Hot off the Grill returns to get you ready for the football weekend. First up are the student athletes of college football. After last week's exciting slate of games, which games should draw your eye? Who's on the hot seat? Find out the answers as we give you all you need to know for week 3 of college football!
Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - #10 Boise St. @ Fresno St.
Don't let the mainstream sports media fool you by focusing on games in Texas or Florida this weekend. The most important game of the week is tonight as BCS Busters Boise St. travel to the Valley to take on Pat Hill's always game Fresno St. team. Tonight's game will certainly be the Bronco's biggest test in the WAC this season on their way to another possible BCS berth. Fresno St. is coming off a very impressive performance last weekend at Wisconsin, which only saw them come a last-second field goal away from victory. The Bulldogs are led by talented RB Ryan Matthews, who Boise St. will certainly be focusing on. Meanwhile, Boise will look to play stout defense and hope sophomore QB Kellen Moore makes enough plays to come away with a hard-fought victory. Who's the pick? While Fresno St. performs well in these big games, it seems to always be just good enough to lose. It should be a fun Friday night contest, but Boise's BCS hopes won't be derailed tonight. PICK-Boise St.
Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - #19 Nebraska @ #13 Virginia Tech
Our spotlight game features two teams looking for a season-defining win with Nebraska traveling to Virginia Tech. Husker Nation (I guess now every fan base is it's own nation?!) is hoping this is the first truly trademark win of the Bo Pelini era while Frank Beamer and Virginia Tech know they will be hard-pressed to earn an at-large BCS berth without a win here. While Nebraska has made strides so far under Pelini, their defense isn't quite back to its Blackshirt best and RB Roy Helu Jr. should expect to see 8-man fronts all day. Expect Va. Tech's Tyrod Taylor to make plays through the air and on the ground to get the W. Pick-Va.Tech
Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - #17 Cincinnati (2-0) @ Oregon St. (2-0)
After narrowly missing out on last week's upset selection, we're backing a road upset as the best of the Big East, Brian Kelly's UC Bearcats head west to take on Jacquizz Rodgers and Oregon St. While UC is the ranked team, the Beavers are a 3.5 point favorite at home. Still, UC and QB Tony Pike have been on a mission this week to bring the Big East back to at least some sort of national respect. Plus, they have to back up that YCS #10 ranking, right? PICK - Cincinnati
Andouille's Under the Radar Game - #3 USC (2-0) @ Washington (1-1)
Our andouille underrated game of the week showcases Washington and new head coach Steve Sarkisian going up against his mentor, Pete Carroll and #3 USC. While some are predicting an upset in a classic letdown/trap game, don't expect USC to blow their national championship hopes just yet. Even though USC will be without freshman sensation Matt Barkley, backup Aaron Corp should be just fine under center. Still, Washington showed they're much better under their new coach in week 1 against LSU. So, while USC should win, expect the Huskies to put up an entertaining fight. PICK-USC
Hot Dog Of The Week - Texas QB-Colt McCoy
It's a classic revenge game as Colt McCoy's Longhorns play host to Texas Tech Saturday night. While this game has plenty of national attention, there's no way Texas Tech can hang with Texas after losing so much from last year's plucky Red Raiders. Colt McCoy knows he needs a big statistical outing this week to keep pace with Tim Tebow, who will be fired up to face Tennessee. Anything short of 350 yards and 3 TDs for McCoy would be considered a disappointment.
Extra Toppings -
-So much for Georgia Tech being a national contender... but maybe Miami (FL) is? Jakory Harris could make a surprise run at a trip to NYC and the Heisman Trophy ceremony. In the meantime, forgive me for falling in love with the triple option.
-Ohio State's road/home game against Toledo in Cleveland should be a nice bounceback opportunity, but Toledo lets it fly on offense. Jim Tressel might open it up, but don't be surprised to see OSU in another close game this weekend as the Rockets can put up a lot of points. Just what Bucks fans want to hear, right?
-If it's any consolation, this might be the only time all season an Ohio team wins in Cleveland Browns stadium (yes I'm aware the Bengals and Browns will play there, but you pick a winner in that one!)
-Why exactly is Charlie Weis under so much pressure to beat Michigan State?? It's not like any other big loss has hurt him in South Bend...
-Who would have thought that Florida State would be BYU's easiest non-conference game? Oh, and yes, I'm including Tulane in that, sorry Bobby.
-Will there be a national day of mourning for Matt Barkley sitting on the bench this weekend?
-Auburn has a chance to somewhat prove itself in a compelling non-conference game vs West Virgina.
-Glad to see more SEC cupcake games this weekend. Opponents include: North Texas, Louisiana-Lafayette and SE Louisiana.
-Wasn't RichRod's job in trouble 2 weeks ago? Now after beating WMU and ND he's the leading candidate for Coach of the Year? Ah, being a prisoner of the moment is such a wondrous thing! Another win against EMU will do wonders for that campaign.
-Low expectations are a wonderful thing. A national powerhouse can lose by 30 points in a big conference tilt and it can be considered a moral victory, what a world. Speaking of...
Randall's Got His Eye On You... Lane Kiffin
In one corner we have the best coach in the game, a winner of two national championships, Urban Meyer. In the opposite corner, we have a brash loudmouth who has won 1 game as a collegiate head coach, Lane Kiffin. Honestly, what was this bozo thinking calling out everyone in the SEC when everyone knew Tennessee wasn't ready to compete on Florida's level. Do you think Urban Meyer or Tim Tebow have forgotten Kiffin's false allegations over the off-season?Now, the chickens will come home to roost in the Swamp this saturday. Florida is around a 30 point favorite depending where you look, and that may be generous as Urban Meyer will channel the Ol' Ball Coach and run it up early and often. Only one coach will be smiling after this one's over, and it won't be Lane Kiffin (although I would be smiling too if I were in that picture instead of Lane!).
Hot Off The Grill returns soon with our look ahead at Week 2 in the National. Football. League. Of course, Y1 will probably handle those duties, I'll be in a dark room mourning the Bears lost Super Bowl Season. Enjoy the weekend!
P.S. For anyone interested in hearing the men behind RSS, Y1 and Y2 will be supplying their expert commentary for the streaming video feed of the crucial D-III encounter between Ohio Wesleyan and Wooster. Visit http://stream.owu.edu/ to check us out!
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