Auburn at Clemson: Will Defense Rule?

    Week One is in the books and it was not good.
     First time out against a tough slate of games, the record was 4-6.
     But that was a just a warm up. There is a lot football left.
     As always, all picks are against the spread. And picks are for entertainment purposes only.
    Week Two gets even tougher. Let's have at it.
     Auburn at Clemson -5.0 -- Clemson won a glorfied scrimmage against a feeble Kent State. Kent State threw up the white flag early and was only interested in collecting the check. Auburn beat a usually pesky Georgia Southern squad. In some ways, these two teams mirror each other -- inexperience on offense, experienced on defense. On paper, this has the makings of a defensive game with both teams throwing haymakers. I think home field will be the difference. Pick -- Clemson
     South Carolina at Missouri -2.5 -- The Gamecocks won a shootout in Charlotte by making more plays than the Wolfpack. South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley made several nice throws, but the Gamecocks still need to find a running game. Missouri dropped 72 on Missouri State. This spread looks strange. I'm taking the home field. Pick -- Missouri
     Georgia at Notre Dame -4.0 -- The Dawgs make a rare trip North to tangle with the Irish for just the second time in history. I congratulate both programs. This is a great game for college football. The only other meeting was Georgia's victory in the Sugar Bowl which clinched the 1980 national championship. Georgia has quarterback issues. Notre Dame is trying to bounce back from last seasons's 4-8 egg. There has been trash talking coming out of Athens. Big shock there. Wake up the echoes. Pick -- Notre Dame
     Louisville at North Carolina +10 -- Lamar Jackson's run at a second Heisman Trophy got off to a rocky start, but the Cardinals managed to save themselves against lowly Purdue. North Carolina took one step toward talking basketball season by losing at home to California. Louisville will have to play a much cleaner game to cover the spread. This smells like an early must win for the Heels. I expect the Heels to play with a sense of desperation. Pick -- North Carolina
     Iowa at Iowa State +2.5 -- The Cyclones are a weak sister in the Big 12. The Hawkeyes have been known to stumble. Pick -- Iowa State
     Wake Forest at Boston College Pick'em -- BC 2-0? Believe it. Pick -- BC
     Oklahoma at Ohio State -7.5 -- I just don't get the national love for Ohio State. Sure, the Buckeyes have plenty of talent, but their offense is still a mess. Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley faces his first big road game as a head coach. Sooner quarterback Baker Mayfield came back to Norman to make a run at a national title. Take the points. Pick -- Oklahoma
     Stanford at Southern Cal -6.0 -- Cardinal power versus Trojan flash. I'm going to take the power. Pick -- Stanford
     TCU at Arkansas +3.0 -- When has Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema ever won a big game? I'm waiting for your answer. Can Arkansas' ground game keep up with TCU's Big 12 offense? I'm going to take the Frogs. Pick -- TCU
     Pittsburgh at Penn State -21.0 -- Pitt beat Penn State last season, a loss that ended up costing the Nittany Lions a trip to the College Football Playoff. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Happy Valley will not be a happy place for the Panthers. Pick -- Penn State.

Last Week Against The Spread -- 4-6
2017 Season -- 4-6