It's going to be tough to replicate last Saturday's 5-0 run in college football, but you can't win if you don't play. Like Kevin said, this week pales in comparison to last week in terms of intriguing matchups, with only one game between ranked teams on the slate. (Home teams in CAPS)
WEST VIRGINIA (-10) over Maryland
I would have bet the farm against WVU last week laying 12 at Marshall because Bill Stewart is such a dead fish of a coach that he often fails to get his team up for games against lesser opponents, even if it is an in-state rival who treats the WVU game like their Super Bowl. The Mountaineers seem to do everything better on the fast track at Milan Puskar Stadium, and Maryland's 2-0 record coming into this game should keep WVU from looking past this game and toward next week's date with LSU. The Terps figure to look exactly like the fat turtles they are as they try to tackle Noel Devine. Cheers, beers, and the Mountaineers - by 13 or more.
Florida (-14) over TENNESSEE
I'm backing the Gators by the same logic I used in betting against the Vols last week. You can have all the tradition, all the rivalry, and all the rowdy fans you want, but if you don't have good enough players on the field, you won't be singing "Rocky Top" at the end of the day. Matt Simms (yes, Phil's son) looked lost much of the time against Oregon and won't exactly be in for an easy day here. Tennessee has to play mistake-free to keep themselves in a game like this for 60 minutes. The game seems likely to be close after two quarters but lopsided after four quarters.
Clemson (+7.5) over AUBURN
Tough call here - the only thing I knew for sure was that I'd be taking the Tigers in this game (get it?). Kevin took the other side on this game so having us go opposite ways on the same game would be nice for competition. Auburn QB Cameron Newton attracted a lot of attention with his game against Mississippi State last week, and it will be interesting to see him in true prime time. The line opened at Auburn -6, which tells you the money has come in fairly significantly on the Auburn side now that the going rate is Auburn -7 or -7.5. Kevin has his bet in for Auburn -6, but I think this is a 4-point game either way. If a problem comes up with me using a line that much different from the one he used (i.e. if Auburn wins by 7 and we technically both win), we'll deal with it then.
Iowa (-1.5) over ARIZONA
Neither of these teams has faced a real test yet in this young season, but in what amounts to a coin flip of a game I'll take the team that's less of an upstart. It's only a one time-zone difference for the Hawkeyes traveling to the desert, so what the heck.
Texas (-3) over TEXAS TECH
I feel obligated to pick a side in this game since I'll be in the great state of Texas when it's being played and will probably be unable to avoid it wherever I go - not that that's a bad thing, because this matchup generally provides one of the better games of the weekend. Neither team has played a very significant game yet and I don't think I've seen hardly any of the Longhorns' or the Red Raiders' two games this year, but the gut says go with Mack Brown and the program that is a little more consistent in replenishing its talent. I'll bite my nails and lay the 3 here, but a push or even a Tech upset in Lubbock could very well happen (See what I did there? How's that for a hedge?).
Last Week 5-0-0
Season 7-2-1
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