Picks of the Week

West Virginia (-2 1/2) over Colorado
Maybe this is more heart than logic. West Virginia is too talented to open 1-2, but the Mountaineers were out of synch against East Carolina and if the same happens in Boulder the Buffaloes will win. But I’m going with Pat White and a re-energized defense.
Pick: WVU 35, Colorado 24

Miami (-4) over Texas A&M
I’m not a big fan of rotating quarterbacks. It may work at Miami, but I like Robert Marve just a smidgen more than Jacory Harris. Marve should come into his own at College Station when the Hurricanes try to make it two in a row over the Aggies. Mike Sherman could use this win to get the vocal A&M fans on his side. The Aggies defense, which is ranked 11^th in the Big 12, will have its hands full.
Pick: Miami 40, Texas A&M 10

Troy (+21 1/2) over Ohio State
I admit it, I don’t know too much about Troy State. This isn’t an upset pick. I’m taking Troy and the points. The Buckeyes have been sluggish the past two weeks, including an embarrassing whipping at USC. OSU will still be in a funk Saturday and find a way to pull out a close win over the Trojans in the Horseshoe.
Pick: OSU 27, Troy 7

Florida (-7) over Tennessee
This shouldn’t be a very shocking pick, but these two teams always seem to beat the other when they are the underdog. Not this year. The Gators learned a lot in the tough victory over Miami and they are getting better each week. Urban Meyer needs to gain some confidence in a running game and use Percy Harvin, Chris Rainey, etc. Tennessee learned something from its season-opening loss to UCLA—that it really sucks and Phil Fulmer could announce his retirement soon.
Pick: Florida 34, Tennessee 14

Upset special

Ball State (+3 1/2) over Indiana
Indiana is 2-0 with those impressive wins over Western Kentucky (31-13) and Murray State (45-3). Junior Kellen Lewis is solid at quarterback, but I like Ball State junior Nate Davis. The Bellaire, Ohio, native is more agile and has a better arm. Davis will lead the Cardinals at Memorial Stadium. Ball State blows this game if the defense can’t cause any turnovers.
Pick: Ball State 30, Indiana 28