Hey, it only took me ‘til Week 3 to be running woefully late and forced to do a quick & dirty version of these picks lacking my usual charm & wit. We’ve got to stop choosing Thursday games. Anyway, last week was a decidedly mixed bag. On one hand the Patriots lost, the Steelers won, Zach was thrilled that Ohio St. got beat, & my fantasy dynasty team kicked ass. Conversely, we didn’t do so good with these picks. Penn St. won big…but not big enough. Oregon & Clemson both look to be the real deal. And I have no idea what has happened to the Seattle Seahawks. I was an abysmal 3-4, while Zach fared a little better at 4-3. I’m feeling frisky so we’re doing bonus picks again this week. Buckle up kids!!

My Season:        7-5

Z’s Season:        7-5

 

 

 

 

 

Notre Dame (-13.5)     at      Boston College

The Irish are 1-1 after a competitive loss to Georgia last weekend, while the Eagles are also 1-1 coming off of a beatdown by Wake Forest. I have no doubt Notre Dame will win the game, but I think it’ll be closer that two TDS. Conversely, Zach believes Notre Dame will win easily.

My Pick:     Boston College

Z’s Pick:     Notre Dame

 

 

 

Clemson (-3)      at      Louisville

Both teams come into this showdown 2-0. The Cardinals have two solid wins over decent teams, but I still think they’re overrated. Quarterback Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy last year and is undoubtedly a dynamic player, but football is a team game and I don’t think Louisville measures up in other key areas. Clemson won the national championship last season and, despite the loss of QB Deshaun Watson & other important contributors to the NFL, look like they might be even better now. They’re defense is fierce. I’m shocked that the spread is only three points even though the game is being played in Louisville. I’m predicting that Clemson will easily win by double digits. Zach concurs.

My Pick:     Clemson

Z’s Pick:     Clemson

 

 

 

Tennessee                  at      Florida (-5.5)

The Volunteers are 2-0, while Florida’s game was cancelled last weekend due to Hurricane Irma. They had previously opened the season with a loss to Michigan. The Gators get the home field bump from the folks in Vegas, but The Vibes are telling me that Tennessee might just go into The Swamp and pull off an upset. Zach was so excited about…something, I don’t know…that he forgot to pick this game.

My Pick:     Tennessee

Z’s Pick:     n/a

 

 

 

Texas                  at      USC (-15.5)

So many of us…myself included…thought that the Longhorns might be on the way back to respectability. Not only did former coach Charlie Strong allegedly recruit well (and may have been run out of town a bit prematurely), but new coach Tom Herman has brought a renewed level of enthusiasm. Unfortunately this new era got off to a rocky start with a loss to Maryland, and beating up on San Jose St. last week doesn’t prove anything. Conversely, the Trojans were my pre-season #1 team and are 2-0 out of the gate. The points are a little much for my tastes, but I’m going to roll the dice and live on the wild side. Zach foresees a USC blowout.

My Pick:     Southern Cal

Z’s Pick:     Southern Cal

 

 

Houston             at      Cincinnati (-3.5)

The Tom Savage Era is apparently already over, as the Texans will start rookie QB Deshaun Watson this week. It’s a bold move and I like it. The Bengals were shutout by the Baltimore Ravens to begin their season, so both teams in this matchup are looking for a reboot. I really like Watson, and I think Houston’s defense is better than they appeared to be last week. Cincinnati has Andy Dalton behind center, and that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Zach agrees.

My Pick:     Houston

Z’s Pick:     Houston

 

 

 

Chicago             at      Tampa Bay (-6.5)

The Bears looked better than I expected in a season opening loss to Atlanta. Tampa’s season opener was postponed due to Hurricane Irma so this will be our first look at them. The Bucs are probably the better team right now, so I’m just gonna go with the flow. Zach concurs.

My Pick:     Tampa Bay

Z’s Pick:     Tampa Bay

 

 

 

Dallas (-2.5)       at      Denver

It looks like RB Zeke Elliott might get to play the entire season afterall, so the Cowboys are in much better shape than I anticipated at this point. They had no problems beating the NY Giants last week. Denver lived on the edge in a season opening victory over the LA Chargers, surviving a last second failed field goal that would have tied the game. Every indicator points to a comfortable Dallas win, but…but…I don’t know…I’m not buying it. The Vibes are telling me that the Broncos have a real chance to win. Zach doesn’t trust Denver’s quarterback situation and is making the smart pick.

My Pick:     Denver

Z’s Pick:     Dallas

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