Louisville at Syracuse
With the exception of Maryland/Indiana, none of my throw of the dart picks have worked out too well so far this year. I get to try again here with Louisville. Neither of these teams is an offensive powerhouse, so I imagine it'll be the team who makes the fewest mistakes will win.
My Call: Louisville 21, Syracuse 17
Purdue at Illinois
Glad to have the honor of picking a game that pits two pretty bad football teams. Seriously though, I'm letting the venue make the pick for me. Since this game is in Champagne, I'll to with the Illini. Although it wouldn't surprise me at all if Purdue wins since they do look better and Illinois can't really stop an offense with a pulse. I just don't know if the Boilers have enough of an offensive pulse to pull out this win. Illinois has an offense capable of putting up some points as well which is also playing a factor in this selection.
My Call: Illinois 27, Purdue 24
Florida at Tennessee
Go back 15 years ago and this would be the SEC game of not only the week, but perhaps the SEC game of the year. However, both of these teams have fallen on hard times of late. The Vols appear to be back on their way while the Gators appear to be a team stuck in neutral. My guess is with a week off, Florida will show better than they did in the second half of the Alabama game. However, Tennessee appears to be the team that's better coached and further along in the rebuild phase. Plus the game is in Knoxville, that makes them the pick.
My Call: Tennessee 35, Florida 21
Virginia Tech at North Carolina
Offensive ineptitude vs. Defensive ineptitude in this one. At least the Virginia Tech defense is capable of making a play or two and even though their offense isn't very good, UNC's defense hasn't been able to stop anybody. I'm thinking that will be just enough for the Hokies to even up their conference record at 1-1 in ugly but effective style.
My Call: Virginia Tech 31, North Carolina 24
North Carolina State at Clemson
It was a game effort put forward by NC State at home against Florida State, but their defense just couldn't hold up in a 56-41 defeat. Meanwhile, Clemson's offense exploded with a 50 point outing against UNC. My guess is the Wolfpack won't be as up for this one as they were for the FSU game. Combine that with me liking true freshman QB Deshaun Watson and the fact that this one is in Clemson makes the Tigers the pick to win.
My Call: Clemson 37, North Carolina State 27
Buffalo at Bowling Green
Gotta roll with Bowling Green on this one. They've shown me they can score. This one at home is theirs provided they don't make a large number of mistakes.
My Call: Bowling Green 37, Buffalo 20
Navy at Air Force
Salute to the kids who play in this game as we'll see some of them defending our country. This coming Saturday though, they'll be opponents. Air Force was able to force Boise State into seven turnovers in a win. I think the Midshipmen will do a considerably better job of taking care of the ball than the Broncos did; and that'll be enough for them to get out of Colorado Springs with a high scoring win.
My Call: Navy 33, Air Force 28
Oregon State at Colorado
Ugly game for the Beavers on the road at the LA Coliseum, losing 35-10 to USC. Good news for them is their offense should be able to get back on track against a Colorado team that doesn't play very good defense. Bad news is I think the Buffs could score their share of points against the Oregon State defense. The Buffs are getting better, but I don't think they're quite where they need to be and the Beavs need this one badly. They'll take it by a touchdown in Boulder. Big day for Sean Mannion.
My Call: Oregon State 38, Colorado 31
Michigan at Rutgers
Disaster and ineptitude have taken over a once very proud Michigan program. Wolverine fans are wanting both AD Dave Brandon and the head coach, Brady Hoke, fired. Hard to blame them when the team is resorting to basically giving away tickets; not that anyone would really want to see their team get pounded at home by the likes of Utah and Minnesota. Rutgers isn't what I would call a wonderful team, but their defense will rule this day while the offense will eventually get the ball rolling against a Wolverine defense that isn't horrible, but can't do it all by their lonesome. The calls for the firings of Hoke and Brandon grow louder from the Michigan faithful.
My Call: Rutgers 27, Michigan 14
Memphis at Cincinnati
Hard to believe, but I really like this Memphis team. They shouldn't be intimidated by going on the road to play the Bearcats considering how close they played UCLA on the road and then gave Ole Miss all they wanted for a little over three quarters before falling 24-3 in Oxford. Good news for them is they should be able to score plenty more than the three they put on the board against the Rebels. The Bearcats can't really stop anybody. However, they'll most likely give up more than they 24 they gave up since Gunner Kiel and that Cincinnat offense can score plenty of points. Man... I really want to pick the Tigers, but I'm chickening out and taking Cincy at home by a field goal.
My Call: Cincinnati 41, Memphis 38
Miami (FL) at Georgia Tech
In a pick that I wouldn't be surprised to end up regretting, I'll go with the Canes. I really like their freshman QB plus I'm not quite convinced Georgia Tech is that good. Granted the Yellow Jackets shouldn't have to be that good to beat this Miami team, this is more going on a limb.
My Call: Miami (FL) 27, Georgia Tech 24
Pittsburgh at Virginia
UVA has really surprised me this year. First I made fun of UCLA for being played close by these Cavs, but they came back and upset Louisville a couple weeks later and didn't embarrass themselves on the road on Provo against a good looking BYU team. This week they get to host a Pittsburgh team looking to bounce back from a couple home losses; including a very ugly one last week against Akron. The Panthers make it competitive, but I'm taking the Cavs.
My Call: Virginia 26, Pittsburgh 20
South Carolina at Kentucky
Gotta think Steve Spurrier will have another talk with his team after another home loss; this time at the hands of a Missouri team that got dispatched at home by Indiana the week before. I don't know how much good that talk will do, but I do think they'll bounce back in Lexington with a win. The Cats are getting better under the coaching and recruiting abilities of Mark Stoops, but he is in just his second year at the helm. It'll take a little bit longer before he sees wins over teams that have proven themselves over the long haul. Yes, even when this South Carolina program may be in the midst of somewhat of a transition year themselves. UK puts forth a solid effort though and keeps it close.
My Call: South Carolina 24, Kentucky 16
Boise State at Nevada
My second dart throw pick will be me picking an upset. Give me Nevada.
My Call: Nevada 24, Boise State 23
California at Washington State
If you're a fan of the exact opposite of a defensive struggle I'm expecting the Stanford/Notre Dame game to be, tune into this one if you're lucky enough to get the Pac 12 Network on your satellite or cable provider. I'm not even sure a punter will be needed on either side in this one. But seriously, Washington State has at least proven it can slow down opposing offenses to a degree. The Golden Bears haven't done that, giving up 108 points in their last two games to Arizona and Colorado. Wazzu QB Connor Halliday should be licking his chops for this matchup.
My Call: Washington State 59, California 49
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