Week 2 picks: The ol' switcheroo

Orange Clockwork

Published Wednesday, September 9 2009 - (0) Comments

This week's Tennessee-UCLA game looks more and more like a toss-up.

I thought it would be decided in the trenches, where UCLA has a distinct advantage.

On the defensive line, UCLA has 300-pound Brian Price, one of the best defensive tackles in the country. The guy beside him, Jerzy Siewierski, is regarded as a highly gifted athlete and potential nightmare for offensive linemen, not to mention copy editors and spell checkers. Tennessee has Cody Sullins (now bulked up to 275 pounds, I'm told) at center making his first start against a real major opponent. And Vlad Richard--the team's best lineman--is battling an Achilles issue.

But the matchups have shifted on the perimeter. Tennessee should have Gerald Jones and Denarius Moore both back to go with Nu'Keese Richardson, Marsalis Teague, Brandon Warren and Quintin Hancock. UCLA safety Rahim Moore snared three picks and Alterraun Verner is a top-notch cornerback. However, with Aaron Hester out, 5-foot-7 sophomore Courtney Viney will be starting at the other corner. Viney might as well be wearing a bull's-eye on his jersey.

Both teams have top-notch placekickers. UCLA can make things happen in special teams (just ask Chad Cunningham), but Eddie Gran has brought a new and long-overdue attention to detail to the kicking game for the Vols.

I think Viney gets picked on all day. And after the supreme focus displayed by Tennessee's coaches against Western Kentucky, I can only imagine how locked in Kiffin and company will be for the Bruins.

Tennessee does not have top-shelf talent across the board... yet. I think motivation, preparation and the advantage of not having to travel across three time zones gives the Vols the edge.

I picked UCLA to win this game in my preseason predictions column. Count this one as an official reversal. It will be a fight, but in the end it's... Tennessee 30, UCLA 26.
The first week of picks was an inexcusable 9-6 performance.

Blame the Georgia team's flu bug. And Oregon completely laying an egg on the Smurf Turf. And N.C. State reminding me that it's... well, still N.C. State.

And as for Virginia... well, let's just get to this week's picks instead. K?

Virginia Tech 35, Marshall 7: Did you know Virginia Tech has lost its opener in four of the past six seasons? The Thundering Herd gave up 300-plus yards to Southern Illinois. Sounds like a get-better kind of game for the Hokies. FYI: Marshall tight end and former Tennessee signee Lee Smith is a team captain this year.

Southern Cal 37, Ohio State 17: Good news, Buckeye fans. Ohio State will make this more of a game. The bad news, it won't be close enough.

Georgia Tech 24, Clemson 20: I like the Yellow Jackets at home on a Thursday night. I should mention, however, that I am absolutely horrible picking Thursday night college games. Last week? 0-2. Horrible.

Notre Dame 28, Michigan 27: Total toss-up. I'll take the team that hasn't been accused of illegal practices.

Wisconsin 21, Fresno State 17: The Badgers are riddled with a flu bug but should have enough to get past Fresno. Curt Phillips is expected to see time at quarterback behind starter Scott Tolzien. Hmmmm, wonder what the Vols' QB situation would look like right now if Phillips ended up in Knoxville.

Georgia 16, South Carolina 7: Half of Georgia's team was sick last week. Watching the Gamecocks' offense against N.C. State could induce nausea. I don't think Ellis Johnson's defense can hold the Bulldogs to three points.

LSU 24, Vanderbilt 13: Wow, the Tigers really struggled in third-and-long situations against Washington. Why did that look so familiar? No way the Commodores can hang in the first home game in the Bayou. At night.

Auburn 23, Mississippi State 10: Two first-year coaches open their SEC schedules against each other. Ah, the circle of life. I think the Tigers win this one with ease.

Alabama 27, Florida International 14: Nick Saban's teams are always tough against top competition. But, his squad has the tenedency to underachieve against mediocre opponents. Louisiana-Monroe, anybody? FIU puts a scare into the Tide before superior talent makes the difference.

Florida 59, Troy 6: Troy couldn't solve Bowling Green, so I don't like the reigning Sun Belt champ's chances here against much tougher competition unless Urban Meyer pulls his starters early. I predict Florida allows just two field goals, adding a "no touchdowns scored against the Gators" subplot to next week's tilt with Tennessee.

TCU 30, Virginia 3: I'd even take Dan Ellis at quarterback over the mess the Cavaliers currently have at that position. Losing to William & Mary by double digits? Sad, sad days for my alma mater...

Maryland 14, James Madison 7: Sorry, the third time's not the charm for another CAA upset of an ACC team. JMU has too many new guys at their offensive skill position players, and it's the season opener in (presumably) hostile territory. That's a recipe for turnovers, which can't happen if Madison wants to score the upset.

Oregon 31, Purdue 21: The Ducks get back on track. Not to forgive or make excuses for LeGarrette Blount, but Boise State's Byron Hout has gotten a free pass for his own unsportsmanlike behavior, which provoked Blount's punch seen 'round the world.

Missouri 44, Bowling Green 17: Did I hallucinate, or did a Dave Clawson offense roll up 31 points, with a quarterback who completed 32 of 44 passes for two touchdowns last week? So much for it taking two years to master his system, I guess. Clawson has been made out to be the fall guy in Knoxville for what went down in 2008. Bowling Green can't win this one, but I still see this as a season of vindication for the former Tennessee coordinator.

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