Well, when you’re wrong, you’re wrong.
In week two, I predicted Florida State to pound an Oklahoma team that barely beat Utah State in week one. As it turned out, Oklahoma was the one giving the beating and, in case you were wondering, the Seminole Kool-Aid was delicious, thank you.
This week, there are significantly fewer high-profile games, but don’t confuse quantity with quality. There are some great matchups on hand and it’ll be interesting to see how some of these play out.
No. 6 Texas at Texas Tech (8:00 ET)
THE LINE: Texas -3.5
THE PLOT: The last time the Longhorns went to Lubbock, the Red Raiders threw their way to a thrilling 39-33 upset. This time around, there seems to be a lot of uncertainty on both sides as to how this game will play out. Tech is breaking in a new coaching staff and has yet to face a major test. Texas will be starting its third running back (Fozzy Whittaker) in as many weeks.
Mack Brown and staff insist they’ve been keeping the offensive play-calling vanilla. We have another phrase for it: identity issues. However, Tech’s secondary showed some weaknesses against SMU’s pass-happy run-and-shoot offense.
THE PICK: This one’s difficult. Texas has a better defense and is loaded with talent, but Lubbock at night can be a thorn in anyone’s side. Texas pulls this one out late.
THE SCORE: Texas 27, Texas Tech 24
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No. 8 Nebraska at Washington (3:30 ET)
THE LINE: Nebraska -3
THE PLOT: Nebraska is ranked in the AP Top 10, but this game could honestly go either way. Jake Locker is great, but he will need his supporting cast to step up against a good Husker defense. Heading into 2010, Nebraska’s offense was a big question mark, but with the emergence of Taylor Martinez (Nebraska’s own ‘shoelace’), this offense has suddenly become more dynamic.
With that said, Washington is a tough road environment and I think Steve Sarkisian’s team comes pumped.
THE PICK: It’s a tight, low-scoring and potentially sloppy game, but Washington pulls the upset.
THE SCORE: Washington 16, Nebraska 14
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No. 9 Iowa at No. 24 Arizona (10:30 ET)
THE LINE: Iowa -1.5
THE PLOT: There are lofty expectations for both schools, but let’s be honest, neither of them have proved anything in the first two weeks. It seems like every year is “The year Arizona makes a push in the Pac-10 for the Rose Bowl.” But every six months later the Wildcats come one or two games shy of making it to The Granddaddy of Them All. For coach Mike Stoops, it’s time for his team to start proving it on the field.
Iowa appears to be in contention to win a Big Ten title, but they’ll need a solid road victory to further push their campaign. They also need to win in such a way that doesn’t induce heart attacks on the elderly, a la the last minute of every game.
THE PICK: Iowa is too much as Arizona shows, yet again, they can’t win the big games when it counts.
THE SCORE: Iowa 28, Arizona 20