College football, Week 3: Schedule, TV listings, S&P+ picks

Now that I’m actually recording the projections correctly, I can see that S&P+ is starting out pretty consistently this year — 52% against the spread in week 1, 52% in week 2. What about week 3?

Once again, here is the google doc with this year’s picks in them. You can find F/+ on the far right.

Meanwhile, since I know some folks have been having problems viewing the Google doc, here’s a static HTML table -- S&P+-only for space. Gotta use the Google doc for F/+.

A few interesting picks:

• Houston by 2 (S&P+) and 3 (F/+). My numbers obviously haven’t liked UH for a while, but here’s your reminder that tonight’s game is not a gimme. Cincy almost won last year (should have, really), and if the Cougars win easily (as my gut says they will), they’ll have proven themselves even further, numbers be damned.
• TCU by only 14 over Iowa State (S&P+). My ratings certainly don’t like the Cyclones very much, but here’s your reminder that they don’t really like the Frogs either. The offense is fine (ninth in Off. S&P+), the defense ... less so (110th in Def. S&P+).
• Alabama by only 6 over Ole Miss with only a 64% win probability (S&P+). The double-digit line feels high to me, though that almost sounds like doubting Bama, and ... well, I never doubt Bama. Doesn’t tend to work out when you do. So never mind.
• OSU by 6 (S&P+) and 5 (F/+) over Pitt. This is a big road test for a Panther team that is exorcising demons and clearing hurdles. It’s also a test of resilience for an OSU team that had its heart ripped out against CMU a week ago.
• Oklahoma by 5 (S&P+) and 8 (F/+) over Ohio State. The line has swung in favor of the Buckeyes, but the numbers still don’t trust such a young squad.
• Texas Tech 42, Louisiana Tech 31 (S&P+). Feels about 2 touchdowns too low for each team.
• Oregon by 2 (S&P+) and 3 (F/+) over Nebraska. Huge test for both teams. I wish this game was either last week or next week -- it’s getting drowned out this week.