NCAA Picks – Week 2

College football arrived last week with a few surprises – like Virginia losing to William & Mary and Oklahoma losing to BYU. Last week, I picked Georgia and La. Tech for opening weekend wins and dropped those but called the MIami win over FSU to finish 4 of 6. Tony missed the FSU call, but was right on target picking Ok. State and Auburn to finish 5 of 6. Neither of us saw Auburn scoring as many points and they did, although it may be way too early to start revising our season predictions.

On to the picks…

UCLA at Tennessee
SleepWriter: Tennessee opened the season against a team playing its first game in Division 1. UCLA has been around a lot longer and has a much richer tradition. Both teams are coming off of bad years. This one is hard to predict. UCLA played a stronger opponent in week 1, but Tennessee appeared to pull things together as a unit. The game is in Knoxville, and that used to be an important factor. Another tough call, as no one knows what to expect from either team. In a passing duel…
UCLA 35 – UT 32

TonyOrlando: While I don’t buy the gaudy numbers Tennessee put up last week, they’re not exactly cannon fodder for the Bruins, either. I expect the Vols to put up a fight, and we’ll get to see what kind of conditioning program the have up in Knoxville.

UCLA 28 – UT 22

South Carolina at Georgia
SleepWriter: I was wrong about Georgia last week. I won’t be this week. South Carolina squeaked by with a 7 – 3 win last week. Spurrier will have them motivated, but they are on the road. Georgia played and lost a tough one, but they too will be motivated. The deciding factor this week is the home field. Georgia 17 – SC 14

TonyOrlando: Georgia got embarrassed last week, and South Carolina should be, given their lack of offensive production. Spurrier wants to put in more razzle-dazzle this week, and may have to if he wants to get out of Georgia with a win. I don’t think that happens, as the Bulldogs attempt a statement win.Georgia 34 – SC 12

Mississippi State at Auburn
SleepWriter: I never like it when Auburn wins, but win they shall. Mississippi State has a way to go to be the conference spoiler again. Auburn looked much better than expected in week 1 and should be off to a 2-0 start. In what many predicted to be an abysmal season on the plains, they may squeak out a winning season.

Auburn 24 -MSU 17

TonyOrlando: What we don’t know makes all the difference here. MSU hung points on a Jackson State team. Auburn struggled early with a La. Tech team that occasionally is good. This game will say a lot about the direction of both teams. Auburn has this one at home, where they usually get calls like Michael Jordan did in the lane. I’m dying to call an upset here, and it might happen. But I’m going with the safe pick.
Auburn 24 – MSU 22

FIU at Alabama
SleepWriter: Even with Mark Ingram coming off of the flu bug, Alabama should have the firepower to put FIU out of commission early. I’d look for some of the younger players to get some experience on the field this week.
Alabama 48 – FIU 6

TonyOrlando: FL International has improved year to year under head coach Mario Cristobal (had to get that name in there), but hat’s not enough to stay with one of the top teams in the country. Alabama will play lots of guys, and work on improving from last week.
Alabama 44 – FIU 0

Vanderbilt at LSU
SleepWriter: Vanderbilt is a tough team with a good coach. LSU likes corn dogs. After a tough late night game in Washington, LSU will try to screw up this game and fail. Even with a couple of bone head coaching calls, the Tigers should win at home.
LSU 32 – Vandy 24

TonyOrlando: I can’t disagree with a single thing Sleepy says above. Hat Miles will do everything he can to remain the Joe Biden of college football, and simply out-talent Vandy.
LSU 28 – Vandy 12