College Football Week 3 - Important Matchups

Tennessee @ 1 Florida
Favorite: Florida, -30
This will be the closest thing to a "test" Florida will have faced so far in the season, having previously beaten Charlseton Southern and Troy. And Tennessee is not a team to be taken lightly. They have a new head coach with NFL experience in Lane Kiffin, and he feels his team has something to prove. The Volunteers got blown out at home last year, and this year have to go into The Swamp for the defending National Champions. Florida will win, but a 30 point spread will favor Tennessee.
Pick: Florida 45 - Tennessee 20

Texas Tech @ 2 Texas
Favorite: Texas, -17.5
Texas Tech was the team that derailed the Big 12 South last season, causing a three-way tie with their win over Texas. Tech has lost a good portion of their playmakers, though, and will have to stop returning Texas QB Colt McCoy. This may have been one of the shock games of last year, but it won't be this year.
Pick: Texas 35 - Texas Tech 10

3 USC @ Washington
Favorite: USC, -19.5
This game has every marking on it of being a let-down game for USC. Last week they had to go into Ohio State and barely came out with the W. This week they have to go into Washington. On paper, it looks like a total mismatch. But coming off an 0-12 season, Washington already has one win this year. Plus, they only lost to LSU by eight points in Week 1. USC has also had problems going north since their undefeated regular season in 2005. They have lost at Oregon in 2007 and at Oregon State twice, including last years post-Ohio State game. I hate to say it, but I'm expecting more of the same.
Pick: Washington 28 - USC 24

19 Nebraska @ 13 Virginia Tech
Favorite: Va Tech, -5
Of the four games these teams have played this year, three have been blowouts: Nebraska over Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State, and Va Tech over Marshall. The one blemish here is Tech's loss to Alabama in Week 1, the only time either team has played a good opponent so far. I'm led to believe that 34-24 loss wasn't a fluke. Va Tech has some improving to do in the next couple of seasons before they can consistently beat ranked opponents.
Pick: Nebraska 31 - Va Tech 20