Week 2 Predictions: Sept 8

West Virginia (-24.5) @ Marshall
I'm usually pretty leery of giving so many points to a backyard rival, but West Virginia can put points on the board. This is their D's chance to get off to a better start against a team that only scored 3 points last week.

West Virginia by 31

Miami (FL) (+10.5) @ Oklahoma
Both these teams looked solid in their first games, so this should be a good matchup. Oklahoma gets the edge because they're at home and have a more proven coach.

Oklahoma by 13

Alabama (-3.5) @ Vanderbilt
Nick Saban may well turn things around at Alabama, but at some point they're going to lose and the Tide faithful will come crashing back to reality. Vandy is working their way up and got a taste for upsets last year at UGA. They'll come close, but Alabama will pull away at the end.

Alabama by 7

Duke (+17) @ Virginia
We know Duke's bad, but Virginia is looking pretty shabby themselves. I dont' even know if they can put up 17 points, much less cover the spread.

Virginia wins, but Duke covers the spread

Oregon (+8) @ Michigan
This is the most intriguing matchup of the week. Oregon's Dennis Dixon is a mobile quarterback, and you can bet Mike Bellotti will be studying App State's victory. It could be a close game, but I'm betting that one way or another it'll be over by the end of the third quarter.

Michigan by 17

Boise State (-3) @ Washington
Definitely an intriguing matchup after Washington's win last week. Can the Huskies D stop the Broncos? They should be solid enough, but Boise State's D is good too - they'll hold Washington in check.

Boise State by 10.

TCU (+9) @ Texas
People have been looking at this one as an upset in the making for weeks now, butI'm not biting. (Look where it got me last week with Oklahoma State.) Yeah, the Longhorns running game has issues, so look for McCoy to just start slinging it.

Texas by 14

Kent State (+13) @ Kentucky
Last week was a good win for the Golden Flashes. But Iowa State with a new coach is a few steps below the Wildcats who are looking solid this year.

Kentucky wins, but Kent State covers the spread.

Colorado (+15) @ Arizona State
Arizona State is looking solid, but I'm still not sold on them. At least not for 15 points.

Arizona State wins, but Colorado covers the spread

South Carolina (+5) @ Georgia
Georgia was looking good last week, South Carolina not so much. Any chance the Dawgs get to beat up on Spurrier they'll take.

Georgia by 17

South Florida (+7) @ Auburn
Another upset people have been talking about. I can't simply dismiss this one though - the Bulls gets the nod on offense, and though the Tigers D should hold them back a bit, I don't know if their own offense can keep them in it.

South Florida by 10

Virginia Tech (+13) @ LSU
The Hokies had a bit of a rough time with ECU, though understandably so. They're gonna be really pumped to play this one. But LSU's D is just too ferocious, especially at home.

LSU by 17