Top 3 college football picks for the weekend
Top Play: NC State -10 over UNC
I really have to question the Tar Heels’ mentality going into this 0-2 and babbling on offense. Their QB Baker took a big 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 outscored them by nearly a 2-to-1 clip.
These rivalry games are usually close, but the Wolfpack are looking to avenge a controversial loss to the Heels last year, they’re in front of the home crowd and facing an opponent who’s really fighting 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!!!
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 has been the same again: 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 some 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 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 the Wolverines O-Line like they did UNC. If Michigan can run the ball well, it will open everything up.
Michigan at 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’ll still run the ball. Doing this could put Stocco in a bad position later in the game when they have to shoot.
He’s not a huge fan of Lloyd Carr like most, but he’ll get this D into 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 isn’t Stocco.
It’s always tough to go to Wiscy and win, but this edition of the Badgers just aren’t as strong as they were in past seasons.
Regular game: Michigan -2 1/2
Small Job: 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 in 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 attacks. Even though they didn’t score much vs. PSU in the last 2 meetings, they accumulated some yards (AVERAGE 425 in those 2 games).
Also, it looks like NW can’t stop anyone, and you should see PSU break up some big runs, and QB Robinson should have a good day in 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 can. 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
