College Football: Against The Spread

How do they say it?  Smoke ’em if you got ’em….

Well, we’re smoking em right now, as we enter week three on a two game winning streak.  No need to play five to ten games a week, because as in weeks one and two, we gave you one to play.

In week one, we saw Iowa State as a 1.5 point home underdog, win outright, and last week we had Arizona as a 10.5 home underdog, and they rolled Oklahoma State.

One shot, one kill.

Doesn’t matter does it?  All spends the same, so lets get this money while the getting is good.

Each and every week, we base our picks on a 1* – 3* system, with a 3* being our top play.  Let’s get to this weeks picks.

College Football:  Against The Spread.

2*  Georgia Tech -10

I’m riding with one of my favorite coaches in the land here, that’s right, Paul Johnson.  The man who defines “Old School”.

I mean this guy doesn’t even carry a play sheet.  Just rolls off the top of his head.

The Jackets will be trying to exact revenge after last season when they rolled into Charlottesville 6-0, and ranked No. 12 in the country.  Unfortunately for the Jackets, they were shot down like one of Saddam’s ole scud missiles.  Virginia used a 24 point first half effort and held on to win 24-21.  Not this time, nope, not going to happen.

Georgia Tech lost a hard fought battle on Labor Day night to the Virginia Tech Hokies.  That was a game the Jackets should have won.  But, as you all know, shoulda coulda woulda…

Although I wasn’t overly impressed with Tech’s offense, I was impressed with their defense.

Look for Tech’s defense to be the key to victory here as Virginia is banged up on offense.  Jeremiah Attauchu and Quayshawn Nealy are two of the top linebackers in the ACC, and I expect those guys to really get after Cavaliers quarterback Michael Rocco.

Unknown to many, is the fact the Jackets boast one of the top secondaries in the country.  Louis Young is expected back after missing the first two games with an arm injury.  Young, along with Jamea Thomas and Rod Sweeting, will lock down a below average Virginia receiving corp, who likely will be missing sophomore Tim Smith, who is listed as doubtful.

Look for the Jackets to get their revenge and cover the 10, Georgia Tech rolls 38-13.

2*  Ball State +3.5

The Ball State Cardinals will be trying to win their third straight game versus in-state rival Indiana.  The Hoosiers are the big boy in the state, but the Cardinals have a ton to play for.  Many of their players were not recruited by the “Big Boy” and that is a factor.

Ball State comes into this game expecting to win.  They also come in with the eighth ranked rushing offense in the country.  The Cardinals are averaging 290 yards per game on the ground, and have two outstanding running backs.

Jahwahn Edwards ran for 200 yards and three scores in the Cardinals opening week win over Eastern Michigan.  Not to be outdone, true freshman Horactio Banks rushed for a buck-20, and two touchdowns last week versus Clemson.

Whenever I’m looking to back a small conference underdog, quarterback play is key to me.  Junior Keith Wenning, a three year starter, will take the snaps for the Cardinals and should get their fast pace offense rolling early and often.

Speaking of quarterbacks, Indiana will be without theirs, as starter Tre Roberson was lost for the year with a knee injury versus Massachusetts.  The loss of Roberson will put a damper on the Hoosier rushing attack, as he was the teams second leading rusher with 12 carries for 133 yards and three touchdowns.

Ball State is the better team here and should take care of business.  Lets root for another underdog outright winner with the Cardinals.  Ball State 38-34

Plays that we’ll throw a lil’ on as well:

1*  Ohio State -16.5 – Urban Meyer! Enough said.

1*  Auburn -15 – Chizik gets the Tigers back to form today, as Cory Lemonier lives in the Warkhawks backfield.  Auburn 41-La Monroe 13

GET SOME!!!

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Freddie Vickers covers the SEC for Rant Sports

Follow Freddie on Twitter:  @fredvic9