The new College Football season is taking shape, but it is a dominant school from the last few seasons that could be playing for the National Championship again this time around. The Alabama Crimson Tide's biggest obstacle to reaching the big game was always going to be the game at College Station, but last week they managed to shut down the Texas A&M Aggies just enough to pull the victory.
The rest of the schedule is manageable for the Crimson Tide and they could have the chance to three-peat as National Champions.
The fight for the place in the National Championship Game is still ongoing with a number of unbeaten teams, but I would still figure the winner of the Oregon-Stanford game to be played later this year may determine which team is likely to face a team from the SEC, although Clemson are still going to believe they can have an impact too. As we reach the fourth week of the season, things may still remain a little murky until the next month when all Conference play gets going.
Toledo Rockets @ Central Michigan Chippewas Pick: The Toledo Rockets have won the last 3 games in the series against Central Michigan and will be expected to get their Conference schedule off to a positive start in this one.
Central Michigan played well last season and could cause some problems through the air for the Rockets Defense, but they are a little one-dimensional and I expect Toledo's pass rush to help disrupt drives and give the Rockets a chance to win this game by a couple of Touchdowns.
I believe Toledo have enough balance in their Offense to keep the chains moving when they have the ball and that consistency could prove to be the difference in the game.
Pittsburgh Panthers @ Duke Blue Devils Pick: Both of these Offenses should have success in this game, but I believe the edge will go to the Pittsburgh Panthers when it is all said and done and that is mainly down to the fact that I believe their pass rush may just rush Duke a little more into making mistakes or not sustaining their drives.
The Panthers have also been a little more effective at running the ball of the two teams and that should open their passing lanes as the game develops.
Pittsburgh are 7-3 against the spread as the road favourite in recent games in that spot, while Duke have gone just 1-3 against the spread as the home underdog over the last year.
Kent State Golden Flashes @ Penn State Nittany Lions Pick: The Penn State Nittany Lions have an edge in terms of talent and can put their full focus into this game with a bye week next up ahead of Conference play.
It isn't the same case for Kent State who are coming off a tough game at LSU last weekend and may already be looking ahead to their first MAC Conference game at Western Michigan next week.
The talent edge and ability should give Penn State the chance to move the chains with much more consistency this week and I like them to cover the spread. The Nittany Lions have been a solid home favourite under Bill O'Brien too and I expect them to make up for the surprise loss they suffered at home last week.
Cincinnati Bearcats @ Miami (Ohio) Redhawks Pick: Cincinnati have dominated this series in recent years and seem to have a clear edge on both sides of the ball to think they should be able to see off the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks fairly comfortably.
The Bearcats should put up plenty of points themselves and if the Redhawks have struggled to get their Offense on track after two weeks since their last game, this could be a long day for Miami again.
Cincinnati are 8-5 against the spread as the road favourite in recent seasons and have won their last 7 games against Miami (Ohio) by 28 points per game. Even the injury to Munchie Legaux won't slow down this Bearcats Offense and I expect them to move the chains at will throughout this game and not lose focus with a bye to follow the game.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns @ Akron Zips Pick: It was a very impressive performance from the Akron Zips last week, but they were also pretty bad in their first two games of the season so I don't want to read too much into one performance, even against a team as talented as Michigan.
It will be tough for Akron to keep up with the Louisiana Offense in this one as far as I am concerned and they may just be a little flat after pushing Michigan as far as they did last week.
The Ragin' Cajuns will find their points in this one and the pressure will be on Akron to keep up, while the Zips are 3-10 against the spread as the home underdog over the last three years.
Oregon State Beavers @ San Diego State Aztecs Pick: Both teams should be able to move the chains with their passing performances in this one, but I do feel Oregon State have the slight edge in a couple of departments that should let them get away with another win.
Sean Mannion makes less mistakes than the Quarter Backs San Diego State will call upon, while the Beavers Defense gets more pressure on the man behind Center and that could also lead to drives stalling or mistakes being made.
In a game where both Offenses have the edge, that little factor can make all the difference and I like Oregon State to find a way to pull away and cover.
Michigan Wolverines @ Connecticut Huskies Pick: I am expecting a much stronger performance from Michigan after their escape last week and this looks a good game for them to get back on the horse in impressive fashion.
Brady Hoke was just happy his team escaped with a win last week, but he will be expecting a lot more from them this week and they do seem to have the edge on both sides of the ball.
Connecticut will make some plays to stay in the game for a while, but the pressure may prove too much for Chandler Whitmer who has thrown more Interceptions than Touchdowns so far in his career at the Huskies. I expect Michigan have a couple of turnovers to move away from Connecticut in this one.
Kansas State Wildcats @ Texas Longhorns Pick: Once again, Mack Brown is under pressure as the Texas Longhorns have started 1-2 and this has become an increasingly important game for the Head Coach with rumours that the likes of Nick Saban have been sounded out to take over.
Texas have been absolutely embarrassing against the run as they have allowed over 300 yards per game on the ground alone and Kansas State should be come the latest to keep the chains moving by simply running the ball.
Confidence has to be a little battered in the home squad, but they should be able to move the chains themselves, although they have lost 5 straight years to the Wildcats.
Texas are just 9-15 against the spread as the home favourite in recent years while Kansas State are 15-3 against the spread as the road underdog- with current form also in mind, the Wildcats are my pick.
MY PICKS: Toledo Rockets - 11.5 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Pittsburgh Panthers - 4 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Penn State Nittany Lions - 22 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Cincinnati Bearcats - 23.5 Points @ 1.92 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns - 6 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Oregon State Beavers - 8 Points @ 2.00 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Michigan Wolverines - 19.5 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Kansas State Wildcats + 6.5 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Week 3: 5-2-1, + 2.77 Units (8 Units Staked, + 34.63% Yield)
Week 2: 6-2, + 3.55 Units (8 Units Staked, + 44.38% Yield)
Week 1: 4-3, + 0.74 Units (7 Units Staked, + 10.57% Yield)
Season 2013: 15-7-1, + 7.06 Units (23 Units Staked, + 30.70% Yield)
Season 2012: 54-59-1 - 7.11 Units (114 Units Staked, - 6.24% Yield)
Season 2011: 63-36, + 23.25 Units (99 Units Staked, + 23.5% Yield)
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