2017 Week 3 Preview

The big story of the weekend was, of course, Hurricane Irma. Five games were canceled in advance of this storm. If anyone in Florida reads this, I hope you made it through safe and sound! On the field, the story was OU beating Ohio State in the Shoe. USC showed us that maybe those people in Vegas (and a girl from Vegas) actually know what they are talking about sometimes. Clemson held Auburn to just 2FGs and Georgia held on for a one-point win in South Bend. It was a packed weekend of college football.

How I Fared: 5-1 last week, 11-1 overall

Notable Games
3Clemson at 14Louisville
Clemson’s defense has been extremely impressive this season. In their two games they have only given up 3FGs. Louisville’s offense probably won’t be kept out of the endzone. Lamar Jackson was Lamar Jackson last week, throwing for nearly 400 yards and 3TDs and rushed for 3TDs. That’s great, but UNC’s defense isn’t Clemson’s. The Cardinal’s defense isn’t good. They have given up 63 points in two games (28 to Purdue and 35 North Carolina). The Clemson offense will need to do better this week, but I think their defense will get to LJ and make him make quick decisions. Clemson also sacked Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham 11 times last week. That’s a lot.
I am picking Clemson

Texas at 4USC
On paper, this shouldn’t be a game. USC should win comfortably. But football isn’t played on paper. This week, USC has done something that has Texas fans a little riled up. The Trojans have listed their record vs Texas as 4-0. They are claiming their loss to Texas in the 2005 National Championship game was vacated. Wins are vacated, losses aren’t. That being said, on the USC end, they did go 0-0 in 2005 according to the NCAA. So technically, on the USC side, that loss didn’t happen. On the Texas side, they have that win. I like the mind games, but USC definitely lost to Texas and they are 4-1 in reality, which is what I care about. I think this game will be closer than people think, at least early. A Texas win wouldn’t surprise me all that much, but I don’t think they will win.
I am picking USC

18Kansas State at Vanderbilt
I went back and forth on this one. Kansas State has played Central Arkansas and Charlotte. Now, a 110-26 margin of victory is impressive, but given the competition, it doesn’t tell me much. Vanderbilt’s two wins don’t tell me much either. Vanderbilt’s defense is strong and will be much better than what KSU has faced. ‘Dores QB Kyle Shurmur is much improved and will have to have another great game. This game should tell us if Kansas State really does deserve their ranking.
I am picking Kansas State

19Stanford at San Diego State
Stanford will be licking their wounds after a thrashing by USC. SDSU got a good win over Arizona State where RB Rashaad Penny rushed for 216 yards and a TD. Donnel Who? (Donnel Pumphrey is just the NCAA’s all-time career rushing leader with 6,405 yards). I think the Aztecs are going to put up a very strong fight. In the end, I think SDSU will get tired and Stanford will overpower them. If the Cardinal overlook this team, they could be looking at a second straight loss.
I am picking Stanford

23Tennessee at 24Florida
Florida hasn’t played since their opener against Michigan. The suspensions are still going on, so I don’t think their on the field play will be much better. The offense was dismal at best. Besides the back-to-back pick sixes, the defense wasn’t great. Tennessee squeaked by with a win over Georgia Tech back in week one. They didn’t have any trouble with Indiana State. This is a huge game in the SEC East. Quarterback play will decide the winner in this one.
I am picking Tennessee

Ole Miss at California
This is another interesting one. California is 2-0 and has a good win at North Carolina. Ole Miss struggled early in both of their games so far this season, but ended up winning both of them by a decent margin. There are some outside distractions for Ole Miss with the ongoing NCAA investigation. Even with this, I think they will come out on top. This could be a big statement game for the Golden Bears. They have a good chance at beating an SEC West team. I think this one will be pretty close. And we all know how much fun #Pac12AfterDark can be.
I am picking Ole Miss

Top 25
Colorado State at 1Alabama
Tulane at 2Oklahoma
Georgia State at 5Penn State
Fresno State at 6Washington
Air Force at 7Michigan
Army at 8Ohio State
9Oklahoma State at Pittsburgh
10Wisconsin at BYU
11 Florida State BYE (game vs Miami moved to October 7)
12LSU at Mississippi State
Samford at 13Georgia
Mercer at 15Auburn
16Virginia Tech at East Carolina
17Miami BYE (game at Florida State moved to October 7)
SMU at 20TCU
Oregon State at 21Washington State
Illinois at 22South Florida (Friday)
25UCLA at Memphis

Other Games
Louisiana at Texas A&M
Baylor at Duke
Coastal Carolina at UAB
Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky
Tulsa at Toledo
Oregon at Wyoming
Kentucky at South Carolina
Arizona State at Texas Tech