College Football Picks Week 2: Betting Lines & Predictions

Last week was a terrible week for a lot of handicappers.

OK, it was a terrible week for me. Is that you wanted to hear? Sorry, I’m upset and I’m lashing out.

Many weeks you can point to a few unlucky losses and wonder whether a play or two could have turned them around.

But that’s a hard sell when you go 4-­13.

In truth, LSU fooled around and should have covered for me, and Boise State-­Ole Miss definitely would have been over without all the dumb turnovers.

But my other 11 losses? None of them ever had a chance.

I have been known as a slow starter, including last year when I was 39-­49 after 8 weeks. But I finished 20 games over .500 for the season.

I offer no excuses and make no apologies. Time to go back to work and get better.

FRIDAY. SEPT. 5

Pittsburgh (minus-­4 1/2) at Boston College, 7 p.m., ESPN

Pitt really put a knot on Delaware’s head last week with a 62­-0 shellacking. And if that doesn’t convince you that the Panthers are for real, I don’t know what will.

Osborne’s pick: Panthers cover on the road.

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SATURDAY, SEPT. 6

Kansas State (minus-­12) at Iowa State, noon, Fox Sports 1

The Cyclones got hammered at home last week by North Dakota State out of the FCS, albeit the three-­time defending champs down there. Still, this program has been adrift for a while, and Kansas State is ready to pounce.

Osborne’s pick: Wildcats roll by multiple touchdowns.

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Southern Methodist (plus-2 1/2) at North Texas, noon, MASN2

Last year, North Texas was one of the top spread-­covering teams in the country and I rode the Mean Green a lot. It’s time to get back on the bandwagon for 2014. Last week against noted defensive powerhouse Baylor was only the second time a June Jones-­coached team had ever been shut out in 20 years.

Osborne’s pick: North Texas cruises at home.

Navy (minus­-3) at Temple, 1 p.m., ESPN3.com

OK, Temple beat an SEC team by 30 points last week. Let that soak in for a minute. OK, moving on. Vanderbilt may have turned back into Vanderbilt, and Temple’s win was a mirage blurred by seven turnovers and ugly uniforms. Navy won’t be intimidated by the Owls.

Osborne’s pick: Anchors aweigh, and then some.

Akron (plus-­14 1/2) at Penn State, noon, ABC/ESPN2

Speaking of James Franklin being the coach of the year already, how the heck did he get Vandy to bowl games? Christian Hackenburg is the man here. He’ll do too much damage for Terry Bowden’s Zips to stop.

Osborne’s pick: Roar, Lions, roar.

Georgia Tech (minus-­10) at Tulane, 4 p.m., ESPNEWS

The Green Wave were solid at home last season, covering 5 of 7 spreads at the Superdome. With Tech, you either figure out their offense, or you don’t. I don’t think Tulane will shut them down, but I am not sure the Jackets can pull away.

Osborne’s pick: Tulane keeps it close, covers 10.

Michigan State (plus-­12 1/2) at Oregon, 6:30 p.m., Fox

As Oregon alum and Ducks Superfan Josh “ManBear” Norris pointed out this week, Michigan State is Stanford in green. This is too many points for what should be a close battle of two top programs.

Osborne’s pick: Michigan State loses, but covers the 12 1/2 points.

Brigham Young (plus-1) at Texas, 7:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1

Charlie Strong has things going the right way at Texas. After the Longhorns win this one, you won’t get Texas laying one point at home any more this year.

Osborne’s pick: Hook em, Horns in a surprisingly easy cover.

Michigan (plus­-3 1/2) at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m., NBC

I went 360 degrees on this one, that is to say I liked Notre Dame, let my Pops talk me into Michigan, then changed my mind again and went back to the Irish. After all, that sequence of thought basically summarizes all the recent games in this series, which is sadly ending after this one.

Osborne’s pick: Play like a champion today, or at least like a team that can beat Devin Gardner. Sticking with first instinct, Notre Dame.

Air Force (minus-­2 1/2) at Wyoming, 10:15 p.m., ESPNU

I make it policy never to go against military academies, but I can ignore them (see, Army). This is a major hunch on my part and I have no logical explanation for it, to be honest, other than Wyoming’s general disarray.

Osborne’s pick: Air Force covers into the wild blue yonder.

Oregon State (minus-­10 1/2) at Hawaii, 10:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Here’s another weird one, but the Warriors hung with Washington to the bitter end last week. Oregon State impressed no one last week and Hawaii should be able to at least make this a game.

Osborne’s pick: Aloha means a cover.

Last week: 4-­13