I was disappointed with my 4-5 mark week 1, especially after starting 4-2. I was pIeased going 27-20 (57.4%) on all 47 lined games. I took away a few things from Week 1, such as, completely overestimating the Virginia Cavaliers who got destroyed by an average Wyoming team. I'm looking to bounce back this week as we welcome the NFL back for another year.

Week 2:

Results (NCAA 5-4 55.5%, yr 9-9 50%; NFL 6-1 85.7%)

College:

(1.) TCU (+9.5) at Texas

TCU will be fired up for this game against inter-state rival Texas. TCU's defense is the real deal and the Longhorns are amist turmoil with suspensions and a poor showing versus Arkansas St. This should be a great game that comes down to the wire.

Pick: Texas by 1

Result: Texas 34, TCU 13 (Loss)

(2.) Georgia (-5) v. South Carolina

South Carolina is legit this year, but so are the Bulldogs. Mitchell returns from suspension for this game, but will probably wish he didn't. The Bulldogs defense is fierce and the crowd at Athens will be rocking. The Bulldogs will take early control of the SEC East with this win.

Pick: Georgia by 13

Result: S Carolina 16, Georgia 12 (Loss)

(3.) South Florida (+7) at Auburn

South Florida is my pick to win the Big East and this game will put them on the map. Auburn looked horrible versus an average K State team last week, and just doesn't have the talent of your typical Tiger team. The Bulls have a ferocious defense led by their outstanding linebacking corps. Upset city.

Pick: S. Florida by 1

Result: S Florida 26, Auburn 23 (Win)

(4.) C. Michigan (-3) v. Toledo

Two big disappointments for me in Week 1. Both teams were handled by improving BCS squads in Week 1. However, C Michigan had to travel to Kansas while Toledo was manhandled at home by Purdue. Toldeo is a poor road team, and this is a showdown in the MAC West, with all teams currently winless.

Pick: C Michigan by 9

Result: C Michigan 52, Toledo 31 (Win)

(5.) W Michigan (Pk) v. Indiana

W Michigan had a tough draw in Week 1 traveling to high powered West Virginia. This week the test is much more manageable with the Hoosiers paying a visit to Waldo Stadium. The crowd will be rowdy for the first Big Ten visitor ever. The Broncos have a strong defense and should be evenly matched with Indiana at most positions.

Pick: W Michigan by 5

Result: Indiana 37, W Michigan 27 (Loss)

(6.) Miss St. (-6) at Tulane

The Bulldogs defense held up farily well against the LSU Tigers in Week 1, especially considering the amount turnovers committed by the offense. LSU is a very powerful team and we can't write off Miss. St. just yet. The Bulldogs and coach Sylvester Croom know this is a must win. The defense will make sure they do.

Pick: Miss St. by 13

Result: Miss St. 38, Tulane 17 (Win)

(7.) Missouri (-6) at Mississippi

Missouri's offense should take control of this game and look for outstanding QB Chase Daniels have a big day. Missouri's offense is potent, but they have some holes on defense. They outscored a much improved Illinois team in Week 1 in game they really dominated except for some untimely turnovers.

Pick: Missouri by 12

Result: Missouri 38, Mississippi 25 (Win)

(Blowout Alert) Maryland (-24) at Florida International

Going back to the well for this one. Maryland is not that strong of a team this year, but FIU is terrible. Granted, Maryland is no Penn St. and FIU is at home for this one. However, Maryland is well coached and simply the superior team.

Pick: Maryland by 42

Result: Maryland 26, Florida International 10 (Loss)

(Underdog Play) Bowling Green (+18) at Michigan St.

Bowling Green pulled the upset at a rebuilding Minnesota last week while Michigan St. destroyed a terrible UAB squad. Michigan St. isn't back in the Big Ten mix yet, although they finally made the right decision at head coach. The Falcons should stick around in this one as they are a much stronger team than UAB.

Pick: Michigan St. by 10

Result: Michigan St. 28, Bowling Green 17 (Win)

Other games: (not recommended)

Boise St. by 1 over Washington
Michigan by 1 over Oregon
Ball St. by 11 over E Michigan
Ohio by 3 over LA-Lfy
Utah by 14 over Air Force
Oregon St. by 7 over Cincinnati
Northwestern by 6 over Nevada
Memphis by 8 over Arkansas St.
Alabama by 6 over Vanderbilt
LSU by 22 over VT
Arizona St. by 25 over Colorado
E Carolina by 8 over N Carolina
BC by 23 over NC St.
California by 22 over Colorado St.
Minnesota by 6 over Miami, OH
SMU by 24 over N Texas
Texas A&M by 24 over Fresno St.
Kentucky by 18 over Kent St.
Iowa by 28 over Syracuse
Rutgers by 21 over Navy
Kansas St. by 14 over SJ St.
Oklahoma by 13 over Miami, FL
Ohio St. by 36 over Akron
Florida St. by 42 over UAB
Hawaii by 35 over LA Tech
Virginia by 22 over Duke
Baylor by 8 over Rice
Oklahoma St. by 19 over Florida ATL
Penn St. by 21 over ND
Tennessee by 9 over S Miss
Nebraska by 9 over WF
Temple by 4 over Buffalo
Wyoming by 27 over Utah St.
UCLA by 7 over BYU
Florida by 28 over Troy
Texas Tech by 26 over UTEP
Washington St. by 15 over San Diego St.
Clemson by 26 over UL-Monroe
Louisville by 38 over M Tenn
WV by 24 over Marshall
Wisconsin by 26 over UNLV
N Mexico by 7 over N Mex St.

NFL Week 1

(1.) Kansas City (+3) at Houston

I'm not buying Houston being a greatly improved team, L Johnson getting a light workload, or the fact the Texans are favored in this game. The Chiefs looked terrible in the pre-season, so what, it's pre-season. An improved defense and a big dose of LJ leads the Chiefs to the win

Pick: Chiefs by 8

(2.) Pittsburgh (-4.5) at Cleveland

I like the Steelers to win the North this year and it all begins with a blowout over the Browns, as usual. The Browns are improving, but they are not there yet. Frye will be at the helm against a strong Steeler defense and the Browns defense will see a lot of Willie Parker and play action passes over the top.

Pick: Steelers by two TD's

(3.) Carolina (+1) at St. Louis

The Panthers have a strong defense and weak offense, while the Rams are the exact opposite. I'll take the defense in this matchup. The Rams are a trendy pick for the "surprise" team this year. I don't see it, not with that defense and having to face the AFC North. Everyone is down on Carolina after a sub-par pre-season, but that is when the Panthers play their best.

Pick: Carolin a by 7

(Blowout Alert) Dallas (-6) v. NY Giants

I actually think the Giants are going to be better than most people think, but they are going down big in this one. The Cowboys are going to be a very good team this year, at home, Sunday Night, blowout city. The Giants should improve by the second half of the season, but they aren't ready for this one. I know these two always play tight games, inner division, this that and the other thing. Cowboys roll.

Pick: Dallas by more than TD's

(Upset Special) Tennessee (+6.5) at Jacksonville

Are the Jaguars really that good to be favored by 6.5? This team seems to make mistake after mistake, sure they have a great defense, but it's not enough. The Titans are young, have an excellent coaching staff, and Vince Young is a winner. J-ville is a tough place to play, especially early in the year, but the Titans are up for the challenge.

Pick: Titans win outright

(O/U) Over 41 Patriots at NY Jets

I think the Jets will hang around in this one and put some points on the board against a banged up Patroits defense. The Patroits will put up some points and this game should clear 41 easy

(O/U) Under 45.5 Cardinals at 49ers

Everyone is expecting a shoot-out in this one, which makes me think it will be more of a defensive battle. I think the offenses might stuggle a bit enabling this game to fall under the 45.5 mark.

Other games (not recommended--in order)

Tampa (+6) at Seattle....Hawks should win this one, but it will be closer than you think
Chicago (+6) at San Diego....Bears pull the stunner in this one
Washington (-3) v. Miami....Skins beat up a weak Dolphin team
Minnesota (-3) v. Atlanta....Vikes run all over the Falcons
SF (-3) v. Arizona...Niners take a Week 1 "must win"
Philadelphia (-3) at GB.....Eagles own the Pack, as usual
Buffalo (+3) v. Denver....Denver always blows an early game
New Orleans (+6) at Indianapolis....If the Saints run the ball, they can pull the upset
Detroit (+1.5) at Oakland...this one will be close, but the Lions will pull it out
Cincinnati (-2.5) v. Baltimore...the Bengals by a TD in big AFC North showdown
NY Jets (+6.5) v. Patroits....Pats will win, but it will be close