Jackson Free Press

Heck of a way to start the season for me. Overall I finished the week 16-3 and correctly picked every game involving a Mississippi team.

I blew the Texas A&M and South Carolina game big time. Who knew Kenny Hill would play his first game as the starter like he has been the starter for the last three years.

I also tripped up on the Rutgers against Washington State game. The Scarlet Knights went across country with a late kickoff and escaped with a win for the Big Ten over the Pac-12 Cougars.

Finally, I missed Louisville beating Miami. I thought the Hurricanes would be better this season but they folded as the game went along.

This week every Mississippi team begins play after Milsaps, Mississippi College and Delta State were off last week. Nationally, the schedule has some tasty games but a lot of the top 25 are playing cupcakes.

Here is the list of the top ten of AP Top 25 are playing this weekend: The Citadel, Florida Atlantic, Michigan State, Tulsa, San Jose State, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Lamar and Northwestern State. Georgia is off this week and Michigan State and Oregon play each other and Ohio State faces Virginia Tech.

Even with all the cupcake games there are still plenty of games to waste your Saturday watching. Here are my week two picks starting with the Mississippi games, as with last week, winners are in bold.

Delta State at Fort Valley State (Saturday/1 pm)

This is the first game for both teams this season. The Statesmen make the trip to Georgia to face the Wildcats. I think Delta State will be good this season and this will be a good first test. I'm going with the Statesmen because a gut feeling.

UAB at Mississippi State (Saturday/1 pm/FSS)

The Blazers rolled over Troy last Saturday and everyone knows the Bulldogs demolished Southern Miss. Mississippi State will be 2-0 after this game but I expect UAB to put up a fight.

Mississippi at Vanderbilt (Saturday/3:30 pm/ESPN)

On paper before the beginning of the season, this looked like a good matchup. That was before Vanderbilt got blasted by Temple at home. If Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace can keep from giving the other team the ball, this game should be a blowout win for Mississippi.

Mary Hardin-Baylor at Milsaps (Saturday/6 pm)

The Majors kickoff their season against one of the better teams in Division III. If Milsaps wins this game I think they will run the table. I really think the Majors are going to run the table.

Alcorn State at Southern Miss

The Braves wasted no time dispatching Lynchburg last week. The Golden Eagles played tough against MSU for a quarter.

This game is must win for USM or they are going 0-12 this season. The Braves won't roll over for anyone and will put up a fight. Southern Miss is in a dogfight for the first half before pulling away in the second half.

Lynchburg at Jackson State

No need for a Hail Mary to pull this game out for the Tigers. The Harold Jackson era begins 2-0.

Mississippi Valley State at Illinois State

The Delta Devils are going to get better under Rick Comegy but it is going to be tough for Mississippi Valley State. Illinois State pulls this game out in the second half.

Mississippi College at Belhaven

Just a gut feeling again but I think the Blazers beat the Choctaws. Belhaven gets a jump on division changing Mississippi College this year.

The rest

Pitt at Boston College (Friday/6 pm/ESPN)

A matchup between two 7-6 teams last season who have hopes of moving up the ACC ladder. Both won in blowouts last week but the Panthers were more impressive than the Eagles.

Akron at Penn State (Saturday/11 am/ESPN News

The Zips could have the Nittany Lions on upset alert. Penn State is coming back from Ireland after just slipping past UCF. Akron spent last week taking Buffalo behind the woodshed. This will be a four quarter game because of Penn State readjusting to the time change.

USC at Stanford (Saturday/2:30 pm/ABC)

This could be the best game of the day. Both teams wasted no time dispatching their opponents last week. The Trojans want to return back to the top of the Pac-12 but the Cardinal want to avenge last season's loss. This game stays close until the final gun but I think the Cardinal pulls out the win.

Michigan State at Oregon (Saturday/5:30 pm/Fox)

If the game above isn't the best game of the day then this one will be the best game of the day. The Spartans are my pick to win the Big Ten again. Oregon is a playoff contender. The Ducks struggle with physical teams which is exactly what the Spartans do best. Michigan State pounds Oregon into submission.

East Carolina at South Carolina (Saturday/6 pm/ESPNU)

The Pirates spent last week beating up on a cupcake. We all remember very well what happened to the Gamecocks last week. This game is a chance for South Carolina to get back on track. East Carolina will be one of the many American Conference teams with a chance to prove they are the sixth power conference. South Carolina struggles but gets win one of the season.

Michigan at Notre Dame (Saturday/6:30 pm/NBC)

This game will be dripping with tradition and feature two of the winningest football programs in college football history. The Wolverines want to return back to power not only in the Big Ten but nationally and coach Brady Hoke needs some big wins this season to keep his job. The Irish are a dark horse favorite to reach the playoff and a win in this game could help. No matter if these teams are good, bad, or average, this game is normally a good one.

BYU at Texas (Saturday/6:30 pm/Fox Sports 1)

The Cougars upset Texas last season and spent last week beating up on Connecticut. Texas started the Charlie Strong era with a win over North Texas. The Longhorns have a ton of players either suspended or hurt for this game. Heck the Texas offensive line will only have five starts between them and no quarterback David Ash as he recovers from a concussion. If BYU ever wants to be a player in one of the Power 5 Conferences or as an independent they must win games like this one. I think the Cougars make it two in a row over the Longhorns.

Virginia Tech at Ohio State (Saturday/7 pm/ESPN)

The Hokies finished off an FCS foe with ease last week while the Buckeyes struggled to put away Navy. Ohio State is finding life without Braxton Miller is going to be difficult on offense. Virginia Tech has slipped a bit over the last few seasons. The Hokies get a chance to say they are back. The Buckeyes must get more from their offense early than they did against the Midshipmen. This is going to be a four quarters game and is my UPSET pick of the week.

Colorado State at Boise State (Saturday/9 pm/ESPN2)

The Rams are coming off a big rivalry win over Colorado as the Broncos come home to lick their wounds after being spanked in the second half by Mississippi. Colorado State can make a statement in the Mountain West with a win on the road against Boise State. It is hard to win on the Smurf Turf and I expect this game will be won late.

Oregon State at Hawaii (Saturday/9:30/CBS Sports Network)

The Beavers struggled with an FCS foe last week and the Warriors gave Washington all they wanted before falling by a single point. Hawaii gets an other chance to pull an upset over the Pac-12 and Oregon State is on upset alert. I'm going with the Beavers by a field goal.

Texas Tech at UTEP (Saturday/10 pm/Fox Sports 1)

The Red Raiders spent last week struggling with FCS foe Central Arkansas before finally pulling out the win. The Miners beating New Mexico is on feat other than they beat another FBS opponent. Things could start to get ugly this season for Kiff Kingsbury if Texas Tech doesn't flex their muscles against UTEP out of C-USA. I have a feeling the Red Raiders figure out a way to stay undefeated.