Last Week: 8-1 (6-3 ATS)
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (+5) @ Boston College Eagles
CRIPPLE FIGHT! I don't really care how much you like football. This game will likely be painful to watch for all of us. Toss up, but I'll go with the home team and its veteran QB.
Boston College covers 5.
#12 Florida Gators @ Miami Hurricanes (+2)
It's always tough picking a Florida game. Their defense is undoubtedly tough, but their offense is schizophrenic at best. Occasionally they're good for 40+ points against a good defense, and then occasionally they have trouble lining up correctly. There's not much rhyme or reason to it. I think it's a close game but Florida comes out the victors and covers.
Florida covers 2.
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders @ North Carolina Tar Heels (-21.5)
Last week MTSU allowed 24 points to Western Carolina at home. I can only imagine what their defense will allow as they travel to Chapel Hill to take on a high-octane offense. Lightning doesn't strike two seasons in a row in this conference. Tar Heels win big.
North Carolina covers 21.5.
Western Carolina Catamounts @ Virginia Tech Hokies (-41)
I have no doubt in my mind who will win this game, but I have serious doubts of the Hokies' offense after last week's showing against Alabama -- that of Logan Thomas, in particular.
Catamounts cover 41, but the Hokies still win convincingly.
#2 Oregon Ducks @ Virginia Cavaliers (+23.5)
Oregon is a highly-talented, well-rounded team -- things I don't think can be said quite yet about Virginia. I'll be shocked if they keep this one close.
Oregon covers 23.5.
Duke Blue Devils (-6) @ Memphis Tigers
Last year, Duke won at home by over 3 touchdowns and Memphis didn't beat a BCS conference opponent all season. I can't think they'll pose a significant threat this season either.
Duke covers 6.
Syracuse (+12) @ Northwestern
Northwestern returns home after beating Cal by 2 touchdowns on the road, while Syracuse travels to Chicago after losing to Penn State thanks to an ugly offensive performance. 12 is a large spread though, and I think Syracuse keeps it closer than that.
Syracuse covers 12, but Northwestern wins straight up.
(6) South Carolina Gamecocks (+4.5) @ (11) uga bulldogs
Last week I correctly predicted Clemson's huge win to start the season. I'm much more conflicted on this one. South Carolina and Connor Shaw are nowhere near the passing threat that Clemson and Tajh Boyd pose, and pass defense is where I expect uga to struggle early this season. Meanwhile, UNC was unable to manage 300 yards on offense and couldn't break 100 yards on the ground. Should uga get charged up at home and run the football effectively against USC, they'll easily cover the 4.5 and win. Last year the Gamecocks held the dogs to 115 on the ground and kept Aaron Murray's completion percentage to just above 35%. I'm pretty torn here. My very unconfident pick is...
Aaron Murray goes down as the uga QB to never beat USC. Gamecocks cover 4.5 and win straight up.
There it is, readers. Your turn. Take your picks!