Week 3 excitement: My games of the week

The most interesting games this week, and my picks in those games:

1. Utah at TCU - We get to see if SMU was just overlooked by the Frogs last week and if Utah can keep its winning streak going. Sooners, you better hope this one is competitive, otherwise, expect a bad bad beating by the powder blue of UCLA. Whether the game is competitive or not, I think this one is going to the Utes.

2. Ole Miss at Vanderbilt - Interesting only because its another chain in the Commodores' quest for a winning season. The Rebels are rebuilding, and played an ugly game against Memphis. Will Vandy get another SEC victory? Well, they beat the Hogs, and I think Arkansas is fielding a better team than people think, so Vandy, in my eyes, the dream stays alive again this week.

3. Michigan State at Notre Dame - Are we sure ND isn't in the Big Ten? After travelling to the Big House and beating the Wolverines, the Fighting Irish host the Spartans this week. While ND has improved dramatically on offense, their defense can't be said to have faced a real challenge as of yet. Michigan State, on the other hand, has lit it up so far, though against MAC and WAC opponents. Expect a shootout in this one, but I have to give the edge to the Spartans.

4. Miami at Clemson - Can both Bowdens beat the 'Canes this year? After giving up 9 sacks to an FSU that was, *ahem*, tied with the Citadel at half-time last week, expect another Clemson victory. Clemson has won two nail-biters in a row - expect a third.

5. Oklahoma at UCLA - So there's a lot of buzz about the Bruins again this year. It seems like UCLA has been a hot up and coming team every season at this point, until reality sets in again. Oklahoma, on the other hand, looked downright awful against TCU and Tulsa. Still, Bob Stoops is definitely the better coach, and the Sooners have better talent, so I think it's time again for another wake-up call for the Bruins. Sorry, but the elder Bosworth gets the edge this time, with a win for the Crimson and Cream.

6. FSU at BC - Welcome to the ACC, BC! See my earlier comment about FSU and the Citadel, so I've got to say the 'Noles first visit to Chestnut Hill won't be a pleasant one. Are we going to see an all-"Big East" first ACC championship game? We just might.

7. Fresno State at Oregon - The Bulldogs blow into Eugene, to try to take out the Ducks in the confines of Autzen Stadium. Of course, Oregon won't be the best Pac 10 team the Bulldogs face this season, and this one may just be a warm-up for them. It'll be close, but Fresno beat their IAA opponent worse than Oregon did, so I think their BCS-busting hopes stay alive this time.

8. Northwestern State vs. UL-Lafayette - Why is this interesting? Because NW State has already beaten UL-Monroe, and I think has a good shot at knocking the rage out of the Cajuns this game too. Maybe the Sun Belt ought to look to trade up.

9. Purdue at Arizona - The Wildcats defense is improving under Mike Stoops, as has their attitude. After a tough loss to Utah, they welcome the Boilermakers to the desert. Seeing the Big Ten in action so far, and Purdue's inability to keep more than a 35 point lead over Akron (goodbye to that pick in Yahoo Pick'em), and my utter disbelief in Purdue being good regardless of the facts, I've got to give the Cats this one.

10. Central Michigan at Penn State - Penn State gets a chance to win all of its non-cons this year, and actually have some offense in the first half. The defense will be intense, as usual, and if someone could just tell Michael Robinson that game's already half over, the fireworks in the first half will be there too. Though it doesn't look like as much a cakewalk as I though, due to CMU's victory over Miami (OH) this past week, the Nittany Lions' should walk into conference play undefeated. 3 Big Ten wins = bowl eligibility. Can we count on it? Not yet.