NCAA 2014 Week 2 picks

I had a decent week last week, but it's easier when so many FBS teams play FCS teams.  We have that again, but some other matchups get interesting.

Thurs Sept 4
#13 Arizona Wildcats at UTSA Roadrunners:  San Antonio may have won a decisive victory last week, but their competition is a lot tougher this week.  This one will be a victory for the Wildcats, although they may not win by as much as they'd expect.  ARIZONA by 20

Fri Sept 5
Pittsburgh Panthers at #18 Boston College Eagles:  The Eagles won a commanding game last week, and they open ACC play with another likely one.  Pitt did okay last week, but they are overmatched here.  BOSTON COLLEGE by 24

Sat Sept 6
Top 25:
Lamar (FCS) Cardinals at #1 Texas A&M Aggies:  South Carolina couldn't stop the Aggies offense; what hope does Lamar have  TEXAS A&M by lots

#3 USC Trojans at Stanford Cardinal:  Stanford isn't rated because they played a FCS team last week.  Even if they were, this might be an interesting game to pick.  The Trojans showed power last week; is it more than the Cardinal defense can stop?  I'll pick Stanford, but the Trojans will make this a close game.  STANFORD by three

#4 Ole Miss Rebels at Vanderbilt Commodores:  Vandy fell to Temple last week in a complete collapse.  An SEC rival might get them more motivated, but Ole Miss has too much power.  OLE MISS by 26

Virginia Tech Hokies at #5 Ohio State Buckeyes:  The Hokies may have hoped that Braxton Miller's injury would slow the Buckeyes offense, but that doesn't seem to be the case.  Ohio State rolled last week, and their defense stood tall against a bruising Navy attack.  Things don't look good for Tech.  OHIO STATE by 24

UAB Blazers at #6 Mississippi State Bulldogs:  The Bulldogs shut out an opponent last week while posting more points against Southern Miss than most teams.  This team is a powerhouse this season that cannot be ignored, and cannot be easily slowed.  MISS STATE by 26

San Jose State Spartans at #7 Auburn Tigers:  Auburn had a pretty easy time against Arkansas last week, but they frequently play the Razorbacks well.  This is the one SEC result which may not have accurately reflected the strengths of the winning team, as rivalry incentives may have influenced the game.  I still think Auburn will be a strong team this year, and beat San Jose, but watch them in future weeks.  AUBURN by 20

Northwestern State (FCS) Demons at #8 Baylor Bears:  Despite an injury to QB Bryce Petty, Baylor should have the inside track on this game.  In fact, this might be an excellent time to rest Petty so that he can heal.  BAYLOR by 27

Arkansas State Red Wolves at #9 Tennessee Volunteers:  The Volunteers stated that they thought this was "their year".  Their performance last week seems to confirm that.  The Vols rolled against a team with one of the better QBs last year.  Defensively the Vols are solid.  They should roll here.  TENNESSEE by 35

Murray State (FCS) Racers at #10 Louisville Cardinals:  The Cards still beat Miami, without Teddy Bridgewater, so they should have no problem here.  LOUISVILLE by 34

#11 Oklahoma Sooners at Tulsa Golden Hurricane:  The Sooners are gunning for a spot in the playoffs.  They have the power to do that, and know that an unbeaten season will probably be required.  They won't let Tulsa get in their way.  OKLAHOMA by 36

McNeese State (FCS) Cowboys at #12 Nebraska Cornhuskers:  After rolling over Florida Atlantic, Nebraska plays another patsy.  Their strength of schedule may keep them out of playoff contention.  NEBRASKA by lots

Michigan Wolverines at #14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish:  Both teams played well in their openers.  Michigan faced a newly-minted FBS team while Notre Dame rolled against a perennial weakling.  Neither game is a good indicator of how they might play this game.  Here's a better one -- this is the last scheduled Notre Dame v Michigan game.  Both want to win this final matchup, but I think Notre Dame wants it more.  NOTRE DAME by five

#23 BYU Cougars at #15 Texas Longhorns:  This is a great matchup, made more intriguing by the injury to Texas QB David Ash.  Texas' defense must perform for Texas to win.  If not, watch out for BYU.  TEXAS by two

Florida Atlantic Owls at #16 Alabama Crimson Tide:  Last week Nebraska and this week Alabama.  The person who scheduled these Owls games should be penalized for unnecessary roughness.  ALABAMA by lots

Citadel (FCS) Bulldogs at #17 Florida State Seminoles:  The Seminoles may have struggled against Oklahoma State, but the Citadel will be a breeze.  FLORIDA STATE by 34

Memphis Tigers at #19 UCLA Bruins:  The Bruins found Virginia a handful, but I think Memphis will be another matter, especially since Virginia often starts seasons strongly.  UCLA by 23

Sam Houston State (FCS) Bearkats at #20 LSU Tigers:  Another easy FCS v FBS matchup.  LSU by lots

#21 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Illinois Fighting Illini:  I must admit, the Hilltoppers performance last week makes me nervous.  I'll still pick Illinois, but this will be tough game.  ILLINOIS by three

Missouri State (FCS) Bears at #22 Oklahoma State Cowboys:  The Cowboys will easily rope the Bears.  OKLAHOMA STATE by lots

Richmond (FCS) Spiders at #24 Virginia Cavaliers:  So long as the Cavs do not overly-celebrate their near-upset of UCLA, they should coast through this game.  VIRGINIA by 30

Towson (FCS) Tigers at #25 West Virginia Mountaineers:  This FCS v FBS matchup will go like most of the others.  WEST VIRGINIA by lots

Big Ten
Western Illinois (FCS) Leathernecks at Wisconsin Badgers:  While a young defensive line crippled them in the second half of their game against LSU, I don't think it will hurt them as much in this game.  Besides, the Leathernecks defense is not likely to stop Wisconsin as effectively as LSU did.  WISCONSIN by 26

Akron Zips at Penn State Nittany Lions:  This in-state rivalry will end well for Penn State; not so much for Akron.  PENN STATE by 31

Central Michigan Chippewas at Purdue Boilermakers:  Purdue did better last week than I expected.  Let's see if they can repeat that.  PURDUE by 13

Howard (FCS) Bison at Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  Rutgers should roll here.  RUTGERS by 27

Northern Illinois Huskies at Northwestern Wildcats:  The Wildcats suffered a disappointing loss to Cal last week.  Northern Illinois didn't get to stretch themselves.  I think Northwestern had the better warm-up, but this game will be close.  NORTHWESTERN by nine

Maryland Terrapins at South Florida Bulls:  Another likely close game, both teams need to redeem themselves.  South Florida struggled against FCS Western Carolina last week, so they seem further from their goal.  MARYLAND by 11

Ball State Cardinals at Iowa Hawkeyes:  Both teams beat their FCS opponents last week.  I think Iowa has a strong team that is being overlooked by the national media, and that slight will motivate them.  IOWA by 21

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders at Minnesota Golden Gophers:  Minnesota has the power to hold back the Raiders, while their offense marches down the field.  MINNESOTA by 16

Other Games of Interest:
East Carolina Pirates at South Carolina Gamecocks:  South Carolina needs to redeem themselves for their defensive collapse last week.  East Carolina has suffered through a couple of bad years, but defense is their specialty, so it should be interesting to see how this game evolves.  SOUTH CAROLINA by eight

Texas Tech Red Raiders at UTEP Miners:  Tech needs to charge out of the gate strongly this season, so they look to dismantle UTEP.  The Miners might be a stronger team than they expect, but I think they'll win.  TEXAS TECH by 16

GAME OF THE WEEK -- Michigan State Spartans at Oregon Ducks:  Most national analysts are already picking Oregon, but they can be stuffed by strong defenses; Stanford has proven that.  The Spartans look to have one of the best defenses in the country, which is the bane to Oregon.  MICHIGAN STATE by 13