After tripping coming out of the gate, let's see if Week Two brings any improvement.
A disappointing 4-6 record in the first week dug us a hole but not a deep hole.
Week Two promises to be more challenging. There are some double-digit spreads but no real layups.
By late Saturday night, we will know much more than we know right now about Clemson and South Carolina. The Tigers travel to Aggieland, while the Gamecocks welcome the SEC East favorite to Williams-Brice.
Here are this week's selections.
Georgia at South Carolina +10 -- South Carolina always seems to play Georgia to the wall. Most everyone expected a blowout in Athens last season, but the Gamecocks hung around all day. The Gamecocks have got some early confidence. Gamecock wide receiver Deebo Samuel made a highlight catch in the first game and there are many more to come. Georgia better bring it. I am expecting a real fistfight. The Gamecocks can't match Georgia's talent, but I do think they will cover. Pick -- South Carolina
Clemson at Texas A&M -12.5 -- The Tigers go on the road for a major challenge. Jimbo Fisher, who knows the Tigers well, is in his first season at A&M and Aggie fans have high expectations. The quotes coming out of College Station this week have been full of confidence. Reading between the lines, there is SEC arrogance in the air. This will be the largest crowd ever to see the Tigers play a game -- more than 102,000. But the Tigers have been in many big-time environments the last five years. The Tigers know when they take the field they are going to get everybody's best shot. I have been nervous about this one the entire off-season. But I am going to trust Clemson's defense lives up to its pre-season billing. Pick -- Clemson
Arizona at Houston -4.5 -- The Kevin Sumlin era in the desert started with a dud as the Wildcats lost to BYU. Sumlin returns to Houston where he used to coach to face a solid Cougar squad. Houston beat crosstown rival Rice in the opener. Houston defensive end Ed Oliver is considered one of the best in the country. Arizona will have to keep Oliver from creating total havoc to have a chance. Pick -- Houston
Colorado at Nebraska -5.0 -- College football needs to give us more games like this. Back in the days of the Big 8, these two schools played on Thanksgiving weekend. Colorado comes to Lincoln after routing Colorado State. Nebraska, thoroughly juiced about new head coach Scott Frost, is still waiting on the Huskers' season to start. Lightning forced the Huskers to cancel their opener against Akron. Colorado is somewhat known. Nebraska is still an unknown. But I expect the emotion of the home crowd to carry the Huskers. Pick -- Nebraska
Iowa State at Iowa -3.5 -- This will be Iowa State's first game. Lightning forced the Cyclones to postpone last week's game against South Dakota State. Iowa recorded a solid victory against Northern Illinois in its opener. Seems strange to play a rivalry this early. Again, I think home field will make the difference. Pick -- Iowa
Wyoming at Missouri -17.5 -- Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl has an impressive record of success against Missouri. As a player, grad assistant and assistant coach at Nebraska, Bohl was 13-1 against the Tigers. But the high-scoring Tigers will hand him an "L" Saturday. Pick -- Missouri
Arkansas at Colorado State +13.0 -- Colorado State is off to an 0-2 start after getting hammered by Colorado last Saturday. The Rams are allowing an average of 44.0 points per game. The last thing a struggling defense needs is to face a fast-paced Chad Morris offense. Pick -- Arkansas
Georgia Tech at South Florida +3.0 -- Is Paul Johnson ever happy? Nope. He is always complaining about something. There is positive talk about Tech's new 3-4 defense and new defensive coordinator Nate Woody. But Tech's offense continues to battle inconsistency. Offensive shootouts are not good for the Jackets. Pick -- South Florida
Penn State at Pittsburgh -8.5 -- There is some good old fashioned hate in this one. Penn State head coach James Franklin has let it be known he thinks the Panthers are not worthy of future games with the high and mighty Nittany Lions. In the history of Penn State football, the Nittany Lions have played more games against Pitt than any other opponent -- 98. Pitt has played just one opponent -- West Virginia -- more than it has Penn State. Penn State almost got "App-ed" last week at home. And angry Pitt team waits for them at Heinz Field. Upset special. -- Pittsburgh
Southern Cal at Stanford -4.5 -- One of the biggest games of the season in the Pac 12 in Week Two. I am a big fan of Stanford head coach David Shaw. I like the way his teams play -- tough and physical. Take the Cardinal at home. Pick -- Stanford
Last Week -- 4-6-0
For The Season -- 4-6-0
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