NCAA Week 2 picks

Before I start this week's game, let's review some highlights from last week.  Specifically, let's look at some of the more intriguing and shocking results.  Jacksonville State enjoyed its best publicity in school history when they shocked Ole Miss in overtime.  Sending the Rebels into overtime was a feat in itself.  Ole Miss had the first possession of overtime, and scored a touchdown.  Jacksonville State scored on their possession, and they bravely decided to attempt a two-point conversion to win the game.  They were successful, and Ole Miss became this season's Michigan.

Jacksonville State received more airtime, but they weren't the only FCS team to upset an FBS team.  The Kansas Jayhawks, who just two seasons ago were contenting for a national title on an unbeaten season in mid-November, suffered a loss to North Dakota State, a team who moved up to Division I only three years ago.  The Jayhawks, who had a powerful offense over the past three seasons, were able to score only a single field goal in sixty minutes.  It looks like Kansas is back to being one of the worst teams in the Big XII.

Locally, the biggest upset occurred in Maine.  The Maine Black Bears have been a force in the Football Championship Subdivision since before that title existed.  Not long ago, they were the Number One team in the land.  The Albany Great Danes have had some good years, but almost never been ranked.  Most of us expected them to be out of contention in the fourth quarter.  Imagine our surprise when the Albany defense held the Black Bears scoreless, and won the game with a field goal!

The week ended on a thrilling note.  Tulsa and East Carolina played a competitive offensive game where each team scored on every possession for nearly the entire second half.  Tulsa seemed to have the victory sealed, leading 49-45 with six seconds left on the clock.  The Pirates threw a desperation Hail Mary pass for the last play of the game.  Usually such attempts don't succeed.  This time, though, the desperate play worked, and East Carolina pulled off the surprise victory 51-49.

On to this week.  I'll preview games with Top 25 teams, Big Ten teams that aren't facing FCS opponents, and other games of interest.  This week's Game of the Week is actually the second-best game, as the best game features two Top 25 teams.

Thurs Sept 9
Auburn Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs:  Ole Miss' loss to Jacksonville State at least takes the pressure off Mississippi State, since Ole Miss is now facing criticism.  That should make them feel better when they lose this game.  AUBURN

Fri Sept 10
West Virginia Mountaineers at Marshall Thundering Herd:  West Virginia should roll over the Herd, but how far up the Top 25 can they go by playing patsies?  WEST VIRGINIA

Top 25
Penn State Nittany Lions at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide:  The Lions are looking tough, but the Tide showed ready to defend their National Championship title.  The Lions defense will make things tough for 'Bama, especially on the ground, but I think the Tide will pull this one out.  ALABAMA

Miami Hurricanes at #2 Ohio State Buckeyes:  The top teams are playing tougher opponents, clearly prepared to uphold their rankings.  Miami has improved their defense, but it's no match for the Buckeyes' D.  The Buckeye offense showed they have life, and should be able to move the ball well enough to secure the victory.  OHIO STATE

#3 Oregon Ducks at Tennessee Volunteers:  Apparently the Ducks were well prepared to lose QB Jeremiah Masoli, as they were one of the most productive offenses last week.  Tennessee isn't strong enough to slow that down enough.  OREGON

#17 Georgia Bulldogs at #4 South Carolina Gamecocks:  SEC rivalries start early this season!  The Dawgs had a great game last week, but now they have to face the Gamecocks.  Things may have been closer than South Carolina would have liked last week, but they proved effective.  I think that'll be the same this week.  SOUTH CAROLINA

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at #5 TCU Horned Frogs:  The Frogs won't have any problem against this FCS opponent, but the fact that they ARE playing a FCS opponent could cost them in the rankings.  TCU

Troy Trojans at #7 Oklahoma State Cowboys:  Troy controlled Conference USA when they first moved up to FBS, but they haven't done so well since moving to the Sun Belt.  Oklahoma State looks to be one of the best Big XII teams this season, so the Trojans should be a breeze.

UNLV Running Rebels at #8 Utah Utes:  UNLV proved tenacious last week, but I'm not sure they can do it again.  Even if they do, Utah has more weapons.  UTAH

The Citadel at #10 Arizona Wildcats:  No fear of a FCS upset here!  ARIZONA

#11 Michigan Wolverines at #20 Notre Dame Fighting Irish:  Michigan blew out their opener, giving Coach Rich Rodriguez a breather.  Notre Dame looked good, too.  This is likely to be the REAL Game of the Week, as these two will battle close.  The last team to score will be the winner, so who scores faster?  I have to pick MICHIGAN

James Madison Dukes at #12 Virginia Tech Hokies:  Another FCS v FBS game, and a similar result.  VIRGINIA TECH

South Florida Bulls at #13 Florida Gators:  The Bulls might prove tougher than Florida expects, but the Gators will likely still prevail.  FLORIDA

Wyoming Cowboys at #14 Texas Longhorns:  Texas shouldn't have much trouble here, even with a weaker offense than that afforded Colt McCoy.  TEXAS

#15 BYU Cougars at Air Force Falcons:  BYU wants to contend for the Mountain West title before they go independent.  Every single conference game will be a war this season.  While the Air Force fights in wars, these guys haven't graduated yet.  BYU

New Hampshire Wildcats at #16 Pittsburgh Panthers:  New Hampshire is a strong FCS team, but Pitt shouldn't have too much trouble against them.  PITT

#18 Texas Tech Red Raiders at New Mexico Lobos:  The Raiders may not have the same power they had last season, but they have more than enough to beat New Mexico.  TEXAS TECH

Florida Atlantic Owls at #19 Michigan State Spartans:  Florida Atlantic is actually a strong team this season, and they may give the Spartans fits, but the Spartans SHOULD have enough firepower to beat them.  The only conflicting factor?  If the Spartans don't expect much resistance from a Sun Belt team, they might find themselves thrust down a deep hole that they won't climb out from in time.  Thankfully, the Big Ten is less likely to take "lesser" teams for granted, especially since MAC teams have pushed them to the limits in recent years.  MICHIGAN STATE

San Jose State Spartans at #21 Wisconsin Badgers:  The Michigan State Spartans haven't been a very tough opponent to the Badgers for years, and I don't expect this Spartans team to be one, either.  WISCONSIN

#22 LSU Tigers at Vanderbilt Commodores:  LSU is starting to get their swagger back on defense, which bodes ill for their opponents.  LSU

Memphis Tigers at #23 East Carolina Pirates:  East Carolina won't have as much of a battle this week as they had last week.  They won't need a last-second Hail Mary to win this game.  EAST CAROLINA

#24 Iowa State Cyclones at Iowa Hawkeyes:  Oh well, at least the Cyclones got to enjoy the Top 25 for a week.  Who knows?  They might be good enough to be back, but they aren't good enough to prevent a loos to their in-state rival.  IOWA

Bowling Green Falcons at Tulsa Golden Hurricanes:  Like the Pirates, Tulsa won't find this game so close.  TULSA

Big Ten
Southern Illinois Salukis at Illinois Fighting Illini:  While the other non-ranked conference teams are also facing FCS teams, I had to report on this one, as it'll be one of the few times where I get to predict a clear Illini victory.  ILLINOIS

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Florida State Seminoles at Oklahoma Sooners:  The Seminoles are highly regarded this season, especially for their defense.  This is their first real challenge.  Is their defense strong enough to stop Oklahoma?  I don't think so, although I think this WILL be a close game.  If the Sooners make a rare mistake and turn the ball over in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles could win this game.  OKLAHOMA