Football Predictions (Week 3)

We're back for Week 3 of the college football season. Predictions are made for games between teams in the Top 25, SEC teams, and Utah teams (Utah, BYU, Utah State, and Weber State). The opening line is used for the spread and can be found here.

Top 25

#12 Kansas at #18 South Florida (-3.5)

After watching South Florida struggle to beat Central Florida in Overtime last week, this game looks ripe for an "against-the-spread" upset. Kansas has not been tested this year, but should be able to pull off the win.

Kansas 28 Central Florida 20 (Kansas covers)

#11 Wisconsin at #21 Fresno State (+1.5)

This game has the makings of a "trap" game for the Badgers and is vital for Fresno State's hopes of breaking into the BCS party. However, Wisconsin's early scare against Marshall should prove to be enough inspiration to leave California with a W.

Wisconsin 31 Fresno State 21 (Wisconsin covers)

#3 Ohio State at #1 USC (-10.5)

THE match-up of the day. Ohio State struggled against lowly Ohio last week, while USC took the week off. I can't help but think that USC is primed to throttle the Buckeyes...

USC 38 Ohio State 14 (USC covers)

#2 Georgia at #24 South Carolina (+7.5)

The Gamecocks shocked Georgia last year in a game that may have ultimately cost the Bulldogs a shot at a national title. Revenge will certainly be on the mind. South Carolina attempts to rebound from a shocking loss to Vanderbilt.

Georgia 31 South Carolina 20 (Georgia covers)

SEC Games

Middle Tennessee State at Kentucky (-16)

So, is MTSU decent, or is Maryland just that bad? I guess we'll know after this one. I got burned by picking against Kentucky in Week 1... I've learned my lesson.

Kentucky 28 MTSU 10 (Kentucky covers)

UAB at Tennessee (-29.5)

After a 2-10 season last year, the Neil Calloway-era in Birmingham keeps sliding downhill as UAB has stumbled to an 0-2 start. Tennessee will be looking to make a statement after the stunning loss to UCLA...

Tennesseee 38 UAB 6 (Tennessee covers)

Rice at Vanderbilt (-7)

Few would've guessed that this game would feature undefeated teams. Can Rice continue their winning ways after their wild win against Memphis? Or will Vanderbilt move to 3-0 and start entertaining thoughts of bowl berths?

Vanderbilt 21 Rice 20 (Rice covers)

Samford at Ole Miss (No line)

The FCS Bulldogs travel to Oxford after a 62-0 thrashing of Faulkner. Ole Miss covers into the game after a heartbreaking loss to Wake Forest. It's hard to imagine this game being close.

Ole Miss 45 Samford 3

Arkansas at #9 Texas (-23.5)

After two weeks of last-minute comebacks against "lesser" (being polite) teams, Petrino's crew heads to Austin. This one will get ugly, quickly...

Texas 49 Arkansas 10 (Texas covers)

North Texas at #6 LSU (-41.5)

One of the worst teams in all the land travels to Baton Rouge to take on the Tigers. Seeing how Appalachian State would probably handle North Texas and seeing LSU dominate App State, this has all the marks of a blow-out of epic proportions...

LSU 52 North Texas 3 (LSU covers)

#10 Auburn at Mississippi State (+10.5)

Miss State is a tough one to figure out. Was the loss to Louisiana Tech a fluke or a sign of dangerous times to come? Auburn seems to have found a QB and shows strength on defense. Suggests a Tigers win...

Auburn 27 Mississippi State 14 (Auburn covers)

Western Kentucky at #17 Alabama (-27.5)

Alabama comes into this game off of a less-than-impressive win over Tulane. Alabama should win, but the question is "Will Bama cover?" A flat performance, reminiscent of last week, will give the Tide a 20-ish point win, while a Clemson-like appearance will see Bama light-up the scoreboard. Let's hope for the latter...

Alabama 45 Western Kentucky 9 (Alabama covers)

Games Involving Utah Schools

UCLA at #15 BYU (-9)

UCLA comes to Provo after a shocking win over Tennessee to open the season. This game will truly be a test of whether UCLA is "back" or just caught the Vols napping. BYU escaped in miraculous fashion at Washington. I'm going with the Cougars since I'm not convinced they have returned to prominence just yet...

BYU 27 UCLA 10 (BYU covers)

#23 Utah at Utah State (+23.5)

Utah State's trek through the 2008 season gets no easier as the Utes come to Logan. The Aggies try to rebound from a 66-24 loss at Oregon. I don't see that happening...

Utah 35 Utah State 10 (Utah covers)

Dixie State at Weber State (No line)

Weber comes off a hard-fought loss at Hawaii after leading 17-7 at the half. Dixie State, an NCAA Division II opponent, comes in with a 1-1 record. Weber should dominate this overmatched foe.

Weber State 41 Dixie State 10