Lockdown: Week 2

By Nate Sandstrom

Wel1, starting 1-1 isn't great, but if you look around the Web at what the other prognasticators did in Week 1 I'll take essentially breaking even. I'll also take solace that I went 6-4 ATS in my college picks pool -- hopefully a sign I was drawing on the right sources and analyzing correctly in the preseason.

First, a moment to say, WTF Colorado? As I write this they are trailing Toledo 37-10. I can see losing to either in-state rival Colorado State or traditional tough-out at home Toledo, but to lose to BOTH? Coach Hawkins may be in trouble, after all this is Division 1 football.

On to the picks....

Vaderbilt at LSU (-14.5)

Vanderbilt had a story-book year last season, while LSU's year was more like a terrifying nightmare. The vaunted Tiger D was gashed for 30 ppg down the stretch and again struggled at times in the opener at Washington. The performance seems to have infuriated the boys of Baton Rouge though, and I expect good focus from their top-notch recruits in the home opener against the Commodores.

Vandy stuffed the box score last week, but don't be fooled. Western Carolina is among the worst teams in FCS.

How many times will LSU be favored at home over Vandy by this few points in your lifetime. You'll be able to count it on both hands.

Pick: LSU 35 Vanderbilt 10

Purdue at Oregon (-13)

People will be jumping off the Oregon band wagon quickly after the overrated Ducks lost to Boise. Meanwhile, Toledo's apparent win over Colorado may add more credence to the Boilers' three-TD win over the Rockets last weekend.

However, Purdue only outgained Toledo by 42 yards. And while Oregon was dominated at Boise in the first half, a few different bounces and they could've come away with the win.

And think about it this way: Purdue is starting a new QB with a new coach at one of the toughest road venues in the country. The host is going to be mad as hell after losing that game at Boise and the notoriety that followed the Blount punch. And despite the OT game these squads played in West Lafayette last year, the Ducks won the yardage count by almost 100, they just finished -1 in TO.

Pick: Oregon 41 Purdue 14

Denver at Cincinnati (-4.5)

Interestingly enough, when the lines opened for Week 1 so many months ago the Broncos opened 2.5-point favorites. In the meantime, new Denver Coach Josh McDaniels has pissed off everyone he's glanced at while the Bengals are a team on the mend after a few disastrous years. Begals QB Palmer has declared himself 100%, for whatever that's worth, but more importantly the battered Bengal O-Line is showing signs of life and I'll go ahead and call for Chris Henry to haul in a pair of TD's in the start of what could be a bounce-back year in Cincy.

Pick: Cincinnati 30 Denver 13

Upset Special/Lock #4: Buffalo Bills (+550) at New England (over 47.5)

New England seems to be the consensus favorite in the NFL this season, and I'm not hating, I like them a lot too. But I think that secondary is weak, Belichick may be developing a Mike Martz-like aversion to running and as hyped as Tom Brady is, they may be a bit overconfident.

And as skeptical as everyone is about T.O., I expect him to have a big year in Buffalo. Trent Edwards may not be the greatest, but between Owens, fellow deep threat Lee Evans and speedster Roscoe Parrish, the Bills will expose the New England corners.

Brady will come out firing as well, but if they wind up passing 50 times Dick Jauron will be ready for it, and the Bills will be able to outscore the Pats.

Pick: Buffalo 41 New England 34