Week 3 Mortal Lock
Who’s ready for another week of College Football! Hand up, last week was a bad read as Kamario Taylor jumped the Gophers from the start and Minnesota had to play catchup all game, something they are not suited to do. Two losses in a row is not going to get me down just yet as we have so much football left and many more picks to win. Other than LSU-Ole Miss, there are not many marquee games this week and an overall poor slate before we get into full conference play next week. Never fear though as there is money in the crumbs and I’m going to find it this week in Houston, Texas. That is where the Rice Owls will host the Western Michigan Broncos, and I am all over the home squad in this one. Rice is getting 9.5 points here in a game that features a total of only 43.5? Sign me up for the underdog. I think Western Michigan is just getting a little too much love and respect for their essential win against Michigan, but this is still a flawed team that gave up 431 yards last week to Monmouth. Monmouth! And while Rice got boat raced last week against Notre Dame, their run defense was not horrible as they gave up 118 yards on 32 carries (3.7 ypc). That will be a key against a Broncos offense that will want to establish the run and go on long drives. Finally, this is a tricky spot for the Broncos as they are still not too far removed from the dramatic loss to Michigan, and they have a big game next week with Boise State coming to town. In between they have to travel from Kalamazoo to Houston and try to get up to play Rice? This is too good of a spot to pass up on the Owls getting this many points. Go Owls! WHOO! WHOO!
Official Mortal Lock : Rice Owls +9.5( Play to +7.5)