Last week: 6-4 – Didn’t see some of the epic fails coming, but otherwise, not bad
As one of my readers pointed out last week, I need to remind you: these are straight-up picks. I give the line just for your betterment and understanding of the contest; rarely will I pick against the spread (unless I feel compelled to do so).
Cincinnati at North Carolina State
Line: NC State -1.5
Kind of a tough one to call. I’m not really buying into either one of these teams this year, but the Wolfpack survived last week to get to 2-0 while Cincinnati has already looked lousy in defeat this season. Is it NC State’s turn? I would say no, if it’s anything like the Pitt game last year. Pick: NC State
Georgia Tech at North Carolina
Line: UNC -1
You think both of these teams have a bad taste in their mouths? Georgia Tech flopped in Kansas while UNC got to sit around and think about their painfully-close miss against LSU for two weeks. The team that’s more pissed off will win. Right now, I think it’s the Heels. Pick: North Carolina
Maryland at #21 West Virginia
Line: WVU -13
Maryland has played fine in their first two weeks, coming out with a 2-0 record to start the year. This week, they face a West Virginia team that won thanks to a complete choke by Marshall last Friday. UMD has surprised me a little with their opening victories, but despite WVU’s so-so game last week, I think the Terps hit their first snag here. Pick: West Virginia
East Carolina at Virginia Tech
Line: VT -19.5
If you were told that one of these teams was 2-0 and the other 0-2 without knowing which was which, I doubt you’d hang the o-fer on the Hokies. Nevertheless, it’s there, but it’s likely going away soon…right? We were all confident that JMU would fold like a cheap tent, but they showed us. Still, VT is too good not to win eventually, and though ECU is a fine program, the Hokies should be able to bounce back. Not sure they’ll cover, though – I have to see it to believe it. Pick: Virginia Tech
BYU at Florida State
Line: FSU -9.5
Florida State was greatly humbled in Norman last weekend, but now they return home to face a team they beat the crap out of last year in Utah. Decent likelihood that the Seminoles bounce back. Pick: Florida State
#1 Alabama at Duke
Line: Alabama -24
The Blue Devils can be tricky to deal with – just ask Wake Forest – but they’re not really any match for the nation’s top team. If they were, however, to pull a miraculous upset, maybe it’d help this conference’s reputation somewhat. Don’t hold your breath, though. Pick: Alabama
Clemson at #16 Auburn
Line: Auburn -7
Clemson played two creampuff opponents to start the year while Auburn has already been tested with a conference game (although only against blah Mississippi State). The (Clemson) Tigers will get up for this game, but the (Auburn) Tigers might just be a little too much for them at the end of the day. Pick: Auburn
Wake Forest at #19 Stanford
Line: Stanford -17
Wake has looked alright in the first two weeks of the season, first beating up Presbyterian and then winning a shootout with Duke. What that game exposed, however, was the Deacs’ defense against better-quality opposition. I don’t necessarily expect them to surrender 48 points (though they easily could), but Stanford will be able to put points on the board in bunches. The Cardinal have shown themselves to be an excellent offense, and Wake just won’t be able to keep up. Pick: Stanford
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