Week 3 College football picks

We suffered a bit last week after a good week one, but I'm confident that Week 3 will be the one that gets us on track. Or at least I think I am.

Ohio State (+11) at USC
For a game that's been hyped as much as the Buckeyes-Trojans tilt has been this week, the spread is more similar to a game between, say, TCU and Stanford. I figure Vegas is still impressed by USC's beatdown of Virginia and skeptical of the Buckeyes' lackluster performance against Ohio. Add in the West Coast theory (Eastern team travelling west) and you have a lopsided spread.
I have been hemming and hawing about this game, first picking the Buckeyes - on an aside, Beanie Wells will be playing, I don't care what Ohio State says his status is - then switching to the Trojans. After some deliberation, that's where I'll stay. After UCLA's win over Tennessee, I'm not going against the West Coast Theory ever again.
USC 31, Ohio State 17

UCLA (+8) at BYU
It's been quite a week-and-a-half since the Bruins played Tennessee. First, coach Rick Neuheisel attempted to make a helicopter landing at Los Osos to watch Grizzlies QB Richard Brehaut and Bishop Amat DB Sheldon Price, both Bruin verbal commits. Then UCLA's opponent, BYU, wins partially because of an egregious unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Washington QB Jake Locker on an apparently game-tying score with two seconds left.
What does this mean? I have no idea. This game is a tossup as far as the spread is concerned.
BYU 28, UCLA 19

Oregon (-8) at Purdue
The next two games are the opposite of the West Coast Theory, as Pac-10 teams head east to play seemingly overmatched opponents. Traveling to Big Ten country won't intimidate the Ducks, who destroyed Michigan in a similar situation last year. This Oregon team is rolling, scoring 109 points in its first two games, and while Purdue has weapons, Oregon will be too much.
Oregon 41, Purdue 28

California (-14.5) at Maryland
The interesting thing about this game is the start time. This matchup will be kicking off at noon eastern, meaning it will be 9 a.m. on the bodies of the Bears. Drowsiness will be the only thing that can hold Cal back in this, as the Terps are fresh off a loss to Middle Tennessee State. After some groggyness, Cal will cover.
California 31, Maryland 13

Oklahoma (-20.5) at Washington
I really feel for the Huskies. One of the best programs on the West Coast (arguably second in the Pac-10 behind USC historically) has turned into a mere footnote on the schedule. Back in the day, this game would have been a pretty hyped intersectional bash. But back in the day, I was in elementary school. The U-Dub players will likely wish they were back in elementary school after this game.
Oklahoma 37, Washington 13

Stanford (+13.5) at TCU
This game will likely be played pretty quickly, as its already been moved up into the morning because of Hurricane Ike, which should still be pretty strong when it hits the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The weather conditions should be windy, meaning that Norco grad Toby Gerhart will get his share of carries for the Cardinal. It's a tough spot for Stanford, but I think they'll barely cover.
TCU 27, Stanford 17

Kansas (+3.5) at South Florida
The second-best non-conference game this week happens tonight, when the majority of us will be at various high school football games. The Jayhawks haven't been as explosive on offense yet this season, but the D looks good. However, South Florida is tough on D and have an athletic QB in Matt Grothe that can turn chicken spit into chicken salad, as they say. Going with the Bulls.
South Florida 29, Kansas 21

Wisconsin (-2) at Fresno State
Technically, the West Coast theory isn't as strong with this game, as Wisconsin is in the Central time zone. However, these are the type of games that Fresno State coach Pat Hill has made his living on. He loves taking on the big boys and, more often than not, beating them. He's beaten the Badgers in the past and I'm confident that he'll beat them now.
Fresno State 23, Wisconsin 21

Michigan (-2) at Notre Dame
One of the great early-season rivalries in college football has been reduced to mediocrity for the second straight year. Last week in this space, I said that I didn't trust Notre Dame as any kind of favorite - an impulse that served me well. However, Michigan hasn't exactly lit the world on fire with its 114th-ranked offense. However, the Wolverine pass rush has destroyed ND the last two years and should be the difference in this one.
Michigan 17, Notre Dame 13

Georgia (-7) at South Carolina
I will admit, this spread is throwing me off. The Bulldogs have looked just as good as USC in their first two games, while South Carolina struggled with a bad N.C. State team and lost to Vanderbilt. I really can't fathom any reason why this spread is so small and while Vegas may know something, I can't see the Gamecocks sticking in this game.
Georgia 26, South Carolina 10

Overall record: 16-4. Record against spread: 10-10