As mentioned last week - I am contributing to The Upset Blog this season and part of that includes weekly predictions. My week 2 record was 9-2 improving my overall season record to 22-6 after a rough Week 1. There were some tough picks this week including rivalry games between Colorado State-Colorado and Utah-BYU. Here are my week 3 predictions – don’t hesitate to criticize them or leave your own:
The "Holy War"
Photo via holywarfootball.com
-Friday September 16th
#4 BOISESTATE (1-0) @ TOLEDO (1-1) – No doubt Toledo wide receiver/returner Eric Page is a baller but Boise State is better at nearly every position. The Rockets almost upset Ohio State last week but Petersen will use that to make sure the Broncos are ready. Boise State 45, Toledo 17
-Saturday September 17th
WYOMING(2-0) @ BOWLING GREEN (2-0) – The Pokes have home wins against Weber State and Texas StateI’m not sure they’re ready for a road game vs a decent Falcons team. Bowling Green 30, Wyoming 24
COLORADO STATE (2-0) vs COLORADO (0-2) – CSU’s defensive leader and star linebacker Mychal Sisson will miss the game after breaking his ankle last week. On top of that, the teams’ records are a little deceiving — the Rams’ wins are against New Mexico and Northern Colorado whereas the Buffs’ losses are to Hawaiiand Cal. Colorado 31, Colorado State 24
WASHINGTON (2-0) @ #11 NEBRASKA (2-0) – These two played twice last year – Nebraskawon big at Husky Stadium 56-21 but UW redeemed themselves by winning the Holiday Bowl 19-7. I can’t see the Huskies getting a win in Lincoln this year. Nebraska 41, Washington 31
#23 TEXAS (2-0) @ UCLA (1-1) – Bryan Harsin’s offense at Texasis already as good if not better than Slick Rick’s pistol attack. Texas 24, UCLA 21
NEVADA (0-1) @ SAN JOSE STATE (0-2) – The Wolf Pack got crushed by Oregon last week (expected after losing to LSU) but fortunately the Spartans still appear to be in eternal re-building mode. Nevada 31, San Jose State 20
WASHINGTON STATE (2-0) @ SAN DIEGO STATE (2-0) – This game is under the radar but could be a good one – Aztec RB Ronnie Hillman is the second leading rusher in the country with 45 carries, 306 yards, 4 TDs and the Cougars lead the country in scoring with an average of 61.5 ppg. San Diego State 31, Washington State 24
#22 ARIZONA STATE (2-0) @ ILLINOIS (2-0) – If you watched the Sun Devils win against Missouri last week you know how undisciplined Dennis Erickson’s team is – I think that hurts them on the road this week. Illinois 38, Arizona State 34
UTEP (1-1) @ NEW MEXICO STATE (1-1) – Seriously just guessing. New Mexico State 27, UTEP 17
UTAH (1-1) @ BYU (1-1) – This is one of the better rivalries in the country. Both teams are coming off tough losses and are still finding identities of offense. Not sure why, but I think the Utes find a way win in Provo. Utah 21, BYU 20
HAWAII (1-1) @ UNLV (0-2) – Hawaii let me down last week but did keep it close on the road (not their specialty) against a decent Washington team. This week the road Warriors get it done. Hawaii 41, UNLV 20
#6 STANFORD (2-0) @ ARIZONA (1-1) – Arizona struggled last week against Oklahoma State without star WR Juron Criner and he’s questionable again this week. I’m not expecting Stanford to crush the Wildcats like they did San Jose St and Duke but they should win their Pac-12 opener. Stanford 38, Arizona 27
EASTERN WASHINGTON (0-2) @ MONTANA (1-1) – No idea – Eastern Washington won the FCS Championship last year but Montana is good every year especially at home (I think..)? Montana 31, Eastern Washington 27
Based on everyone’s Week 3 Predictions - I need Illinois, San Diego State, Utah and New Mexico State to help me out this week!
