There are a few possible upsets on tap this weekend, along withmarquee non-conference match-ups and interesting SoutheasternConference openers for Georgia and Auburn. Miami and Florida Stateare still up in the air, so we’ll have to keep an eye onHurricane Ivan. Look for the upsets to become more shocking asteams start to bond and star players begin to make a name forthemselves on the field.
Stats from last week: 6-1 straight up, 3-4 vs. spread. Season:8-1 straight up, 4-5 vs. spread.
No. 6 Florida State (+2) at No. 5 Miami, Friday 7 p.m. on ABC— Assuming this game is not postponed for the second time,Miami still wins it by a field goal, 34-31.
No. 3 Georgia (-8) at South Carolina, 4:30 p.m. ESPN —This is it, the week the Georgia Bulldog’s big red hypeballoon deflates. South Carolina will have a significant home fieldadvantage, the Gamecock fans will be wearing all black and are sureto be primed for the upset. The key to beating UGA will be in thesecondary. David Greene will throw for more than 300 yards if FredGibson and company are open, but if he has to wait in the pocket,the defensive front will have time to pressure and likely rattlehim.
The only way USC will take out the ‘Dawgs is to haveconsistency on offense. Quarterback Dondrial Pinkins was solidagainst Vanderbilt last week, but then again any kid starting forthe local pee-wee team could put up respectable numbers against theCommodores. If Pinkins finds a good rhythm passing, which hedidn’t have last year, this game will be close. My picks ofthe week says different, but I’m going out on a limb for thisone.
South Carolina 24, Georgia 20
No. 7 Michigan (-13) at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m. NBC — Myman-crush on the Wolverines won’t allow me to pick againstthem, but them playing the Fighting Irish makes it easier. NotreDame is desperate to bring back the glory days, but the writing ison the wall for coach Tyrone Willingham after last week’sloss to BYU. No amount of luck can help the ND defenders fight offwide receiver Braylon Edwards and the Michigan offense.
Michigan 28, Notre Dame 3
No. 8 Texas (-11.5) at Arkansas, 7:45 p.m. ESPN — Texaswas embarrassed last year 38-28 on their home field when Arkansaswent Hog-wild against them, so this is a revenge game. Vince Youngis developing into a solid QB for the Longhorns and the Razorbacksdon’t have the talent they did last year. Arkansas runningback Cedric Cobbs dominated UT’s defensive front last year,but without a clear-cut, go-to back, quarterback Matt Jones will beforced to make all the plays himself. UT running back Cedric Bensonwill set the tone early against an Arkansas defense that will beforced to keep the team within reach.
Texas 38, Arkansas 14
Marshall (+15.5) at No. 9 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m. ABC — TheBuckeyes appear to be good enough to hang with mediocre teams now.Marshall is not in the Big Mac anymore, but even if they were, theywouldn’t be able to hang with the third-best team in the Big10. Justin Zwick and Lydell Ross lead an OSU offense that will justget better as the season progresses.
Ohio State 24, Marshall 10
Fresno State (+13) at No. 14 Kansas State, 11:10 a.m. —The Wildcats beat Division I-AA Western Kentucky by less than twotouchdowns. Fresno is one of those spoiler teams out there, butDarren Sproles gets it going for KSU, and the Wildcats actually putpoints on the board. People are saying this is a sure upset, but Idon’t see it.
Kansas State 38, Fresno State 21
