2009 College Football - Week 3

After a weak slate of games in Week 2, this week brings plenty of good matchups in college football. The potential for upsets is there as well as chances to grab early leads in the conference standings. Picking the top 15 games wasn't easy with so many to choose from but it has been done.

I fared better in Week 2 than in Week 1, correctly picking 10 out of 15 games. That moves my overall record to 18-12 on the year. Not great but not awful. Let's see if I can make it a perfect 15-0 this week.

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. Tennessee @ #1 Florida - This game will probably be a huge blowout but that's what will make this game so much fun. All the offseason chatter from Lane Kiffin comes down to this game in Gainesville. Tennessee is coming off an awful loss to UCLA while Florida is fresh off a big beatdown of Troy. I hope that this game is close just to make Gator fans squirm a bit. FLORIDA wins easily.

BEST OF THE REST
2. #17 Cincinnati @ Oregon State - Cincy is slowly moving up the top 25 ranks, thanks to big offensive performances by Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard. But this week is their first real test, taking on the Beavers in Corvallis. Jacquizz Rodgers will be key if ORST wants to pull off the upset. But the biggest key will be their defense, which isn't the strongest. Last week, the Beavers barely escaped with a 23-21 over UNLV. That performance convinces me they don't have what it takes right now to beat CINCINNATI.

3. #14 Georgia Tech @ #20 Miami (FL) - This is a big one for both teams. GT got their first conference win last week in a thriller against Clemson. Miami (FL) won their first and only game at FSU in what was the coming out party for QB Jacory Harris. Last year, this was a fairly easy 41-23 win for the Yellow Jackets. And after a scare with Clemson, don't expect GT to come out or finish slow. GEORGIA TECH wins by double digits.

4. #3 USC @ Washington - On paper, there really isn't a reason this game should be close. Washington won their first game in 14 tries last week while USC is 3rd-ranked team in the nation and the Pac-10 powerhouse. But here are some things to look at. USC QB Matt Barkley may not play and if he does, will not be 100%. Washington is led by junior QB Jake Locker, probably the best QB in the Pac-10. The Huskies are coached by former USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who no doubt will want to take down his former boss. And lastly, the game is being played in Seattle, a tough place to play no matter how good the Huskies are. Last year, USC tripped up against Oregon State. Don't be surprised if the Huskies pull off this upset. With all that said, I don't have the guts to pick Washington so I'll pick USC.

5. #19 Nebraska @ #13 Virginia Tech - Before the season started, I called this one of the better non-conference matchups of the year. I stand by that statement. Nebraska has jumped out of the gate 2-0, racking up 984 yds in the process. Meanwhile, VT took one on the chin to Alabama and now sit at 1-1. VT hasn't loss a non-conference game at home in their past 31 tries. Count on that streak top stop there. I'll go with NEBRASKA in a slight upset, thanks to their defense and costly turnovers from the VT offense.

6. Texas Tech @ #2 Texas - I'm surprised Gameday went to Austin this week for this game. While the rivalry has grown and last year, was an instant classic with the Michael Crabtree catch at the end, this game doesn't deserve its top billing. Texas has rolled in their first two games and are pretty much unbeatable at home. Texas Tech is without Graham Harrell and Crabtree and still have a defense that is prone to giving up tons of points. The bright spot for the Red Raiders is that the new QB, Taylor Potts has thrown 9 TD in two games. But he hasn't played in a big game like this before. On the other hand, Colt McCoy has been in a ton of them. TEXAS gets revenge, big time.

7. Florida State @ #7 BYU - FSU is coming into this game on shaky ground. The loss to Miami (FL) hurt but then, having to struggle against Jacksonville State had to hurt more. It doesn't get any easier for the 'Noles who now have to travel to BYU and face QB Max Hall and the Cougars. This is a huge game for BYU, who find themselves in the top 10 in just Week 3 of the season. There's a real possibility this team could be in the top 5 by the mid-October. A convincing win here would help voters feel okay with doing that. BYU wins with ease.

8. #18 Utah @ Oregon - Oregon fans had to know this would be a tough September just by looking at their schedule. But I doubt that they thought it would be this tough. A loss to Boise State, an escape from Purdue, and their star RB suspended for the season. Now, they have to face a talented Utah team, who is known to pull off the upset. These are critical times in Oregon, who have Cal next week at home. A win here will go a long way in getting some confidence into this team. Too bad UTAH is gonna keep that from happening.

9. Michigan State @ Notre Dame - A battle of unranked 1-1 teams who lost to inferior teams from Michigan. Couple weeks ago, this looked like a matchup of top-25 teams but now, the loser falls to 1-2 in September. MSU should have won their game with CMU, if not for the perfectly executed onside kick. But a loss is a loss, and a bad one considering it was in East Lansing. Notre Dame never was in real control of their game with Michigan and in the end, couldn't stop Tate Forcier and the Michigan offense. This week's matchup is in South Bend, which should provide a lift to a Notre Dame team that really needs one. That's enough for me to choose NOTRE DAME in a close game.

10. #10 Boise State @ Fresno State - For the first time this season, the Broncos leave the blue field. So far, it's been all good, with wins over Oregon and Miami (OH). But playing at Fresno State may be their toughest game yet. The Bulldogs usually play Boise State tough, though last year the Broncos won 61-10 in a rare blowout. The Bulldogs are fresh off a close loss at Wisconsin so they come in with some confidence. But BOISE STATE is too talented to lose their WAC opener.

11. #8 California @ Minnesota - Cal couldn't be playing any better right now. Jahvid Best is running wild and QB Kevin Riley is playing mistake-free football. The Golden Bears better do the same if they want to escape Minnesota with a win. The Gophers aren't the best team but they are good enough to pull off this upset at their new shindig. Plus, with it being a noon game, expect Cal to start slow. But look for Cal to control this game with their running attack. Minnesota keeps it close but CAL comes away with the win.

12. Tulsa @ #12 Oklahoma - Oklahoma QB Landry Jones played well against Idaho State, but who wouldn't. Now, Jones has to score with Tulsa, who has led the nation in total offense the past two years and is 10th in points scored right now. Tulsa's defense isn't overly amazing but if their offense can keep up with Sooners offense, this one could stay close for 3 quarters. But OKLAHOMA should come away with the victory.

13. Navy @ Pittsburgh - Navy came into Columbus and showed no fear in a near-upset of Ohio State. Expect that same Navy team to invade Pittsburgh. Pitt is coming off a dominating win over Buffalo and on a mission to get into the national spotlight. Dave Wannstedt has recruited well and this team is his best chance yet in winning the Big East. Navy should keep this one close, just as they did against OSU, but I'll go with PITTSBURGH to avoid the upset bid.

14. West Virginia @ Auburn - Remember when this game would be a matchup of top 15 teams? Now, it's a game between two teams trying to become household names again. WV is the better team but don't ever count out a team like Auburn who knows a win like this would get them some attention. Not to mention with new coach Gene Chizik, they're hoping for a substantial boost this season. I'm torn on who will win but since I have to choose, I'll pick AUBURN at home.

15. #23 Georgia @ Arkansas - UGA has to feel better about their offense after last week's 41-37 win over South Carolina. But they can't feel good about their defense. It gave up 37 points and pretty much let South Carolina drive up and down the field. Arkansas has only played one game so they've had two weeks to prepare for this game. QB Ryan Mallett has a strong arm and this is an Arkansas team that like to sling it. I don't expect the UGA offense to score as easily as last week but I do expect the defense to struggle. So in my APPY of the week, I'm taking ARKANSAS at home.

OTHER GAMES
#11 Ohio State vs. Toledo (in Cleveland) - An important bounce back game for Ohio State after the heartbreaking loss to USC. Playing a MAC team like Toledo should be just what the doctor ordered. If this game were in the Glass Bowl, I'd give Toledo a fighting chance. But with it at a neutral site, the chances of an upset are even worse now. Look for Jim Tressel to run up the score this week too, to quiet critics from last week. OHIO STATE 41, Toledo 13

Cal-Poly @ Ohio - I don't know anything about Cal-Poly besides the fact they are not an FBS team. What I know about OU though is that they are coming off a huge win at North Texas. It's not huge because of the opponent, but because of confidence. Last year, the Bobcats lost close game after close game. So to win one in dramatic fashion in overtime should be a big confidence boost. Now with a home game against a truly inferior team should add to that confidence before traveling to Knoxville to face the Vols. OHIO 34, Cal-Poly 10