WEEK THREE: TIME TO REGROUP AND REBOUND

I'll be the first to say that we got bopped last Saturday as we posted a dismal 2-6 record.

Looking to rebound

Actually, I'm like the fifth or sixth since I heard from some of you beginning late Saturday afternoon as some of our picks started to falter. As I've said before, sports gaming is like the stock market with its ups and downs. You have to stay firm for the long haul and resist the easy temptation to bail. So, hang in there. Afterall, for the last four years we've posted an average winning percentage of 68%, and that puts you in the chips big time.

And, in the interest of being fair and balanced, we included four UPSET SPECIALS, missing on three of the four by an average difference of only 2.7 points: the difference between a great winning weekend and a losing one.

So enough whining. Let's focus on winning.

Here's Your Weekend Winners for Week #2...The Great Eight™...

In South Bend for the 2007 beat down

#14 Georgia Tech @ #8 Notre Dame...this is the first real test for Johnson's Jackets after whipping up on patsies, Alcorn State and Tulane. Tech comes into South Bend leading the nation in rushing yards (458 per game) AND in passing efficiency (285). Tech is also second nationally in scoring offense (67 points per game). Meanwhile, the Golden Domers are regrouping with a third team QB after Malik Zaire broke his ankle last Saturday. In addition to the Jackets' strong offense, their defense has played much more aggressively this season, especially with qb pressures.  We think the Bees will buzz the Irish in South Bend.

#23 Northwestern @ Duke....perhaps this game should be played in the university library since the average GPA of both teams is like 3.8 or something. On the field, both teams are 2-0 and both defenses have performed well. But Duke's offense is nothing to laugh about. The Blue Devils have amassed 758 total yards in the first two games and could be the real difference on Saturday. Take Cut's Devils as Duke wins in Durham.

#18 Auburn @ @13 LSU....last Saturday the War Eagles came within a cat hair of being upset by lowly FCS Jacksonville State, only to be handed the win in overtime. Auburn's Jeremy Johnson looked really shakey and their defense has looked pretty porous in defending the run (399 rushing yards yielded in the first two games). If LSU can make the Auburn offense one-dimensional that needs to throw a lot, then the Bengal Tigers will notch another win. Auburn has not won in Baton Rouge since 1999. And they won't tomorrow. LSU claws Auburn.

South Carolina @ #7 Georgia....We're guessing that Mark Richt has kept the wraps on the Bulldog offense as he breaks in his new quarterback, Greyson Lambert. But we're guessing that the playbook opens up tomorrow beyond handing off to Nick Chubb and company. Spurrier, after losing Connor Mitch to a shoulder injury, now has to turn to walk-on quarterback, Perry Orth, to lead the Cocks in Athens. Good luck, pal. This is going to be ugly. We don't know who suffers more: Orth or Spurrier's hat. Dawgs bark loud in the Classic City.

Stanford @ #6 Southern Cal....the Cardinal is still reeling after getting nipped by Northwestern in their first game of the season. They rank 112th in rushing and qb Kevin Hogan is averaging on 8 yards per pass attempt. Not good. Meanwhile the Trojans have been explosive in their first two games albeit against poor competition but outscoring foes 114-15 and putting up over 1200 yards of offense is pretty darn impressive no matter who you're playing. Look for the Men of Troy to stamp Stanford.

#15 Ole Miss @ #2 Alabama....this game has gained a higher profile in recent seasons as Mister Freeze has been rebuilding the Rebels. But check out these daunting stats. Ole Miss hasn't won in Tuscaloser since 1988 (remember Bill Curry and the brick through is office window?). Ole Miss is 0-16 against teams in the Top Two. Ole Miss has never beaten Alabama back to back in 62 games. The Rebs have been burning it up on offense this season with qb Chad Kelly hitting over 72% of his passes and the running backs averaging almost 8 yards per rush. But that's been against UT-Martin and Fresno State...not Alabama's iron clad defense that handle Wisconsin's run game and Middle Tennessee's passing attack. Jake Coker has looked good at qb and Derrick Henry has logged over 240 rushing yards in two games. The Tide will roll in this one.

#19 BYU @ #10 UCLA....unknown Cougar qb Tanner Mangum has made a name for himself after winning the first two games this season on late game deep touchdown passes (recall the Hail Mary that beat Nebraska in week one). He's going to need more of this magic since the BYU run game is averaging just 3 yards per carry. The Bruins pack too much offense and defense for the Mormon crowd to handle. Frosh qb Josh Rosen has played brilliantly and we don't see a let up happening on Saturday. Bruins handle the Cougars.

Air Force @ #4 Michigan State....does anyone really care about this game? We do. Because anytime a traditional defense goes up against a triple option team, things can get crazy. In their first two games the Falcons have rushed for 822 yards, but lost their QB last week with a leg injury. The Spartans controlled Oregon's potent offense and escaped with a 31-28 win but they'll have their hands full with Air Force. Don't sleep on this game; it could be a good one. But Sparty wins in East Lansing.

Good luck this week.

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™