P6 Pick’em: A familiar face returns to Houston

Week 1 provided some opportunities for separation, but everyone is still in it. The AAC schedule in the second week provides plenty of other opportunities for the pickers to move up and down in the standings, so let’s take a look at the matchups!

Game of the Week

Arizona (0-1) at Houston (1-0)— Houston -3.5, Saturday 11:00am CT

Those in Houston know the magnitude of this game. Former UH head coach Kevin Sumlin makes his return to campus as the head coach of the Wildcats. Fans have been circling this game all offseason, and it’s finally here.

Arizona isn’t the team the Cougars beat last year. Khalil Tate has taken control of the offense, and is one of the most explosive players in college football. If Houston can find a way to replicate what BYU did to Tate and the offense, Arizona will be off to a surprising 0-2 start. If the defense struggles like it did against Rice, Tate might have a career day.

Eric- Houston 28 Arizona 21

Joe S.- Houston 34 Arizona 28

Joe B.- Houston 24 Arizona 21

Michael- Houston 31 Arizona 24

#16 TCU (1-0) at SMU (0-1)— TCU -23, Friday 7:00pm CT

SMU looked terrible against North Texas, and TCU’s offense is more explosive. That doesn’t add up to the Mustangs first win easily. Could we see a shootout like last year?

Eric- TCU 42 SMU 14

Joe S.- TCU 48 SMU 17

Joe B.- TCU 55 SMU 20

Michael- TCU 45 SMU 20

Georgia Tech (1-0) at USF (1-0)— Georgia Tech -3.5, Saturday 11:00am CT

Beating Elon is one thing, but beating a triple option team is a completely different beast. USF needs to stop Taquan Marshall all game to be successful, and will hope that Blake Barnett can replicate his performance from last week. USF will tell the conference how good they can be this weekend.

Eric- USF 24 Georgia Tech 20

Joe S.- Georgia Tech 35 USF 28

Joe B.- Georgia Tech 35 USF 31

Michael- Georgia Tech 27 USF 24

North Carolina (0-1) at ECU (0-1)— North Carolina -17, Saturday 2:30pm CT

Maybe if ECU won last week we’d think about this one for a half a second. No chance after that L last week.

Eric- North Carolina 35 ECU 0

Joe S.- North Carolina 38 ECU 13

Joe B.- North Carolina 41 ECU 7

Michael- North Carolina 42 ECU 6

Buffalo (1-0) at Temple (0-1)— Temple -5, Saturday 2:30pm CT

I think many of us are waiting for an explanation as to what happened last week with the Owls. It may be a while before we get an answer. They now have to stop Tyree Jackson and Anthony Johnson, who could end up being the most lethal combination in college football at the end of the year.

Eric- Buffalo 35 Temple 24

Joe S.- Temple 27 Buffalo 24

Joe B.- Buffalo 30 Temple 17

Michael- Buffalo 24 Temple 17

Memphis (1-0) at Navy (0-1)— Memphis -7, Saturday 2:30pm CT

An early conference matchup for both teams will feature to vastly different styles and schemes. Memphis’ defense has most of its talent that faced the Midshipmen last year, which could be a huge advantage. Malcolm Perry will still be tough to stop. If the Tigers can get going offensively, they may only need a few stops.

Eric- Memphis 38 Navy 21

Joe S.- Memphis 38 Navy 28

Joe B.- Memphis 44 Navy 20

Michael- Memphis 42 Navy 34

South Carolina State (0-1) at #19 UCF (1-0)— No line, Saturday 5:00pm CT

Here’s a free win for all of our pickers. Unless they’ve lost their minds.

Eric- UCF 70 South Carolina State 10

Joe S.- UCF 66 South Carolina State 10

Joe B.- UCF 63 South Carolina State 7

Michael- UCF 63 South Carolina State 14

Cincinnati (1-0) at Miami-OH (0-1)— Miami-OH -1, Saturday 7:00pm CT

An early trap game for the Bearcats, who still have a lot of work to do offensively. Quarterback play needs to improve regardless of who plays, because the defense can’t win the game for them.

Eric- Cincinnati 17 Miami-OH 10

Joe S.- Cincinnati 24 Miami-OH 21

Joe B.- Cincinnati 21 Miami-OH 20

Michael- Cincinnati 27 Miami-OH 20

Nicholls (1-0) at Tulane (0-1)— No line, Saturday 7:00pm CT

Nicholls beat Kansas last week, but Tulane will be motivated after letting an upset get away last week. Don’t be surprised if the Green Wave come out on fire.

Eric- Tulane 28 Nicholls 21

Joe S.- Tulane 31 Nicholls 14

Joe B.- Tulane 36 Nicholls 13

Michael- Tulane 34 Nicholls 14

Tulsa (1-0) at Texas (0-1)— Texas -23, Saturday 7:00pm CT

If the Longhorns lose at home to Tulsa, just terminate the program immediately.

Eric- Texas 41 Tulsa 3

Joe S.- Texas 51 Tulsa 13

Joe B.- Texas 40 Tulsa 10

Michael- Texas 45 Tulsa 17

UConn (0-1) at #20 Boise State (1-0)— Boise State -31, Saturday 9:15pm CT

Things may get worse before they get better for UConn. Boise State plays much better defense than UCF, and the Broncos can also score a ton of points. David Pindell and the offense are this team’s only hope to keep things close.

Eric- Boise State 48 UConn 17

Joe S.- Boise State 56 UConn 14

Joe B.- Boise State 41 UConn 7

Michael- Boise State 42 Uconn 10