I really looked hard at the games this week, because I had a bad weekend last week….and I’m sorry for that.  Here is a look at the Week #4 matchups in the NFL this weekend:

BEST BETS:

New Orleans Saints over the Jacksonville Jaguars:  I look for the Saints to really spank the Jaguars in Jacksonville this weekend.  Blaine Gabbert is going to get a rude awakening in this game.  I like the Saints to win this game 30-10 and to easily cover the 6.5 points they are spotting the Jaguars.

Atlanta Falcons over the Seattle Seahawks:  The Falcons have been waiting a while to play an inferior team and they finally will this weekend in Seattle.  I like the Falcons to win this game 30-14 and to easily cover the 4.5 points they are spotting the Seahawks.

Green Bay Packers over the Denver Broncos:  The Packers are finally playing a cupcake and they are going to destroy them at Lambeau Field.  I like the Packers to win this game 37-16 and to cover the 12.5 points they are spotting the Broncos.

SOLID BETS:

Houston Texans over the Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Steelers are overrated and the Texans are underrated.  That sets up for the Texans to win this game 27-17 and to cover the 4 points they are giving the Steelers.

San Francisco 49ers over the Philadelphia Eagles:  The Niners are very conservative offensively and very solid defensively.  The gimpy Michael Vick will lead the Eagles to a very tough 20-17 lead.  You get the easy cover with 9 points and the 49ers.

Detroit Lions over the Dallas Cowboys:  The Cowboys got lucky against the Redskins last Monday Night.  That luck will run out this weekend against the Lions who are going to beat them 24-20 on their own field.  You won’t need the 1.5 points the Lions are getting, but you should consider taking the money line.

Miami Dolphins over the San Diego Chargers:  I’m not calling for an upset here, but the Dolphins are going to keep this game close.  I like the Chargers to win this game 23-21, but the Dolphins to cover with the 7 points they are getting.

Baltimore Ravens over the New York Jets:  The Jets showed a lot of weaknesses last weekend.  I look for the Ravens to expose them and win this game 24-16.  I like the Ravens to cover the 3.5 points that they are giving the Jets.

SO-SO PLAYS:

Minnesota Vikings over the Kansas City Chiefs:  The Vikings have blown big leads in each of their first three games.  The Chiefs aren’t equipped to make a comeback.  I like the Vikings to win this game 23-17 and to cover the 2.5 points that they are giving the Chiefs.

Oakland Raiders over the New England Patriots:  The Raiders are going to give the Patriots fits in the highest scoring NFL game of the weekend.  I like the Patriots to win this game 35-34, which the Raiders covering with 4.5 points.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the Indianapolis Colts:  Curtis Painter is getting his first NFL start on Monday Night Football.  Enough said!  I like the Bucs to win this game 23-9 and cover the 10.5 points they are giving the Colts.

Cincinnati Bengals over the Buffalo Bills:  The Bengals are going to play tough in the Jungle this weekend as they try to defend their home turf.  I like the Bills to win this game 21-20, but the Bengals to cover with the field goal they are getting.

Tennessee Titans over the Cleveland Browns:  The Titans are one of the most improved teams in the NFL so far this year.  I like the Titans to win this game 20-17 and to cover the 1 point that they are giving the Browns.

New York Giants over the Arizona Cardinals:  The Giants and Cardinals are going to have a really good game this Sunday.  I like the Giants to win this game 23-21 and to cover the 1 point they are spotting them.

BY A HOOK:

Chicago Bears over the Carolina Panthers:  Finally, the Bears will be playing someone that they for sure have a better team than.  I like the Bears to win this game 24-17 and to cover the 6.5 pointspread.

St. Louis Rams over the Washington Redskins:  This is going to be a good football game.  In the end, I like the Redskins to win this game 23-21, but the Rams to cover with the 2.5 points they are getting.

The Playoffs are set for an epic run in Major League Baseball this year.  I know that everyone is picking the Phillies and Yankees to play in the World Series, but not me.  Here is how I see one of the best post-seasons in recent history shaking out:

A.L. Division Series:

Texas Rangers over the Tampa Bay Rays in five games:  The Rangers have too much hitting for the Rays to deal with, even with their solid pitching.

Detroit Tigers over the New York Yankees in four games:  The Tigers can hit just as well as the Yankees can, and they have better starting pitching. They are going to  spank the Yankees and send them home.

N.L. Division Series:

Philadelphia Phillies over the St. Louis Cardinals in five games:  I give the Cardinals a legit shot for an upset in this series, but I don’t think it will happen.

Milwaukee Brewers over the Arizona Diamondbacks in four games:  The Brewers are going to score a lot of runs in this series.

A.L. Championship Series:

Detroit Tigers over the Texas Rangers in six games:  The Tigers are going to go into this series well rested and they are going to take it to the Rangers.

Milwaukee Brewers over the Philadelphia Phillies:  Top to bottom, the Brewers are the better team right now.  They have better hitting than the Phillies do and they also have a very solid starting rotation themselves.

World Series:

Milwaukee Brewers over the Detroit Tigers in 7 games:  Prince Fielder hits a walkoff homer to win Game #7 of the World Series in his last AB as a Milwaukee Brewer!

Now we are getting to the meat of the NCAA Football season as conference play is going to begin this weekend.  Cupcake time is over.  Here is how I would have voted on the teams heading into this weekend’s college football schedule:

1. LSU (4-0) - The LSU Tigers battered the Mountaineers last weekend.  They play at home against Kentucky this weekend and they are going to thrash them.

2. Alabama (4-0) - Alabama has really been dominating on defense as they are only giving up 8.0 points per game so far this year!  They are going to get a stout challenge from the Florida Gators at the Swamp this Saturday.

3. Oklahoma (3-0) - The Sooners got challenged by Missouri last weekend before finally putting them away.  They won’t have to work too hard to beat Ball State at home this weekend.

4. Boise State (3-0) - Boise State continues to just roll along and win football games impressively.  Nevada might challenge the Broncos a little bit this weekend, before they are put away in the end.

5. Oklahoma State (4-0) - Oklahoma State came from way back to beat Texas A&M on their field last weekend in a very impressive win.  They are off this weekend before dealing with Kansas at Oklahoma State.

6. Wisconsin (4-0) - The Wisconsin Badgers are outscoring teams by an average of 48.5 to 8.5 so far this year!  They will welcome Nebraska to the Big Ten at Camp Randall Stadium this Saturday!

7. Stanford (3-0) - Stanford is outscoring their opponents by an average of 37 points per game so far this year!  They will play at home against UCLA this weekend, which should be another blowout win for the Cardinal.

8. Virginia Tech (4-0) - Virginia Tech has been whipping up on the cupcakes so far this year.  That will change this weekend as they are going to have a home tilt with Clemson this weekend.

9. Florida (4-0) - The Gators are off to a good start this year, but they haven’t played any really good teams yet.  That will change this weekend when the Alabama Crimson Tide comes to the Swamp for a visit this Saturday.

10. Nebraska (4-0) - Nebraska has been cleaning up on some meatballs so far this year.  That will change with a visit to Camp Randall Stadium in their Big Ten debut this Saturday.

11. Baylor (3-0) - Baylor is averaging 51.3 points per game so far this year, which is impressive.  But they are in for a fight this weekend at Kansas State.

12. South Carolina (4-0) - South Carolina is scoring a lot of points (36.5 per game) but they are also giving up a lot of points (25.8 per game) so far this year.  So they better be ready this Saturday when the high scoring Auburn Tigers pay a visit.

13. South Florida (4-0) - South Florida has been beating up on cupcakes since the season opening win over Notre Dame.  That will chance with a trip to Pittsburgh this Thursday Night.

14. Oregon (3-1) - Oregon has drilled every team that they have played since their season opening loss to LSU.  They are off this weekend.

15. TCU (3-1) - TCU has also been thrashing teams since their season opening loss to Baylor.  They will have a home game against SMU this weekend.

16. Texas (3-0) - The Longhorns are winning with defense as they are only giving up 15.0 points per game so far this year.  They have a trap game at Iowa State this weekend.

17. Clemson (4-0) - Clemson is a high scoring (37.8 points per game) team that will be going on the road for a showdown with Virginia Tech on the road.

18. Georgia Tech (4-0) - Georgia Tech is averaging 53.3 points per game this year as they have a powerful offense.  They are taking their show on the road for a tilt at North Carolina State this weekend.

19. Michigan (4-0) - The Wolverines have beaten Notre Dame and a bunch of meatballs so far this year.  They have a home game against Minnesota in their Big Ten opener this Saturday, it what should be an easy win.

20. Houston (4-0) - Houston is a high flying team that wins by lighting up the scoreboard as they are averaging 44.3 points per game so far this year.  They are hitting the road to El Paso to deal with UTEP this weekend.

21. Kansas State (3-0) - Count me as very impressed by Kansas State’s road win over the Miami Hurricanes last weekend.  They are only allowing 10.3 points per game but that is going to be tested at home this Saturday against the Baylor Bears who are averaging 51.3 points per game so far this year.

22. Texas Tech (3-0) - Texas Tech is a high flying scoring machine as they are averaging 48.0 points per game so far this year.  They have a home date with Kansas this Saturday.

23. Illinois (4-0) - Illinois hasn’t had the toughest schedule around but they are undefeated and they are outscoring opposing teams by 19.3 points per game.  They will host Northwestern in the home Big Ten opener this Saturday.

24. Iowa State (3-0) - Iowa State has beated the odds so far this year and they will try to do so again at home against Texas this Saturday.

25. Temple (3-1) - Temple could easily be 4-0 on the year as they lost a tough one against Penn State earlier this year.  They are averaging 32.8 points per game so far this year while only allowing 7.8 points per game.  Temple is hosting the high flying Toledo Rockets this Saturday.

Quite a few games jump off the line sheet in the NFL this weekend.  I look for some upsets and some easy covers this weekend!  Here is how I see things shaking out in the NFL in Week #3 of the season:

BEST BETS:

Washington Redskins over the Dallas Cowboys:  The Cowboys are going to be playing a lot of hurt guys and the Redskins are going to be taking some shots on Tony Romo’s ribs.  The Redskins are not just going to cover this game (they are 6.5 point underdogs) but they are going to win it outright 26-20.

Tennessee Titans over the Denver Broncos:  The Broncos are a lousy football team and the Titans are suddenly on the rise.  I like the Titans to cover the 7 points they are spotting to Broncos, as I have them winning 27-10 this Sunday.

New England Patriots over the Buffalo Bills:  Sure the Bills are a nice, feel good story…..but they aren’t going to beat the Patriots this Sunday.  I like the Patriots to win this game 37-20 and easily cover the 7.5 points they are giving the Bills.

San Diego Chargers over the Kansas City Chiefs:  There is no truth to the rumor that the Chiefs have applied to join the Big East.  The Chargers are going to throw more dirt on the casket of the Chiefs this Sunday, by pounding them 34-10.  Give the 14.5 points as the Chiefs have shown no signs of life this year.

Philadelphia Eagles over the New York Giants:  The Giants are beat up at WR, so they aren’t going to be able to fight fire with fire this Sunday.  That’s why I like the Eagles to cover the 9 points they are spotting the Giants, as they will beat them 34-17.

SOLID BETS:

Jacksonville Jaguars over the Carolina Panthers:  No one is going to be talking about rookie QBs Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton after this game and that’s because Maurice Jones-Drew is going to go ballistic on the weak Panthers’ D this Sunday.  I like the Jaguars to upset the Panthers 23-20, so you might want to think about the money line in this game as the Panthers are a 3.5 point favorite.

Detroit Lions over the Minnesota Vikings:  The Vikings just aren’t showing much so far this year and the Lions are on a roll.  I like the Lions to win this game 27-17 and to cover the 3.5 points they are giving the Vikings.

Atlanta Falcons over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  The Falcons swept the Bucs last season and they will be up to their old tricks this Sunday in Tampa.  I like the Falcons to win this game 27-23, so you won’t need the points (2.5) that the Bucs are spotting them.  Think money line here.

Cincinnati Bengals over the San Francisco 49ers:  New head coach Jim Harbaugh holds his cards so close to the vest on offense that he can’t even see them.  The Bengals are going to win this game 20-13 and cover the 2.5 points they are sending the way of the Niners.

IFFY AT BEST:

Pittsburgh Steelers over the Indianapolis Colts:   The Steelers are the much better football team here.  The Colts will be fired up at the start of the game, but when the adrenaline wears off, they are going to get their butts kicked.  I like the Steelers to win this game 27-13 and cover the 10 points they are giving the hapless Colts.

New Orleans Saints over the Houston Texans:  The Texans are a pretty good all around football team, but the Saints are a great team at home.  I think the Saints are going to win a hard fought battle, 30-24 and cover the 3.5 points that they are spotting the Texans.

New York Jets over the Oakland Raiders:  The Jets are going to win a slobberknocker against the Raiders at the Black Hole this Sunday, but it’s going to be far from easy.  I like the Jets to win this game 23-17 and to cover the 3.5 points they are spotting Oakland.

Miami Dolphins over the Cleveland Browns:  The Dolphins just have not looked good this year.  I still think that they will keep this game close enough to cover with the 2.5 points they are getting.  I like the Browns to win this game 21-20.

BY A HOOK:

Baltimore Ravens over the St. Louis Rams:  The Rams are going to put up a better fight on their home field than most think they will.  I like the Ravens to win this game 24-20 and to cover the 3.5 points they are giving the Rams.

Chicago Bears over the Green Bay Packers:  These two teams hate each other and love beating each other up.  I think the Packers are going to win this game 23-20, but I like the Bears to cover with the 3.5 points that they are getting.

Seattle Seahawks over the Arizona Cardinals:  The Seahawks swept the Cardinals last year and this is going to be their home opener.  I like the Cardinals to win this game 27-24, but the Seahawks to cover with the 3.5 points they are getting.

If I had a vote in the College Football Rankings, here is how it would look heading into Week #3 of the season:

1. LSU (3-0) - LSU got a nice SEC road win over Mississippi State, 19-6 last Thursday Night.  They have outscored their opponents 108-36 on the season!

2. Alabama (3-0) - Alabama completely shut down North Texas in a 41-0 win last Saturday.  They have now outscored their opponents 116-18 on the year.  They have a big challenge tomorrow against Arkansas.

3. Oklahoma (2-0) - I would have moved Oklahoma up a spot if Alabama didn’t look so dominant last Saturday.  The Sooners got a huge 23-13 win last Saturday at Florida State.  They have now outscored their opponents 70-27.

4. Boise State (2-0) - Boise ripped Toledo 40-15 on their field last Friday Night.  They have now outscored their opponents 75-36 on the year.

5. Oklahoma State (3-0) - Oklahoma State won 59-33 last weekend over Tulsa.  They are the funnest team to watch as they throw the ball all over the field as they have scored 157 points already this season!

6. Wisconsin (3-0) - The Badgers rolled 49-7 over Northern Illinois last weekend.  Wisconsin has scored 135 points this year while only giving up 24 points.

7. Stanford (3-0) - Stanford beat Arizona 37-10 on the road last weekend.  They have outscored their opponents 138-27 this year.

8. Virginia Tech (3-0) - Virginia Tech beat Arkansas State 26-7 last weekend.  They have a super soft schedule which is going to help them move up this list as teams ahead of them start to lose.

9. Arkansas (3-0) - The Razorbacks beat Troy 38-28 last weekend as they were likely looking ahead to this weekend’s game at Alabama.

10. Florida (3-0) - The Gators passed their first big test of the new regime last weekend in beating Tennessee 33-23 at the Swamp.  They have now outscored their opponents 113-26 on the year.

11. Nebraska (3-0) - Nebraska held off Washington 51-38 last weekend.  They have given up 74 points so far this year, so they might have troubles with good offensive teams this year.

12. Baylor (2-0) - Baylor won 48-0 against Stephen F. Austin, which they should have.

13. South Carolina (3-0) - South Carolina won a hard fought battle 24-21 against Navy last weekend.  They have only outscored their opponents 125-100 so far this year.

14. South Florida (3-0) - The South Florida Bulls punished the Florida A&M Rattlers 70-17 last weekend.  They have outscored their opponents 130-44 so far this year.

15. Oregon (2-1) - Oregon punished Missouri State 56-7 last weekend, as expected.  They are going to continue to climb back up this list this year.

16. TCU (2-1) - TCU beat UL-Monroe 38-17 last weekend.  They are starting to rebound after the season opening loss at Baylor.

17. Florida State (2-1) - Florida State lost a tough home game 23-13 to the Oklahoma Sooners last weekend.  They still have outscored their opponents 109-33 so far this year.

18. West Virginia (3-0) - The Mountaineers beat Maryland 37-31 last weekend.  They have now outscored their opponents 126-56 so far this year.  LSU is coming to Morgantown this weekend and it will be interesting to see if West Virginia is up for that challenge.

19. Texas (3-0) - The Longhorns destroyed UCLA 49-20 last Saturday.  They have now outscored their opponents 97-42 this year as they are showing off a suddenly dominating defense.

20. Texas A&M (2-0) - The Aggies outscored the Idaho Vandals 37-7 last weekend.  The Aggies face their first real challenge of the season as they will have to deal with Oklahoma State tomorrow.

21. Georgia Tech (3-0) - Georgia Tech rolled again last weekend as they outscored Kansas 66-24.  They have outscored their opponents 178-66 so far this year.

22. Michigan (3-0) - Michigan beat Eastern Michigan 31-3 last weekend at the Big Ditch.  Brady Hoke better watch it this weekend as he is playing against his old team (San Diego State) and they are also 3-0 on the season.

23. USC - (3-0) - USC beat Syracuse 38-17 last weekend.  I give USC credit for not scheduling any meatballs as they have beaten Minnesota, Utah and Syracuse so far this year.

24. Houston (3-0) - Houston nipped Louisiana Tech 35-34 last weekend.  The bottom line though is that they keep winning.  They have outscored their opponents 121-91 so far this year.

25. Clemson (3-0) - Clemson got a huge home win, 38-24 over Auburn last weekend.  They are a team on the rise in the ACC.