Weekend pREEDictions

College football hits its stride in week 2 as the rest of the NFL kicks off in opening weekend. Here's away we can cash in as we enjoy the weekends great match-ups.

Michigan +3 vs. Notre Dame

I know everybody gets excited when Notre Dame looks promissing. Every network that covers sports benefits from having a successful Notre Dame program, so anytime they do something well it gets magnified. They all tell about how Jimmy Clausen is finally excelling in Charlie Weis' offense with 716 yards combined in his last 2 games. But those games were against Hawaii and Neveda. But in his 2 games against Michigan, Clausen has averaged only 110 yards passing. They also have failed to mention Clausen's 4-7 record away from South Bend, including a 38-0 loss at The Big House in 2007.

USC @ Ohio State OVER 45 1/2

In last seasons meeting between the power house programs, it took coach Jim Tressel two quarters before realizing he was going to need Terrel Pryor in order to stand a chance against the men of Troy. By then it was too late as the Buckeyes fell 35-3. This year there is no doubt that Pryor is the man in Columbus and he is an element Big 10 football is in great need of. The Buckeyes defense struggled against Navy's spread option attack last weekend, this will allow Pete Carroll to put the game in the hands of his tailback Joe McKnight and not rely heavily on freshman QB Matt Barkley. I could see Pryor putting up points against this USC team, look for a 31-24 outcome, you pick the winner.

Tampa Bay +5 1/2 vs Dallas

If this game was being played in week 10, the Cowboys would be 8 to 10 point favorites. However opening on the road in a hot and humid Tampa Bay against a Bucs team that is trying to prove every analyst in the country wrong will make this a close game. It isn't going to take Tony Romo long to realize how important T.O. was to this offense.

Cleveland +3 1/2 vs Minnesota

Brett Favre makes his Vikings debut on the shores of Lake Erie and you can bet the creatures in the Dawg Pound will let him know how they feel about him. The Browns are going to need a big season out of linebackers D'Qwell Jackson, who had a team leading 154 tackles last season, and 2006 1st round pick Kamerion Wimbley. What better test than the games best running Adrian Peterson. I expect a couple key Favre-induced turnovers and a big debut out of Brady Quinn as the Browns pull the upset at home.