Andrew White | Staff Writer
Last time out: 2-4 overall, 2-3 CFB, 0-1 NFL
Season record: 2-4 overall, 2-3 CFB, 0-1 NFL
Alright, let’s not sugarcoat this. Last week wasn’t pretty. It could have been worse. I got bailed out once in the Kentucky game, and also got unlucky in the Utah game. But focusing on the positives, I nailed that Purdue pick and analysis. Let’s get back in the saddle and pick some winners.
College Football Picks:
#21 Maryland @ Temple (+7) Saturday, 12 p.m.
Man, was I off last week on this Maryland team. With a first year head coach and a transfer quarterback who lost his job at Virginia Tech, I was thinking they were going to struggle against one of the best up and coming coaches in college with Dino Babers, but man was I wrong. Justin Jackson went out there and ran the Orange out of the building. He looks like a stud in this offense through two games and we will have to see what he can do against a Temple team that lost one of the nation’s best DB’s last year to the NFL in Rock Ya-Sin and hasn’t been tested yet early on in the year.
The pick: Maryland -7
North Carolina State @ West Virginia (+6.5) Saturday, 12 p.m.
What happened to WVU? They lost most of their playmakers on offense from a year ago, Dana Holgorsen, who bolted down to Houston and just like last year it seems like they can’t stop anybody on defense. Week One, they survived an upset from FCS James Madison, and Week 2 they got drubbed by Missouri who looked abysmal the week before. NC State also lost its QB to the NFL but they seem to be in a better place and man, does that defense look good so far. They haven’t played much competition yet, but they have only allowed six points through their first two games.
The pick: NC State -6.5
Air Force @ Colorado (-4.5) Saturday, 1 p.m.
Colorado vs. Nebraska last week encapsulated what college football is. The Buffaloes looked terrible at the start of the game but exploded on the scene for 24 fourth quarter points to send the game to overtime, where they won. This team looks like it can score a lot of points, and quarterback Steven Montez has been slinging it through the first two weeks. I like Colorado at home in this tight line.
The Pick: Colorado -4.5
Florida State @ #25 Virginia (-7) Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
There is no denying that the Willie Taggart era has been a disaster for Florida State, and I don’t see it getting any easier for the Seminoles. After blowing a huge second half lead in their Week 1 loss to Boise State they almost did it again, but this time to Louisiana Monroe. After going up 21-0 in the first half, FSU was pushed to overtime, where a missed extra point gave them the win. Virginia plays host to them this weekend and the Cavaliers have looked very good through two games including an easy victory win against Pitt in week 1. Dual-Threat quarterback Bryce Perkins should easily lead UVA past the Seminoles.
The Pick: UVA -7
NFL Picks:
Los Angeles Chargers @ Detroit (+2.5), Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Chargers offense didn’t really look like they missed a beat without Melvin Gordon in the backfield. Austin Eckler looked like an all-around back and the receivers looked fantastic in Week 1 against the Colts. The defense struggled at times with the playmakers on the opposite side of the ball for Indy, but it still played ok. I don’t see the Chargers having any issues this week though. The Lions lack defensive play-makers to shut down LA’s offense and I don’t think they have the offensive ability to keep up if this turns into a track meet. I like the Chargers in this one a lot.
The Pick: LAC -2.5
Dallas @ Washington (+5.5), Sunday, 1 p.m.
Washington came out of the gates hot against the Eagles last week and shocked a lot of people with its passing attack early on. I don’t see it happening again though. The Skins came back down to Earth in the 2nd half and couldn’t really hang around with Philly for the remainder of the game. I think Dallas looked great against the Giants last week and the Dak Prescott to Amari Cooper connection looks especially dangerous in the victory. Add in more of a workload for Ezekiel Elliott this week and you have a very dangerous offensive attack ready to go in Dallas. I like the Cowboys in this one by more than a touchdown and think this line, albeit on the road, is a little disrespectful to Dallas.
The Pick: Dallas -5.5
