Time for our week two jersey contest picks. This week, Maize n' Brew Dave from Maize n' Brew has been kind enough to join us. Here we go:
#12 Virginia Tech Hokies* at #2 LSU Tigers*
Maize n' Brew Dave: I'll take LSU in this one. Va Tech looked less than stellar
on offense against East Carolina. In a battle of two REALLY good defenses the better offense usually is the difference maker. LSU looked more polished so I'm going with the Tigers on this one.
PICK: LSU
Nick: I'll take the home team in this one. LSU had a very convincing win over Mississippi State while VT scuffled around with East Carolina.
PICK: LSU
Dave: A matchup of two great defenses. However, the VT offense is downright terrible. I can't possibly think that the Hokies are going to be able to go to Baton Rouge and move the ball.
PICK: LSU
South Carolina Gamecocks at #10 Georgia Bulldogs*
Maize n' Blue Dave: I picked South Carolina to make it to the championship game, so this would be a bad time to back off of that prediction. Still, Georgia looked great in their opener against OSU and the OBC had a hell of a time getting his half staffed team to clinch their opener. If South Carolina was at full strength, I'd take
em. But suspensions, arrests and injuries are going to take their toll. I'll take the Dawgs in a REALLY close game.
PICK: Georgia
Nick: I just don't think South Carolina has what it takes to hang with Georgia. Plus, it's always fun too root against Steve Spurrier.
PICK: Georgia
Dave: I think that this will be a closer matchup than a lot of people think. And I this were in Columbia, I'd probably take the `Cocks. But in Athens? Give me the Bulldogs.
PICK: Georgia
#21 TCU Horned Frogs* at #9 Texas Longhorns*
Maize n' Brew Dave: Desperately want to pick TCU after Texas almost fell on its face last Saturday, but I'm chalking their performance up to arrogance and lack of mental preparation more than anything else. TCU has a great defense, but Texas offense is good enough to put points on the board against them. The question is whether Texas' defense will improve and actually stop someone. I think they will. Texas wins.
PICK: Texas
Nick: Texas is a team I hate almost as much as Notre Dame. The Longhorns was able to accomplish what Michigan could not last week -- overcoming a lackluster effort to beat a vastly inferior visiting team. I think Texas is able to put away TCU in a much more convincing fashion this week.
PICK: Texas
Dave: Texas had a very lackluster effort against Arkansas State last week. They have some trouble running the ball, and are going up a very good, very underrated defense. This has all the makings of an upset to me.
PICK: TCU
Brigham Young Cougars vs. #15 UCLA Bruins*
Maize n' Brew Dave: Gotta take the Bruins. I said this is my Pac 10 preview, I've got them second in the conference behind USC. 20 returning starters, their No.1 QB is back, their defense could be the best in the West, what's not to like? On the other side of the ball, BYU is a strong team. Oregon (ahem) is well aware of this. But they did lose some firepower to graduation and there's no way UCLA is treating them lightly after their last bowl performance.
PICK: UCLA
Nick: BYU was the only miss I had from last week. And, I still want them to lose. BYU is not as good as Arizona made them look. Go Bruins!
PICK: UCLA
Dave: You know that I think UCLA, and especially their defense, is way overrated. That being said, I'm not the least bit sold on BYU. UCLA will disappoint this season, but it won't be in this game.
PICK: UCLA
#24 Oregon Ducks* at Michigan Wolverines
Maize n' Brew Dave: I'm not making the drive from Chicago to Ann Arbor to watch Michigan lose. Therefore Michigan wins. Michigan's run defense should improve. After looking at Mgoblog's UFR the thing that killed Michigan was really, really poor coaching not the defensive line play. If the line is turned lose I think Michigan should be fine. If DC Ron English decides its better to let them run around like a bunch of decapitated chickens, well, then Michigan's in trouble. Too much on the line for Michigan. Michigan wins.
PICK: Michigan
Nick: I am one of those who believe that the Ducks' job just got a lot harder after Michigan's loss this past weekend. However, I can hardly predict a loss when I will be at the game. I think Oregon will pull it out 34-31.
PICK: Oregon
Dave: Who do you think I'm going to pick here? Neither team has much of a defense, though Oregon's is probably worse. As long as Dennis Dixon doesn't go batshit, the offenses are a wash. But Oregon is better on special teams. And a blocked kick or punt is going to make all the difference in this game. Ducks win in a close shootout.
PICK: Oregon
* I use the BlogPoll rankings on my site.
Thanks again to Maize n' Brew Dave for joining us this week. Should be another great weekend of college football. We'll run it all down on Monday.
GO DUCKS!!!
--Dave