It takes a winner to admit when he’s lost. And it takes only the biggest winner to come back from an 0-5 weekend in College Football Picks. Luckily, I’m that winner.
We don’t have to dive into last week’s rare debacles. Nick Sabban’s ignorance by putting in his 2nd string up by 19 at halftime. Wisconsin’s elementary, run first and run often offense against Florida Atlantic. JT Barrette’s inability to move in the pocket because of the sweatshop cleats Lebron James gave him to wear in the game…
Winner’s get over those completely unpredictable events. Week three college football…
(25) UCLA vs. Memphis: Memphis OUTRIGHT
UCLA is empty on defense. And the line in front of Josh Rosen isn’t anything to flaunt over. Memphis is going to run all over the Bruins, and at home in the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium? Child please. UCLA is going to come out slow, Memphis is going to take an easy 2 score lead into the locker room at halftime. Rosen may heat up in the second half but it’s not going to be enough on the road against a determined team. Memphis is going to take Vegas’s money today. OUTRIGHT.
Final Score: Memphis 32 UCLA 28
Baylor vs. Duke: Baylor +14
Daniel Jones. That is going to be the problem for the Bear’s defense today in Durham. But Baylor is looking to climb out of this absolute quicksand pothole they’ve gotten their selves stuck in over the course of the past couple of months. With the sanctions, being upset by Liberty, and then not being able to handle UTSA? They have to at least keep the Blue Devil’s close today if Matt Rhule wants to keep coaching football in Texas. I’ll give the guy who broke my heart by leaving Temple the benefit of the doubt with the points today, but it will be close. 13-point win for Duke.
Final Score: Duke 29 Baylor 16
Iowa State vs. Akron: Iowa State -10.5
Jacob Park. That is going to be the problem for the Zip’s defense today. Sound familiar? Park threw for 347 yards and four scores last week against Iowa, almost making the state his. I’ll give the Zip’s the first half since they own the home-field advantage, but come halftime – it will be all Cyclone’s. Spread those points like butter on a cinnamon-raisin bagel.
Final Score: Iowa State 45 Akron 21
(3) Clemson vs. (14) Louisville: Clemson -3
Lamar Jackson is one of the most exciting players in college football. And his talent and finesse is unmatched. But, unfortunately for the Cardinals, this is not enough to beat a top 5 team. Overall Louisville is sub-par to the likes of the well-rounded Clemson Tigers. Clemson’s defense had 11 sacks against Auburn last week. And what’s the only way to stop Louisville from having a chance in this game? Putting consistent pressure on their golden boy – Lamar Jackson. This game will be fun, but it’s a long shot for the Cardinals.
Final Score: Clemson 32 Louisville 18
Texas vs. (4) USC: Under 68
If I get this pick wrong I am swearing off USC bets for the 2017 season. I love Sam Darnold. And betting against him every week sucks, especially when he proves me wrong every single time. But I think in this matchup, both offenses are going to screw up often. Texas finally learned how to tackle last week against San Jose State, so they have a shot to keep Ronald Jones tame for a portion of the game. If the defense of Texas can control the score of this game, there is no way this over hits.
Side note: I really hope I am wrong about this prediction because I want this game to be a classic Texas/USC shootout like the ESPN/ABC promo’s have been advertising. But let’s be honest, this is not the same rivalry this season. It’s just not. And because of this, I’ll be laying cash on the under.
Final Score: USC 41 Texas 23