Michigan State (1-2) at Wisconsin (3-0), noon, ESPN
BUZZ: This is the Big Ten opener for both and is especially big for the Spartans, whose season is in danger of spiraling out of control. This is the fourth home game in a row for Wisconsin, which plays its next two on the road. Michigan State beat the Badgers 25-24 in a wild one last season.
THE LINE: Wisconsin by 3. THE PICK: Wisconsin 23-21.

USF (3-0) at Florida State (2-1), noon, ESPNU
BUZZ: This is the first meeting between the schools. This also will be the first game for the Bulls without QB Matt Grothe, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. FSU is coming off a demolition of BYU in Provo.
THE LINE: Florida State by 14.5. THE PICK: Florida State 38-21.

Minnesota (2-1) at Northwestern (2-1), noon, Big Ten Network
BUZZ: This is the Big Ten opener for both. Both are coming in off losses; Minnesota lost to Cal and Northwestern fell to Syracuse (a team Minnesota beat in overtime). Northwestern's secondary was torched last week and faces a tough task in trying to slow Minnesota WR Eric Decker.
THE LINE: Northwestern by 2.5. THE PICK: Minnesota 27-21.

Fresno State (1-2) at Cincinnati (3-0), noon, Big East syndication/ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: This is Game 3 in a murderous stretch for Fresno - at Wisconsin, home against Boise, now at Cincinnati. Fresno RB Ryan Mathews is the nation's leading rusher (149.0 ypg), but the Bearcats shut down Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers last week.
THE LINE: Cincinnati by 16.5. THE PICK: Cincinnati 42-24.

Indiana (3-0) at Michigan (3-0), noon, ESPN2
BUZZ: Let's vote: Is Indiana the worst 3-0 team in the nation? Wow - that's a lot of hands in the air. Michigan leads the series 50-9. IU, which is looking for its first 4-0 start since 1990, hasn't won in Ann Arbor since 1967; that was Michigan's last losing season until 2008.
THE LINE: Michigan by 21. THE PICK: Michigan 42-17.

North Carolina (3-0) at Georgia Tech (2-1), noon, ACC syndication/ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: This is a big one in the ACC, as both were expected to contend for the ACC Coastal title. But Tech already has a division loss, making this doubly important for the Yellow Jackets. UNC has a strong front seven, and if Tech can't run effectively, it has no shot at the victory.
THE LINE: Georgia Tech by 2.5. THE PICK: Georgia Tech 21-20.

Southern Miss (3-0) at Kansas (3-0), noon, Fox Sports Net
BUZZ: One Conference USA team (Houston) already has pulled off an upset over a ranked Big 12 team (Oklahoma State) on the road. Can Southern Miss follow suit? Both defenses will be put to the test.
THE LINE: Kansas by 13.5. THE PICK: Kansas 38-27.

Buffalo (1-2) at Temple (0-2), noon, ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: This is the first MAC game for both. Both are struggling to run the ball. Given the wide-open nature of the MAC East, the winner becomes a division contender.
THE LINE: Temple by 2.5. THE PICK: Temple 21-17.

Rhode Island (1-1) at Connecticut (2-1), noon
BUZZ: UConn is coming off an impressive victory at Baylor. This is the 94th meeting in the series; the teams used to be rivals in the old I-AA Yankee Conference.
THE LINE: None. THE PICK: UConn 31-9.

LSU (3-0) at Mississippi State (2-1), 12:20 p.m., SEC syndication/ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: This is the 103rd meeting in the series, tying it for fourth most-played in the SEC. LSU has won nine in a row and 16 of the past 17 against the Bulldogs. Plus, LSU has scored at least 30 points against the Bulldogs in each of the past nine games.
THE LINE: LSU by 12.5. THE PICK: LSU 30-14.

Marshall (2-1) at Memphis (1-2), 1 p.m., Comcast-Charter Sports Southeast
BUZZ: A big early season C-USA game between East Division rivals. It seems likely that the loser would have no shot at finishing in the upper half of the division.
THE LINE: Memphis by 3. THE PICK: Marshall 27-23.

San Diego State (1-2) at Air Force (2-1), 2 p.m., The mtn.
BUZZ: Air Force ran all over the Aztecs last season and should be able to do so again. The Falcons lead the nation in rushing at 344.3 yards per game. This is the third road game of the season for San Diego State.
THE LINE: Air Force by 16.5. THE PICK: Air Force 44-24.

Wake Forest (2-1) at Boston College (2-1), 2 p.m.
BUZZ: This is the ACC opener for Wake, while BC is coming off a loss to Clemson in which the offense was held to 54 total yards. Yes,54. If Wake can shut down BC's running game, the Demon Deacons will be in good shape.
THE LINE: Wake Forest by 2. THE PICK: Wake Forest 20-14.

Tennessee Tech (1-1) at Kansas State (1-2), 2 p.m.
BUZZ: If K-State doesn't win this, it may not win again this season. Tennessee Tech is coached by Watson Brown, who used to coach Vanderbilt and UAB.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Kansas State 31-14.

UNLV (2-1) at Wyoming (1-2), 3 p.m.
BUZZ: This is the first road game of the season for UNLV, which lost in the final seconds two weeks ago against Oregon State but won in the final seconds last week against Hawaii. Wyoming has scored 10 points against its two FBS opponents and has yet to throw a TD pass this season.
THE LINE: UNLV by 5. THE PICK: UNLV 24-14.

Arkansas (1-1) at Alabama (3-0), 3:30 p.m., CBS
BUZZ: Arkansas rang up 41 points against Georgia last week - and lost by 11. Razorbacks QB Ryan Mallett will face a tougher pass rush this week, but he still could do some damage with his arm. But Alabama's offense seems certain to do some damage on the ground against the Hogs' porous defense.
THE LINE: Alabama by 17. THE PICK: Alabama 38-24.

Illinois (1-1) at Ohio State (2-1), 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/ESPN
BUZZ: The Illini won in their last trip to Columbus, in 2007; indeed, they've won in three of their past four and seven of their past 10 games in Columbus dating to 1988. The winner gets the "Illibuck" trophy, which is a wooden replica of a turtle (hey, we can't make this stuff up). This will be the 83rd meeting for the "Illibuck," making it the second-oldest trophy in the Big Ten, behind only the Little Brown Jug (Michigan and Minnesota).
THE LINE: Ohio State by 14. THE PICK: Ohio State 27-17.

UTEP (1-2) at Texas (3-0), 3:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net
BUZZ: Texas QB Colt McCoy has thrown a TD in a school-record 20 consecutive games, and he should make it 21 against a so-so UTEP secondary. UTEP lost by 27 at home to Kansas two weeks ago.
THE LINE: Texas by 36. THE PICK: Texas 54-16.

California (3-0) at Oregon (2-1), 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: This is one of the biggest Pac-10 games of the season. Cal has lost eight of its past 10 road games, but its rushing offense and its rushing defense have been sterling thus far. Oregon has to run effectively to win, as QB Jeremiah Masoli is struggling as a passer this season. In addition, Oregon's run defense has been poor, which means it's all but certain that Cal RB Jahvid Best will put together his eighth consecutive 100-yard game.
THE LINE: Cal by 5.5. THE PICK: Cal 34-24.

Miami (2-0) at Virginia Tech (2-1), 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/ESPN/ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: This might end up being the game of the year in the ACC; it also might be a game that loses importance as the season progresses. Miami has looked superb offensively in its first two games, with QB Jacory Harris slicing up the secondaries at Florida State and Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech is one-dimensional on offense, much like Georgia Tech; UM shut down the Yellow Jackets' running game last week and will look to do the same to the Hokies.
THE LINE: Miami by 2.5. THE PICK: Miami 24-20.

Idaho (2-1) at Northern Illinois (2-1), 3:30 p.m., Comcast SportsNet Chicago/ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: Idaho already has matched its win total from last season and is one win away from matching its victory total from the past two seasons combined. NIU is coming off a road upset of Purdue.
THE LINE: NIU by 16.5. THE PICK: NIU 31-17.

Pittsburgh (3-0) at N.C. State (2-1), 3:30 p.m., ESPNU
BUZZ: N.C. State has looked good the past two weeks - but the opponents were vastly overmatched FCS teams. True freshman TB Dion Lewis makes Pitt go, and he will be the focal point of N.C. State's defensive efforts. N.C. State has struggled to run effectively, and the Wolfpack need to find a ground attack fast.
THE LINE: N.C. State by 1. THE PICK: N.C. State 21-17.

Akron (1-2) at Central Michigan (2-1), 3:30 p.m., Fox Sports Ohio/Fox Sports Detroit/ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour is 5 yards shy of becoming the seventh MAC quarterback to reach the 10,000-yard plateau. Akron senior QB Chris Jacquemain has been suspended and will not return to the team.
THE LINE: Central Michigan by 16. THE PICK: Central Michigan 41-21.

Western Kentucky (0-3) at Navy (1-2), 3:30 p.m., CBS College Sports
BUZZ: Western's rush defense is atrocious. That's not good with Navy next on the schedule.
THE LINE: Navy by 28.5. THE PICK: Navy 49-17.

TCU (2-0) at Clemson (2-1), 3:30 p.m.
BUZZ: OK, look at some of the garbage games that will be televised, and this one isn't on? Unbelievable. This is a chance for TCU to make some national noise. This is the Horned Frogs' toughest non-conference game of the season.
THE LINE: Clemson by 2.5. THE PICK: TCU 24-20.

UCF (2-1) at East Carolina (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
BUZZ: ECU is coming off back-to-back losses to West Virginia and North Carolina. This is the first C-USA game of the season for the Pirates, who were the preseason pick to win the East Division. ECU needs to get its ground game going.
THE LINE: East Carolina by 10.5. THE PICK: East Carolina 23-10.

McNeese State (3-0) at Tulane (0-2), 3:30 p.m.
BUZZ: This is the first meeting between the Louisiana schools. Tulane is in for a long season, and it will be really long if the Green Wave lose this game. McNeese State is No. 8 in the FCS poll.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Tulane 24-19.

Rutgers (2-1) at Maryland (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
BUZZ: The heat is on Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen; the Terps are coming off a home loss to Middle Tennessee and their only win was in overtime against FCS member James Madison. The Terps' defense has been pitiful.
THE LINE: Rutgers by 2.5. THE PICK: Rutgers 33-27.

Louisiana-Monroe (1-2) at Florida Atlantic (0-2), 4 p.m.
BUZZ: FAU leads this series 3-2, but all three wins have come at ULM and the losses have come at home. FAU needs to keep ULM running back Frank Goodin under control.
THE LINE: FAU by 4. THE PICK: FAU 30-21.

Troy (1-2) at Arkansas State (1-1), 4:30 p.m.
BUZZ: Before the season, this was seen as the de facto Sun Belt Conference title game. Frankly, it still looks that way.
THE LINE: Arkansas State by 2. THE PICK: Troy 23-20.

Colorado State (3-0) at BYU (2-1), 6 p.m., The mtn.
BUZZ: Colorado State has started 3-0 for the first time since 1994, but are the Rams truly for real? BYU was hammered last week by Florida State; will there be any type of hangover from the loss this week?
THE LINE: BYU by 16.5. THE PICK: BYU 38-23.

Florida (3-0) at Kentucky (2-0), 6 p.m., ESPN2
BUZZ: Florida has taken some shots for the uninspiring showing by its offense in last week's victory over Tennessee. The Gators scored 63 on Kentucky last season and have won 22 in a row over the Wildcats.
THE LINE: Florida by 21.5. THE PICK: Florida 37-13.

Arizona State (2-0) at Georgia (2-1), 7 p.m., ESPNU
BUZZ: Joe Cox looked like Joe Montana last week, but that was against Arkansas' defense. Arizona State's is a lot better. But the Sun Devils' offense looks a little anemic.
THE LINE: Georgia by 11.5. THE PICK: Georgia 24-14.

Ball State (0-3) at Auburn (3-0), 7 p.m., Fox Sports South/Sun Sports/Fox Sports Midwest/Fox Sports Southwest/ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: Auburn is better than expected. Ball State is worse. Much worse. The teams have met twice this decade and Auburn has won them both by a combined 93-3.
THE LINE: Auburn by 33. THE PICK: Auburn 48-10.

Ohio U. (2-1) at Tennessee (1-2), 7 p.m., ESPN GamePlan
BUZZ: The Vols better win this one; their next three games are Auburn, Georgia and at Alabama. Ohio has not scored a rushing TD this season.
THE LINE: Tennessee by 22. THE PICK: Tennessee 28-10.

North Carolina Central (0-3) at Duke (1-2), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: This is the first meeting between the schools, whose campuses are 3.4 miles apart in Durham, N.C. N.C. Central is a transitional member of the FCS and is in the process of moving from Division II.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Duke 49-7.

Northwestern State (La.) (0-3) at Baylor (1-1), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: Baylor won by 45 last season over the Demons. Expect something along the same lines this season.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Baylor 54-10.

Middle Tennessee (2-1) at North Texas (1-2), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: Middle Tennessee won at Maryland last week and has won three in a row over North Texas. These teams each have 31 all-time Sun Belt Conference victories, tied for the most in league history.
THE LINE: MTSU by 6.5. THE PICK: MTSU 33-28.

Toledo (1-2) at Florida International (0-2), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: FIU won in Toledo last season. FIU must shut down Toledo QB Aaron Opelt, who is throwing for 313 yards per game.
THE LINE: Toledo by 2. THE PICK: FIU 29-24.

Grambling (2-1) at Oklahoma State (2-1), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: This is the fourth of four consecutive home game to open the season for Oklahoma State, which has given up 69 points in its past two games.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Oklahoma State 52-16.

Sam Houston State (1-1) at Tulsa (2-1), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: Sam Houston State is quarterbacked by Blake Joseph, who shared time with Case Keenum as Houston's quarterback in 2007. Joseph played against Tulsa in '07 with the Cougars, throwing two picks in a 56-7 loss. Tulsa intercepted the first pass thrown by Oklahoma QB Landry Jones last week, but that was about the extent of the good news for the Golden Hurricane as the Sooners rolled 45-0.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Tulsa 56-24.

Hofstra (2-1) at Western Michigan (1-2), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: Western Michigan QB Tim Hiller has 82 career TD passes, putting him in sixth place, two behind Ben Roethlisberger, on the MAC's career list. He needs 19 more to pass Chad Pennington as the MAC's career leader.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Western Michigan 40-23.

Boise State (3-0) at Bowling Green (1-2), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: Boise is the highest-ranked team to play at Bowling Green. Look for a spirited battle between Bowling Green WR Freddie Barnes and Boise CB Kyle Wilson. Barnes already has 42 receptions (that's more than 28 teams), and Wilson is one of the nation's best corners.
THE LINE: Boise by 16.5. THE PICK: Boise 42-21.

UAB (1-2) at Texas A&M (2-0), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: Believe it or not, Texas A&M leads the nation in total offense. Given that UAB's defense has resembled a sieve this season (459.7 ypg), the Aggies very well could be in that spot again next week. This is UAB's third game of the season against a Texas school; the Blazers beat Rice but lost to SMU.
THE LINE: Texas A&M by 15.5. THE PICK: Texas A&M 42-23.

Louisiana-Lafayette (2-1) at Nebraska (2-1), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: This is the third Sun Belt Conference opponent for the Huskers, who already have beaten Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State. ULL already has one win over a Big 12 team this season, as the Ragin' Cajuns downed Kansas State.
THE LINE: Nebraska by 27.5. THE PICK: Nebraska 49-17.

Army (2-1) at Iowa State (2-1), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: Army has a chance to get off to its best start since 1996, when it was 4-0. Iowa State already has matched its win total from last season and can match its win total from 2007 with a victory in this one. Army is last in the nation in passing offense, averaging 61.7 yards per game.
THE LINE: Iowa State by 9.5. THE PICK: Iowa State 24-17.

Miami University (0-3) at Kent State (1-2), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: The hounds make their way to the Cleveland area. This is the dog of the week, with the loser likely to finish last in the MAC East.
THE LINE: Kent State by 7.5. THE PICK: Kent State 25-21.

Maine (2-1) at Syracuse (1-2), 7 p.m.
BUZZ: "Man, I love home cooking." This is the Orange's third home game of the season; it also is the second of six consecutive games at the Carrier Dome for Syracuse, which has eight home games total this season.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Syracuse 27-14.

Arizona (2-1) at Oregon State (2-1), 7:30 p.m., Versus
BUZZ: A good one in the Pac-10. Both are coming off 10-point losses - Arizona at Iowa, Oregon State at home to Cincinnati. Arizona is changing quarterbacks, from Matt Scott to Nick Foles. Oregon State is sticking with Sean Canfield, but Lyle Moevao could see action, as well.
THE LINE: Oregon State by 2. THE PICK: Oregon State 22-17.

Louisville (1-1) at Utah (2-1), 7:30 p.m., CBS College Sports
BUZZ: Since the formation of the BCS in 1998, Utah has more wins over Big Six conference teams (17) than any other team from a non-Big Six conference. Will the Utes get another one against the Cardinals?
THE LINE: Utah by 14. THE PICK: Utah 28-16.

Notre Dame (2-1) at Purdue (1-2), 8 p.m., ESPN
BUZZ: The Irish begin adjusting to life without star WR Michael Floyd, out for the season with a broken collarbone. The Irish still should have a lot of success through the air. But RB Ralph Bolden (421 yards) and the Boilermakers should find running room against the Irish's porous defense.
THE LINE: Notre Dame by 7.5. THE PICK: Notre Dame 35-24.

Iowa (3-0) at Penn State (3-0), 8 p.m., ABC
BUZZ: A last-second loss at Iowa last season kept Penn State out of the national title game. The Nittany Lions will be out for revenge. Iowa owns the Big Ten's longest winning streak at seven games.
THE LINE: Penn State by 10. THE PICK: Penn State 24-16.

Vanderbilt (1-2) at Rice (0-3), 8 p.m., Comcast-Charter Sports Southeast
BUZZ: Just call it the "Bookworm Bowl." Vandy has one of the worst offenses in the nation, Rice one of the worst defenses. The Owls already have allowed 12 TD passes and have no interceptions. Vandy has thrown one TD pass and two picks.
THE LINE: Vandy by 7. THE PICK: Vandy 31-20.

Cal Poly (1-1) at San Jose State (0-3), 8 p.m.
BUZZ: This is the second consecutive game against a FCS opponent for Cal Poly, which lost by 18 to Ohio U. last weekend. San Jose State has lost six in a row overall and four in a row at home, and the Spartans are last in the nation in rushing offense and total offense. They have rushed for 55 yards total in their three games.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: San Jose State 23-14.

Southern Utah (1-2) at Utah State (0-2), 8 p.m.
BUZZ: Utah State, which has lost to Utah and Texas A&M, is last in the nation in total defense; that has to irk new coach Gary Andersen, who had been defensive coordinator at Utah. This is only the second meeting in the series; Utah State won by 16 in 2000.
THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Utah State 37-20.

Washington (2-1) at Stanford (2-1), 9 p.m., Fox College Sports Pacific
BUZZ: After losing 15 in a row, Washington has won two in a row, including last week's shocker over USC. This is the first road game of the season for Washington. The Huskies haven't won a road game since they beat Stanford in 2007.
THE LINE: Stanford by 7. THE PICK: Stanford 24-21.

Texas Tech (2-1) at Houston (2-0), 9:15 p.m., ESPN2
BUZZ: Houston had last week off to continue reveling in its big victory at Oklahoma State. Now, it's another Big 12 South team - but this one at home. These teams are former rivals in the Southwest Conference but haven't played since 1995. Expect a lot of passes, and a 4-hour game is possible.
THE LINE: Houston by 1.5. THE PICK: Texas Tech 45-40.

New Mexico State (1-2) at New Mexico (0-3), 10 p.m., The mtn.
BUZZ: New Mexico is 0-3 for the first time since 2000, and the Lobos haven't started 0-4 since 1994. This is the 100th meeting in the series, and New Mexico State has won at New Mexico just once since 1976.
THE LINE: New Mexico by 9.5. THE PICK: New Mexico 31-17.

Washington State (1-2) at USC (2-1), 10:15 p.m., Fox Sports Net
BUZZ: USC beat the Cougars by 69 points last season. Coming in off a shocking loss to Washington, you'd have to figure the Trojans will be a wee bit testy. That likely means bad things for Washington State.
THE LINE: USC by 45. THE PICK: USC 54-7.

Hawaii (2-1) at Louisiana Tech (1-2), 8 p.m., ESPN2
BUZZ: Hawaii's pass-catch combo of Greg Alexander and Greg Salas has become one of the most potent in the nation. Alexander had one 300-yard game last season; he has reached that plateau in each game this season. Hawaii is 9-3 in WAC road games since 2006. Though it's early in the season, this is an important league game, as each of these teams has designs on finishing in the top three.
THE LINE: Louisiana Tech by 3.5. THE PICK: Louisiana Tech 28-25.

LAST WEEK: 49-15 straight up, 24-28 against the spread.
YEAR TO DATE: 114-26 straight up, 37-49 against the spread.