Simply put, the three games for USC, Clemson and Coastal mean a lot to these teams' seasons.
USC draws a tough-as-nails Georgia team at home. The Gamecocks looked much, much better in their home opener against NC State than they did on the road against Vanderbilt, so they have that going for them. Otherwise, they look quite outmatched.
The game should be a relatively short one, with Georgia likely content to pound away with Knowshon Moreno and USC still without an established starting quarterback and an ailing Kenny McKinley. Quick games can help out underdogs in the sense that, the longer the game, the more likely the "better" team will win.
Prediction: Georgia 27, USC 10
Speaking of NC State, Clemson should have an easier night. NC State was expected to be improved this year under Tom O'Brien, but thus far they've been shut out against USC and only beat FCS school William & Mary by 10 points. Not good.
But it is good for Clemson. They need an ACC win to get their minds right. The Alabama loss still stings, as it should, and beating The Citadel doesn't make that better. The ACC is down this year, but it's still a BCS conference and Clemson is still one of its premeir teams. The Tigers can establish that tomorrow night.
Prediction: NC State 9, Clemson 31
Coastal Carolina is tougher to pick. They lost the obvious one against Penn State, but played better than the score. Then they were on track for a win against Colgate before an insane final play spoiled the day.
So far this year, Monmouth has lost at Rhode Island and against Maine. So both schools are looking to avoid the dreaded 0-3 start. The Hawks have the home advantage, but I think that Penn State trip will pay dividends, with David Bennett's club playing with confidence on their second plane-flight road trip of the year.
Prediction: Coastal Carolina 20, Monmouth 17
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