Boiler Up Baby!

Well, it's week three and the Boilers are right where most people had them at 1-1 on the young season. No shame in losing to a tough Oregon team on their home field with it being a must win situation for them, and even though it was a tough 38-36 loss I think the lessons our young Boilers learned will help in the long run, and as the saying goes no use crying over spilled milk. So, lets turn our attention to week 3, and our opponent the Northern Illinois Huskies out of the MAC. I will admit I don't know much if anything about this team, other than they took Wisconsin to the wire in week one. I also remember a few years back they had a top 20 team that had a great running back but he is gone thankfully. For the Boilers to prove to everyone they are a different team they need to win this game, and not have it be close. Last year after losing a heart breaker to Oregon our season was nothing but downhill, and the few Seniors we have have vowed that won't happen this year. What I love about this year's team is a lot of things, but the heart seems to be there which I think was missing last year. Saturday you will see plenty of Ralph Bolden as he will go over 100 yards for the third straight game, and I think the Boilers will put this one away in the 3rd quarter. The game carries a noon kickoff and can be seen on the big ten network.

This week's guest picker is Travis, who is a Nebraska Cornhusker fan, if you have never read his blog before I suggest you give it a read, it's in the links under well Travis of all things. I think you'll enjoy it. When I asked Travis to guest pick this week, he issued this statement along with his picks, "Thanks to Phats for allowing me a chance to be a guest picker again this season. I think this is my third year and if the third time truly is a charm I'll get all these suckers right."

So onto the picks, Illinois is off this week.

Furman Paladins at Missouri Tigers(Tsofah)
Travis- Paladins were a 12 member band of warriors in Charlemagnes court. In football using 12 men lands you an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Wouldn't matter of Furman used 13 players.
Mizzou 63 Furman 13

Phats- Hmm interesting nickname but they still won't win Mizzou takes it
MISSOURI 55 furman 3
EDIT FINAL SCORE MISSOURI 52 furman 12
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = WOOHOO

Cal Poly Mustangs at Ohio Bobcats(Skii)
Travis- Bobcats 31 Mustangs 21

Phats- Ohio has actually not looked bad this year, challenging UConn and beating North Texas last week, i'd be pretty surprised if they didn't win this one.
OHIO 28 cal poly 14
EDIT FINAL SCORE OHIO 28 cal poly 10
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = WOOHOO

Duke Blue Devils(David) at Kansas Jayhawks
Travis- Duke versus Kansas. Is it basketball season already?
KU 24 Duke 14

Phats- Travis stole what I was going to say, this would be a great hardwood match up, unfortunately for Duke they suck at football. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK baby
KANSAS 31 duke 14
EDIT FINAL SCORE KANSAS 44 duke 16
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = WOOHOO

Iowa State Cyclones at Kent State Golden Flashes(Design Goddess)
Travis- Iowa State is from the Big XII. Kent State the MAC. And mac goes best with cheese, not pigskin.
Cyclones 31 Golden Flashes 21

Phats- Iowa State is bad, but so is Kent State, Iowa State is in a big boy conference therefore I am taking the Cyclones, but it will be close
IOWA STATE 31 kent state 24
EDIT FINAL SCORE IOWA STATE 34 kent state 14
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = WOOHOO

San Diego State Aztecs at Idaho Vandals(Shife)
Travis- I can't anger the Shifester.
Idaho 31 SD 30

Phats- I really hate picking against Shife, but I just don't see the Vandals winning this one. I hope they do, because trust me I know how much it sucks when your team constantly loses. I think it will be close though!
SAN DIEGO STATE 31 idaho 28
EDIT FINAL SCORE IDAHO 34 san diego state 20
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = D'oh

North Texas Mean Green at Alabama Crimson Tide(Cheryl, Gary, Booya)
Travis- As a Meatatarian I despise all things green.
Tide 54 North Texas 10

Phats- This can be summed up pretty easily, Alabama is a National Title Contender, North Texas is not, ROLL TIDE!
Alabama 49 north texas 14
EDIT FINAL SCORE ALABAMA 53 north texas 7
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = WOOHOO

Boise State Broncos(Duck) at Fresno State Bulldogs
Travis- Ironic that Duck is a Bronco's fan when duck is exactly what they D-Lineman should have done when sucker punched by that Oregon Duck RB.
Broncos 41 Bulldogs 24

Phats- This is my upset special of the week, and maybe that will get me back on Shife's good side?! I like the Bulldogs to take down Boise in a thriller, playing away from the blue turf = bad for the Broncos
FRESNO STATE 35 boise state 28 OT
EDIT FINAL SCORE BOISE STATE 51 fresno state 31
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = D'oh

Boston College Eagles at Clemson Tigers(Topolk)
Travis- Clemson 34 BC 24

Phats- I think this game is going to be a lot closer than people think, BC is a proud football program and definitely won't be intimidated playing at Clemson. That being said I still like the Tigers in this one.
CLEMSON 35 boston college 31
EDIT FINAL SCORE CLEMSON 25 boston college 7
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = D'oh

West Virginia Mountaineers(Angel Jr) at Auburn Tigers
Travis- Auburn 28 WV 20

Phats- This is a good non conference game, WV hasn't looked very good, but they haven't really had to, Auburn has looked good and are playing at home. Advantage Tigers.
AUBURN 31 west virginia 28
EDIT FINAL SCORE AUBURN 41 west virginia 30
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = WOOHOO

Tennessee Volunteers(Tiggy) at Florida Gators
Travis- Gators 44 Vols 17

Phats- I would not want to be Tennessee come Saturday, first their coach claims they will be singing Rocky Top over and over after they beat Fla, then claims that Florida coach Urban Meyer is a cheater in the recruiting battles. Lately Tebow the Fla QB has said he doesn't like people talking about his coach. This all spells DOOM for the Vols, and a LONG day in the swamp
FLORIDA 62 tennessee 14
EDIT FINAL SCORE FLORIDA 23 tennessee 13
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = WOOHOO

Texas Tech Red Raiders(Jef & Fuzz) at Texas Longhorns(Gary & Cheryl)
Travis- Can Tech do it again? In Austin? Without Crabtree? Nope. The Horns revenge last season's only loss
UT 47 Tech 20

Phats- Mark my words on this one, Texas Tech has absolutely NO shot at beating Texas this year. They shouldn't have beaten them last year, I like the Horns early, late, and often. This will be not contest Tech doesn't have the talent they did last year. Hook Em Horns!
TEXAS 49 texas tech 21
EDIT FINAL SCORE TEXAS 34 texas tech 24
Travis = WOOHOO
Phats = WOOHOO

Nebraska Cornhuskers(Travis) at Virginia Tech Hokies
Travis- Tyrod is not a name. It's a car part and the Blackshirts will unalign the Hokies QB faster than you can say pothole.
Huskers 31 VT 17

Phats- What better way for the Huskers to show the college football world they are back than by leaving Blacksburg with a W. I actually think this will be a really good game, Nebraska is definitely a contender in the Big 12, and Tech is probably the favorite in the ACC, although that's not saying much. I am going with Nebraska for two reasons, one the ACC sucks this year, and Nebraska seems to have regained their swagger.
NEBRASKA 35 virginia tech 28
EDIT FINAL SCORE VIRGINIA TECH 16 nebraska 15
Travis = D'oh
Phats = D'oh

Northern Illinois Huskies at Purdue Boilermakers(Phats)
Travis- I'm picking Purdue if for no other reason than to get invited back to pick again next year.
Boilermakers 28 Huskies 24

Phats- First off I don't want anyone to pick Purdue just for me, but it definitely determines if you are asked back or not haha! I like our chances here, I like what I have seen from this Purdue team. Ralph Bolden remember the name he's quickly becoming a star, and will continue to lead the Nation in rushing after this game. Joey Elliot will make it through a whole game without throwing an interception and the Boilers will pull away in the third quarter, and Ross Ade will be a happy place, and all the talk will be about kicking the shit out of the fighting leprechauns the next week! BOILER UP!
PURDUE 49 northern illinois 17
EDIT FINAL SCORE NORTHERN ILLINOIS 28 purdue 21
Travis = D'oh
Phats = D'oh

Hail Hail to old Purdue all Hail to our old gold and black
Hail Hail to old Purdue our friendship may she never lack
Ever Grateful, ever true thus we raise our song a new FIRE UP!
Of the days we've spent with you, all Hail our own Purdue
GO BOILERS!

BTFU!!!