The first word in that title gets me excited and I hope it does you, too.
Note: Virginia Tech-Ohio State pick coming later.
Thursday's picks record: 3-0
Louisville vs. No. 6 Auburn in Atlanta, 3:30 p.m. ESPN
Auburn 38, Louisville 21
No. 15 Arizona State vs. Texas A&M in Houston, 7 p.m. ESPN
Arizona State 28, Texas A&M 27
Texas at No. 11 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. NBC
Notre Dame 24, Texas 17
No. 20 Wisconsin vs. No. 3 Alabama in Arlington, 8 p.m. ABC
Alabama 21, Wisconsin 14
ACC upset alert
Youngstown State at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. ESPN3.com
The Penguins pulled the stunner by a whopping 14 points in 2012. I doubt they do it again, but just throwing it out there. Look at some of other cupcakes ACC teams are playing and tell me if you see a more viable upset threat.
Virginia at No. 13 UCLA, 3:30 p.m. Fox
UVa's offense vs. UCLA's defense: The Bruins return a lot of talent on that side of the ball. The Cavaliers have a pretty good offensive line and are giving Matt Johns a chance to seize the quarterback role and run with it. Virginia had some success last year, piling up 386 yards despite three defensive TDs scored by UCLA, which essentially won it the game, 28-20. Let's see also how Taquan Mizzell looks as the main running back, assuming he is the starter. If he looks more promising than originally thought, that could really give the 'Hoos a boost.
UVa's defense vs. UCLA's offense: The Bruins are breaking in a true freshman at QB, Josh Rosen, but he comes highly touted. It might not matter if he can't get it going because UCLA's offensive line should be better this year and the offense features running back Paul Perkins, who gained 1,575 yards last year. Obviously, Virginia defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta is going to try to pressure the young signal caller into some mistakes. If he succeeds, the Cavaliers' upset chances will increase.
Pick: This game was surprisingly close last year and nearly dominated by UVa, save for the turnovers that turned the tide. Being in the Rose Bowl could make things different. It will probably be hard for UVa to move the ball, but the main issue is going to be scoring once the offense gets into the red zone, something it hasn't done well under offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild. Virginia's defense should have some success, but I don't think it can hold up the whole game with lots of new faces starting. The line for the game ended up around UCLA as a 19-point favorite. I think that is too high, but the Bruins will prevail.
UCLA 27, Virginia 17
Note: Virginia Tech-Ohio State pick coming later.
Thursday's picks record: 3-0
Louisville vs. No. 6 Auburn in Atlanta, 3:30 p.m. ESPN
Auburn 38, Louisville 21
No. 15 Arizona State vs. Texas A&M in Houston, 7 p.m. ESPN
Arizona State 28, Texas A&M 27
Texas at No. 11 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. NBC
Notre Dame 24, Texas 17
No. 20 Wisconsin vs. No. 3 Alabama in Arlington, 8 p.m. ABC
Alabama 21, Wisconsin 14
ACC upset alert
Youngstown State at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. ESPN3.com
The Penguins pulled the stunner by a whopping 14 points in 2012. I doubt they do it again, but just throwing it out there. Look at some of other cupcakes ACC teams are playing and tell me if you see a more viable upset threat.
Virginia at No. 13 UCLA, 3:30 p.m. Fox
UVa's offense vs. UCLA's defense: The Bruins return a lot of talent on that side of the ball. The Cavaliers have a pretty good offensive line and are giving Matt Johns a chance to seize the quarterback role and run with it. Virginia had some success last year, piling up 386 yards despite three defensive TDs scored by UCLA, which essentially won it the game, 28-20. Let's see also how Taquan Mizzell looks as the main running back, assuming he is the starter. If he looks more promising than originally thought, that could really give the 'Hoos a boost.
UVa's defense vs. UCLA's offense: The Bruins are breaking in a true freshman at QB, Josh Rosen, but he comes highly touted. It might not matter if he can't get it going because UCLA's offensive line should be better this year and the offense features running back Paul Perkins, who gained 1,575 yards last year. Obviously, Virginia defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta is going to try to pressure the young signal caller into some mistakes. If he succeeds, the Cavaliers' upset chances will increase.Pick: This game was surprisingly close last year and nearly dominated by UVa, save for the turnovers that turned the tide. Being in the Rose Bowl could make things different. It will probably be hard for UVa to move the ball, but the main issue is going to be scoring once the offense gets into the red zone, something it hasn't done well under offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild. Virginia's defense should have some success, but I don't think it can hold up the whole game with lots of new faces starting. The line for the game ended up around UCLA as a 19-point favorite. I think that is too high, but the Bruins will prevail.
UCLA 27, Virginia 17
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