Skip Holtz and his Pirates pulled off a nice upset, Michigan was Michigan, and Clemson surprised me a lot with how they played.
Overall record for week #1, the picks were 27-7. Hopefully, we'll get a few more right this week.
On to this week's games.
In the SEC
Southern Mississippi at Auburn
The Battle of the War Birds. Both teams opened up their seasons with convincing victories last Saturday and both hope for another win come Saturday night. But Larry Fedora's Golden Eagles ain't quite got the claws on 'em like Tommy Tuberville's birds, and that will be evident early on in the game. Auburn's got their eyes on LSU in two weeks, but will take care of business until then.
Rod's Reject - Southern Mississippi
Central Michigan at Georgia
The Dawgs dominated at Sanford Stadium last Saturday, and Mark Richt's Hound Crew will look for a repeat performance this week. Butch Jones and the Chippewas hope to make big headlines between The Hedges - and they will - for all the wrong reasons. Georgia continues to tune up for next week's Bash at the Brice against the G-Cocks.
Rod's Reject - Central Michigan
Tulane at Alabama
The Green Wave blow into Tuscaloosa hopin' to bag a big pachyderm, but Nick Saban's Tide Crew will take the wind out of the sails before the storm even arrives. 'Bama shocked the country last weekend with a thrashing of #9 Clemson, and I don't think it was a fluke. The Tide battens down the hatches, but their really won't be much threat of a storm.
Rod's Reject - Tulane
Miami, Fla at Florida
The Canes and Head Coach Randy Shannon have a lot of redemption planned this year, and hope to show up on the Doppler Radar when they roll into Gainesville this Saturday. But Urban Meyer and the Toothy Crew have stored up lots of goodies for the storm and will hold up well when the Hurricane's blow in. The Gators short-circuit the wind, then make preparations for next week's game vs. Tennessee.
Rod's Reject - Miami, Fla.
In The ACC
Mississippi at Wake Forest
Houston Nutt and the Rebels bring the troops to Winston-Salem, ready to unload the muskets on Jim Grobe's bunch of Preachermen. And they will make it interesting for a while. But the Deac's won't let to many bullets hit the target, and the congregation will be happy once the final hymns are sung. But it ain't gonna be easy.
Rod's Reject - Mississippi
Northwestern at Duke
Don't look now, but the Dukies might have something going in football. The Blue Devils have not won their first two games of a season since 1998. Their second win that season? A 44-10 romp over Northwestern. David Cutcliffe will get their blue pitchforks bent a good bit this year, but will have enough sharp edges this week to get Duke another win. Don't look now, ACC, but here come the Devils.
Rod's Reject - Northwestern
Western Carolina at Florida State
Dennis Wagner and the Cats from Cullowee invade Tallahassee on Saturday, hopin' to make a furball out of the Seminoles. But Bobby Bowden and the hometown Tribe ain't gonna be such good hosts for the visitors. Florida State is ready to get back into the big picture in college football, and a de-clawing of the Cats is a good way to start.
Rod's Reject - Western Carolina
Furman at Virginia Tech
Frank Beamer and the Hokie's will try to put all their feathers back in place in Blacksburg Saturday, but the Purple Paladins from Greenville don't want to be front-n-center for the event. The Hokie O has a lot of work to do and should get some good reps in against Furman, but don't be surprised if this one is a lot closer than you think.
Rod's Reject - Furman
Georgia Tech at Boston College
The Yellow Bumbles rumbled for 349 rushing yards against the JSU Gamecocks, and now must take the Flight of the Bumblebee up to Chestnut Hill for a Saturday tilt with Boston College. Paul Johnson's Yellow Jackets didn't take too long to learn a new offense, but will have a tough test with it against the Eagles. Jeff Jagodzinski's Birds will look to defend the home nest, and many feathers will fly in accomplishing the task. This oughta be one of the best in the ACC this weekend.
Rod's Reject - in a great game - Georgia Tech
National Games
South Florida at Central Florida
A Sunshine State showdown in Orlando sees Jim Leavitt's Bulls hookin' up for a rodeo against George O'Leary's Knights, and the Bulls will show up will sharp horns, ready to ding up the armor. The Knights look like a pretty good bunch this year, but they won't be able to stay on the Bull for 8 seconds this Saturday.Rod's Rejct - Central Florida
West Virginia at East Carolina
Skip Holtz and his Boat Bandits put the kebosh on Virginia Tech last week, playing it's own version of Beamer Ball to come away with the upset. It will be tough for the Pirates to hit the daily double, but they will put a scare into the Musket Toters from Morgantown on Saturday. New Head Coach Bill Stewart marches his Mountaineers into hostile territory in what will be a doozy of a game. When all is said and done, the Pirates will be conquered, but both will be wounded.
Rod's Reject - East Carolina
Cincinnati at Oklahoma
Bob Stoops and the Sooner Schooners lay out all the traps this weekend Brian Kelly's Bearcats, and there will be more traps than the Bearcats can miss. Fur will fly and all the Schooner wheels stay on the wagon and Oklahoma continues its march to the National Title.
Rod's Reject - Cincinnati
The Big Two
The Citadel at Clemson
Things didn't get off to such a good start for Tommy Bowden's Tigers last week, and some of the wounds will still be fresh come Saturday when Kevin Higgins Charleston Bulldogs roll into the Valley. However, there's a long way to go in this young season, and the Striped Cats will try to refocus on winning the ACC. The Citadel ain't just gonna roller over or go fetchin' for the Tigers, but they will run out of tricks before the final horn sounds. Redemption Week #1 for the Tigers is a success.
Rod's Reject - The Citadel
South Carolina at Vanderbilt (Thursday Night)
The Yard Birds fly into Nashville Thursday night to try to put a spur in the rear of Bobby Johnson's Ship Steerers, but Steve Spurrier and the Cocks will find that Vandy will have their swords ready and will be game for the fight. The Commodores sunk USC's ship last year, and hope for a repeat, and may have enough ammo in the guns to get the job done. But it's hard to win the water war when the ship won't move, and the Gamecock defense will be able to put the anchor down on Vandy - at least long enough to get the win.
Rod's Reject - Vanderbilt
Other Losers
Texas-El Paso will lose to Texas
Stanford will lose to Arizona State
Nevada will lose to Texas Tech
William and Mary will lose to NC State
Louisiana-Monroe will lose to Arkansas
Louisiana Tech will lose to Kansas
Middle Tennessee will lose to Maryland
Southeastern Louisiana will lose to Mississippi St.
SE Missouri St. will lose to Missouri
Houston will lose to Oklahoma St.
New Hampshire will lose to Army
Tennessee Tech will lose to Louisville
San Diego State will lose to Notre Dame
Utah State will lose to Oregon
Oregon State will lose to Penn St.
Richmond will lose to Virginia
UAB will lose to Florida Atlantic
Ball State will lose to Navy
Eastern Illinois will lose to Illinois
Florida International will lose to Iowa
Miami, Ohio will lose to Michigan
Eastern Michigan will lose to Michigan St.
Ohio will lose to Ohio St.
Northern Colorado will lose to Purdue
Marshall will lose to Wisconsin
San Jose St. will lose to Nebraska
