Need a Re-Do in Week Two

The best opening weekend in college football history is now in the books. And what a weekend it was.

Alabama remains the Big Guy to beat. Ohio State and Michigan appear to be the drivers in the Big Ten. Florida State entertained us with a monster comeback. And football has never been better in the state of Texas with all of it "power teams" winning including Texas, Houston, TCU, Texas A&M, Baylor and Texas Tech.

We struggled to go 4-4 and we're hoping this Saturday gets us back on the winning track.

Week Two is a drop off compared to the first week in terms of marquee matchups and high profile games. Nevetheless, there are a few games that promise the opportunity to Make Mo' Money™.

We have several UPSET SPECIALS that should jumpstart your winning streak. So let's get right to it.

The Great Eight for Week Two...

IQ level in Bristol to hit all-time low

#17 Tennessee vs Virginia Tech...we're not big fans of Bristol Motor Speedway being the venue for this matchup. It's purely a PR stunt to claim the largest crowd ever to attend a college football game with no regard for the serious fan. The closest seat to the field will be 80 yards away so you better take a good pair of binocs - better yet, a Hubbell telescope - if you want to catch a glimpse of the game while sitting with 150,000 juiced up hillbillies. The good news: each team pockets at least $4.3m. They say that the greatest degree of improvement is from the first to the second game. If you're a Vol fan, you hope that's true. This is a critical game for Botch Jones especially on the heels of a lackluster effort against Appalachian State. The Vols need to unleash Dobbs as a runner and the offensive line needs to give him better protection. Although the Hokies are unranked, Bud Foster is still their defensive coordinator and he'll mix it up with blitzes along with a focus on forcing turnovers. They had four last Saturday against Liberty, but that was Liberty. In an UPSET SPECIAL, take the Hokies and the points in Bristol. Gobble gobble.

Penn State vs Pittsburgh...once upon a time this series, which has not been played in 15 years, was a big deal especially back in the 70's and '80s with guys like Tony Dorsett and Dan Marino. Vol retread Nathan Peterman leads the Pitt offense after a decent showing last week vs Villanova, although he fumbled two snaps and had another stripped from him (sound familiar Vol fans?). Penn State head coach James Franklin still has his sour attitude he had at Vandy but he does have a few more weapons to work with in his up tempo spread offense. This could be a rather entertaining game set for noon. Panthers bite the Nittany Lions in Pittsburgh.

Check out the hot chick in the 4th row

South Carolina @ Mississippi State...Will Muschamp and his Cocks left Nashville with a 13-10 win over the 'Dores while the Bulldogs were embarrassed by 28 point underdog, South Alabama. Muschamp has restructured a porous Carolina defense and it showed last week as the Cocks held Vandy to only 169 yds rushing, far less than their SEC worst 217 average last season. Mullen is hoping his mutts can shake their blues and get back to basics with a strong ground game. In another UPSET SPECIAL, the Cocks crow in Starkville.

Kentucky @ Florida...the Wildcats blew a big lead to lose to Southern Miss while the Gators toyed with UMass before putting them away in an uninspired effort. New qb transfer Luke Del Rio played good enough to rally the Gators, passing for 256 yards and two TDs. Kentucky hasn't beaten Florida since the Reagan administration, 29 years ago. Make it 30 years. Gators chomp on the kitty kats in Gainesville.

Virginia @ #24 Oregon...new UVA coach Bronco Mendenhall is still having nightmares over Virginia's lousy run defense. Last week FCS opponent Richmond pounded out 187 rushing yards as the Spiders won in Charlottesville, 37-20. Once again, Oregon is loaded with plenty of skill position standouts and new qb Dakota Prukop did well in his debut with three passing TDs and one rushing TD. Interesting note: Virginia is the first ACC team ever to play at Oregon...and it will be a long flight home as the Ducks honk all over the Cavs. Take Oregon.

Biking to the game makes total sense

BYU @ Utah...only a few exits on the interstate separate these two schools and the hate level between them is palpable.  BYU, led by 26 year old qb Taysom Hill, is coming off a 18-16 win over Arizona and is looking for some revenge after the Utes beat them in last season's Las Vegas Bowl, allowing a 35 point comeback. Meanwhile, the Utes hope that new qb Troy Williams can have another big day like last Saturday when he passed for 272 yards. In an UPSET SPECIAL, book the Mormons over the Utes.

Arkansas @ #15 TCU...this is the first time in 25 years since these teams have played each other. But both coaches are very familiar to each other. "Kenny Thrill" is back in football as the new qb for TCU and racked up 439 passing yards in his debut over South Dakota State (yes, I know). While the Horned Frog offense had a mind blowing 662 total yards, the defense gave up 461 yards and 41 points. Not good. Bielema is hoping his trademark Razorback run game gets back on track after gaining a paltry 106 yards against La Tech. Look for the Toads to take the Hogs.

#14 Oklahoma vs Louisiana Monroe...Stoops' Sooners are still stinging after losing to Houston, and we're sure they'll right the ship with a win over Louisiana Monroe. BUT a 46.5 point spread is just too tasty not to bite. The Warhawks are 1-28 against ranked opponents and we see no way they leave Norman with a win. BUT the points!!  Too tasty. So take UL-Monroe and the points and you'll make some cash.

Let's check back next week to see how much moolah everyone won.

MAKE MO' MONEY WITH MARK™