My strength is obviously picking college games. I was 6-1 in NCAA picks last weekend but only 1-5 in NFL picks. Overall I am now 32-19. Here are this weekend's slate of picks:
COLLEGE
Noon
Central Michigan at Virginia Tech
I wouldn't include this game if not for the Hokies' loss to JMU. It looks like they are finally getting on track though, putting up 41 last week on an undefeated N.C. State team on the road after being down 17-0. Virginia Tech puts a complete game together and wins, 38-10 over the Chippewas.
12:21 (weirdest start time ever)
Tennessee at Georgia
My, how the mighty have fallen. The Bulldogs are an unfathomable 1-4. It looks like after a decade or more of consistency, UGA coach Mark Richt is on his last straw. I think he's been on the hot seat for a couple years now, and a sub-.500 overall record will certainly get him his walking papers. The Vols aren't a whole lot better but have been improving--and almost won at undefeated LSU last weekend. Tennessee wins and Georgia continues its tailspin, 23-17.
3:30
No. 1 Alabama at No. 19 South Carolina
Another test for the Tide. The Razorbacks couldn't get it done and I don't think the Gamecocks do either. Alabama rolls 27-17.
No. 17 Michigan State at No. 18 Michigan
This is the game I'm most interested in watching along with the Miami-Florida State tilt. Alas, I must work. But that is why DVR was invented. This is one of those rivalry games which never gets the spotlight--usually because one of the teams isn't up to snuff. Not this year though. Both teams are undefeated and trying to prove they are for real. The Spartans have proven themselves to me a little more than the Wolverines. Michigan beat Notre Dame by more, but its defense is concerning, giving up 37 points to UMass and 35 to Indiana. Michigan State just defeated Wisconsin, perhaps the second-best Big 10 team. Denard Robinson can carry the Wolverines, but not quite to the win. Michigan State wins a barnburner, 33-31.
Virginia at Georgia Tech
Ok, here we go. Can I record two games at once? Of course I want to see my Cavaliers play the Yellow Jackets--but not if they put on a performance like they did last week against FSU. I think Virginia fares better in this matchup. I think Virginia will know how to attack Al Groh's defense and will score more than the 14 points they have so far against each FBS opponent. I'm worried about our defense though. It looks like teams are figuring out Paul Johnson's offensive attack a little more this year. But this will be UVA defensive coordinator Jim Reid's first time against it (though I have read that when he was a coach at VMI, they ran a similar offense). So I have concerns that our defense will make the same strides against it that other teams have. Ironically, we could use Groh right now since it would've been his second time going against it. UVA remains competitive but unfortunately I think Groh gets the better of the Cavs in his first matchup against his former team, 31-21.
Clemson at North Carolina
This one is kind of a toss up. The Tigers have looked good but haven't beaten a good team yet. North Carolina almost beat LSU in its first game without several players. Since then, however, the Tar Heels have failed to impress except for maybe their 42-17 drubbing of ECU last Saturday. The Tigers clip the Tar Heels, just barely, 31-30.
6:00
Oregon State at No. 9 Arizona
The Wildcats had an off game in their last contest Sept. 25 against Cal, scoring only 10 points in a 10-9 victory. I believe they were experiencing a bit of a hangover from their big win the week before over Iowa. I think they'll be back to normal this week, scoring a bunch of points. Oregon State has had a tough early-season schedule, and is probably better than its record suggests. But I think the Beavers fall to 2-3. Arizona wins 34-24.
7:30
No. 12 LSU at No. 14 Florida
The Tigers are flying under the radar given the success of Alabama and the way Arkansas almost pulled out a win over the Tide. LSU is still undefeated but no one is talking about it. The Gators are good, but still not themselves. They got exposed last weekend against Bama. I like LSU to continue on its quiet way winning games, 21-17.
8:00
No. 23 FSU at No. 13 Miami
The Hurricanes have been impressive all-around so far, winning every game except one, a tough loss at Ohio State where they stuck around for awhile. FSU has been even more impressive in its wins, but still has an odd loss at Oklahoma where it got demolished. Other than playing the Sooners, however, the Seminoles have played inferior competition when compared to Miami. I like the Canes in this one, 35-31.
NFL
1:00
Kansas City at Indianapolis
All good things must come to an end and I think the Chiefs' undefeated run terminates in Indy where the Colts will be ready to go and score a lot of points on their home carpet after a shocking road loss at Jacksonville. That said, I'm not sleeping on KC, it has a chance. But Indy wins, 35-30.
Green Bay at Washington
The Redskins earned a surprising win over the Eagles last week. The Packers were blistering early against Detroit, and then almost let it crawl back in the game. The Pack wins, but Washington keeps it close early. 31-21.
Denver at Baltimore
A jubilant home crowd welcomes the Ravens back after their huge win at Pittsburgh last week. Denver's Kyle Orton has been a stunningly great passer so far this year. He will really get tested against the Ravens' defense, which hasn't allowed more than 17 points in a game this year. Denver cracks 20, but Baltimore wins 24-20.
N.Y. Giants at Houston
The G-Men are another NFC East team, along with the Skins, to come back and show they weren't dead last weekend. The Texans got back on track with a win over the Raiders after their loss to Dallas, though they only won by seven. Still, I like Houston in this one, 35-27.
4:15
Tennessee at Dallas
I'm scared to say the Cowboys looked good two weeks ago and should win against Tennessee. They need to play with the urgency they did against Houston. The Titans have been one of those mediocre teams that's been hard to get a read on. I like the Cowboys 24-17.
Monday night
Minnesota at N.Y. Jets
The Vikings are looking for a quick fix for their offense and especially their receiving corps with Randy Moss. Will it work? Time will tell but I think the chemistry between Moss and Brett Favre could be a problem Monday. And what if Brad Childress and/or Favre try to force it to Moss? Rex Ryan's defense should cause enough trouble for the Vikings offense to get New York the win, but I think it'll be close. 27-24
COLLEGE
Noon
Central Michigan at Virginia Tech
I wouldn't include this game if not for the Hokies' loss to JMU. It looks like they are finally getting on track though, putting up 41 last week on an undefeated N.C. State team on the road after being down 17-0. Virginia Tech puts a complete game together and wins, 38-10 over the Chippewas.
12:21 (weirdest start time ever)
Tennessee at Georgia
My, how the mighty have fallen. The Bulldogs are an unfathomable 1-4. It looks like after a decade or more of consistency, UGA coach Mark Richt is on his last straw. I think he's been on the hot seat for a couple years now, and a sub-.500 overall record will certainly get him his walking papers. The Vols aren't a whole lot better but have been improving--and almost won at undefeated LSU last weekend. Tennessee wins and Georgia continues its tailspin, 23-17.
3:30
No. 1 Alabama at No. 19 South Carolina
Another test for the Tide. The Razorbacks couldn't get it done and I don't think the Gamecocks do either. Alabama rolls 27-17.
No. 17 Michigan State at No. 18 Michigan
This is the game I'm most interested in watching along with the Miami-Florida State tilt. Alas, I must work. But that is why DVR was invented. This is one of those rivalry games which never gets the spotlight--usually because one of the teams isn't up to snuff. Not this year though. Both teams are undefeated and trying to prove they are for real. The Spartans have proven themselves to me a little more than the Wolverines. Michigan beat Notre Dame by more, but its defense is concerning, giving up 37 points to UMass and 35 to Indiana. Michigan State just defeated Wisconsin, perhaps the second-best Big 10 team. Denard Robinson can carry the Wolverines, but not quite to the win. Michigan State wins a barnburner, 33-31.
Virginia at Georgia Tech
Ok, here we go. Can I record two games at once? Of course I want to see my Cavaliers play the Yellow Jackets--but not if they put on a performance like they did last week against FSU. I think Virginia fares better in this matchup. I think Virginia will know how to attack Al Groh's defense and will score more than the 14 points they have so far against each FBS opponent. I'm worried about our defense though. It looks like teams are figuring out Paul Johnson's offensive attack a little more this year. But this will be UVA defensive coordinator Jim Reid's first time against it (though I have read that when he was a coach at VMI, they ran a similar offense). So I have concerns that our defense will make the same strides against it that other teams have. Ironically, we could use Groh right now since it would've been his second time going against it. UVA remains competitive but unfortunately I think Groh gets the better of the Cavs in his first matchup against his former team, 31-21.
Clemson at North Carolina
This one is kind of a toss up. The Tigers have looked good but haven't beaten a good team yet. North Carolina almost beat LSU in its first game without several players. Since then, however, the Tar Heels have failed to impress except for maybe their 42-17 drubbing of ECU last Saturday. The Tigers clip the Tar Heels, just barely, 31-30.
6:00
Oregon State at No. 9 Arizona
The Wildcats had an off game in their last contest Sept. 25 against Cal, scoring only 10 points in a 10-9 victory. I believe they were experiencing a bit of a hangover from their big win the week before over Iowa. I think they'll be back to normal this week, scoring a bunch of points. Oregon State has had a tough early-season schedule, and is probably better than its record suggests. But I think the Beavers fall to 2-3. Arizona wins 34-24.
7:30
No. 12 LSU at No. 14 Florida
The Tigers are flying under the radar given the success of Alabama and the way Arkansas almost pulled out a win over the Tide. LSU is still undefeated but no one is talking about it. The Gators are good, but still not themselves. They got exposed last weekend against Bama. I like LSU to continue on its quiet way winning games, 21-17.
8:00
No. 23 FSU at No. 13 Miami
The Hurricanes have been impressive all-around so far, winning every game except one, a tough loss at Ohio State where they stuck around for awhile. FSU has been even more impressive in its wins, but still has an odd loss at Oklahoma where it got demolished. Other than playing the Sooners, however, the Seminoles have played inferior competition when compared to Miami. I like the Canes in this one, 35-31.
NFL
1:00
Kansas City at Indianapolis
All good things must come to an end and I think the Chiefs' undefeated run terminates in Indy where the Colts will be ready to go and score a lot of points on their home carpet after a shocking road loss at Jacksonville. That said, I'm not sleeping on KC, it has a chance. But Indy wins, 35-30.
Green Bay at Washington
The Redskins earned a surprising win over the Eagles last week. The Packers were blistering early against Detroit, and then almost let it crawl back in the game. The Pack wins, but Washington keeps it close early. 31-21.
Denver at Baltimore
A jubilant home crowd welcomes the Ravens back after their huge win at Pittsburgh last week. Denver's Kyle Orton has been a stunningly great passer so far this year. He will really get tested against the Ravens' defense, which hasn't allowed more than 17 points in a game this year. Denver cracks 20, but Baltimore wins 24-20.
N.Y. Giants at Houston
The G-Men are another NFC East team, along with the Skins, to come back and show they weren't dead last weekend. The Texans got back on track with a win over the Raiders after their loss to Dallas, though they only won by seven. Still, I like Houston in this one, 35-27.
4:15
Tennessee at Dallas
I'm scared to say the Cowboys looked good two weeks ago and should win against Tennessee. They need to play with the urgency they did against Houston. The Titans have been one of those mediocre teams that's been hard to get a read on. I like the Cowboys 24-17.
Monday night
Minnesota at N.Y. Jets
The Vikings are looking for a quick fix for their offense and especially their receiving corps with Randy Moss. Will it work? Time will tell but I think the chemistry between Moss and Brett Favre could be a problem Monday. And what if Brad Childress and/or Favre try to force it to Moss? Rex Ryan's defense should cause enough trouble for the Vikings offense to get New York the win, but I think it'll be close. 27-24
damn that UVA/GT call was pretty close.
ReplyDeleteyeah. hey man i know my stuff haha. actually this was my worst week of picks.
ReplyDelete