Last Week: 9-2 (Damn you, Wannstedt!)

Overall Record: 9-2 (1-0 on  Lead Pipe Locks)

Miami (OH) (+14.5) over MICHIGAN - I don't think the Wolverines are going to fall to their first MAC opponent ever, but that half point is just sitting there, laid out on a bearskin rug in lingerie.  The RedHawks stumbled as favorites at home against Vanderbilt last week, but the Commodores (now 2-0 following their win against South Carolina Thursday night, which I also picked correctly, by the by) seem somewhat legitimate and there's no reason to think Miami (OH) won't be a little more relaxed and come out slinging in the Big House.  Michigan's offense is not good enough to put a lot of distance between themselves and anyone, and the RedHawks are competent enough to keep it close.

Georgia Tech (+7) over BOSTON COLLEGE - Just like Michigan, the Boston College offense doesn't seem explosive enough to slam down the accelerate and take the Jackets out of Paul Johnson's offense.  The triple option worked just fine against I-AA Jackson State, but this is the true test for Tech's new coach.  The Jackets are down a couple of starting linebackers, but I don't think it's going to take a big effort on defense to contain the Eagles' attack.   

via www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com

Cincinnati (+22) over OKLAHOMA - I don't think the Bearcats are going to be able to prevail in Norman, but do you know the last time they were blown out?  You'd have to go all the way back to the third week of 2006, where they lost to Ohio State 37-7.  They're still without Ben Mauk (who is going to at least get a Law & Order, and at the very least, a Raising The Bar out of his legal battles with the NCAA), but this just seems like a big line for an untested Oklahoma team to cover at home.  The Bearcats have two lockdown corners that will allow them to focus on the run, and while the offense is a bit of a question mark, you can say the same for the Sooner defense (although congrats on that great performance versus Chattanooga!).  Brian Kelly covers.

Oregon State (+15.5) over PENN STATE - (I didn't realize I was taking all road dogs until I started going through this.  Yikes.)  I was going to take the Beavers before Penn State lost a few key players to suspension, but now I feel even better about their chances playing in a stadium named after them.  While the new Nittany Lion, post-Morelli spread worked wonders against Coastal Carolina, it might be a little tougher against their visitors from the PAC-10.  Oregon State dropped their opener at Stanford despite outgaining the Cardinal pretty dramatically, giving up the game on silly turnover after silly turnover.  I might take the over here as well, unless the storms raging up the east coast get to central PA a little early.

NOTRE DAME (-22) over San Diego State - Words cannot describe how bad the Aztecs were before they lost most of their defensive line to injuries in week one, so I don't know how to describe them now.  If the Irish can't blow them out of the Stadium, have no hope for Michigan, Michigan State or anyone the rest of the season.  And yes, I find it odd I'm picking a team to cover a 22-point spread that scored 22 points or more only three times last season.  But seriously, San Diego State.

Ole Miss (+8) over WAKE FOREST - I'm going to ride Houston Nutt, Jevan Snead and the Rebs until everyone realizes they're going to be a tough out this season.  While I don't doubt Jim Grobe's team improves to 2-0 at home, I imagine it will be via the dramatic, last-second win instead of the thorough domination they are capable of applying to opponents.

EAST CAROLINA (+7.5) over West Virginia - The Pirates got absolutely smoked in Morgantown last season, but I'm telling you, the Mountaineers are going to suffer a drop off this season without Reynaud, Schmitt and Dingle.  Relying on Pat White to throw is an exciting wrinkle against Villanova, but Skip Holtz will be ready, and unless there's some Devine intervention, I say it stays close.  I know they needed a late field goal block to beat the Hokies last Saturday, but East Carolina outgained Beamer Ball by over a hundred yards and seven first downs.  Plus, if the Pirates win this, they realistically only have a road game at Southern Mississippi between them and potential BCS busting (unless you're wary of a road trip to NC State).

California (-13) over WASHINGTON STATE - Until further notice, bet against the Cougars.  It's too early in the season for Cal's meltdown, and they seemed to find some answers in the backfield as the game went along against Michigan State.  I'm not super confident in this pick, but Wazzu was deplorable against Oklahoma State on offense, gaining less than 200 yards while giving up 39 points.

FLORIDA (-22.5) over Miami (FL) - There's always that chance that the next game for the Hurricanes will be the one where they put it all together and begin their journey back to the top of the mountain, I just find it hard to believe it'll be this one.  They're starting one of two freshman quarterbacks in the Swamp, at night, against the Tebow when he gets Weapon 1A, Percy Harvin, back.  Harvin will want to stretch out those legs after missing the Hawaii game, and I doubt the 'Cane defense will be able to stop him.

Texas Tech (-10.5) over NEVADA - I love the Wolf Pack and I love the Pistol formation, but Mike Leach's crew of scallywags worked out most of their kinks last week.  Graham Harrell's shoulder is nice and loosened up, and while I don't doubt the hosts won't do their share of scoring, I see a late touchdown or two making sure the final margin is comfortable enough for the cover.

Stanford (+14.5) over ARIZONA STATE - Here's a little secret for you: Arizona State really isn't that good.  They took care of business against Northern Arizona (leading 30-0 before giving up a few meaningless late scores), but their victories last season were usually the result of smoke, mirrors and a big play or two broken late, but only when they weren't getting toasted by Oregon, Southern Cal and Texas down the stretch.  On the other side, Jim Harbaugh's crew was decent on the road last season (close wins at Arizona and Southern Cal), and looked like a team with the toughness to turn this into a low-scoring, ugly affair in their opening victory over the Beavers.  It's hard to cover a two touchdown spread in that sort of situation, which I'm hoping the Sun Devils cannot do.

Texas (-27) over UTEP - Whether you look at UTEP's performance at Buffalo or Texas' home whupping of a respectable Florida Atlantic team, I don't think you could have put this line high enough for me not to take the favorites.  Consider this your lead pipe lock of the week.