College Football Rolls Out Some Big Time Showdowns in Week 2

This is as good of a week of college football this early in the season that we can remember in quite some time.  There is a total of four games matching teams in the Top 25 and an assortment of other fascinating rivalry games.  On top of everything, the Locks is rolling out its first 5 star special of the season.  We're sticking with some quick hit thoughts on each game instead of the usual in-depth breakdown.  Good luck.

5 Star Special:

Iowa State @ Iowa - Line is Iowa -13.5 - Hawkeyes at home look to roll in-state rival.  Iowa State hasn't had much recent luck against Iowa.  Iowa defensive is very stout, QB is experienced and game tested and star running back is due to make his return following a missed season due to injury.  Iowa State is not very good.  Hawkeyes roll at home.  Lay the points.  Take Iowa -13.5.  Final score is 30-13.  LOCK IT UP.

4 Star Specials:

Georgia Tech @ Kansas - Line is GT -14 - Kansas scored three points last week and lost at home to North Dakota State.  That says enough right there.  GT has one of the toughest offenses to prepare for and defend against.  They'll churn up yardage on the ground and smack the Gayhawks in the pants.  Lay the points.  Take the Rambling Wreck -14.  Final score is 41-17.  LOCK IT UP


Syracuse @ Washington - Line is Washington -13 - This line is way too small.  The Cuse is traveling all the way across the country and that doesn't usually work well even for good teams.  Syracuse is not a good team despite what Orange fans might think following last week's thrashing of atrocious Akron.  Jake Locker will bounce back from a sub par opener to exploit the virtually talentless Orange D.  This one is never, ever close.  Take the Huskies and give 13 points.  Final score is 45-20.  LOCK IT UP

Penn State @ Alabama - Line is Bama -12.5 - The Locks is all over the favorites this week.  Penn State is starting a freshman QB in Tuscaloosa.  That is not going to go well.  Despite missing two of its best players, Bama will still demonstrate just how big the talent discrepancy is between the SEC and Big 10.  The Nitzy Lions are overrated by Vegas once again.  The country's #1 team plays like it and wins emphatically.  Take Alabama and give 12.5.  Final score is 37-20.  LOCK IT UP

3 Star Specials:

Georgia @ South Carolina - Line is South Carolina -3 - Playing a gut feel on this one.  Georgia typically starts seasons slowly and builds momentum in November.  South Carolina is coming off an impressive opener and seems to have quite a strong belief in itself.  Home field will be big in this SEC smackdown.  We like the Cocks to win on a late FG.  That is why we recommend buying half a point.  Take SC at -2.5 with the .5 point purchase.  Final score is 31-28.  LOCK IT UP

Florida State @ Oklahoma - Line is Oklahoma -7 - Here's our first instance of taking the points.  In fact, we think Christian Ponder has a chance to sneak into Okie and steal the W.  FSU is talented and fast and finally regaining its Bobby Bowden form from the 90s.  Oklahoma was a bit exposed last week and we're not ready to buy Landry Jones as a big-time QB just yet.  Win or lose, the Seminoles keep this within a TD.  Take FSU +7.  Cue the upset!  Final score is 35-34 with FSU on top.  LOCK IT UP

Stanford @ UCLA - Line is Stanford -6 - Andrew Luck looks pretty darn close to an NFL ready QB and now that Toby Gerhart is in the big leagues, he'll get the chance to show it every week.  UCLA is a broken program on the fast track to nowhere.  Stanford hasn't won down South in quite some time but that changes on Saturday.  Take the Cardinals and their drunken tree mascot and give the 6.  Final score is 34-17.  LOCK IT UP

2 Star Specials:

Idaho @ Nebraska - Line is Nebraska -28 - Another long road trip for a big underdog.  Nebraska is fully back from the wasteland that was Cornhusker football a few years ago.  This team has one of the best defensive lineman in the country (following in the shoes of Mr. Suh) and is quickly turning into one of the most powerful offensive juggernauts in the land.  Idaho is and has none of the above.  This will not be a game worth watching unless you enjoy seeing nerds from Idaho being tormented.  Take the Huskers, lay the points and laugh.  Final score is 51-17.  LOCK IT UP.

Miami @ Ohio State - Line is Ohio State -8.5 - It greatly pains the Locks to list this as only a 2 star game.  That is how much we really, really like this OSU team.  The defensive is tough and experienced.  The running game is deep and powerful.  Terrelle Pryor is turning into a stud before our eyes.  This team is awesome.  That said, Miami puts just enough fear in our hearts that we get a bit shaky on this game.  Miami is fast and athletic.  They have another one of the country's most electrifying QBs in Jacory Harris.  He can take over a game in a blink of an eye.  Plus, this current Miami team is dead serious about avenging the 2003 National Championship game loss to OSU for all those former criminals from the U.  I think this is a great and wildly entertaining game.  At the end, I think OSU pulls it out and covers what is a bit a of a large line.  That said, this game will be close for most of the action.  We'll sheepishly take OSU and lay the 8.5 points.  Final score is 27-17.  LOCK IT UP