College Football Week 3 and NFL Week 2 Preview: 9/14 - 9/18

Another great fall weekend ahead of us, here is your guide to every day of the football weekend.

Thursday, September 14th

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Vikings at Eagles

Al Michaels will be much more pleased with this game to start off the season after sulking through broadcasts last year. The Vikings had a rough showing on Sunday against the Bucs, but they get to try to bounce back early in the week. The Eagles jumped out to a big lead and then almost squandered it away against the Pats. It's a short week, so expect a close, physical game.

Most Entertaining Game: Bethune-Cookman at Miami

Miami looked good against Texas A&M but lost their best player, Kamren Kinchens, to an injury. How does the team respond from such a fast-paced game with a short week? No letdowns if you're the Canes.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Navy at Memphis

Memphis feels left out in the cold after not getting the invite to the Big 12. Can they keep to their winning ways and beat a pretty hapless Navy team?

Picks of the Day

Pick: u48.5 (-112) Vikings at Eagles

I love short week unders and I could see this one being a submission-type win where the Eagles squeeze the life out of the Vikings. I could also see the Vikings figuring some things out and giving Cousins just enough time against that freakshow pass rush to get the ball to his receivers. Either way, it's not going to be high scoring.

Friday, September 15th

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Virginia at Maryland

A fun, former ACC matchup on Friday night. Maryland has so much talent, but they can't quite seem to figure it out on the field. The Hoo's have struggled under their new coach, but a win here could help on the recruiting trail in the talent-laden DMV area. Tua's little brother should make the difference.

Most Entertaining Game: Army at UTSA

Another UTSA game?! It's easier here. Army has done some wild modern things like "use the shotgun" this year, but discipline and physicality are still a big part of their identity. If you miss old-school football, watch this one.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Utah State at Air Force

All three service academies featured in the blog! Air Force has an all-time field and they are usually the best of the three teams. They welcome the Aggies in one that is great to have on as you are falling asleep in preparation for the big games on Saturday.

Picks of the Day

Pick: Maryland -14.5 (-108) vs Virginia

I know Maryland can't seem to put things together but the Hoos just look really aimless. College Park can be lit on night games and I think this one is over early.

Saturday, September 16th

Game of the Day: Tennessee at Florida

Is there a team in the SEC that has more heated rivalries than the Volunteers? This matchup defined the SEC East for the late 1990's and the 2000's, but it still packs a punch here. Florida has not gotten going against Napier and Tennessee is struggling to get Milton's arm talent to translate to consistent success (not the first program this has happened to). This game will be sloppy, but a ton of fun.

Most Entertaining Game: Pitt at West Virginia

The Border War got back to its vitriol ways last year and this time the Panthers head to Morgantown. West Virginia is better than they have been, but they are struggling to find an identity still. Could an upset at home revitalize maybe the most fun fanbase?

A Game for the Football Crazies: LSU at Mississippi State

No weird line favoring MSU this year, but a trip to Starkville is a tough place to play. LSU has not looked right, I think Mississippi State could muck things up. In 2020 they used the mesh concept to cut down LSU's man-to-man defense and I think that they will win this one on the defensive side, making Daniels have to be consistent instead of prolific.

Picks of the Day

First Pick: Wyoming +29.5 (-110) at Texas

Teams usually are beat up after playing Alabama, and even with the win it is hard to get up for Wyoming, who did beat Texas Tech this year. Texas will win, but Wyoming keeps it close-ish.

Second Pick: Indiana ML (+310) vs Louisville (Indianapolis)

A big upset prediction! IU's defense has looked good and I think they can hang with the Cardinals. This will be a fun game on the noon slate in the NFL stadium.

Third Pick: Florida ML (+210) vs Tennessee

A home team getting points, what's better than that? Both quarterbacks have left a lot to be desired this fall, and I think Milton could struggle in the Swamp. This will be a fun one, and it's hard to predict rivalries, so I will take the potential payout for my hurting picks.

Sunday, September 17th

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Ravens at Bengals

AFC North rivalries hit different. The Bengals looked awful in week 1 and now face an attacking Ravens' defense. On the other side, the Ravens lost JK Dobbins, so I think they will start to rely more and more on Lamar's legs to carry the run game (and lead to that passing yards under I predicted in the preseason). Lots of big hits, beautiful uniform matchup, this is one to watch.

Most Entertaining Game: Chiefs at Jaguars

Were the Jaguars good last year? Did anyone win a holdout more emphatically than Chris Jones after one week? This could be a budding rivalry between teams with top quarterbacks. The Jaguars are 1-0 and the Chiefs are 0-1, but I feel better about the team that didn't win last week.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Seahawks at Lions

This game was full of fireworks last year and Ford Field could have some fireworks again. Geno Smith didn't look great last week, but he was so accurate last year to be that bad for the full season. It isn't a marquee game, but should be fun.

Picks of the Day

First Pick: u51 (-110) Chiefs at Jaguars

The Chiefs don't have dynamic pass rushers, but they have big bodies to plug up the run game, which the Jaguars did not have last week. On the other side, that offense looked non-elite without Kelce. Even if he comes back, I think things are still gummed up for the first game at full strength.

Second Pick: o46.5 (-112) Dolphins at Patriots

I can't wait to see what Bill does with Tyreek Hill, but I think the Dolphins still can move the ball with the run and Waddle. Vic Fangio is more of a bend, but don't break philosophy and I think the Pats can march and then either run the ball in or kick field goals, which will help with this over.

Third Pick: Jets +9.5 (-110) at Cowboys

Picking the hapless Jets against the mighty Cowboys?! I think the Jets defense can hang around and muddy the waters. The Giants let things get out of hand so quickly last week we didn't really see the Cowboys offense. In a more normal game, it will be hard to move the ball. Ten points is a lot in the NFL, I'll bite.

Monday, September 18th

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Browns at Steelers

The Browns is the Browns. What does that mean now? Pickett looked bad last week and the Browns have a great defense. Myles Garrett and TJ Watt are must watch tv by themselves. Throw in all the other studs in a heated rivalry, this is easily the game of the day.

Most Entertaining Game: Saints at Panthers

This is entertaining if you like mucky games, not high flying ones. How does Bryce Young get going and how does the Saints offense work without Kamara? Both things are fun to watch, it's nice to have two games on a Monday.

Picks of the Day

Pick: Saints -3 (-118) at Panthers

Bryce Young's first Monday Night Football game. The Saints are solid on the defensive front and I think will force the Panthers to throw. On the backend they can overwhelm the Panthers' lack of receiver talent. I think the Saints get off to a 2-0 start.

Season Totals

College Football Picks: 6-8 (-2.56 units)

NFL Picks: 2-1 (+0.84 units)

Overall: 8-9 (-1.72 units)