The alligatorSports Brand Picks Column altered its style last week with a debate over the week's most divided game instead of a silly interview, and we have taken the lack of response from our readers as a sign of approval.
The first week of college football provided viewers with plenty of action.
A knockout punch, a major upset and an actual good game between FSU and Miami. This season looks promising already.
Week two comes with one of the most anticipated games of the year: No. 3 USC at No.8 Ohio State. Naturally, it wasn't a hard choice for which game to argue.
Ohio State will beat USC because… Ohio State was almost embarrassed last week by the Midshipmen.
The Buckeyes struggle at times to stop the triple-option offense, but in the end, they pulled out the win and that's all that matters.
Terrelle Pryor was criticized for supporting Michael Vick on his eye black strips, but I say who cares?
He's allowed to say whatever he wants, and he will silence his critics by having a Vick-like performance against a young Trojans defense. Good thing he isn't playing a team called the Bulldogs, or that could get ugly.
USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley seems like he is destined for greatness - and he probably is - but he will struggle in his first game on the road at a major college. The Horseshoe will not exactly be the friendliest of confines.
- Bobby Callovi
USC will undoubtedly cover the spread because… of the questionable moral character of Ohio State and quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The guy wore Mike Vick's name on his eye black last week against Navy. When he tried to justify it in an interview after the game, he offered up this insightful analysis:
"Not everybody's the perfect person in the world. I mean, everyone kills people, murders people, steals from you, steals from me, whatever," Pryor told reporters.
It's a good thing he's so understanding when it comes to murder. I guess he won't feel bad when Taylor Mays and USC get done with him. It's going to be a lot like what Vick did to his dogs, only the Trojans won't put Pryor out of his misery afterwards.
- Mike DiFerdinando
Now, on to the picks!
In the lead with a 7-3 record after the first week is Mike "I have a problem" DiFerdinando, who has made at least one reference to alcohol in all of his columns.
Next up sitting at 5-5 is Bobby "I'm putting Rutgers in the Picks Column" Callovi, who actually thought his Scarlet Knights would have a chance of keeping it within 30 against Cincinnati.
From the Florida Times-Union with a 5-5 record, Mike "Take my time" DiRocco, who made sure to wait as long as possible to send his picks in.
From the Orlando Sentinel and also holding a 5-5 record, Jeremy "Can someone tell me what is going on with Andre Debose" Fowler, who can finally stop asking his daily questions about Debose's injury.
From the Miami Herald with yet another 5-5 record, Joe "Good job" Goodman, who I refuse to say anything negative about. Keep up the great work, Joe.
Tied for second is Mike "Silver spoon" McCall, who always seems to have things go his way, including going to the usually boring FSU-UM game and not only getting to see a great game, but also witnessing an ass-beating in the stands. One of these days, something bad will happen to you.
From the Gainesville Sun, with a 4-6 record is Edward "Nothing to see here" Aschoff, who did not talk to us this week because he knows how embarrassing his insult could become.
At 4-6 is our sports editor Phil "Last minute" Kegler, who has set a good example to the rest of the writers by making it a habit of writing his stories after his 7 p.m. deadline.
From the Palm Beach Post with a 4-6 record, Ben "You stink" Volin, who got into an argument and almost a fight with another beat writer after insulting his personal hygiene.
In last place at 2-8 is Kyle "Jump ship" Maistri, who has changed his allegiance in the Big 12 and Pac-10 from Oklahoma and Oregon to Baylor and Oregon State. Sorry, Bears and Beavers, looks like your seasons will be ruined soon enough.
| MDF | BC | MDR | JF | JG | |
| SC(+7)-UGA | SC | UGA | UGA | UGA | SC |
| USC-OSU(+7) | USC | OSU | USC | USC | USC |
| Vandy(+14.5)-LSU | LSU | LSU | LSU | LSU | Vandy |
| MSU(+14)-AU | AU | MSU | AU | MSU | MSU |
| ECU(+7)-WVU | WVU | WVU | WVU | WVU | WVU |
| UCLA(+9)-UT | UCLA | UCLA | UT | UCLA | UCLA |
| ND-UM(+3) | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| Houston(+15)-OK St. | OK St. | Houston | OK St. | Ok St. | Houston |
| UNC-UConn(+4.5) | UNC | UNC | UNC | UNC | UNC |
| Troy(+36.5)-UF | UF | UF | UF | UF | UF |
| MM | EA | PK | BV | KM | |
| SC(+7)-UGA | SC | SC | UGA | UGA | UGA |
| USC-OSU(+7) | USC | USC | OSU | USC | OSU |
| Vandy(+14.5)-LSU | Vandy | LSU | LSU | LSU | Vandy |
| MSU(+14)-AU | MSU | MSU | MSU | MSU | AU |
| ECU(+7)-WVU | ECU | ECU | WVU | ECU | WVU |
| UCLA(+9)-UT | UT | UCLA | UT | UCLA | UCLA |
| ND-UM(+3) | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| Houston(+15)-OK St. | Houston | OK St. | OK St. | OK St. | OK St. |
| UNC-UConn(+4.5) | UNC | UNC | UNC | UConn | UNC |
| Troy(+36.5)-UF | UF | UF | UF | UF | UF |
