Kentucky meanwhile was a 3rd down stop away from a potentially game-winning drive against Colorado. How Kentucky is not closer in the pick ‘em is crazy to me. Kentucky is still Kentucky for the time being.
Sportsbook Prediction: Ohio State (-8.5), O/U 80.5
Jeff’s Opinion: I am taking Kentucky. That was a tough loss and showed that Ohio State is beatable. Kentucky showed they can still ball. Cunnington and Tyree are top-tier QBs and my boy Rev going to pull this out.
Pick ‘Em: Kentucky
Georgia vs North Carolina
Georgia was a throw away from potentially going up 21-0 against Texas. Georgia is going to need to let Petty do his thing. Get him to run the rock with his legs if they have any chance to pull off an upset. North Carolina has the ACC championship on their minds and they want it.
Sportsbook Prediction: UNC (10.5), O/U 79.5
Jeff’s Opinion: I am taking UNC to cover. Taking them to win will be tough because it will probably be -475 or higher and you won’t get a lot of coins back.
Pick ‘Em: UNC
Florida vs Virginia Tech
Give credit to Oklahoma. It was a tough week and they were able to right the ship and took it out on poor Florida. Florida was a lot of people’s sleeper pick but that game showed they have work to do still. Virginia Tech has the biggest comeback this season so far and a much-needed win to stay within striking distance in the ACC.
Sportsbook Prediction: Va Tech (-5.5), O/U 77.5
Jeff’s Opinion: I can see people still believing in Florida until after this game. Va Tech is good. They have a lot of weapons and still have room to get better. Take the Hokies.
Pick ‘Em: Virginia Tech
Oklahoma vs Michigan State
Oklahoma is allowing the fewest points in the Big 12 and last season they could not stop a nosebleed. Their offense is coming along and Del Este looks in top form. Michigan State has to bounce back well after that defeat last season. I just don’t think getting Oklahoma is the right bounce-back game.
Sportsbook Prediction: Oklahoma (-10.5), O/U 82.5
Jeff’s Opinion: Oklahoma will be favored and rightfully so. Tough losses like Michigan State had last week can either bring the team together or start to cause fractions. We’ll see how the team comes out, but Oklahoma and their offense will be just a tad too much. If the O/U is over 75 take the under.
Pick ‘Em: Oklahoma
LSU vs Alabama
One of the top rivalries in college football will take shape in Week 3. Bama is looking to stay atop the SEC and remain unbeaten. LSU could not make the stops on defense to give them a shot against Michigan. Bama is where LSU wants to get to. It was not going to be easy for Wookie in his first season.
Sportsbook Prediction: Bama (-10.5), O/U 72.5
Jeff’s Opinion: Bama is just too solid all around than LSU is right at this point. Can I see LSU pulling off an upset? Of course, they have an AD who won a lot a couple of seasons ago at Notre Dame. He just needs people to buy into his philosophy and style and he will be fine. But at this moment in time, Bama gets the win. O/U take the under.
Pick ‘Em: Bama
Florida State vs Colorado
I am expecting Colorado to be a part of the game of the week. This could be the second straight week where a team was in back-to-back games of the week. I don’t know if that has ever happened before since we started voting on game of the week. I am stunned at how the pick ‘em is for this one. I think it should be closer than what it is.
Sportsbook Prediction: FSU (-13.5), O/U 76.5
Jeff’s Opinion: If the number is this high or I would say double-digit, take Colorado to cover. It will be a good game and I do not think FSU will beat Colorado by double digits. These are two really good teams and Colorado has a lot of weapons just like FSU and can hang with the best teams in the league, just look at last week.
Pick ‘Em: FSU
West Virginia vs Tennessee
Well hello WVU and welcome to the offense party. I guess Murph found his offense. He gets the Vols who are in the same boat as Notre Dame. Looking at the pick ‘em, a lot of people must be drunk or don’t know how well Murph is as a game planner. Give me WVU.
Sportsbook Prediction: West Virginia (-17.5), O/U 77.5
Jeff’s Opinion: WVU will be just too much for the undermanned Vols. Gunner Rice ran and threw over Notre Dame last week and could set records this week against Tennessee. This could get ugly. Take WVU and the under.
Pick ‘Em: WVU
