Week 2 Predictions

West Virginia @ Marshall (+12.5)

The Mountaineers should be okay in this one - if the Buckeyes can clobber the Thundering Herd, then WV should be able to cover a two TD spread.

The Call: West Virginia by 17

The Result: West Virginia 24-21
Well, the Mountaineers ended up okay, but not until the very end there. Close one.
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Georgia Tech @ Kansas (+13.5)

After their embarassing debacle last week, you gotta think that the Jayhawks are gonna come out with a little more oomph this week. I know the Yellow Jackets are in the top 15, but I'm not ready to put them that high yet myself.

The Call: Georgia Tech wins, but Kansas covers the spread

The Result: Kansas 28-25
Good job, gut. Close enough.
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Georgia (+3) @ South Carolina

The Dawgs are the darkhorse favorite of many this year, but they'll have to adjust without AJ Green for a while. The Gamecocks looked good last week, but that was just Southern Miss - they should get a much bigger test this week.

The Call: Georgia by 7

The Result: South Carolina 17-6
Those were some long, time consuming drives the Gamecocks started and ended with. Tough one for the Dawgs to lose - the winner of the SEC East might end up with two conference losses this year.
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Hawaii @ Army (-3)

Yeah, this call is solely based on how the Warriors did against USC last week.

The Call: Hawaii by 14

The Result: Hawaii 31-28
Closer than expected, but an entertaining game.
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Colorado @ California (-10)

I know the Buffalos beat Colorado State last week, but that's not really saying much. Ditto the Bears against UC Davis. But Cal always starts strong before falling off in November.

The Call: California by 17

The Result: California 52-7
The Bears are on a roll - they could be 9-0 heading into their rematch with Oregon in Nov. The Buffs are in a bad way.
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Florida State @ Oklahoma (-7)

I think last week's close call by the Sooners was just a blip - they'll do much better this week. But the Seminoles are trending upward this year, and I think they'll be able to pull it out in the 4th.

The Call: Florida State by 3

The Result: Oklahoma 47-17
Yeah, about that whole "trending upward" thing... At least they can still win the ACC (which isn't saying a lot after this weekend). The Sooners turned it around and looked like their old selves - solid.
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Iowa State @ Iowa (-13.5)

I really like the Hawkeyes chances this year. Not just against the Cyclones, against everyone. Of course against the Cyclones.

The Call: Iowa by 24

The Result: Iowa 35-7
Oh, Cyclones.
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Michigan @ Notre Dame (-3.5)

Either way, one fan base is going to be sorely disappointed after this one. Possibly more so than any other fans. The Irish would love to keep the momentum going, but the Wolverines need it more. But as we know, "wanting it" doesn't win games. Experience on the other hand...

The Call: Michigan by 7

The Result: Michigan 28-24
This is a good thing for the Wolverines, but with the five toughest Big10 teams on their schedule this year, they're gonna have to find some diversity. Tough loss for the Irish, but they're finding themselves - not a bad thing.
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Miami (FL) @ Ohio State (-8.5)

Has it really been nearly eight years since these two duked it out for the championship? Wow. What's amazing is how much the Buckeyes haven't changed since then, while the Hurricanes have been on one roller coaster after another. Ohio State is just too much this go around -

The Call: Ohio State by 11

The Result: Ohio State 36-24
Tough day for the Canes, to say the least. The Buckeyes are looking rather unstoppable, wouldn't you say?
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LSU (-10) @ Vanderbilt

The Tigers were underwhelming against a depleted UNC team last week, while the Commodores had to fight in their loss to Northwestern. I can't call it for Vandy, but I think it'll be close.

The Call: LSU wins, but Vanderbilt covers the spread

The Result: LSU 27-3
Apparently I've overestimated the Commodores. I don't think I've underestimated the Tigers though, not yet...
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Syracuse @ Washington (-13)

The Huskies were a trendy pick to make waves in the Pac10 this year, and they still will, but last week's letdown at BYU was a tough pill to swallow. They need to get things in order in a hurry if they're going to start climbing. The Orangemen should provide just the opportunity to do that.

The Call: Washington by 17

The Result: Washington 41-20
That's just the thing to counteract a disappointing start last week for the Huskies.
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Penn State @ Alabama (-12)

Bama's still looking good, as usual and as predicted, but I have a feeling the Nittany Lions are going to come out swinging.

The Call: Alabama wins, but Penn State covers the spread

The Result: Alabama 24-3
Hmmm... I guess the Nittany Lions' swinging could better be described as flailing. Solid job by the Tide of keeping them out of the end zone - they're looking as good as billed right now.
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Oregon (-12) @ Tennessee

The Vols haven't fared too well against the Pac10 lately, but they've cleaned up and looked fresh last week. The Ducks are looking stellar, but they better hope a wheel doesn't come off at the speed they're going.

The Call: Oregon by 14

The Result: Oregon 48-13
That was a Tennessee-style whuppin'. Yikes. Oregon is looking like the class of the Pac10. Coach Dooley's got some work to do still.
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Mississippi @ Tulane (+20.5)

Raise your hand if you think the Rebels are going to take their frustrations out on the Green Wave.

The Call: Mississippi by 31

The Result: Mississippi 27-13
Uh-oh - it's gonna be a loooong SEC season for the Rebels.
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Stanford @ UCLA (+6)

The Cardinal are going to run, run, run.

The Call: Stanford by 11

The Result: Stanford 35-0
That was a bit of domination by the Cardinal. Why can't Neuheisel get over the hump with the Bruins? Tricky one to figure out.
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Virginia @ USC (-19.5)

No, the Cavaliers won't be able to stop the Trojans' offense. But will the Trojans be able to stop the Cavalier offense? Hmmm...

The Call: USC wins, but Virginia covers the spread

The Result: USC 17-14
Well, apparently that's what you get when both teams decide to continually shoot themselves in the foot.
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Not to shabby for the first go-around this season. 13-3 straight up, 10-6 against the spread. Solid.