Posted: October 18th, 2005, 1:17 pm
by fleaflicker
Thanks TAE. lol
Anyways, on to the picks, or at least some of them (with more to be added later....)
Thursday at 7:30 pm
Virginia Tech Hokies at Maryland Terrapins
Another big ACC game on Thursday night. Maybe it's not quite the same as Virginia Tech-Florida State, but it still could have major ramifications, seening as Virginia Tech is the last remaining undefeated team in the ACC. Thing is, once Thursday night is done, VT will still be undefeated. Virginia Tech by 17.
Florida International Panthers at Troy Trojans
Troy's one loss last week put the Fun Belt up for grabs between any one of three teams. As unbelievable as it is, Troy lost to LA Monroe. That has got to hurt. However, it is like TCU's loss to SMU in that Troy is another team that won't be looking past anybody, no matter how bad they are. So I am not about to pick against Troy this week when they play one of the worst teams in the Sun Belt (the worst one is hard to tell). Troy by 21.
Friday at 8:00pm
Southern Miss Golden Eagles at UAB Blazers
Southern Miss is a really good team, and they produced one of the greatest NFL QBs of all time, Brett Farve. They don't have a future pro QB on the team right now, but they are still one of the best teams in C-USA. And they are better than UAB, even at home. Southern Miss by 7.
Tulane Green Wave at Central Florida Golden Knights (UCF)
This game is up in the air due to Hurricane Wilma, but I think it will be played. Anyways... Central Florida seems to have gotten off on the right foot by winning 3 of the past 4. Tulane is an alright team, but not that great, and UCF has grit, determination, and home field advantage. Make 4 out of the past 5 before both teams get the h*ll out of there.
Saturday at Noon
Louisville Cardinals at Cincinnati Bearcats
Louisville is having some serious problems playing on the road this season. They barely beat Kentucky, and lost to South Florida and West Virginia. That makes them 1-2 on the road this season. However, West Virginia was encouraging in that, if nothing else, maybe Louisville's starting to fix their road woes. Meanwhile, Cincinnati pulled a major upset over UConn for their homecoming game. However, UConn was playing their second string QB, and it was homecoming. This isn't the homecoming game, UL's starting to get it together, and even if they weren't, they are still not bad enough to lose to UC. Louisville by 21.
Arkansas Razorbacks at Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia is, as of right now, one of two remaining unbeatens in the SEC. Arkansas is a middle tier team that managed to lose to Vanderbilt. There is a big difference there. Besides that, to make matters worse for the 'Hogs,' this game is at Athens. Ouch. Georgia by 24.
Ohio State Buckeyes at Indiana Hoosiers
Despite whatever TAE may say, I really do think that Terry Hoeppner is doing good things for this program. They have 4 wins, and a legit shot at going to a bowl game this year. It's going to be really tough, with Ohio State, Purdue, and Minnesota coming to Indiana, and games at Michigan State and Michigan, but two upsets would do the trick. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, this game isn't likely to be an upset. However, they will make it interesting for a half. Ohio State by 17.
Michigan Wolverines at Iowa Hawkeyes
After being given a game against Penn State, Michigan will have some major momentum heading to Iowa. Iowa just played a tougher than expected game against Indiana. However, records are deceiving, schedules are deceiving, and the only reason Michigan is one game behind Iowa is because Michigan just went through the toughest stretch on the schedule, with games on the road at Wisconsin and Michigan State, and two at home against Minnesota and Penn State. Then again, the only remaining game Michigan can almost count on winning is Indiana. However, I think I'll give the Wolverines this one too, if for no other reason than momentum. Michigan by 3.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Georgia Tech started out as the sleeper pick to win the ACC, but they quickly fell from grace. Miami, after a loss to Florida State, has done nothing but win, and they have the best defense in the NCAA. For some reason, they fired their defensive line coach after the win against Temple, but it wasn't their defense that fell flat in that game, it was their second stringers, especially the offense. I can't believe they only scored 31 points against Temple. Temple!! I think that was more Miami playing down to Temple's level more than anything else though. The Canes are better than that. So I'll say that they'll beat Georgia Tech. Miami by 13.
(Game postponed due to Hurricane Wilma)
Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan State Spartans
I don't think that Michigan State is the best team in the Big Ten, but they aren't too far from it. Northwestern is a team with a really good offense that can play the role of spoiler. They just spoiled Purdue's season, but Purdue was overrated. Michigan State is underrated, and they'll survive this potential landmine. Michigan State by 7.
Virginia Cavaliers at North Carolina Tar Heels
Virginia may not have started their fall from grace yet, though it won't be too long in coming. North Carolina is somewhat unpredictable, but they aren't that good. Virginia is good enough to pull out two more wins before they start their late season collapse. Of course, next week is against Temple, so that helps a lot. Of course, momentum will help carry the Cavs, as they must feel good after pulling the upset over FSU. Virginia by 14.
Syracuse Orange at Pittsburgh Panthers
I have learned my lesson. If Syracuse can get their butts beat by Rutgers and UConn, they truly are the worst team in the Big Weak. Pitt is getting eerily close to a winning season here, but hosting UConn in between road trips to Louisville and West Virginia does make for a pleasant ending. However, Pitt will pull this one out before losing at least 2 of the last 3. Pitt by 24.
Saturday at 12:30 pm
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Missouri Tigers
This is the big battle for second place in the Big 12 North. These two teams appear about even on paper. Missouri has a great offense and leaky defense, but Nebraska has a great run defense with a subpar offense. Since Missouri's running attack will be contained by the Huskers, that will make them one dimensional, and give Nebraska the win. Nebraska by 6.
Saturday at 12:40pm
Temple Owls at Clemson Tigers
I sure hope anybody isn't planning on watching this game. It's going to be ugly and early. Temple's only hope is that Clemson scores less than 40 points so that they won't be totally humiliated. Sorry, not happening. Clemson by 45.
Saturday at 1:00pm
Oklahoma State Cowboys at Iowa State Cyclones
You know what? Iowa State lost to Baylor, but as bad as the Cyclones are, there is no way they could lose to Oklahoma State, even if they TRIED to lose. The Cowboys are ten times worse in every faucet of the game. There is absolutely no way, short of forfeit, that Iowa State could lose this game. Cyclones by 20.
Northern Illinois Huskies at Kent State Flashes
NIU is still averaging over 500 yards a game in offense. Kent State has never heard of a defense. In fact, their team is made up of random members of the track team playing football to get in shape for indoor track. Many of the sprinters and throwers play both ways, and the QB is a javelin thrower that is still adjusting to trying to throw a football. Oh well. Northern Illinois by 27.
Saturday at 2:00pm
Kentucky Wildcats at Mississippi Rebels
Both of these teams are awful. So, again, I have to go by which team is worse. That team is Kentucky. You can't win football games by giving up almost twice as much yardage as you are gaining. At least Ole Miss plays defense. The Wildcats aren't familiar with that term. Ole Miss by 10.
Ball State Cardinals at Ohio Bobcats
Frank Solich is doing some good things with this thing. That lost to CMU was awful, but it hasn't disrupted his overall plan to turn this team into a contender for the MAC title. They aren't there yet, but in a few years, they'll be able to try for a title game. Ball State right now, is the doormat. Ohio by 24.
Saturday at 2:10pm
Texas A&M Aggies at Kansas State Wildcats
Wow, Texas Tech burned Kansas State last week. Have these guys ever heard of defense? However, that's not good for Texas A&M, since this guys will be showing up with a chip on their shoulder. Even worse news for Texas A&M is that they've lost the ability to play football since beating the snot of SMU. KSU by 17.
Saturday at 2:30pm
Houston Cougars at Mississippi State Bulldogs
Houston is a decent team on the upswing, while Mississippi State, along with in state rival Mississippi, are both serving as cupcake teams within the SEC. The scores don't say much except that both teams beat a I-AA opponent and Tulane. However, looking at offensive and defensive stats, I can see that Houston's offense is pretty darn good, but their defense isn't that good. Mississippi State's offense is downright horrible, averaging less than ten points per game against I-A teams, and their defense is still getting torn up a bit. I think Houston's offense will score almost at will, and their defense should be able to just barely hold the Bulldog's awful offense in check. Houston by 6.
Brigham Young Cougars at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
After a close game with USC, and probably feeling like they got cheated out of the win, Notre Dame is going to be seriously ticked, or seriously down. However, this is a good team coached by Charlie Weis. Did you notice how the Pats are always up after a loss? Expect this team to get that from their coach. Does Brigham Young stand a chance coming into a hostile environment against a seriously ticked team? In a word, no. Notre Dame by 24.
Saturday at 3:00 pm
TCU Horned Frogs at Air Force Falcons
Air Force has lost control of the Commander in Chief trophy, but even worse for them is that a loss here would likely eliminate them from a bowl game, with 5 losses on the season to this point. Guess what? TCU's the class of the MWC conference, and they can beat anybody, anytime, anywhere, at least for right now. Sorry Falcons. TCU by 10.
Wyoming Cowboys at Colorado State Rams
This will be another great MWC battle, as Wyoming is a very solid football team, and Colorado State is in control of second place in the conference. However, the Rams aren't about to relinquish control of their spot to anybody, even a very good Wyoming program. CSU by 7.
Rutgers Scarlet Dragons at Connecticut Huskies
Rutgers has been down for a long time, and has been one of the two Big East cupcakes. Now the other cupcake is gone, but Rutgers is making noise. They are coming into this game with a 4-2 record and pursuing a (GASP!) winning season and a bowl berth. What makes this even more achievable right now is the UConn is down to their third string QB, which is a true freshman playing his first game. Sorry, but freshman QBs generally don't do well in big games. Rutgers by 10.
Southern Methodist Mustangs at Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Well, SMU has let us all down again, by playing well against ECU, but ending the game by doing the same thing they have done in 80% of their games over the past 3 years: lose. And it doesn't help them that they are playing a better team than ECU looking to stay on track in the C-USA race. The only way SMU could win is if Tulsa is looking ahead to UTEP next week. However, even then, the odds are against them. Tulsa by 13.
Saturday at 3:30pm
Tennessee Volunteers at Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is 6-0 and looking for a chance to prove that it is a team worthy of playing for a national title. It gets a chance right here to prove it. This is a big game for Bama, and they know. Chances are, they were looking ahead to it last week when they beat Ole Miss by only a field goal, and while that hurts for the previous game, it's going to help them with this game. They know this is big. Tennessee knows it's big. But Tennessee won't be able to stop the Crimson Tide from getting the big win. Alabama by 7.
Florida State Seminoles at Duke Blue Devils
It is not desirable to be Duke this week. FSU just had its undefeated season ruined by Virginia, and they are going to unleash their pent up anger on the hapless Blue Devils. This is going to be ugly. Florida State by 38.
East Carolina Pirates at Memphis Tigers
Memphis got back on track by beating Houston the week after losing to UCF. They still have lost all but the slimmest chances of a C-USA title, but they still have pride. And what kind of pride is there in losing to a team that wears purple and has made its place at the bottom of the conference the past few years. None. That's exactly why Memphis will win. Well, besides DeAngelo Williams running for 200+ yards. Tigers by 10.
Vanderbilt Commadores at South Carolina Gamecocks
It's post season elimination time. Each team has 3 losses, and faces Tennessee and Florida in the three weeks following this game. In other words, a loss here would doom the season. Vanderbilt is a young team that has been the cupcake on the SEC schedule, and and even teams like Mississippi State and Arkansas could look for an easy win here. That is no longer. South Carolina, meanwhile, is trying to restore their program by restoring the 'Ole Ball Coach' to the sidelines of college football. Neither one of these programs is great, but I always liked story book endings. So while USC may be the better team, Vandy has just enough to pull this one out. Vanderbilt by 3.
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Texas Longhorns
This looks to be a game, with two undefeated Texas teams duking it out for the Big 12 title. Texas Tech has a fierce passing game, and somehow managed to hang up 643 yards on Kansas State. No, that's not a typo, they really hung up many yards! Those are numbers normally reserved for the realm of video games. However, Texas has been the long time second place team in the Big 12 South, and felt like it has always been looking up at Oklahoma. After starting out strong, and beating the snot out of their big brother, Texas isn't going to let anything ruin their season. This is the best team Mack Brown has had, and he's going to make sure they get it going against the Red Raiders. This will be a shoot out, but Texas will hang on for the win. Texas by 10.
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
North Carolina State has been one of the most predictable teams in college football this season. On any given day, they could either beat USC or lose to LA Monroe, depending on how they come out. And that's only a slight exagerration. It's almost like NC State puts in their starters one week, and then the fourth stringers the next. So the two possibilities for this game is NC State beating Wake by 28 points, or losing to Wake by 14 points. There is really, no in between. However, after coming out very flat against Clemson, and having 9 days to prepare, NC State will probably come out and play inspired football. Even though with this team, it's still easy to see an upset here. So I'm going to (reluctantly) take the Wolfpack by 21.
USC Trojans at Washington Huskies
Southern Cal may feel tired and beat after pulling out a win over Notre Dame, and that will work to Washington's advantage. That's why I think USC will only win by 28 instead of 45.
Purdue Boilermakers at Wisconsin Badgers
Purdue really is the worst team in the nation in terms of what was expected of this team versus what it has actually done. They have two wins this season, and they are coming in against a Wisconsin team that was supposed to be down this year, but so far is looking very much like a Big Ten title contender. At the beginning of the season, everybody was thinking this would be closer to a two win Wisconsin team hosting the class of the Big Ten in Purdue. That's why preseason predictions mean exactly jack. Wisconsin by 17.
Saturday at 4:00pm
Western Michigan Broncos at Bowling Green Falcons
WMU is still not a good football team, and Bowling Green, while having a down year, still isn't completely terrible. Besides, how can I deny having somebody like Omar Jacobs at QB being a huge advantage? He's gonna go no later than the early second round if he keeps this up, and the only reason he might fall that low is the MAC. Omar Jacobs, er, Bowling Green, by 24.
North Texas Mean Green at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
North Texas has an inability to beat anybody outside of the Sun Belt Conference. Louisiana Tech is outside the Sun Belt conference. Therefore, Louisiana Tech will beat North Texas. The line: LA Tech by 21.
Saturday at 5:00pm
Fresno State Bulldogs at Idaho Vandals
Fresno State is overrated at 24 in the polls, but Idaho is overrated if they're not one of the ten worst teams in any poll. With a name like vandals, you have to wonder what they'll vandalize after they lose. Maybe the Fresno State campus? Fresno State by 45.
Arizona State Sun Devils at Stanford Cardinal
Wow, what an upset Stanford pulled over Arizona on the road! However, Arizona State at home is a totally different story, and any team that loses to home against UC Davis, no matter the circumstances, is horrible. ASU by 30.
Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
That's a lot of typing for a lousy Sun Belt game. Middle Tennessee is still in the mix for a conference title depending on how bad Troy, North Texas, and LA Monroe screw up. LA Lafayette really is a hard team to lose to, and I don't think MTSU can manage it. Middle Tennessee by 13.
Saturday at 6:00pm
Army Black Knights at Akron Zips
Well, the Zips fell flat last week against Miami, but always helps to have a winless team visiting you the week after a lousy loss. The Zips had so many turnovers last week it wasn't funny. But they aren't playing the Redhawks this week, they're playing a winless Army team. And Akron facing Army after such a bad loss is really a gift from the scheduling gods. Akron by 27.
Miami (OH) Redhawks at Eastern Michigan Eagles
After blowing Akron out of the water, Miami really shouldn't have much trouble with EMU. However, EMU probably won't give them the ball 7 times. Nonetheless, Miami won by 28 last week. And you know what? Miami by 28.
Navy Midshipmen at Rice Owls
Navy is playing Rice at home. Not that it makes much of a difference where they play it, because Rice is simply that bad. Navy apparently was up to snuff for the most important game of their season, that being the game against Air Force. They'll get another win here as well. Navy by 17.
Hawaii Warriors at San Jose State Spartans
This is a matchup of two incredibly bad WAC teams to avoid the stigma that comes with a 9 (or more) loss season. Hawaii may yet successfully avoid that, and I think San Jose State has New Mexico State and Idaho for the last two weeks of the season. But even though Hawaii has to travel 3,000 miles for this game, I'll give them the edge. They're not quite as bad as San Jose State. Hawaii by 10.
Saturday at 6:35 pm
Boise State Broncos at Utah State Aggies
Boise State somehow manages to play flat against conference competition. However, there's still no way Utah State will pull an upset of this magnitude, even with the home field advantage. The only thing they might do is avoid getting blown out, but they might not even avoid that. Boise State by 35.
Saturday at 7:00pm
Oregon Ducks at Arizona Wildcats
Homefield advantage must not mean much if Arizona can find a way to lose to Stanford AT HOME. It means even less against a top 25 Oregon team that wants to get a BCS spot even if it can't win the PAC 10 title. This could get ugly. Oregon by 30.
Florida Atlantic Owls at Arkansas State Indians
Nothing is clear cut in the Sun Belt conference, other than all the teams are bad. Florida Atlantic is bad, Arkansas State is bad, even Troy is bad. LA Monroe is leading the conference with a 3-4 record, but 3-0 in conference play. This doesn't say much for the Sun Belt. Nonetheless, even a Sun Belt team should be able to beat a Division I-A newcomer, even if it is another Sun Belt team. Arkansas State by 6.
Kansas Jayhawks at Colorado Buffaloes
Isn't the proper plural of buffalo, buffalo, as in: I saw ten buffalo outside my bedroom door? Or am I dreaming? Perhaps everybody was just dreaming that Colorado was good after they got pounded by Texas like they did. But then again, Colorado would be good for third in the Big 12 South, after the only good teams in the Big 12, Texas and Texas Tech. That's not saying much though. I will say this: Colorado is way better than Kansas. Buffs by 24.
Penn State Nittany Lions at Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois is doomed. Ron Zook doesn't even know how to say Illinois, as he pronounced it Illinoise. It's Illinoi, you idiot, the s is silent! But how bad is a program when the head coach can't even say the name right? Penn State by 24.
Baylor Bears at Oklahoma Sooners
This is a possible upset, especially if Oklahoma, in their current state, looks at Baylor as a gimme. If the Bears pulled this, they would get some major respect from pollsters. However, even if the Sooners aren't their usual selves, Baylor is still worse. Oklahoma by 14.
West Virginia Mountaineers at South Florida Bulls
West Virginia is the class of the Big East, and appears to be the only decent team in the conference. And unlike Louisville, WVU is fully capable of winning on the road. Mountaineers by 13.
(postponed to December 3 due to Hurricane Wilma)
Buffalo Bulls at Toledo Rockets
Does anybody feel an upset coming? I mean, the Bulls have gotta win sometime, don't they? Not necessarily. They're in for a really long season. The only question is: How much more of this season will their head coach be around for? Answer: probably not much. Anyways, Toledo by 30.
Oregon State Beavers at UCLA Bruins
UCLA is the second best team in the PAC 10, behind, of course, their cross-town rival, the USC Trojans. They seem to be able to win all the close games, and do whatever they need to do in the last minutes of the fourth quarter to win. This is a really clutch team. They are 6-0 despite a defense that gives up 200+ yards on the ground each game. And soon, they'll be 7-0 despite that terrible run defense. UCLA by 7.
Utah Utes at UNLV Rebels
This is UNLV, which basically means this: there is no way they'll be able to keep up with Utah, because no matter how bad Utah is, UNLV is the worst team in the Mountain West conference. So, Utah by 27.
Saturday at 7:45 pm
Auburn Tigers at LSU Tigers
Auburn hasn't really played much of anybody this year, and even though they're 5-1, they aren't as good as their record indicates. LSU is 4-1, and has one loss to a Tennessee team that LSU was beating by 21 points in the 4th quarter, when Tennessee managed to take it to overtime and win. Still, Auburn isn't that good. And in the battle of the Tigers, I like the LSU Tigers to demonstrate that truth. LSU by 10.
Saturday at 9:05 pm
Marshall Thundering Herd at UTEP Miners
Marshall has a lot of grit, and has shown that over the years. A memorial still stands on campus to the 75 people that died in a plane crash on the way back from ECU in 1970. Marshall still put together a team in 1971, and has even won the I-AA championships a couple times before coming to I-A football. However, this game is on the road, and this Marshall team doesn't have the grit of their predecessors. UTEP by 10.
Saturday at 10:00 pm
New Mexico Lobos at San Diego State Aztecs
Neither team is great, and neither one is on track for a conference title, but if New Mexico wants to go to a bowl game, they need a win here. And with the postseason on the line, they'll deliver. Lobos by 7.
Saturday at 10:15 pm
Washington State Cougars at California Golden Bears
Another nationally telivised PAC 10 game that TAE is going to beat waiting for half the night so he can determine whether or not California belongs in the top 25. I'll help him out with that: they don't. However, their running game will save them from a third straight loss.
Posted: October 24th, 2005, 7:19 pm
by fleaflicker
The results are in after another exciting week of football. TAE, with a week 8 record of 44-12, moves to 335-108, while I take a one game lead with a week 8 record of 46-10, for a total of 336-107.
Some of the lowest scoring games ever were played this weekend, including the lowest scoring game possible (outside of a 2-0 win on a safety), which was a 3-0 Arkansas State win over Florida Atlantic in OT. In other words, after sixty minutes of football, there was no score. Another defensive thriller was Alabama's 6-3 victory over Tennessee, which was tied at 3 late in the fourth quarter, when Bama kicked the winning FG. There was also an upset loss by NC State losing to Wake Forest, which for those of us in the know, is slightly unexpected, but not startling, news, and a low scoring UNC win over Virginia to the tune of 7-5.
There were also some blowouts, especially (but not exclusively) for those who watched the Big Ten. Northwestern beat the snot out of MSU, 49-14, while Ohio State and Penn State did the same to Indiana and Illinois (41-10 and 63-10 respectively). Texas also beat the snot out of Texas Tech, 52-17, and Notre Dame beat BYU 49-23. TCU further asserted dominance in the MWC, beating Air Force 48-10, and USC did the same in the PAC 10, beating Washington 51-24.
All in all, it was another typical week of college football, where a week without an upset, a blowout, and a defensive battle, is the exception, rather than the rule.
