This season started a perfect 14-0 on the WL. Your old prognosticator is on a roll, though I admit that most of the first week's picks weren't that tough. This week even picking the W/L is much tougher. If you want to pick along with us, just click the link in each prediction paragraph.
Week two features three conference games, and all three look interesting:
Florida at aTm
Since Isaac forced postponement of the Aggies opener against La Tech, it is tough for me to get a handle on them. Kyle Field is a notoriously tough place on visitors, and aTm does have a lot of pride and tradition going for it.
Florida struggled most of the day against an outmanned opponent. Neither QB seemed to be in take charge mode. Their running game did look better, but that was against Bowling Green. Their defense didn't shine either, with missed tackles being a major culprit. Still, talent wise they are better than the Aggies, who also will start a totslly untested quarterback.
My pick: Florida 24 aTm 16
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/s...ick-Em-Week-Two-Florida-vs-Texas-A-amp-M-(1-5)
Georgia at Missouri
Its the home SEC opener for Mizzou, their baptism of fire in SEC play. I have been seeing Missouri comments demanding respect from their new league. I think they are missing the point. While we do have a certain amount of respect for them, we have no reason to think that they belong at the same level as Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, South Carolina. or Georgia for that matter. A middle of the pack Big 12 team just doesn't translate into a top tier SEC program.
The game itself is interesting, mainly because of the suspensions in Georgia's secondary. Mizzou's qb is quite a dual threat, but he will have to carry a big load, since Mizzou is hurting on the OL and their 1,000 yard rusher has gone down for the year. I wonder if a certain Mizzou DT will still be talking about old man football when the day is done Saturday.
PJs pick: Georgia 38, Missouri 31
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?170207-Week-Two-Pick-Em-Georgia-vs-Missouri-(-3-5)
Auburn at Mississippi State
Auburn hung close with Clemson all the way, and had at shot at winning until very late. Still, there are things they have to be concerned about. Their only TD came on a 48 yerd pass to Emery Blake on what was a blown coverage. Their running game had some long gainers, but the fact that they had to settle for four field goals exposed the lack of a power back. Kiehl Frazier wasn't a catastrophe in the opener, but he hasn't shown the ability to win a agme either. Broken tackles were a problem for their D, but that is correctible.
State had excellent chances to beat Auburn the last two years but let the games slip away. As usual, there is a lot of optimism in Starkville. With Tyler Russell running the offense, the bulldog faithful think that they will step up this year, and actually defealt an SEC West opponent not named Ole Miss. The cowbells will be ringing, and the bulldogs will be celebrating.
PJs Pick: Mississippi State 31 Auburn 21
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/s...Em-Week-two-Auburn-vs-Mississippi-State-(-3-5)
Vanderbilt at Northwestern
Coach Franklin has 'Dore fans and players alike believing the can win. They gave 8th ranked USCe a reak scare Thursday night, but the stout gamecock defense he4ld them off. vandy takes on fellow "brain" school Northwestern this week, in a road test. I like the feisty Dores to pull out a win in B1G country Saturday. Expect Rodgers to have a big day against a secondary nowhere near as good as the gamecocks'.
Pjs pick: Vanderbilt 33 Northwestern 21
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/s...-Em-Week-Two-Vanderbilt-vs-Northwestern-(-3-5)
Washington at LSU
LSU called off their horses early against North Texas. They will come out with all guns firing this week. Its a legitimate NC contender playing a middle of the pack PAC 12 team. Washington will have a sound game plan, but they won't have the athletes to stay with LSU for long.
LSU 38 Washington 17
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?170171-Pick-em-Week-Two-Washington-vs-LSU-(-23)
Notre Dame at Purdue
After last week's home game in Dublin the Irish go on the road to in state rival Purdue. While this rivalry isn't as storied as their one with Michogan or USC, these teams really don't like each other. Kelly should have his system in place now. The Irish roll over the Boilermakers.
My pick: Notre Dame 34 Purdue 27
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?170224-Notre-Dame-vs-Purdue-(-14-5)
Wisconsin at Oregon State
A month ago I thought this was an easy win for the Badgers. But these same Badgers struggled against Northern Iowa, eking out a 26-21 win. Of course it was a hard weekend for B1G teams not named Ohio State. The Badgers should get untracked this time around. As much as I'd like to see Mike Reilly spring an upset, it isn't happening.
PJs pick: Wisconsin 34 Oregon State 28
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?170225-Wisconsin-vs-Oregon-State-(-8)
UTEP at Ole Miss
The Rebs, as expected, struggled in their opener. Meanwhile, UTEP stayed much closer than expected to Texas in their opener. If Nutt were still around this could be an upset. Ole Miss should get by, but again it won't be pretty.
PJ's pick: Ole Miss 27 UTEP 17
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?170169-Pick-Em-Week-Two-UTEP-vs-Ole-Miss-(-7-5)
Georgia State at Tennessee
The Vols were kind enough to give Bill Curry a game. It won't be much of one though. UT plays like they have something to prove in this one. This one is not in our contest.
PJ's pick: Tennessee 48 Georgia State 7
East Carolina at South Carolina
The Gamecocks showed that they have a long way to go on offense in their win over Vandy, but it was a conference in on the road. They will be still working the bugs out this week, but their D will give them a safety margin.
PJs pick: South Carolina 28 East Carolina 7
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?170208-East-Carolina-vs-South-Carolina-(-21-5)
La Monroe at Arkansas
Another warm up game for the porkers. There offense lit up the scoreboard pretty much as expected in their opener,, though Jax State did manage to score 24. In spite of all the cliches about taking it one game at a time, you can bet that the Hogs already have Bama on their mind. Still, they should have no trouble racking up this W.
PJs Pick: Arkansas 38 la Monroe 10
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?170172-Pick-em-Week-Two-ULM-vs-Arkansas-(-30-5)
Kent State at Kentucky
You know its tough times in Lexington when they are only a seven point favorite at home against Kent State. Maybe the game plan will be to muff a few points and let kent State get disoriented and return them the wrong way. I'm sure they are already counting the days in Lexington for Midnight Madness and hoops season. The cats should win this one, but it would not shocj me if an upset occurred.
PJs Pick: Kentucky 24 Kent State 21
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?170200-Kent-State-vs-Kentucky-(-7)
Western Kentucky at Alabama
The Hilltoppers come in fully knowing what they are up against. While they won't quit, they are dreadfully outmanned at every position. Unless we take the field reading our clippings instead of playing football, it will be as one of our members put it, a win by however much we want to win. CNS has never been one to rub it in versus an outmanned opponent. Look for a tune up for the starters, and lots of reserves to see action.
PJs Pick: Alabama 52 Western Kentucky 7
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?170209-Western-Kentucky-vs-Alabama-(-40)
