I considered trying something new and making weekly college football predictions. Then I was sidetracked preparing for a fantasy football draft and never got around to it in Week 1.
You'll have to take my word for it, but I picked every game right in my mind last week. Nailed all of our regional openers with Georgia, South Carolina, Georgia Tech and Clemson all winning easy games. Also went unbeaten (albeit barely) in the two marquee national kickoff classics picking LSU over North Carolina and Boise State over Virginia Tech (hate pick). That's really as far as I got.
Bolstered in my own mind by that perfect start, I've decided to try to weigh in each week on our games of local interest and a few big national matchups. So here are my predictions for Week 2. Be forewarned, I tend to pick mostly from my gut or my heart, rarely with my head.
Georgia @ South Carolina: Both made impressive debuts last week. The Bulldogs got the bad news that they'll be without star receiver A.J. Green for the rest of September. That's a tough blow. Even before that, however, I've had a hunch that this would be the Gamecocks turn to win in this series. South Carolina 17, Georgia 13.
Georgia Tech @ Kansas: This would make a much better basketball matchup. No way the Jayhawks can handle the Jackets' triple-option. Georgia Tech 38, Kansas 24.
Presbyterian @ Clemson: After getting whipped by Wake Forest, don't like Presbyterian's chances of being part of the next ACC expansion. Clemson 56, Presbyterian 3.
Georgia Southern @ Navy: Showdown of the two former programs of coach Paul Johnson. The residue of his option hasn't worn off as much in Annapolis. Navy 38, Georgia Southern 28.
Penn State @ Alabama: Joe Paterno doesn;t have to worry about Bobby Bowden chasing him anymore. Good thing, because he won't add to his win total this week. Alabama 27, Penn State 17.
Oregon @ Tennessee: Despite migrating all the way across the country, the Ducks should feel right at home along the river at Neyland. Derek Dooley suffers his first UT defeat. Oregon 34, Tennessee 21.
Florida State @ Oklahoma: Can Jimbo Fisher get the Seminoles back into the national conversation by going into Norman and snapping the Sooners' 31-game home winning streak? Maybe, but I don't think so. Oklahoma 28, Florida State 27.
Miami @ Ohio State: Another chance for an ACC sleeping giant to roll into a vaunted lair and annouce a return to national prominence. Maybe it's my bias against the Buckeyes (always over-rated), but I think Jacory Harris is going to come up big and dot the "i" in a thriller. Miami 21, Ohio State 20.
Michigan @ Notre Dame: Compounding the agony for Ohio State fans will be hated Michigan overwhelming Notre Dame under the gaze of Touchdown Jesus. Michigan 35, Notre Dome 21.
Lambuth @ Georgia State: After the Panthers remain undefeated all-time, let's hope the players refrain from knockign coach Bill Curry out with the Gatorade bucket this time. Georgia State 41, Lambuth 14.
