I bounced back with an 11-5 (68.8%) week. After a 5-4 (55.5%) week in College I brought my NCAA record back to even (9-9 50%). The NFL season started out with a bang at 6-1 (85.7%) placing me near the top of the rankings at the Sports Monitor. I'm looking to continue on my recent success this week.

Week 3

NCAA

(1.) Pittsburgh (+11) at Michigan St.

Is Michigan St. really 11 points better than Pitsburgh? I'm not sold on this Spartan team, but the Panthers are unproven as well. The Spartans beat down the Panthers last year in Pittsburgh. I think the Panthers will show up for this one and upset an overrated Michigan St. team.

Pick: Pittsburgh by 1

Result: Michigan St. 17, Pittsburgh 13 (Win)

(2.) Washington (+4) v. Ohio St.

If you haven't seen Jake Locker play yet, this kid is the real deal. I haven't been impressed with the Buckeyes this season and am quite surprised they are even favored in this game. Traveling across country entering the hostile environment at Husky Stadium should expose this Ohio St. team. Welcome to big-time college football Mr Locker, if you haven't heard of him yet, you will by this Saturday night.

Pick: Washington by 5

Result: Ohio St. 33, Washington 14 (Loss)

(3.) BYU (-6.5) at Tulsa

The money train is pulling into its next stop this Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Cougars have a solid team and have already been tested by a strong Arizona team and excellent UCLA team last week. BYU should dominate this game as they are a far superior team.

Pick: BYU by 15

Result: Tulsa 55, BYU 47 (Loss)

(4.) Kentucky (+6) v. Louisville

Am I the only one who finds this line strange? Louisville has no defense, this a bitter rivalry, the Cardinals have run the score up in recent history, and we are in SEC country on Saturday night. The Wildcats have been waiting for this opportunity the last few years and will not let it slip away. Andre Woodson might become the Heisman front runner after facing Louisville's swiss cheese defense as the Cardinals become yet another "contender" who gets exposed this week.

Pick: Kentucky wins outright

Result: Kentucky 40, Louisville 34 (Win)

(5.) UTEP (+5.5) at New Mexico St.

I doubted the Miners but they handed me a loss in Week 1 versus a strong New Mexico team and hung with a solid Texas Tech team in a hostile environment. The Aggies outstanding QB Chase Holbrook should have a solid game, but I look for the Miners to keep this one close.

Pick: New Mexico St. by 1

Result: N Mexico St. 29, UTEP 24 (Win)

(6.) Mississippi (+5.5) at Vanderbilt

I understand the Commodores are an improving team, but should they be favored aganist any SEC team by five and a half points? The Rebels should keep this one close as they know this one of the few winnable games on their schedule. I expect a tight SEC battle in this one.

Pick: Vanderbilt by 1

Result: Vanderbilt 31, Mississippi 17 (Loss)

(7.) Alabama (-3) v. Arkansas

Let the Nick Saban era begin. The Razorbacks have lost some talent on defense and The Tide are a much better team than last year. Alabama will send a message to the rest of the SEC this week that they are for real.

Pick: Alabama by 7

Result: Alabama 41, Arkansas 38 (Push)

(Blowout of the Week) Iowa (-17.5) at Iowa St.

The Cyclones are one of the worst teams in Division I-A. Iowa will have no issues running up the score against their hated rivals. Iowa is well coached and has a very strong defense. This one will get ugly early.

Pick: Iowa by 30

Result: Iowa St. 15, Iowa 13 (Loss)

(Underdog Play of the Week) Colorado (+4.5) v. Florida St.

Florida St. almost lost to one of the worst teams in Division I-A last week at home. This team just can't get it together. Colorado should play well in their home opener and keep this one close throughout, potentially even pulling off the upset. The Seminoles will probably pull out an unlikely win based on the talent level of the team.

Pick: Florida St. by 1

Result: Florida St. 16, Colorado 6 (Loss)

Other games (not recommended)

1. S Miss over E Carolina by 1
2. USC over Nebraska by 4
3. Stanford over San Jose St. by 3
4. UNC over Virginia by 1
5. Houston over Tulane by 24
6. Cincinnati over Miami, OH by 14
7. WF over Army by 31
8. Arkansas St. over SMU by 2
9. Oregon over Fresno St. by 25
10. Hawaii over UNLV by 12
11. Purdue over C Michigan by 14
12. Navy over Ball St. by 5
13. Oklahoma St. over Troy by 14
14. Auburn over Miss St. by 17
15. Miami, FL over Florida International by 44
16. Boise St. over Wyoming by 17
17. Arizona over N Mexico by 13
18. Indiana over Akron by 10
19. TCU over Air Force by 6
20. UCLA over Utah by 17
21. Arizona St. over SD St. by 34
22. Oklahoma over Utah St. by 55
23. NW over Duke by 14
24. LSU over M Tenn by 47
25. V Tech over Ohio by 23
26. Florida over Tennessee by 9
27. Illinois over Syracuse by 14
28. Kansas over Toledo by 24
29. Minnesota over Florida ATL by 9
30. California over LA Tech by 37
31. UConn over Temple by 32
32. Wash St. over Idaho by 28
33. Missouri over W Mich by 21
34. WV over Maryland by 17
35. N Illinois over E Mich by 14
36. Michigan over ND by 7
37. Penn St. over Buffalo by 35
38. Texas Tech over Rice by 28
39. Texas over UCF by 19
40. Texas A&M over UL-Monroe by 24
41. G Tech over BC by 7

NFL

(1.) Carolina (-6.5) v. Houston

Watch out for the Panthers when everyone is down on them. I'm not sold on the Texans after beating a bad Cheifs team last week. The Pathers defense should give Schaub and Co. fits all game. The Panthers won't disappoint in their home opener.

Pick: Panthers by 10

Result: Houston 34, Carolina 21 (Loss)

(2.) Minnesota (+3.5) at Detroit

Should the Lions really be favored in this game? The Vikings have a dominating defense and will easily control the line of scrimmage in this one. Expect to see Kitna on his back early and often. Adrian Peterson is the real deal and should have another excellent game against a poor Lions defense.

Pick: Vikings by 3

Result: Detroit 20, Minnesota 17 (Win)

(3.) Pittsburgh (-9.5) v. Buffalo

The Bills gave Denver all they could handle last week in Buffalo, but it will be a different story in Pittsburgh. The Bills are a terrible road team and will stuggle all game versus a solid Steelers defense. The Steelers will win this one at home with thier defense. The Bills will have difficulty scoring points in this one and the Steelers will control the clock with their running game.

Pick: Steelers by 14

Result: Pittsburgh 26, Buffalo 3 (Win)

(Blowout of the Week) Philadelphia (-7) v. Washington

After a dismal performance against the Packers the Eagles head home for a Monday Night game against division rivals Washinton. After a loss, home-opener, Monday Night, against the hated Redskins....enough said.

Pick: Eagles by 17

Result: Washington 20, Philadelphia 12 (Loss)

(Upset Special) Arizona (+3) v. Seattle

The Cardinals are in a must win situation in Week 2, as a home loss to division  favorite Seattle would be devasting. I expect Leinart and the Arizona offense to bouce back this week. The Cards play much better at home and the Seahawks are overrated.

Pick: Cardinals by 7

Result: Arizona 23, Seattle 20 (Win)

(Under 46.5) San Diego at New England

Defense will dominate this game. This is a huge AFC showdown and a potential preview of the AFC Title game. The Chargers defense will bring the house at Brady and the boys, while the Patriots will be up in front of the home crowd on Sunday Night.

Result: 52 pts, New England 38, San Diego 14 (Loss)

(Over 37.5) Oakland at Denver

Surprisingly, I think some points will be scored in thsi game. Sure the Broncos pass defense is dominant, but their front seven is weak. Kiffin is actually bringing some creativity to the Raider offense. Crazy things happen when these two get together, look for that to continue.

Result: 43 pts, Denver 23, Oakland 20 (Win)

Other games:

1. Chicago over KC by 13.....the Bears defense will dominate
2. Green Bay over the Giants by 6.....The Pack are back and Giants have no defense
3. New Orleans over Tampa by 14....the Saints were embarrassed by the Colts and will rebound nicely
4. Cincinnati over Cleveland by 16....the Browns are bad and the Bengals are good, simple
5. Indianapolis over Tennessee by 8......The Titans are for real, but not this week
6. SF over St. Louis by 3....The Rams are hurting and might fall apart
7. Dallas over Miami by 5...The Cowboys are a strong squad and the Dolphins have no offense
8. Jacksonville over Atlanta by 4....closer than the experts think
9. New England over SD by 5...the Pats are in their head
10. Denver over Oakland by 6...the Broncos won't blow this one at home against the hated Raiders
11. Baltimore over NY Jets by 9....if they don't turn the ball over six time the Ravens will be fine