WEEK TWO (September 12)

Notre Dame (-3) over Michigan
The interest in this game has picked up speed this week. Aside from the fact these are two marquee traditions going head-to-head, the fact both performed so well last Saturday has fans from across the country highly anticipating a great 3:30 ET match up. However, this is not the Western Michigan defense the Wolverines will be facing. The Irish shut out a gifted Nevada offense last week with one of the best running quarterbacks in the nation. And Jimmy Clausen is playing lights out football right now. The game is in the Big House of Ann Arbor, but Notre Dame wins nine or ten games this season. One of their losses won't be here. The fact the line is only at a field goal almost makes this choice seem too easy.
Notre Dame 35 Michigan 17

Kansas (-13) over UTEP
UTEP got beat at home last Saturday by a Buffalo Bulls team that was missing their best offensive player in running back James Starks. Quarterback Trevor Vittatoe is the best aspect the Miners possess. Kansas has all four starters back from a secondary that has become accustomed to passing offenses in the Big 12. Plus, the Jayhawks can toss the pigskin around with the best of them as quarterback Todd Reesing and a nucleus of talented receivers will put up points on the Miner's defense. They will outscore UTEP by two touchdowns. Had this game been in Lawrence, the score could have climbed towards a 52-20 beating in favor of the KU side.
Kansas 52 UTEP 30

Southern California (-7) over Ohio State
This week's "Game of The Century" pits two schools that are no strangers to recruiting top talent and possessing a quality head coach. USC has struggled and been beaten outright in the past against the likes of Stanford and Oregon State when their five-star athletes tend to take the opponent lightly. But when the nation's attention turns to the Trojans in a game like this they always seem to respond in a huge way. The Buckeyes are still struggling offensively to find a playmaker. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor may have all the skills running but he has not proved yet to be a star on the field. His 30 rushing yards and 134 passing yards against Navy last week won't even come close to be effective this week. He also needs much better help from his offensive tackles. The names at USC may sound new, but nobody has more top-level talent across the board then USC and maybe Florida. Last year's 35-3 whopping is only closer because the game is in Columbus.
Southern California 27 Ohio State 10

East Carolina at West Virginia OVER 44 points
The 24-3 upset that occurred last year between these two teams in Greenville showed just how good this Pirate's defense can be and most of them are all back. However, this year WVU won’t be sleep walking offensively again versus East Carolina and the home crowd is looking for revenge. If you have not seen Jarrett Brown play quarterback for the Mountaineers, you are in for a treat. His arm is twice better than his predecessor Pat White and running back Noel Devine can score every time he touches the ball. FCS opponent Liberty surprisingly pushed around this Mountaineer defense last Saturday. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney and this East Carolina offense can still score 24 on WVU but that won't be enough this time.
West Virginia 34 East Carolina 27

Texas at Wyoming OVER 56.5 points
Wyoming has more than a capable defense with a solid front line that came back for another season intact and the Mountain West Conference's second-rated pass defense also returned three starters. New head coach Dave Christensen brings a new spread offense with him from Missouri and when the scoring starts to unravel the Cowboys will start to open up the "catch up" play calling. Texas has one of the best offensive lines in the nation and Wyoming, despite being strong up front, should be no match in terms of putting pressure on Colt McCoy. His roommate Jordan Shipley has another huge day catching the pigskin and the scoring barrage continues from last week's beat down of Louisiana-Monroe where the Longhorns scored 59 all on their own.
Texas 49 Wyoming 14

Air Force at Minnesota OVER 47.5 points
After one week of football guess who has the nation's No. 1 ranked rushing offense? Well it has to be one of the service academies in all likelihood and Air Force would be that team. Poor Nicholls State was on the other end of that attack last Saturday in getting pounded 72-0. The Falcons rushed for 474 yards. The Gophers are no slouch offensively either, especially when throwing the football with quarterback Adam Weber and receiver Eric Decker. Air Force plays solid in the secondary, which makes for an interesting match up. This will be the first ever game played at TCF Bank Stadium, the newly build outdoor facility that is now home to Minnesota football. Air Force won't spoil the debut but will score enough to make it real close.
Minnesota 31 Air Force 30

-- Week One Results