Thankfully, the second week of the college football season was a bit more predictable than the first... even if I did screw-up by analyzing BYU-USC as if the game was being played in Provo, Utah rather than Los Angeles.

We're closing in on the first "BCS" poll of 2003... you know, the one that really matters... mine. It'll be here for your review beginning Oct. 1.

2003 PREDICTION RECORDS:
Straight-Up -- 10-6 (63%)
Against-The-Spread -- 7-9 (44%)

LAST WEEK: 7-0 Straight-Up, 5-2 Against-The-Spread

Week 3 Schedule (the top games of the week)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Syracuse (-3 1/2) 34, Louisville 23 -- Too much of a step up for the Cardinals, and the CarrierDome is a tough place for any road team to be successful.

Ohio State (-3 1/2) 27, North Carolina State 17 -- Sure, the Buckeyes nearly stumbled against lowly San Diego State. But that's likely because they got caught looking ahead to this matchup and the opportunity to defend against Heisman Trophy candidate QB Philip Rivers. At home, I cannot consider going against OSU.

Purdue (+1) 30, Wake Forest 27 -- The Demon Deacons are on a roll, but I like Purdue to rebound from its upset loss to Bowling Green.

Michigan (-10 1/2) 38, Notre Dame 15 -- I'm guilty of under-estimating the Wolverines, who are downright nasty on defense and talented throughout its offense. This year's Ohio State? Could happen.

Nebraska 21, Penn State (+9) 18 -- The Nittany Lions are a much better team than they displayed against Boston College, and feisty ancient coach Joe Paterno will have them ready. The Cornhuskers are confident they can return to their glory days of pre-2002, but they'll have their hands full here.

Texas (-12) 41, Arkansas 14 -- This used to be a great rivalry in the old Southwestern Conference. But right now, the Longhorns have way too much.

Washington State (+4 1/2) 24, at Colorado 23 -- My upset special, because the Buffaloes were fortunate to beat UCLA and WSU deserved to win at Notre Dame, taking the Irish to OT before succumbing.