Pick against Alabama once, shame on you.
Pick against Alabama twice, shame on me.
Last week, I picked against the Crimson Tide for the second consecutive time, thinking they wouldn’t be able to cover a double-digit spread against a ranked Penn State team on the road. Alabama coach Nick Saban mocked me by throttling the Nittany Lions, 27-11.
I got some vindication in the nightcap, though, when Michigan rallied to score 14 points in the final 72 seconds of the game to win a wild-west shoot out against Notre Dame.
But with a new week comes a whole new set of picks.
 
Nebraska (-16.5) over Washington
Nebraska and Washington squared off twice last season, oddly enough, and split the two meetings.
The Cornhuskers dominated the Huskies in Washington in September, winning by a score of 56-21. Washington got its revenge at the Holiday Bowl, upsetting Nebraska 19-7.
Nebraska coach Bo Pelini and quarterback Taylor Martinez won’t forget the embarrassing performance they had in San Diego last December.
Huskers win big.
 
Texas (-3.5) over UCLA
Let’s face it, having a McCoy under center at Texas just feels right.
Texas quarterback Case McCoy – yes, he’s Colt’s younger brother – will make his first start for the Longhorns on Saturday in the Rose Bowl. Rick Neuheisel’s UCLA team has been unimpressive en route to a 1-1 start, losing on the road to Houston and defeating San Jose State by 10 points at home.
Don’t mess with Texas — not this weekend, at least.
 
Louisville (+6.5) over Kentucky
I don’t recommend watching this game because it will kill your interest in football immediately.
But since it involves a Southeastern Conference team, I felt obliged to include it here.
Both teams have been abysmal this season, though Kentucky is 2-0.
Louisville is coming off an upset loss to Florida International and cannot afford another gut wrenching loss.
Expect Louisville coach Charlie Strong to have his troops ready to take home a win.
 
South Carolina (-17.5) over Navy
South Carolina has too much offensive firepower for Navy to keep pace with them. The big question will be if Navy’s ball-control offense can run enough of the game’s clock to keep the Gamecocks from making the score ugly.
From the way Carolina has put up crooked numbers through two games, it won’t matter how long they have the ball. They’re going to score, and they’ll score in bunches.
 
Alabama (-45.5) over North Texas
As I said, I learned my lesson about picking against Alabama.
I’m taking Saban and running back Trent Richardson to see if I can get the blessings of former Tide headman Bear Bryant back on my side.
 
Auburn (+3) over Clemson
Auburn coach Gene Chizik made a deal with the devil.
That’s the only logical explanation for the way his teams have miraculously won games during the past couple of seasons.
After recovering an on side kick late in the fourth quarter to win against Utah State and stopping Mississippi State on the half-yard line as time expired, the Tigers look to be blessed again. The nation’s longest active winning streak continues this weekend in Clemson.
 
Vanderbilt (+1) over Ole Miss
This one a true toss up. Neither team has been overly impressive, but both teams have found ways to win up to this point.
The game is in Nashville so I’m taking the Commodores.
 
Florida (-9.5) over Tennessee
Florida dominated opponents through the first two weeks, but this is its first stiff test.
Tennessee and quarterback Tyler Bray showed their mettle against Cincinnati last week in a 45-23 victory.
The Gators, although untested, have more talent and a better coaching staff. Not to mention the game is at The Swamp.
Gators chomp the Vols.
 
Oklahoma (+3) over Florida State
Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel is as electric as anyone in the country and coach Jimbo Fisher has done a fine job bringing his team back to the nation’s forefront.
But Oklahoma has just too much experience under center in quarterback Landry Jones, and that will come in handy on the road.
Sooners take a nail biter.
 
LSU (-3.5) over Mississippi State
Before the season started I pinned this match up as one of the games LSU would lose.
I still believe Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen is one of the best in the country and will continue to make the Bulldogs annual contenders.
But after last week’s hard fought and heartbreaking loss at Auburn, I think the short week will cause problems for State’s morale and game planning abilities.
Tigers win a close, physical game.
 
Last week’s record: 7-3
Overall record: 13-7
 
Rob Landry is a 23-year-old mass communication senior from Mandeville, La. Follow him on Twitter @RobLandry85.
 
______
Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]