Week 3 picks

Here at the Almanac, we're back in the saddle with another season of picks. Sure, we came out of the gate a bit late, and are still recovering from a 16-18 record in 2010. But it's just now that the games are getting good, and we're mostly through with the Directional Techs and Southwest Prairie View paycheck-paloozas.

Empty your 401(k) here:

LSU -3.5 at Mississippi State

This is a critical game for the Cowbell Dogs if they want to win the SEC West, since they've already lost to Auburn. While the Bayou Bengals may not be the team many expected before the August bar brawl, they showed against Oregon that they're among the nation's best. The key matchup is the LSU run defense, which is the best in the SEC, against the MSU rushing offense that has collected more than 640 yards in two games. LSU has won 11 straight in the series with an average score of 39-13.

The pick: Take the Bayou Bengals and start the weekend off right.

It's OK to dip into the spare piggy bank:

Auburn +3.5 at Clemson

It's tough to imagine why the Aubbies are getting points here, even though the game is at Clemson. The Palmetto Tigers have certainly struggled against SEC teams lately, going 3-7 in their last 10, mostly against South Carolina. But, after last week's win over Mississippi State, the Aubbies don't appear to be as bad as advertised. And it's still difficult to get behind a perennially underachieving program that often loses games it should win.

The pick: The Western Tigers until Clemson proves me wrong.

Oklahoma -3 at Florida State

In one of the marquee games of the young season, the Sooners, a popular pick to get to the national championship game, need a tough win to bolster their BCS resume. The pre-game hype will center on the top 5 rankings, and the meeting of the Stoops brothers. FSU is 5-12 in its last 17 games against top 10 opponents, including back-to-back losses by 27 and 30 points. The 'Noles have revenge on their mind after last year's 47-17 whipping in Norman. But the Sooners are a cut above, and better by more than a field goal.

The pick: Boomer Sooner

Wisconsin -17 vs. Northern Illinois at Soldier Field

The Badgers are one of the main dark horses to play for the national championship, and have only impressed behind new quarterback Russell Wilson. Since Northern Illinois is coming off of a tough loss against Kansas (45-42), a bounce back game against a top 10 team is not likely. The Northern Illinois defense has also given up 837 rushing yards in games against Army and Kansas.

The pick: On, Wisconsin!

Only touch with your father-in-law's cash:

Kentucky -6.5 vs. Louisville

The annual Governor's Cup game has lost a bit of the hype it typically has as a season opener. It's the third game for both teams, and neither has done anything to fire up their fan base. UK has won four straight in the series, which is significant since the Cats have only beaten Vandy and Mississippi State four straight among SEC teams in the last 20 years. The team with the most rushing yards has won 15 in a row in the series. It's difficult to pick a team that hasn't put up more than 600 offensive yards in two games, but UK is a touchdown better than the Cards this week.

The pick: Take the Cats and give the points