Game of the Week: Bayou Battle

My game of the week is between two 3-0 teams that have not gotten much hype. The Saints are hosting the Dolphins at the Superdome on Monday Night Football. The Dolphins are among the surprise teams in the league. No stat on the Dolphins particularly jumps out at you, but they have found ways to get it done with wins over the Browns, Colts, and Falcons. New Orleans has taken care of Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Arizona. Jimmy Graham and Drew Brees have put together insane stat lines together. They are the best QB/TE duo in the NFL. The Saints' pass coverage has been stellar this year only allowing 184 yards per game through the air. Brian Hartline has been Ryan Tannehill's favorite target for the Dolphins. The 5th-year WR from Ohio State has hauled in 18 receptions for 238 yards and 2 TDs. I am not sure if the Dolphins' secondary can handle Drew Brees and company. The home crowd gives the Saints a big advantage, too. 

My Pick: Saints 34 Dolphins 16

My Pick Record: 2-1

Saturday Nightcap

Today has been full of great matchups, but I am picking the three most intriguing games to watch tonight from 3 different conferences. I am 5-7 with my picks this season and I need to get on track. I am picking the best games from the top 3 conferences. I am spreading the wealth with my picks.

21. Ole Miss vs 1. Alabama

This showcases a very young Rebels team against an extremely experienced Alabama squad. The Ole Miss Freshman class have been great this season. Alabama is coming off a win over Colorado State. They won handily, but were a little shaky at times. If this game was being played at Ole Miss I would go with the Rebels, but it isn't. I think the 'Bama faithful will show up tonight and give the Crimson Tide a little boost.

My Pick: Alabama 24 Ole Miss 17

23. Wisconsin vs 4. Ohio State

I am very excited to watch this game tonight. It showcases probably the two best teams in the Big 10. Wisconsin got hosed two weeks ago against Arizona State, and that is why they aren't undefeated. Both of these defenses have been very good this season. However, I think offense will be superior tonight. Braxton Miller is going to start for the Buckeyes. Melvin Gordon has been the star of the show for the Badgers and is a Heisman hopeful. This game will be close and come down to the wire.

My Pick: Wisconsin 34 Ohio State 27

Arizona vs #16 Washington 

I am very impressed with this Washington team. I believe that they are very good and under the radar. Keith Price is playing at another level this year. I think Rich Rod will have his team ready, but I think that Washington is just too talented. It is tough to travel up north to Washington. The Huskies have a nice balanced attack between the running game with Bishop Sankey and Keith Price's arm.

My Pick: Washington 35 Arizona 13

Game of the Week: Battle in Baltimore

The game of the week consists of two AFC powerhouses. One is in much better shape than the other. The Ravens and Texans will go at it M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Texans are 2-0, but have escaped in both games. they are coming off a 30-24 OT win over the Titans. The Ravens are 1-1 and bounced back last week after a Week 1 loss to the Broncos. However, last week's win came at a cost. Ray Rice got injured and is out today. Matt Schaub has a dynamic WR duo in DeAndre Hopkins and Andre Johnson. Hopkins, who is just a rookie, has put up some big numbers in just two games. This will be a hard hitting game with two tough defenses, but I think the Texans will run away with it.

My Pick: Texans 30 Ravens 13

My Pick Record: 2-0

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Saturday Slate

The slate of games this weekend is pretty weak, but I can assure you next week there will be more high profile games. I am 4-5 this season with my picks. The game of the week is in the PAC-12 between #23 Arizona State and #5 Stanford. The Auburn and #6 LSU matchup should be a good one. Michigan State also is in South Bend to take on Notre Dame. Those two teams always put together some exciting games.

Michigan State vs #22 Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish had a tough time last week against Purdue after a Week 2 loss to Michigan. However, ND managed to escape with a win over the Boilermakers. MSU is 3-0, but has had a rather easy schedule. They don't have to play Ohio State or Wisconsin this season. The coaches at MSU really like their Sophomore QB Connor Cook. He has put up modest numbers so far this season. Notre Dame's D-line is stout and very strong. This game will be very close, but I think it will be a little sloppy.

My Pick: MSU 17 Notre Dame 13

Auburn vs #6 LSU

LSU has gone a little under the radar this season. There defense is strong as usual, but the QB play of Zach Mettenberger has been what has surprised most people. Mettenberger came into the season quietly. He wasn't considered in the 1st-tier of QB in the SEC with Manziel, McCarron, and Murray. He has thrown for 9 TD and 0 INT in 3 games. Auburn has improved this season, but I don't think they are on LSU's level. Nick Marshall is a good QB, but LSU's defense should be able to shut him down.

My Pick: LSU 27 Auburn 10

#23 Arizona State vs #5 Stanford
We all know what happened last week in the ASU/Wisconsin game. The Sun Devils got very lucky . Stanford has been very hyped this season. They had a sloppy performance last week against Army. They came out with the 34-20 win. This game should be very close and the fans in Palo Alto will be very rowdy. The ASU D-line is one of the best in the country. I don't know how Stanford will be able to handle them.
My Pick: ASU 20 Stanford 14

Manning Bowl III

Fanduel.com

It was hard to pick my Game of the Week. It came down to this and the Seahawks/49ers matchup. I had to go with this game just because all of the story lines. This is the 3rd time Eli and Peyton have met up in a real NFL game. There have been some great backyard football games that none of us have seen. Peyton is coming off one of his best performances. He threw for 7 TDs against the Ravens on the opening night of football. The Giants had some major problem last Sunday. They were so close to staging another comeback win against the Cowboys. Eli threw an INT that was returned for a TD in the final 2 minutes. That was just one of six turnovers the Giants had. New York picked up Brandon Jacobs this week after David Wilson had two fumbles last week. The Broncos have so many weapons on the outside. The giants secondary is going to have to be ready. Denver just has so many targets to throw to. The Giants home crowd should give them a boost, but Denver might just be too good. 

commons.wikimedia.org

My Pick: Denver 30 Giants 17 

Saturday Pick'Em

This Saturday is full of huge sporting events. You got some great baseball, the Mayweather/Alvarez fight, but the biggest one could be taking place at Kyle Field in College Station. This Texas A&M/Alabam matchup is one of the most anticipated games i have seen in a while. We all know how exciting last year's game was between the two when Johnny Manziel had the game of his life to lead the Aggies to victory. Well, the Heisman winner is back and there is a lot of scrutiny surrounding him. All eyes will be watching Manziel when he takes the field. However, there are a lot of other terrific games. I am 2-4 on the season with my picks, so this is a big week for me. Here are my top 3 games:

#16 UCLA vs #23 Nebraska

This is a rematch from last year when the Bruins took care of business against the Cornhuskers in LA. This game features two of the most electrifying QBs in college football in Brett Hundley [UCLA] and Taylor Martinez [Nebraska]. Both can stuff the stat sheet with their arms and legs. This game is part of a Big 10 vs Pac 12 challenge. I expect this game to come down to the wire.

My Pick: Nebraska 23 UCLA 20

#25 Ole Miss vs Texas

Ole Miss is one of the most talented teams in the land. Their recruiting class has been stellar for them. Texas is coming off a loss against BYU. Mack Brown is under a little bit of pressure to win. This game will be played in Austin. The home crowd should give the Longhorns a little help, but I don't think it will matter. Ole Miss has too many playmakers and too much talent.

My Pick: Ole Miss 31 Texas 13

#1 Alabama vs #6 Texas A&M

This game has been so hyped up. We all know about the story lines with Johnny Manziel. I expect Alabama's running game to keep Manziel and company off the field. Texas A&M has plenty of athletes  on the outside to help Manziel. the problem is I don't think the defense will be able to slow the Crimson Tide down. The 12th Man at Kyle Field will be crazy, but I can't see how the Texas A&M front seven can shut down the 'Bama running game and when Texas A&M decides to stuff the box AJ McCarron will beat them deep with his favorite target Amari Cooper.

My Pick: Alabama 30 Texas A&M 20

NFL Pick of the Week: We Meet Again

As the first sunday of the NFL season is full of some interesting games, the game I am most looking forward to seeing is a rematch of last year's Playoffs between the 49ers and the Packers. These two teams also played in the season opener last year when the 49ers took care of business in Green Bay. This is a new 49ers team, though. Colin Kaepernick is now the starting QB and has been very impressive. He ran all over this Packers team in the Playoffs last year. The 49ers haven't played a real game since their Super Bowl loss to the Ravens. The Packers have lost legendary WR Donald Driver to the Vikings. San Francisco is favored by 4.5 points. The over/under is 48.5 points. With these two great QB and high powered offenses, I see this being a shootout. Even with the 49ers stellar defense. The big question for the Packers is if they can protect Aaron Rodgers. The O-line is pretty weak and the 49ers will bring pressure with their terrific front seven. Rodgers will need to get rid of the ball quickly. He has a good set of playmakers to work with. Frank Gore should have a big day. Gore will get a lot of touches. This game will be back-and-forth, so I expect it to come down to the 4th quarter. 

My Pick: 49ers 38 Packers 30

Week 2 Rivalries

It is only Week 2 and the college football landscape has already been shaken up. This weekend showcases some great classic rivalries that will be ending. I will pick the 3 most interesting games. After an embarrassing 0-3 last week, my goal is to get back on track and get to .500.

12 Florida vs Miami

This could be the last game between these two in-state rivals. These players know each other from playing in high school against each other and don't like each other. Miami has a strong running attack lead by Sophomore Duke Johnson. A win against the Gators could have a great effect on Miami. The Hurricanes haven't beaten their in-state rival since 2003. Since then, Florida has turned into a powerhouse and a major program and Miami has been weak. It will be tough for Miami, though. Florida's secondary is one of the best in the country and Jeff Driskel at QB is a good Dual-Threat QB. This game will be very close and the atmosphere will be electric.

My Pick: Florida 20 Miami 13

#6 South Carolina vs #11 Georgia
Georgia is obviously coming off a tough loss to Clemson. This is a must-win game for the Bulldogs. South Carolina beat UNC last week. Heisman hopeful Jadeveon Clowney was under lots of speculation for taking plays off and not hustling. I expect him to bounce back. South Carolina has had over a week to prepare for Georgia. The Gamecocks played on Thursday night last week. Aaron Murray is going to have a tough time without his favorite WR Malcolm Mitchell. Mitchell was injured celebrating a Todd Gurley TD last week. This game should come down to the wire, but I think Georgia's running game should carry them to victory.
My Pick: Georgia 27 South Carolina 23
#14 Notre Dame vs #17 Michigan
You have probably heard about the comments that both coaches have said about the rivalry this week. It is a shame it is coming to an end. These are two very talented football teams and a historic rivalry. Brady Hoke has a great respect for the rivalry. Brian Kelly, not so much. Notre Dame and Michigan both have two good QB. Tommy Rees is coming off a strong performance against Temple and the Wolverines have Devin Gardner, who is very electrifying. The Notre Dame front seven is strong once again this year. Michigan will be in trouble if they cannot manage to block the big ND D-lineman. This is the last time these two teams will play at the Big House.
My Pick: Michigan 24 Notre Dame 16