FBC 2008 Week 3 running thread

I am kind of psyched. I get to sit on the couch and watch for the first time in ages. At least until tonight. I had UNC picked on the moneyline Thursday night and called the over. Had Kansas on the moneyline wrong last night. What a great game, though. I had Baylor called right last night. You know you have problems when you spend part of one day during the week analyzing how the worst of the Big-12 stacks up against the worst of the Pac-10.

Chris, I promise to never say the word Pitt again in my life. I saw a guy I know who played for Pitt last weekend (recruited by Harris, but played also under Wannstedt. When I told him how high I was on Pitt before the season, he laughed at me).

Today's favorites:
Cal giving 14 (or whatever the spread is at) at Maryland. I just think Maryland is sorry and Cal is hanging points on people like crazy. My ACC friends tell me Maryland always plays up to the competition. Maryland struggled with Delaware (who played without their best player) and Middle Tenn State. Cal has been hanging points on people. They covered a 7 point spread against a decent Michigan State team and hung a 66-3 drubbing on a bad Wash. State team.

Penn State giving 28 against Syracuse. Syracuse is one of the five worst teams in football and this includes the Sun Belt COnference. They are brutal and I don't care if this game used to be a rivalry. They don't have the players or the coaching. Penn State put up more than 600 total yards versus Coastal Carolina (whose defense might be on par with Cuse) and beat Oregon State 45-14 (28 points quickly at the beginning of the game to end it right away). The running back, Evan Royster, is really good. Syracuse was pathetic against Akron. I can't believe how bad this program has gotten. At least I get to watch Adrian Dantley's son play quarterback this week.

Western Michigan giving 8 (spread might have gone up) against Idaho. Always look to see who Idaho, Utah State and North Texas are playing at the beginning of each week. Western Mich is not getting enough credit. they will end up one of the top third MAC teams. They got drubbed by Nebraska in week 1, but they have some good offensive players and Idaho can't stop anyone. Jamarko Simmmons is a serious WR for W. Mich and the running back Brandon West had a huge day last week against North Ill. Idaho can't stop a thing. They lost 70-0 against Arizona in week 1, which is not a significantly better team than Western Mich. They beat Idaho State easily, but let's be real, it was really bad 1-A versus mediocre I-AA. That is the only kind of game they CAN win. By the way, I Idaho State is pass happy and Idaho even struggled against it. The I-AA QB went 36 for 65 for 308 yards and 4 TDs. He also threw four picks, though. Western Michigan's passing game is better than Idaho State's. I don't understand why this is only going off at 8. But what do I know?

I LOVE Oklahoma gving 20.5 (or whatever it is now) against Washington. Oklahoma is a machine. Solid all around. Meat and potatoes running game, with a strong line that can take control of games and use ball control, but some really good WRs and an O-line that gives Sam Bradford a week to throw. This offense is averaging 55 points a game. Oklahoma has a killer instinct. That defense clamps down when they get a lead. They are giving up only 1.7 yards per carry on runs. UW is coming off that brutal loss with the penalty call. They are the most one-dimensional team in 1-A. The quarterback, Jake Locker is their entire offense. Oklahoma has already knocked two QBs out of games. That front 7 is amazing. I will be really surprised if this isn't over pretty quickly.

I like UCLA getting 8.5 points against BYU. I think UCLA can win this game, but I won't be bold and take the moneyline. Honestly, this game could go either way. I think 8.5 points is just way too many. UCLA's defense is underrated and I think they will be able to slow down BYU. Also, I know this will get a laugh from some, but Rick Neuheisel wins wherever he goes. I think UCLA will end up higher than people imagined before the season. Also, keep in mind Norm Chow is calling the plays and even though it has been a while, he spent 27 years in Provo and that is where he established himself as a guy who is an offensive genius who can coach QBs (Ty Detmer). He will have something to add to the game planning for BYU's offense. I love the coaching staff Neiheisel has put together at UCLA, starting with Chow and DeWayne Walker.

I like Fresno State on the moneyline against Wiscy. Won't give a big analysis. Wiscy is a good team. Fresno State is supertalented. I think they are a team on a mission to crack the BCS, and they have the ability to do it. I expect it to be close, but I think Fresno State is going to win. I'm not super confident in this one, but I like it.

I like USC to cover the 11 (or whatever it is) against Ohio State. I think as the season plays on, it is going to become apparent that there is USC and then there is everyone else. Only Oklahoma will come close. I could see this easily being a 2 or 3 touchdown win. I'm not super confident in this one, but I like it.

My one upset -- I wouldn't bet this heavy, because I will probably be way wrong -- would be Temple on the moneyline against Buffalo. I have this irrational love of Temple this year.

There you go. Come and mock me tonight after it is all done.