The Big E College Football Picks: Week 3

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LEAGUE STANDINGS

Congratulations to goodoldtk for leading the group in week two with a sensational 22-3 record against the spread. However, our overall leader through the second week of ball is none other than our own burger23 with 36 points.

BIG E: 33-12 (11th place)

Take note that this week's lineup is small and without any FCS gimmes. Every game really counts! Now on to the picks for week 3...

No. 8 Baylor (-35) at Buffalo

Pick: Baylor

I was thinking about going to this game but the prices were kind of high in the 29,000 seat UB Stadium. I don't want to go that bad. The Bears are dealing with some injuries but should get Bryce Petty back this weekend. They might lead by 45 at halftime.

East Carolina (+11) at No. 17 Virginia Tech

Pick: East Carolina

This is tough because both teams are coming off games against ranked teams. I'd favor Va Tech in that situation as they'd be better able to reload a week later but the Hokies might be in for a big let down after defeating Ohio State. This is also a noon game which makes me want to take the points even more.

UCF (+10) at No. 20 Missouri

Pick: Missouri

UCF looked hapless in their opener against Penn State until they switched quarterbacks. I'm selling the Knights this year. This is a year they take a sizable step back without Bortles. Missouri had an easy cover last week against a MAC team and I like their chances to do the same this week.

Kent State (+32) at No. 22 Ohio State

Pick: Kent State

The natives in Columbus are going to get even more restless when the Buckeyes win something like 37-13.

No. 21 Louisville (-6.5) at Virginia

Pick: Louisville

I don't have much faith in UVA, while I think the Cardinals' offense is slowly coming together and will be one of the best in the ACC. The points for a home dog are tempting but I've realized by now not to trust in the original DGT™ head coach.

Wyoming (+43) at No. 2 Oregon

Pick: Wyoming

Speaking of DGT™ Wyoming's new head coach Craig Bohl won the last 3 FCS National Championships and hasn't lost a football game since October 13, 2012. I know nothing about Wyoming but with a legit coach and the Ducks coming off a hard fought win over Michigan State, I'll take the points and see what happens.

No. 6 Georgia (-5.5) at No. 24 South Carolina

Pick: Georgia

I have a feeling this just won't be that great of a South Carolina team this season. Spurrier's done an incredible job in the SEC but the recruiting has to be catching up to him soon. Georgia takes this by a couple touchdowns and is in the driver's seat to win the SEC East.

Louisiana-Lafayette (+27) at No. 14 Ole Miss

Pick: Ole Miss

This Rebel team is legit, you guys.

Army (+28) at No. 15 Stanford

Pick: Stanford

You have to think David Shaw opens things up this weekend to get his offense back on track after being derailed against USC. Using other options besides Ty Montgomery would be a good start.

Southern Miss (+48) at No. 3 Alabama

Pick: Alabama

Southern Miss has fallen on really, really hard times. The Tide will be running the ball 90% of the time by the middle of the third quarter so that's worrisome with a near 50-point spread. Still, Southern Miss likely won't score.

Louisiana-Monroe (+31) at No. 10 LSU

Pick: Louisiana-Monroe

Monroe is 2-0 with wins over Wake Forest and Idaho. Meanwhile, LSU seems to let one crappy opponent every year hang around until halftime. This will be the game where that happens again.

Purdue (+28.5) at No. 11 Notre Dame [Indianapolis]

Pick: Notre Dame

The Boilermakers are due for a beating.

No. 9 USC (-17) at Boston College

Pick: USC

Last year USC lost to Washington State and two weeks later nearly fell to Utah State. In between those games they beat Boston College 35-7. The cross-country effect is something to factor in here, but it's a night game which should help the Trojans. They roll big time.

Tennessee (+20.5) at No. 4 Oklahoma

Pick: Tennessee

This is one of those games in which the football Gods will demand it be closer than the spread. I just know it. I don't think Oklahoma is stacked top to bottom (especially on defense) where they'll be up something like 28-3 at half and hang on to cover. The Vols are moving up slowly and should be frisky this weekend.

No. 12 UCLA (-7.5) at Texas [Arlington]

Pick: UCLA

If Charlie Strong were to make a statement early in his Texas career now is the time. Nope, not happening this week. Brett Hundley will run for his life but he'll do enough Brett Hundley things to score several touchdowns.

Navy (-10) at Texas State

Pick: Texas State

I believe there are quite a few players on the Navy roster from the state of Texas. That means they'll be distracted dealing with family members. That, and Texas State is a sneaky quality team of the lower D-1 ranks. The Bobcats cover!

Rice (+31.5) at No. 7 Texas A&M

Pick: Texas A&M

I have nearly zero faith that Rice can prevent Kenny Hill & Co. from scoring loads of points. Sixty points from the Aggies wouldn't surprise me.

No. 16 Arizona State (-15.5) at Colorado

Pick: Arizona State

There it is. The weekly "This Spread Makes No Sense." I wondered if ASU historically doesn't play well against the Buffaloes but I checked and they are 5-0 out-scoring them 207-61. Perhaps Vegas doesn't respect ASU's defense since they lost so many players and have given up 37 points to Weber State and New Mexico? I don't know, man. I'll take the explosive Sun Devil offense against a team that barely beat UMass last week.