Games To Watch: Week No. 2

VIRGINIA TECH v. LSU
The Hokies can’t afford to Baton Rouge and play like they did in the season opener. Defense wasn’t bad, but they’re offense has got to find some type of rhythm to stay in a game against a team like LSU who were defensively dominate against Mississippi State. VT thumped LSU 26-8 when these two met for the first time back in ’02. Don’t expect any thumping on Saturday.
PICK: LSU

NOTRE DAME v. PENN STATE
A win in Happy Valley would be consolation for the way Notre Dame started the season. Jimmy Clausen will be making the throws for the Irish against a stout Penn State defense, and if the line can’t buy Clausen any time, he’ll be eating grass for four hours. The Nittany Lions put up 59 points in their opener; Notre Dame managed a single field goal. Happy Valley is about to get a little happier.
PICK: PENN STATE

OREGON v. MICHIGAN
It will be interesting to if Michigan can bounce back from that embarrassing loss. And this just may work in their favor. The Wolverines find themselves out of the top 25 and underdogs going into this game. At this point, they have nothing to lose, and the underdog factor could propel them to victory. But unless these underdogs actually play defense this weekend, they haven’t got a chance at stopping Oregon’s prolific offense. If they lose, and they will, it will be the first time since 1959 that the Wolverines have lost their first two home games. Yikes.
PICK: OREGON

MIAMI v. OKLAHOMA
This is an old-school match-up. It’s also Randy Shannon’s first real test since taking over the Hurricanes, and what a test it is. Oklahoma may just be the team to beat in the Big XII, even in the nation. The Sooners produced 668 yards of offense last week and post 79 points. If Miami has something to prove, this is the place to do it. But by no means will it be easy.
PICK: OKLAHOMA

TCU v. TEXAS
The Longhorns and the Horned Frogs haven’t met in 12 years. TCU has won five straight against Big XII opponents, and the sixth would be the sweetest of ‘em all.
PICK: TEXAS

SOUTH FLORIDA v. AUBURN
Many of tagged this one as a possible upset, and that would be huge for the Big East. Auburn struggled against Kansas State, and remember that USF isn’t intimidated by playing on the road. Just last year they whooped West Virginia in Morgantown. Did somebody say upset?PICK: SOUTH FLORIDA

SOUTH CAROLINA v. GEORGIA
Between these two, Georgia’s won the last five. And they looked damn good against the potent Oklahoma State in their opener, while South Carolina struggled. That may have been because the Gamecocks’ starting QB Blake Mitchell wasn’t playing. He will be Saturday. Don’t expect a blowout.
PICK: GEORGIA

NEBRASKA v. WAKE FOREST
It’s not clear whether Riley Skinner will be playing for the Deacs. If he’s not, that’s bad news. Nebraska seems to be on a roll, and they’ll roll right over Wake Forest—with or without Skinner.
PICK: NEBRASKA

NC STATE v. BOSTON COLLEGE
Tom O’Brien knows all, or at least most, of BC’s tricks. I hope they’ve got some new ones. PICK: NC STATE

BOISE STATE v. WASHINGTON
The Broncos look to extend the nations longest winning streak to 15, but Washington looked good against Syracuse. I imagine this will be a close one, and a good win for Ty Willingham.
PICK: WASHINGTON