Week 3 College Football Preview
by Jonathan Gillespie, College Football correspondent
Week 3 is upon us my friends. This week we still have quite a few non-conference games against smaller schools, so expect there still to be a few more big scoring one sided games this week. However, I do love the small chance of a huge upset. We almost had it last week in the Army/Michigan game. I know I will be on the look out for upset alerts. This is the last chance for many teams to smooth out any issues they may be having before the start of conference play.
I am a bit nervous about my picks this week. Not because I don’t have a great understanding of the games or the match-ups. No, what has me worried is the fact that I was perfect last week in my game picks. If I was a more boastful man I would brag about such a feat. I know better than to do that because the chances of me not getting a single game correct grows quite a bit. Oh dear, I think by just mentioning my successful week may count as a brag. If that’s the case, I apologize to all the fans of the teams that I pick this week. Here are the games that I will be looking at this week.
Furman vs. Virginia Tech
OK, the Hokies were able to shake the ODU burden off their backs. Now, it’s time to focus on getting everything ironed out before ACC play. I am looking for more physical play on the offensive line and would love for Defense to be able to play a full dominant game. Triple options have been an issue for Virginia Tech in the past. I am of course picking Virginia Tech to win this game but will be wary of how well they will do if they don’t fix those two issues going into ACC play.
Pittsburgh vs #13 Penn State
This will be the 100th game between these two schools. However, it may be the last game for awhile between these two teams. The Penn State athletic director declined to extend scheduling games between the two. I don’t see why Penn State wouldn’t want to keep scheduling Pittsburgh because they have been owned this rivalry as of late. Penn State will win this game and finish the rivalry strong….for now.
NC State vs West Virginia
I normally favor picking the ACC teams. NC State is favored to win but something has me thinking differently. It might be a slightest palest fire of a feeling but something about picking NC State feels yucky. I am picking West Virginia in this game.
Montana vs Oregon
I promised a friend I would take a look at Montana for my game picks this week. I am really sorry about this but, I can’t pick Montana over Oregon. Oregon will destroy Montana. However, since I bragged about my picks earlier maybe Montana has a chance. Plus, that Duck is just too fun to watch.
#1 Clemson vs Syracuse
In 2017, Syracuse pulled off the upset of the year by beating the then #2 Clemson Tigers. Syracuse is hoping that this is their year again to get the monster upset of the year. Though, I think it will be close in the first half of the game, I am picking Clemson to win big in this game.
Florida State vs #25 Virginia
Ok, I am just going to get this out of the way. I am picking Florida State to pull off the upset in this game. No, it’s not because I am jealous of UVA being ranked and no, it’s not because Virginia is picked to win the coastal division of the ACC. I just feel like Florida State is hungry for a game to get their program back on track. This could be that game for them. Virginia is looking strong but since Florida State has been so bad recently I just feel like they may underestimate the Seminoles. They are a very fast and talented team, they just have to get out of their own way.
Enjoy the games this weekend with cold drinks and good friends!
Jonathan Gillespie is GGR’s College Football correspondent. Make sure you check out his picks each week!