Top 3 College Football Picks for the Weekend

Top Play: NC State -10 over UNC

I really have to question the mindset of the Tar Heels coming into this one 0-2 and sputtering on offense. Their QB Baker took a major pounding against Wisconsin last weekend and will continue to do so unless UNC finds some sort of running game.

This Wolfpack team is so much more athletic than UNC and faster than what they’ve seen so far in the losses to Wiscy and G Tech. No excuse for NC State not getting the job done against V Tech, as they held Vick in check and outgained them at almost a 2 to 1 clip.

These rivalry games are usually close, but the Wolfpack are looking to avenge a contreversial loss to the Heels last year, are in front of the home crowd, and are facing an opponent that is really struggling to move the football.

NC State QB Davis looks more comfortable leading the offense this year and it could be a long day for the UNC D if their offense keeps putting their backs against the wall.

Wolfback rolls in this one!!!

NC State -10

Regular play: Michigan -2 1/2 over Wisconsin

Had Wiscy last weekend against UNC, and wasn’t real enthused by what I saw outside of the running game. Looks like the gameplan for the Badgers is back to the old ways, run the ball don’t take any chances in the passing game. I think Stocco could be a decent passer, but it’s obvious the coaching staff has little faith in him.

On D, they over powered a weak team, but still gave up some passing plays. I’ll credit UNC’s ineptness as much as Wiscy’s stop unit for the lack of points put up by the Heels.

Henne will put up some big numbers in this game. Michigan WR’s Avant and Breaston have a huge advantage against these corners, and Henne will test them all day. Also, don’t think the Badgers will be able to push around the Wolverines O-Line like they did UNC. If Michigan can run the ball well, it’ll open up everything.

Michigan on D will stack the line and force Stocco to make plays. I like Alverez, but he is so stubborn. If Michigan jumps on Wiscy early, he will still run the ball. By doing this, he could put Stocco in a bad position later on in the game when they have to throw.

Not a huge Lloyd Carr fan like most, but he will whip this D into shape, and I saw marked improvement in the ND game. They have had trouble with athletic QB’s who can run or pass, the type Stocco is not.

Always tough to go to Wiscy and win, but this edition of the Badgers are simply not as strong as those of seasons past.

Regular play: Michigan -2 1/2

Small play: Penn State/Northwestern OVER 50 1/2

I started off looking at this one favoring NW getting 7 1/2 at home, and that still looks decent. Just don’t trust the Wildcats defense to make stops, and add the fact that unlike past years, Penn State has some guys with big play ability on offense.

Now, the last 2 yrs, these teams played a couple low scoring games, but I see a reversal in this trend on Saturday. Lot of talk about how great the Nittany Lions D is, but this is their first test and I believe this spread offense of NW will give them fits. Even though they didn’t score a whole lot vs. PSU in the last 2 meetings, they did rack up some yardage (AVG. 425 in those 2 games).

Also, NW can’t seem to stop anyone, and you should see PSU break some big runs, and QB Robinson should have a nice day through the air. I haven’t been a huge Paterno fan and not a fan of their offensive playcalling, but NW’s opponents realize you must put points on the board, because they can score as quick as they give them up. NW reminds me of some of the MAC teams like BG, Mia Oh, N Ill, etc…that’s their style of play.

Looks like a 35-31 type game from my standpoint.

NW/PSU OVER 50 1/2