Rock Chalk Pick'em: Week 3 - Notre Dame is the only upset

With no Jayhawk game, we have an opportunity to kick back and enjoy a full slate of college games this week.  We gathered the gang together to pick every game in the Big 12 and then a bunch of interesting matchups around the nation. Surprisingly, our panel agreed with the Vegas line on every game except one: Georgia Tech at Notre Dame.

Tulsa @ #16 Oklahoma - If the Sooners had another game next week, then I'd be tempted to think this might be a trap game for them.  But with a bye next week, Tulsa really doesn't stand a chance.  Oklahoma 54, Tulsa 13

#23 Northwestern @ Duke - Building off their upset win over Stanford, the Wildcats are surprising a lot of people, and while Duke is going to be decent this year, I see them continuing the slide they started last year.  Northwestern 31, Duke 27

Louisiana Tech @ Kansas State - The Wildcats passed their first test with their backup QB, and Louisiana Tech is a step up in competition.  I expect a competitive game, but ultimately K-State pulls it out at home.  Kansas State 28, Louisiana Tech 27

#18 Auburn @ #13 LSU - LSU lost an opportunity to tune up before the big start to their schedule when their first week was canceled due to storms, but they were able to put together an impressive showing last week.  Auburn almost lost to an FCS team last week.  While they narrowly avoided a major embarrassment, they won't be so lucky this time. LSU 30, Auburn 17

Texas San Antonio @ #25 Oklahoma State - The Cowboys shouldn't have any trouble with this one unless they just completely look ahead to the Longhorns next week.  Oklahoma State 49, UTSA 20

#14 Georgia Tech @ #8 Notre Dame - The Yellow Jackets are favored in this one, and for good reason.  Notre Dame is using backup QB DeShone Kizer, and Georgia Tech has one of the best offenses in the nation.  The Irish defense was lit up by a woeful Virginia team last week, and I think it is only worse for them this week.  Georgia Tech 38, Notre Dame 24

Nebraska @ Miami - These two teams have a lot of history, playing multiple games to seal national titles over the years.  Nebraska got the best of the Hurricanes last year in Lincoln, and I think their passing game gets them through the game this year too. Nebraska 31, Miami 27

Texas Tech @ Arkansas - Big 12 vs SEC.  The best conference against the second best conference.  But this time, the second best conference gets the win. Arkansas 24, Texas Tech 17

Colorado @ Colorado State - The Buffaloes have a lot of momentum coming off of their pasting of Massachusetts last week, while the Rams are coming off a heart-breaking loss to Minnesota.  Colorado State is the more balanced team, but the Colorado run game helps them to control the tempo and pull out the win.  Colorado 24, Colorado State 21

California @ Texas - There is a lot that we don't really know about the new look for the Longhorns, and while the Cal passing game seems to still be in high gear this year, my gut is telling me that the Texas team will be a lot better than we saw in the first couple games.  I'm not sure I can really justify it, but I have Texas 21, Cal 20.

Stanford @ #6 USC - Stanford was able to bounce back after being upset in their opener, but USC has looked pretty unstoppable so far this year.  I see no reason that will change at home.  USC 42, Stanford 24.

Iowa State @ Toledo - I want to pick Iowa State, I really do.  But while they looked good in the first half against Iowa, they just couldn't get anything going in the second half.  I'm not sure which Iowa State team is going to show up, but Toledo is good enough to hang with good Iowa State and blow past bad Iowa State. Toledo 27, Iowa State 17.

Southern Methodist @ TCU - Not sure I really need to say anything about this one. TCU 69, SMU 10

#15 Mississippi @ #2 Alabama - Should be a great game, but I have a hard time seeing Alabama losing at home this year. Alabama 24, Mississippi 20.

#19 Brigham Young @ #10 UCLA - BYU keeps showing a penchant for thrilling victories, and the strengths and weaknesses of these two teams leads me to believe this will be a high-flying shootout of a game. Both teams will look to sling it around the field, and there should be plenty of scoring and an absolutely riveting finish.  BYU 45, UCLA 41.