Sports

Top 3 College Football Picks for the Weekend

Top Play: NC State -10 over UNC

I really have to question the mentality of the Tar Heels going into this 0-2 and babbling on offense. Their QB Baker took quite a beating against Wisconsin last weekend and will continue to do so unless UNC finds some sort of running game.

This Wolfpack team is much more athletic than UNC and faster than they have seen so far in losses to Wiscy and G Tech. There is no excuse for NC State not to get the job done against V Tech as they kept Vick in check and they outscored them by almost a clip 2 to 1.

These rivalry games are often close, but the Wolfpack looking to avenge an upset loss to the Heels last year, are in front of the home crowd and up against an opponent who is really struggling to move the ball.

NC State QB Davis seems more comfortable leading the offense this year and it could be a long day for UNC D if their offense continues to put its back against the wall.

Wolfback rolls on this one!!!

North Carolina State-10

Regular game: Michigan -2 1/2 over Wisconsin

I had Wiscy last weekend against UNC, and I wasn’t too excited about what I saw outside of the running game. It seems the Badgers’ game plan is back to being the same: run the ball, don’t take 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.

At D, they outplayed a weak team, but still allowed a few passing plays. I’ll credit UNC’s ineptitude as much as Wiscy’s stopping unit for the Heels’ lack of points.

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

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

Not a huge Lloyd Carr fan like most, but he’ll get this D in shape, and I saw a noticeable improvement in ND play. They’ve had trouble with athletic quarterbacks who can run or pass, the kind that Stocco isn’t.

It’s always hard to go to Wiscy and win, but this edition of the Badgers just isn’t as strong as seasons past.

Regular game: Michigan -2 1/2

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

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

Now, in the last 2 years, these teams played a couple of low scoring games, but I see a change in this trend on Saturday. There is a lot of talk about how good Nittany Lions D is, but this is their first test and I think this extended NW offense will give them fits. Even though they didn’t score much vs. PSU in the last 2 meetings, they put up some yards (AVERAGE 425 in those 2 games).

Also, NW can’t seem to stop anyone, and you should see PSU snap some big runs, and QB Robinson should have a good day on the air. I haven’t been a huge fan of Paterno or his offensive plays, but NW opponents realize you have to put points on the board, because they can score as fast as they let them. NW reminds me of some of the MAC teams like BG, Mia Oh, N Ill, etc… that’s their style of play.

It looks like a 35-31 game from my point of view.

NW/PSU OVER 50 1/2

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