Week #2 Predictions

Record to date: 11-1 (91.7 %)
Record last week: 11-1 (91.7%)

Week#2 Predictions
My straight up picks for Week #2.  I hope to match last week's success, but there are a couple of really tight matchups, with only one week of trends to observe. 

Winners
Notre Dame @ Michigan (Michigan)
Notre Dame is played too sloppy in their game against South Florida for me to think they will pull it out.  And you cannot blame weather delays either for the Irish, as Michigan dealt with the same storms and delays.  I like Michigan, but I expect a close one.

Oregon State @ Wisconsin (Wisconsin)
I'll make this simple.  Oregon State lost to an FCS team last week.  Wisconsin pummeled UNLV.  Badgers roll to 2-0.

Toledo @ Ohio State (Ohio State)
The Buckeye's get some players back.  While I like Toledo's team, they cannot match the Buckeyes.  Ohio State wins big.

Fresno State @ Nebraska (Nebraska)
Fresno always plays tough, but Nebraska's defense won't let the Bulldogs come away with an upset.  Nebraska wins comfortably, but not by blowout margins.

Florida Atlantic @ Michigan State (Michigan State)
Michigan State did not play up to their potential last week.  I think Florida Atlantic is in for a long day.

New Mexico State @ Minnesota (Minnesota)
I like the fight from the Golden Gophers last week.  I think with Gray back at QB, they'll probably have a better year than I anticipated.  We will see however.  Gophers come away with Jerry Kill's first victory.

Eastern Illinois @ Northwestern (Northwestern)
If the Wildcats can get away with a W on the road at Boston College without Dan Persa, there is no way they won't have similar success against a much weaker EIU team. 

South Dakota State @ Illinois (Illinois)
Illinois did not play as well as I thought they would have last week, but luckily South Dakota State will not test them too much, providing the Illlini time to iron things out.

Purdue @ Rice (Purdue)
This was a tough one for me.  Though it is on the road and Purdue is certainly not playing great football, I like their resolve against MTSU last week, who is an opponent of greater strength than Rice.  Purdue squeks one out... again.

Losers
Alabama @ Penn State (Alabama)
As I type this, I am en route to State College, so it is hard not to pick the Lions.  While Penn State is an improved team, their unsettled QB situation is not conducive to knock off the #2 team in the nation.  Unlike last years 24-3 defeat, the Lions make Alabama sweat.  Final score Alabama 20 - Penn State 17.

Virginia @ Indiana (Virginia)
I don't know how Indiana lost to Ball State.  I think that does not bode well for the Hoosiers this week against a much better team on the road. 

Iowa @ Iowa State (Iowa State) U
My first upset pick of the year.  While I think that Hawkeyes are better than the Cyclones, I don't think they are good enough to overcome the road disadvantage. 

U - Upset Alert (Game of the week that most likely could result in an upset)