Let's quickly get through these. Not much time until I have my "Monday" at work. NFL picks later.
COLLEGE
Noon
Miami at Georgia Tech
Is there a right or wrong way to pick this game? On the road, without Josh Nesbitt, the Jackets still almost beat Virginia Tech last Thursday night. Miami, with true freshman quarterback Stephen Morris, skated by Maryland in a close contest last Saturday at home. The Jackets badly need a win and Miami has been hot and cold all year. At home, I like Georgia Tech to get a much needed win, 28-24.
12:30
No. 24 Kansas State at No. 17 Missouri
Once upon a time, the Tigers knocked off the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners. Since then, Missouri has lost tough road games to Nebraska and Texas Tech. Kansas State just reentered the top 25 with a 39-14 drubbing of Texas. Back at home though, I like Missouri to get back on track and win 34-29.
3:30
Georgia at No. 2 Auburn
Will the controversy swirling around Cam Newton affect the Tigers? Certainly possible, but I think at home they'll stave off most of the problems and win relatively comfortably, 38-28.
Penn State at No. 9 Ohio State
JoePa getting his 400th victory and the Nittany Lions getting back on track is a good story, but their resurgence has come against Minnesota, Michigan and Northwestern, not Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, or Iowa. In the horseshoe, I think Penn State sticks around for a bit, but ultimately falls, 37-24.
No. 20 Virginia Tech at North Carolina
Since destroying Virginia, the Tar Heels have barely beaten William & Mary at home and FSU on the road. Very different performances indeed. I think the Hokies are the strongest team in the league right now but obviously showed some holes against Georgia Tech. Still, I don't know if I trust the inconsistent Tar Heels to pull off the upset. Hokies win 31-28.
Maryland at Virginia
After their rousing win over Miami two weeks ago, the Cavaliers came back to earth last week with a loss at Duke. I wasn't surprised by the loss, but I was appalled at the defensive performance. Now, once again, they have a chance to turn things around. I'm doubting them, so hopefully they prove me wrong. Maryland has played some weak opponents this year, but has proven capable of putting up tons of points. As much as I hate to say it, I think the Twerps--I mean Terps--win a close battle 38-34. Virginia's offensive showing from last week continues but the defense only improves marginally.
4:00
San Diego State at No. 3 TCU
The 7-2 Aztecs are experiencing a resurgence under coach Brady Hoke, who, a few years ago, led Ball State to a 12-0 record before losing to Turner Gill's Buffalo Bulls in the MAC title game. Since leaving, Ball State has become terrible and SDSU has turned things around. I don't think they are on the level right now to upset TCU on the road but perhaps next year at home they could get it done. Saturday though, the Horned Frogs roll and continue to state their case for getting into the BCS title game. 38-10.
7:15
No. 19 Mississippi State at No. 12 Alabama
No way Nick Saban and the Tide are happy about what has transpired this year. Two road SEC losses have doomed their national title repeat hopes. I think they'll show some anger in this game at home and put the upstart Bulldogs in their place a little. 27-13.
No. 23 South Carolina at No. 22 Florida
The defacto SEC East championship game. Two unimpressive teams battle for the chance to, probably, lose to Auburn in a few weeks. The Gators have won their last two games, but over equally unimpressive Georgia and Vanderbilt. South Carolina has disappointed after beating Alabama, going 2-2 since then with losses to Kentucky and Arkansas. I really think the Gamecocks have a chance in this one and have been the overall better team this year, but I think Urban Meyer will find a way in the Swamp. Gators 24-23.
7:30
No. 1 Oregon at California
The Bears have been one of the biggest enigmas in the entire country, winning every home game and losing all but one road game (over a bad Washington State team last week by only a touchdown). At home, Cal has won by margins of 49, 45, 28, and 33. The Ducks will be too tough and too fast, though. The Bears won their first game on the road last week and this week, I think they'll lose their first home game. 45-21.
COLLEGE
Noon
Miami at Georgia Tech
Is there a right or wrong way to pick this game? On the road, without Josh Nesbitt, the Jackets still almost beat Virginia Tech last Thursday night. Miami, with true freshman quarterback Stephen Morris, skated by Maryland in a close contest last Saturday at home. The Jackets badly need a win and Miami has been hot and cold all year. At home, I like Georgia Tech to get a much needed win, 28-24.
12:30
No. 24 Kansas State at No. 17 Missouri
Once upon a time, the Tigers knocked off the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners. Since then, Missouri has lost tough road games to Nebraska and Texas Tech. Kansas State just reentered the top 25 with a 39-14 drubbing of Texas. Back at home though, I like Missouri to get back on track and win 34-29.
3:30
Georgia at No. 2 Auburn
Will the controversy swirling around Cam Newton affect the Tigers? Certainly possible, but I think at home they'll stave off most of the problems and win relatively comfortably, 38-28.
Penn State at No. 9 Ohio State
JoePa getting his 400th victory and the Nittany Lions getting back on track is a good story, but their resurgence has come against Minnesota, Michigan and Northwestern, not Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, or Iowa. In the horseshoe, I think Penn State sticks around for a bit, but ultimately falls, 37-24.
No. 20 Virginia Tech at North Carolina
Since destroying Virginia, the Tar Heels have barely beaten William & Mary at home and FSU on the road. Very different performances indeed. I think the Hokies are the strongest team in the league right now but obviously showed some holes against Georgia Tech. Still, I don't know if I trust the inconsistent Tar Heels to pull off the upset. Hokies win 31-28.
Maryland at Virginia
After their rousing win over Miami two weeks ago, the Cavaliers came back to earth last week with a loss at Duke. I wasn't surprised by the loss, but I was appalled at the defensive performance. Now, once again, they have a chance to turn things around. I'm doubting them, so hopefully they prove me wrong. Maryland has played some weak opponents this year, but has proven capable of putting up tons of points. As much as I hate to say it, I think the Twerps--I mean Terps--win a close battle 38-34. Virginia's offensive showing from last week continues but the defense only improves marginally.
4:00
San Diego State at No. 3 TCU
The 7-2 Aztecs are experiencing a resurgence under coach Brady Hoke, who, a few years ago, led Ball State to a 12-0 record before losing to Turner Gill's Buffalo Bulls in the MAC title game. Since leaving, Ball State has become terrible and SDSU has turned things around. I don't think they are on the level right now to upset TCU on the road but perhaps next year at home they could get it done. Saturday though, the Horned Frogs roll and continue to state their case for getting into the BCS title game. 38-10.
7:15
No. 19 Mississippi State at No. 12 Alabama
No way Nick Saban and the Tide are happy about what has transpired this year. Two road SEC losses have doomed their national title repeat hopes. I think they'll show some anger in this game at home and put the upstart Bulldogs in their place a little. 27-13.
No. 23 South Carolina at No. 22 Florida
The defacto SEC East championship game. Two unimpressive teams battle for the chance to, probably, lose to Auburn in a few weeks. The Gators have won their last two games, but over equally unimpressive Georgia and Vanderbilt. South Carolina has disappointed after beating Alabama, going 2-2 since then with losses to Kentucky and Arkansas. I really think the Gamecocks have a chance in this one and have been the overall better team this year, but I think Urban Meyer will find a way in the Swamp. Gators 24-23.
7:30
No. 1 Oregon at California
The Bears have been one of the biggest enigmas in the entire country, winning every home game and losing all but one road game (over a bad Washington State team last week by only a touchdown). At home, Cal has won by margins of 49, 45, 28, and 33. The Ducks will be too tough and too fast, though. The Bears won their first game on the road last week and this week, I think they'll lose their first home game. 45-21.
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