College Football Picks: Week 3

Saturday September 18:

Kent State at #22 Penn State

Penn State will look to avoid a hangover from last week loss (and learning experience) to #1 Alabama. Look for the Penn State offense to try and discover its running game for the first time this season. If the Nittany Lions continue to struggle running the football, it would not bode well for Penn State’s chances later in the Big Ten schedule. Statistically, the Golden Flashes have the best run defense in college football. In an interesting note about Kent State Quarterback Spencer Keith, his high school team ran an offense in which they refused to punt the football. Now that’s like playing Madden Football in real life.

Penn State 30-17

Georgia Tech at North Carolina:

Georgia Tech will look to rebound from last weekend’s disappointing loss to Kansas. Quarterback Jamar Nesbitt and Tech’s triple option offense often prevents matchup and schematic problems to many teams. Luckily for the Tar Heels, they have had two weeks to prepare for this game. The big question is if Carolina QB T.J. Yates can build on his solid performance two weeks ago against L.S.U.

Georgia Tech 20-17

#9 Iowa at #24 Arizona

Quarterback Nick Foles and Receiver Juron Criner lead a high octane Arizona offense who has cruised to two easy victories over Toledo and the Citadel. The Wildcats though have not faced a defense as tough as Iowa. The Hawkeyes have arguably the best defensive line in the country led by Pre-Season All American Adrian Clayborn and his line mates Karl Klug, Christian Ballard and Broderick Binns. Iowa’s offense (which is often overlooked) is paced by QB Ricky Stanzi, Running Back Adam Robinson, and Receivers Marvin McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos.

Iowa 27-17

#8 Nebraska at Washington

Quarterback Jake Locker will look to add to his pre-draft hype as he faces arguably one of college football’s best defensive minds in Nebraska coach Bo Pelini. Nebraska’s ground game led by Quarterback Taylor Martinez will look to keep Locker off the field.

Nebraska 20-14

#10 Florida at Tennessee

Tennessee kept this game close last year against a much better Florida team. They will look to do the same this year, but they do not have the talent coaching wise after losing Lane Kiffin and his brother Monte (the longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant. Tennessee’s defense will keep it close for a while until the Volunteers offense makes crucial mistakes.

Florida 23-7

Clemson at #16 Auburn

Auburn has surprised many observers this season led by the play of Florida transfer Quarterback Cameron Newton.  Freshman sensation Michael Dyer gives Auburn a solid running game as well.  Clemson has devoured two so called “cupcakes” so far this year. We’ll see how Clemson stacks up against better competition without last season’s workhorse C.J. Spiller. For Clemson to have any chance, Defensive lineman DaQuan Bowers and Jarvis Jenkins will need to control the line of scrimmage.

Auburn 34-20

Notre Dame at Michigan State

This game boils down to the injury status of Notre Dame QB Dayne Crist. If Crist’s vision is still blurred, look for Sparty to roll over the Fighting Irish. If Crist is healthy, this game is literally a tossup. Notre Dame’s offense will face their toughest test yet against All-American Linebacker Greg Jones and his teammates. Look for Michigan State to try and employ a 3-4 defense to take advantage of their depth at linebacker to counter Notre Dame’s multitude of weapons.

Michigan State 31-27