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Moreover, can Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley help Penn State Nittany Lions build on their outstanding 2016 season to challenge for a berth in the four-team playoff after getting ‘robbed’ a year ago? Will Baker Mayfield get the best of J.T. Barrett when the Oklahoma Sooners visit the Ohio State Buckeyes in a huge matchup of Top 10 programs?Therefore, if you’re fired up about the quickly approaching 2017 college football season and you’re looking for winners right now, then you’re going to love the trio of Week 2 college football picks that I’ve got just for you. Let’s get to it.
Analyzing The Heisman Trophy Candidates for 2017 NCAAF Season
Louisville at North Carolina
When: Saturday, September 9, 11:00 AM Where: Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAnalysis: Louisville (9-4 SU, 5-7-1 ATS) finished second in the ACC Atlantic division as Lamar Jackson unleashed a campaign for the ages to win the 2016 Heisman trophy award. The Cardinal ranked a stellar sixth in scoring nationally (42.5 ppg) as Jackson passed for 3,543 yards and ran for an additional 1,571 yards while destroying opposing defenses, almost at will.
North Carolina (8-5 SU, 5-8 ATS) finished second in the Coastal division by finishing 44th in scoring (32.3 ppg) and 43rd in points allowed (24.9 ppg). The Tar Heels will have a new starting quarterback under center in 2017 with 2016 starter Mitchell Trubisky going second overall to Chicago in this year’s NFL Draft.
With the Cardinals have a star at quarterback and Carolina starting an inexperienced signal-caller, the writing is on the wall for me in this contest. Louisville will win and win handily.
North Carolina Tar Heels Bowl History Last 5
Lose – December 26, 2011 / Independence Bowl – Opponent: Missouri Won – December 28, 2013 / Belk Bowl – Opponent: Cincinnati Lose – December 26, 2014 / Quick Lane Bowl – Opponent: Rutgers Lost – December 29, 2015 / Russell Athletic Bowl – Opponent: Baylor Lose – December 30, 2016 / Sun Bowl – Opponent: StanfordPick: Louisville 42 North Carolina 28
Auburn at Clemson
When: Saturday, September 9, 6:00 PM on ESPN Where: Clemson Memorial Stadium, South Carolina TV: ESPN NCAAF Odds: Clemson -7Analysis: Clemson beat Auburn 19-13 last season in a hard-fought battle and I believe more of the same is in store, seeing as how both teams have questions to answer at quarterback and really solid defenses that will likely make life rough on whomever starts under center for their respective teams. Clemson lost four All-Americans on offense, including superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson while 2016 Auburn starter Sean White is in a fight for his job this summer.
Thus, with Clemson playing at home in this matchup, I like the national champs to get the home win, but I believe Auburn will find a way to cover the spread in another tight contest that goes down to the wire.
Clemson Tigers Bowl History Last 5
Won – December 29, 2014 / Russell Athletic – Opponent: Oklahoma Win – December 31, 2015 / Orange – Opponent: Oklahoma Lose – January 11, 2016 / 2016 CFP National Championship – Opponent: Alabama Won – December 31, 2016 / Fiesta Bowl – Opponent: Ohio State Win – January 9, 2017 / 2017 CFP National Championship – Opponent: AlabamaPick: Clemson 24 Auburn 20
Pittsburgh at Penn State
When: Saturday, September 9, 2:30 PM on ABC Where: Beaver Stadium, Pennsylvania NCAAF Odds: Penn State -19Analysis: The Penn State Nittany Lions (11-3 SU, 10-3-1 ATS) will be looking for revenge for their 42-29 loss against Pittsburgh l (8-5 SU, 5-8 ATS) last season and I believe they’ll get it in emphatic fashion. In addition, Pittsburgh lost starting quarterback Nathan Peterman and beloved starting running back James Conner and that means they’ll struggle to score against Penn State’s underrated defense, while the Nittany Lions’ Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley, both live up to their preseason billing as legitimate Heisman Trophy contenders.
Pittsburgh Panthers Bowl History Last 5
Loss – 2012 / BBVA Compass Bowl – Opponent: Ole Miss Win – 2013 / Little Caesars Pizza Bowl – Opponent: Bowling Green Loss – 2014 / Armed Forces Bowl – Opponent: Houston Lost – 2015 / Military Bowl – Opponent: Navy Loss – 2016 / Pinstripe Bowl – Opponent: NorthwesternOklahoma at Ohio State
When: Saturday, September 9, 6:30 PM on ABC Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus NCAAF Odds: Ohio State -8Analysis: Ohio State (11-2 SU, 6-7 ATS) collapsed once they got in the four-team playoff while Oklahoma (11-2 SU, 7-6 ATS) never made it that far despite recording an identical 11 victories last season.
On the other hand, both of these national championship title hopefuls have legitimate star quarterbacks that will contend for the Heisman Trophy in Ohio State dual-threat superstar J.T. Barrett and Oklahoma signal-caller Baker Mayfield. However, with the Buckeyes playing at home and owning the much better defense in this pairing, I like the Buckeyes to get the narrow win, if not the ATS cover. Play the Buckeyes to get the ‘W’ but the Sooners to cover.
Ohio State Buckeyes Bowl History Last 5
Lose – January 7, 2008 / 2008 BCS National Championship – Opponent: LSU Lost – January 5, 2009 / 2009 Fiesta Bowl – Opponent: Texas Won – January 1, 2010 / 2010 Rose Bowl – Opponent: Oregon Win – January 4, 2011 / 2011 Sugar Bowl – Opponent: Arkansas Lose – January 2, 2012 / 2012 Gator Bowl – Opponent: Florida Lost – January 3, 2014 / 2014 Orange Bowl – Opponent: Clemson Won – January 1, 2015 / 2015 Sugar Bowl – Opponent: Alabama Win – January 12, 2015 / 2015 CFP National Championship – Opponent: Oregon Won – January 1, 2016 / 2016 Fiesta Bowl – Opponent: Notre Dame Lose – December 31, 2016 / 2016 Fiesta Bowl – Opponent: ClemsonPick: Ohio State 31 Oklahoma 28
