Week 3 CFB Picks

So, it has taken me a while to find my favorite 4 games (after already cashing in on LSU) for week 3 games in an effort to keep a nice streak alive. Without further ado, here we go.

Wisconsin -17 @ N. Illinois. Not a secret, but the Badgers are good. I'm a little nervous about going back to this well, but I just don't think Northern is physical enough to hang with the Badgers. Northern will put up a solid effort, but I expect Wisconsin to be in control the entire game. Laying 17 is always a little nervous, especially on the road, but here I think Wisconsin is just on a different level in terms of talent and depth and so I do expect Northern to put a few points on the board, it will not be nearly enough. 2 units. Win.

Standford -9 @ Arizona. Again, no one covers every week so it is a little rare for me to back a team (much less 2) on consecutive weeks, but the Cardinal is loaded and Arizona is really struggling. The experience of Luck and Stanford will allow them to remain focused on the road as they will be anxious to get their PAC 12 season off to a good start. The Wildcats are a decent team, but just don't have enough to keep up. Stanford has won multiple games in a row by more than 20 and I expect that will continue here. They may not just run away and hide early, but they have a solid running game that just continues wear on defenses and if you over-commit to the run Luck will just kill you on play-action. 3 units. Win.

Oklahoma -3 @ Florida St. The Sooners are just too good not to take if they are only laying a FG. Obviously I realize that they are on the road and it will be a wild stadium down in Tallahassee but Landry Jones (despite his less than spectacular road record) and his troops are experienced enough to handle the atmosphere. FSU got embarrassed in Norman last year and will be fired up, but again, that alone won't be enough. FSU is still a little too inexperienced to bring down this OU squad who is focused on winning a National Title. 3.5 units. Win.

Michigan St. +5 @ ND. ND should really come out focused and excited to get their first win, and they may, but I think laying 5 against a very solid and experienced Spartan group is too much to ask. MSU has really had the Domers number in recent years and I have a feeling that may continue. Although it can be argued that this game means more to the Irish, but it still so early in the year that I think Sparty will be just as fired up and focused to remain unbeaten. Further, ND may hold serve here and get a W at home, but we've seen that they have some issues on D and so even if they are ahead, MSU could make a late charge to cover the number. Overall, just think this is too many points to pass up based on what we have seen out of ND (namely inconsistency) this year. 2.5 units. Loss (I hate writing that).

There you have it, CK's week 3 picks. I will say it was hard to limit this group and I'm anxious to see how it turns out as there are several other games I like as well. If you are interested, check out Houston -6.5 @ La Tech (always like to have Case in shootout); Florida -9.5 vs Tenn (who they typically drill) and OK St -13.5 @ Tulsa (the Cowboys just keep coming). Enjoy the games!!

CK