Week 2: Bowling Green

I'm still pumped up over the convincing win Mizzou put up on the Fighting Illini last Saturday. Blaine Gabbert put the division on notice that Missouri isn't willing to cede the title to anyone without a fight. The defense was suffocating and Ron Zook was, well, Ron Zook. However, that's now in the rear view mirror and Bowling Green rolls into Columbia for the home opener. I'm more than a little disappointed that I won't be able to make this game, but family duties sometimes come first. Ok, they should always come first. But make no mistake, I'll be at the "Zou" for the remainder of the schedule, and possibly find a way to make a road trip.
Bowling Green starts the year out with an impressive 31-14 win at home over the Troy Trojans. Despite falling behind 14-0 in the 2nd quarter, they scored the next 31, including 24 2nd half points to pull away. Quarterback Tyler Sheehan had a big game completing 32 of 44 passes for 339 yards and 2 touchdowns and just 1 interception. Receiver Freddie Barnes grabbed 15 of those passes for 157 yards and both scores. They'll have to have big games here since the running game only produced 50 yards on 19 carries. While Missouri sat back and only rushed 4 against the Illini, expect to see them come after the quarterback much harder this week.
Defensively, Troy had some success passing but was only able to gain 41 yards on the ground. With right tackle Dan Hoch healthy this week, I expect to see Missouri try to get Derrick Washington and the ground game established against an undersized Bowling Green front 7. With Devion Moore out for the week you can expect to see a lot of freshman Kendial Lawrence this week also.
If Bowling Green falls behind early this week, I don't expect they'll be making any 2nd half comebacks. Faurot Field is going to be rocking with 65,000+ fans coming in to see their reloaded Tigers, new state of the art scoreboard and sound system. Missouri opens as an 18 1/2 point favorite, and I think that's going to be fairly close. Let's say Missouri 42, Bowling Green 17.
Last week I was 8-4 on my predictions, but a miserable 6-6 vs the spread. Hopefully, I can improve on that this week, so here goes:
Colorado (0-1) -4 @ Toledo (0-1) The death watch has officially started on Dan Hawkins career as the Buff's head coach. His inability to recruit a quarterback capable of beating out his very average son combined with his refusal to give the highly rated running backs he hass recruited enough carries to develop any sort of rhythm is making him look like a guy many thought he was when he was hired. A mediocre coach that had a great staff and a cream puff schedule during his days at Boise State. Toledo has had some success in the past against BCS teams, especially when at home. I'm tempted to pick them here, but think Colorado will pull out a close one, 23-21. If Toledo wins however, the Hawk might consider getting an unlisted phone number.
Iowa (1-0) -6 1/2 at Iowa State(1-0) Despite being 2 blocked field goals away from losing last weekend, I think Iowa regains focus this week and wins, 27-17.
kansas (1-0) - 10 1/2 @ UTEP (0-1) kansas won big, 49-3 over perennial power Northern Colorado last weekend, while UTEP fell 23-17 to Buffalo. This one won't be the cake walk for the beaks last week was but I think they cover 31-13.
Kansas State (1-0) -7 at Louisiana Lafayette (1-0) This is actually a good test for the Wildcats as Louisiana Lafayette won 42-19 over Southern University last weekend. Snyder just doesn't have many horses this year. I think the 'Cats go down 27-21.
Arkansas State (1-0) @ Nebraska (1-0) -23 1/2 points. Arkie State won big last weekend vs Mississippi Valley (61-0) When I looked up the Miss. Valley schedule I found this. Check out game 4. http://nebraska.rivals.com/schedule.asp?Year=2009&Team=MISSVALLEY That told me all I needed to know. Arkie State will make this a game for a half but fall 45-21.
Idaho State`(0-1) @ Oklahoma (0-1)(no line) Oklahoma has some issues beside the obvious loss of Sam Bradford. Such as no offensive line or capable running back so far. Idaho State lost 50-3 the opening week to Arizona State. A good week to find some answers for the Sooners. Name your score but Big Game Bob likes to run it up in situations like this. Sooners 52-0.
Houston (1-0) @ OSU (1-0) -14 1/2. Houston is rebuilding it's program and is going to jump up and bit a BCS team pretty quickly. I don't think it will be this week though. Okie State rolls 42-21.
Texas (1-0) -33 1/2@Wyoming (1-0) Mizzou's old offensive coordinator just couldn't get away from a Texas thumping despite heading to the great northwest. Texas covers 59-13.
Rice (0-1) @ Texas Tech (1-0) -27. Rice lost to a very mediocred UAB team last week. The Pirate, Mike Leach doesn't have his team firing on all cylinders yet, so if he gets the opportunity for a route, he's going to take it. Tech 63-21.
Texas A&M and Baylor have the week off. Good luck to your teams and better luck to mine!