The Big E College Football Picks: Week 3

Don't let Notre Dame's loss affect your picks now. We've got a long season of pick 'em left.

LEAGUE STANDINGS

Our new overall leader after week two is Broke Rotary Cups who went 20-6 last week and now has a one game lead over panhandleleprechaun. Our own CW is just two games back while I improved a bit and now sit 5 games back from the leader.

Air Force (+23.5) at Boise State

Pick: Boise State

AFA was really disappointing last week and I don't see them playing well on the blue turf.

UCLA (+4.5) at Nebraska

Pick: UCLA

Tough pick here. I think the Cornhuskers hold down home field but the Bruins offense is forcing me to take the points.

Bowling Green (+2.5) at Indiana

Pick: Bowling Green

Indiana still can't stop people and Bowling Green is legit.

Stanford (-29) at Army

Pick: Stanford

The Cardinal could take it easy here, grind down the Black Knights, and still easily cover. Army probably won't score either which helps covering such a large spread.

Virginia Tech (-7.5) at East Carolina

Pick: Virginia Tech

I'm banking on the Va Tech defense shutting down an East Carolina rushing game that has only gained 144 yards against two weaker opponents so far this year.

Fresno State (-9.5) at Colorado

Pick: Fresno State

Colorado has shown a pulse this year which is a step up for them, but that Fresno offense can pile on the points in a hurry.

Boston College (+14) at USC

Pick: USC

Yes, the Trojans have been a tire fire this season but their defense has played really well so far. There's nowhere to go but up and they just have to play better on offense.

Georgia Tech (-8.5) at Duke

Pick: Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets are coming off a week two bye while Duke looked just okay on the road against Memphis. I'm taking the well rested Fighting Johnsons.

Alabama (-7.5) at Texas A&M

Pick: Texas A&M

It'd be shocking if the Aggies won this game. Or would it be? This should be the game where A&M realizes its defense isn't quite up to snuff but that shifty bugger Manziel can get a back door cover no problem.

Ball State (-3.5) at North Texas

Pick: Ball State

What goes into Yahoo! featured game picks, I wonder?

Northern Illinois (-28.5) at Idaho

Pick: Northern Illinois

Idaho is terrible and has been blown out by North Texas and Wyoming. It'll be a field day for Jordan Lynch and Northern Illinois coming off a bye.

Washington (-9.5) at Illinois

Pick: Washington

Illinois raised some eye-brows last week with a butt-whoopin' of Cincinnati. Is it enough for me to pick them against a more talented Washington team? No, it is not.

UCF (+5.5) at Penn State

Pick: Penn State

Hackenburg is slinging the ball really well, O'Brien has the Penn State offense opening up a little bit, and I like them to cover by at least a touchdown in Happy Valley.

Ohio State (-16) at California

Pick: Ohio State

This spread was off all week with the uncertainty surrounding Braxton Miller. Even if Miller is out or doesn't play much Kenny Guiton should have a lot of success against an awful Cal defense.

Miss State (+6) at Auburn

Pick: Miss State

Just feels like a few too many points for an Auburn team that still hasn't played an SEC game yet.

Memphis (+7.5) at MTSU

Pick: Memphis

Another gem of a game.

Maryland (-6.5) at UConn

Pick: Maryland

Honestly, this might be the most fascinating game of the weekend. Okay, that's a bit much but

Notre Dame (-20.5) at Purdue

Pick: Notre Dame

Purdue hasn't beaten a good Irish team in 40 years. Will they cover, though?

UTEP (-5) at New Mexico State

Pick: UTEP

Is there a worse program in the country than New Mexico State?

Oregon State (+3.5) at Utah

Pick: Oregon State

This is straight up free money. If I did a lock of the week this would be it. I will be shocked if the Beavers don't cover here.

Wisconsin (+5.5) at Arizona State

Pick: Wisconsin

I'd probably pick ASU here if it was straight up but this is a few too many points to a Sun Devil program that hasn't proven it can play with a team of the caliber of Wisconsin. Does that make sense?