Week 3 Precap

It's been a surprisingly eventful year so far, as many top teams have found themselves playing good teams early, rather than their usual, meaningless FCS tuneups that bore the snot out of the fans for the three weeks before the season settles into intraconference matchups. Conference races pretty well take over in about a week, so we'll have to enjoy the intersectional smorgasbord while we can.

Tennessee - Florida

Florida. If you need to know why, you haven't been paying attention for the last few years, and you have been paying even less attention in the last year.

USC - Washington

USC. But I think we're all interested to see how they do after their big win last weekend. Particularly against a Washington team that is probably still bad, but has improved markedly. While some may be concerned about whether Matt Barkley plays or will be out due to injury, his presence or non-presence will be pretty immaterial to the outcome.

Ohio State - Toledo

Ohio State. But I think we're all interested to see how they do after their big loss last weekend. Particularly against a Toledo team that is looking pretty dangerous after beating down Colorado.

BYU - Florida State

Now this is a tough one. Here we have a BCS conference team that may or may not be on the upswing playing a non-BCS conference team that is definitely playing at their apex. I have a lot of misgivings about both teams particularly in regard to Florida State's quarterback and BYU's response to Florida State's defense. I doubt BYU has seen a defense that is as disciplined and hard-hitting as Florida State's. I also think that Christian Ponder—as is usual for Florida State quarterbacks—is fighting to remain in the range of average to mediocre. I think Florida State is actually in a very good position if the Florida State offense doesn't turn it over too much. You know what, I'll pick Florida State in this game; I have faith in their defense to give their offense so many chances that they can't blow all of them.

Texas - Texas Tech

I've heard a few people say that have concerns about Texas following their lackluster start against Wyoming. That sort of thing will happen to a team that is looking ahead to a big game the following week... something Texas was undoubtedly doing when they thought about their chance to avenge a heartbreaking loss last season. We'll learn a lot about the strength of Texas's secondary in this game, but expect the Longhorns to post a convincing final score over the Red Raiders. But expect Texas Tech to be in it throughout, as the points will be scored in bunches by both teams.

Nebraska - Virginia Tech

Now here is exactly the sort of intersectional game that people can get excited about. While this is not a battle of top 5 teams or anything like that, it is two ranked teams from different areas of the country playing a tough, and probably evenly matched game. I am picking Nebraska to pull this one out for no reason other than that I should make picks on these games by week 3.

Miami - Georgia Tech

To tell you the truth, I am drawing a blank on this game. The triple-option offense, when it is working, is a wonder to watch: like in the first half of the Georgia Tech-Clemson game. When it is not working, it can fall apart very quickly: like in the second half of the Georgia Tech-Clemson game. The triple option is no longer as shiny and new as it once was, but it is still a potent offense on its own merits. The game changer for me is my reservations about a quarterback who only went, I believe, 3-14 passing in the second half of said Clemson game. I'll take the Hurricanes to nab a victory.

California - Minnesota

California is going to win; I would assume by at least two touchdowns. But this should be the biggest test the Bears have faced so far this season. Minnesota, I assume, is not particularly good, but they are good enough to make opposing teams work for their win. And Cal needs to travel a little over halfway across the country for this game. I'll feel better about Cal's chances in the Pac-10 this year if they can take control of this game early and keep control throughout. If they win unconvincingly, well that's nothing too much to worry about in this situation at this point of the season.

Notre Dame - Michigan State

Here's another game that has me interested for its mystery. Michigan State has always been an enigma inside a riddle inside an inability to remain focused for four quarters and/or twelve games. Notre Dame just came off of a tough loss on the road to a Michigan team that, I can now say confidently, will finish somewhere between first and fifth in the Big Ten. Michigan State, I have little doubt, was looking ahead to this week when they dropped a heartbreaker to Central Michigan. But a half-ass job should still get it done against a Directional Michigan -- and it nearly did, but for a lot of weirdness in the last minute or so. Honestly, neither team is particularly enchanting, but a late loss to Michigan beats a late loss to Central Michigan by at least 10 points, for those scoring at home. Notre Dame it is.

West Virginia - Auburn

Let's see, I have two teams I know nothing about and have not seen all season playing against each other. Auburn was terrible last year and West Virginia was a little above average. One has a first-year coach, the other has a second-year coach. Neither has played what could be called a marquee game, though West Virginia's win over East Carolina last weekend at least got them second billing. West Virginia used to run the spread, now they run something that I am told is more like a balanced, pro-style offense. Auburn runs... something or another. And I won't even guess what either team does on defense. Oh hell, let's just go with West Virginia.

Cincinnati - Oregon State

Cincinnati matches up very well with Oregon State. Their defense has, for the last few years, proven very good at stopping the power running game, and Oregon State—if last year was any indication—lives off of the power running game. I'll take the Bearcats to take the win over the Beavers.

Arizona - Iowa

Arizona has been persistently awful for about a decade now, but finally got up to average last year. Iowa had been good for a few years there, but has been stuck at average for the last couple of seasons. I'm going with the Hawkeyes in a game that will be afterward be mentioned only when discussing relative merits of the respective conferences — usually only as wins or losses in conferences' respective records against other BCS teams.

Utah - Oregon

I'm going with Oregon in this one. I think they have taken some us-time and sorted out a lot of their issues and they are ready to start over and really try to make this thing work. Utah had their good times last year, but now it's a new season and they have to play in it with new players who all have targets tattooed on their foreheads.

Kentucky - Louisville

Kentucky has been almost good for a couple of years. Louisville hasn't. Kentucky wins.