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Free Football Picks-Week 2 By Ron Jumper After having a very solid first week, although not as good as we had hoped for, it is time for this week’s picks. The NFL begins this week and should spice up this weekend’s football action. The question marks of each team will finally be answered as the real season starts. I’ve never been a big believer of the preseason, it just doesn’t seem to accomplish much other than finding the last ten or so roster spots. That being said, you’ll notice my picks don’t concur with the false hopes that preseason typically creates. As far as the college football weekend goes, there is plenty of great action going on. I’m going to tell you the Texas-Ohio State winner just like I told you the Miami-Florida State winner last week. I’m also going to tell you who is for real and who just hadn’t played anyone yet. Once again, you will have to check back Monday for the Monday night pick. If you missed last week, I’m giving away 10 free picks every week plus my fellow contributor R.C. will give his pick of the week. I’m taking an imaginary $200 balance and making picks. The idea is for you to follow along all season and make some very easy cash. Last Week’s Record: 6-3-1 New Money Balance: $223  Oklahoma State (-14.5) vs. Arkansas State The Indians picked what seemed at first like a good weekend to have a game in Little Rock. Now with the announcement of Mitch Mustain being named the Arkansas Razorbacks starting quarterback, expect any football fan in central Arkansas to be on the road to Fayettville and leaving no one to cheer on Arkansas State. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is ready to go and looks to be better than their 4-7 showing in 2005. Expect the Indians offense to sputter without top receiver Levi Dejohnette and top running back Chris Easley able to go. Oklahoma State 28-7. Risk $5.50 to Win $5 Boston College (+2.5) vs. Clemson Here is an interesting statisitic for you, Clemson only had three scoring drives of over 35 yards in their 54-6 blowout of Florida Atlantic. The Tigers scored their points off special teams and defense. Boston College is a much better defense and their QB Matt Ryan doesn’t make big mistakes that give up field position. Look for Boston College to upset the Tigers by simply not making mistakes and winning the field position battle. BC 28-17. Risk $5.50 to Win $5 Notre Dame (-8) vs. Penn State Look for Notre Dame to respond after hearing the criticism all week long. Charlie Weis takes it personally when his offense doesn’t perform well. I expect them to make a statement against an unproven Penn State team. The offense was able to move the ball against Akron, but don’t expect the same this week. I don’t see Joe Paterno having enough tricks up his sleeve to pull this one out. Notre Dame 42-24. Risk $11 to Win $10 Ohio State (-2) vs. Texas The Buckeyes are just too tough on offense. Troy Smith and Tedd Ginn Jr. will make big plays early to take the crowd out of it, as well as force the Texas offense to throw more than they wanted to. Freshman QB Colt McCoy is solid, but don’t expect him to be able to slice and dice this Buckeye defense. Forget about the new starters on defense, this unit is still full of big time recruit after big time recruit. The next big factor is revenge, the Buckeyes don’t take lightly to losing at home. With no answer to Ginn on the outside, expect this game to not live up to expectations. Ohio State 35-14. Risk $11 to Win $10 Nevada (-17) vs. Arizona State The Sun Devils struggled to put away Northern Arizona last week. How can you expect them to turn around and blow out Nevada? I just can’t figure out why this Nevada team gets no respect, but it is just easy money for me so I can’t complain. Nevada 28-24. Risk $11 to Win $10 Denver Broncos (-4) vs. St. Louis The Broncos are as solid as they come. I’m not sure why, but they seem to get forgotten sometimes in the discussion of Super Bowl caliber teams. None the less, this team has playmakers and a superb coach. St. Louis is heading in the right direction, but don’t expect this big of a turn around yet from new head coach Scott Linehan. Steven Jackson will finish the season as a top 10 fantasy back once this offense gels, just don’t expect him to be able to dominate the Broncos defensive front. Denver 24-14. Risk $5.50 to Win $5 Seattle (-6) vs. Detroit Forget the Super Bowl curse. Forget the Madden jinx. The Seattle Seahawks are playing the Detroit Lions. The Lions have been having distractions with players and some guys on the team aren’t happy with how Mike Williams and Charles Rogers have been treated. This just doesn’t seem like a recipe to beat the Seahawks. I just can’t see Jon Kitna leading the Lions to enough points to stay in this game. Seattle 31-13. Risk $11 to Win $10 Tampa Bay (-3) vs. Baltimore When you have two teams with such similar talent as these do, some would say this game is a coin flip. However, I just can’t see the Bucs not coming out strong at home. Baltimore should end up being a good team later on this season, but don’t expect the offense to gel against this talented a defense like this one. Tampa Bay 20-13. Risk $5.50 to Win $5 New England (-9) vs. Buffalo There isn’t enough time to name why the Patriots are going to win this game. The Bills are just not ready to play on this level yet. Patriots 28-13. Risk $5.50 to Win $5  R.C.’s Pick Of The Week: Tennessee (-21) vs. Air Force No let down for Tennessee this week after their coming out party during last weeks romp of “national title contender” California. Tennessee was simply dominant in every aspect of the game, leading 35-0 before Phillip Fulmer called off the dogs and Cal scored some meaningless points. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe is already putting his stamp on the offense, which had been stagnant the last few years, as junior Erik Ainge looked nothing like the shaky underclassmen he showed to be last year. He appeared more like the second coming of Peyton Manning that Cutcliffe is so used to watching, having coached both. Now comes Air Force into Neyland Stadium, who for all their effort will not be able to keep this one close in Knoxville. Under any circumstance this would be a tough game for the Falcons, but this one is especially tough. First, Tennessee has already been tested by a quality team in their opener, while Air Force opens their season this Saturday with the Vols. Teams improve more between their first and second game than any other time of the year, and you can bet the Vols will be even sharper this week vs. Air Force. Having not played a game, Air Force will be working through typical first-game kinks, along with dealing with the loss of their playmakers at receiver and breaking in three new offensive lineman. Air Force just simply does not have the talent to hang with the Vols, let alone in Knoxville. Look for it to be ugly. Tennessee 45 Air Force 10 Risk $5.50 to Win $5 Recommended Sportsbook Great Bonuses and Giveaways! September 6, 2006 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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