College Football Picks of the Week 11/14

Before I get into the picks and preview for this week's games, I would just like to congratulate the SEC and their officals for successfully making sure that Florida and Alabama smoothly got into the SEC Title game without any hiccups.

Not only did the officals make sure that the top two teams would remain unscathed, but they also made sure that they had the high ranking competition to make them seem even better to the computers and on paper.

This all started with the LSU-Georgia game, where the refs called an awful excessive celebration call on Georgia, after an AJ Green TD catch. LSU gets prime field position, and they score. What happened two days later? LSU was ranked 4th, and were headed into a showdown with? Florida. Did I mention that CBS had this game on primetime?

Then, the massacare happened that we now call the Arkansas-Florida game, where the referees were really wearing Gator uniforns in the 4th quarter. Urban Meyer needed the help that day, as the Gators squeeked by a hungry Razorbacks team.

In my opinion, the worst one of all came last Saturday, when LSU's Patrick Peterson CLEARLY had two feet inbounds for an interception at midfield late in the 4th quarter. Now, LSU might not of scored, but why should the SEC leave it up to the kids on the field? Somehow, the refs called it incomplete, and then somehow, the booth did as well. That is a catch even in the NFL!!

Yes, the SEC did suspend a referee crew, but after the fact that they were part of two of these instances! How do they even have a job anymore? I will say this, the refs only getting suspended does make sense considering the SEC did not even suspend Brandon Spikes for trying to rip a players eyes out. Oh yeah, Spikes is a Gator. I forgot.

The officating has been so awful, that the SEC has basically put a gag order on the coaches, even smacking Meyer with a 30 large fine.

Well, you cannot fine me SEC, and I will easily trash how bad the officals and Conference has been in reguards to their officals. The title game is set, you guys got your wish, now let the kids play some fair ball!

Big props to Rutgers last night, completely pasting South Florida on ESPN. That is a big win for Greg Schianno's program, as he continues to bring in better recruits. I basically inherited Rutgers since I am from the Northeast, and have no football program to root for. Rutgers is the closest to me, so they are mine to root for now.

Heisman Watch took a shift from last week. Although having a good game in defeat, Jimmy Clausen has to slide. Here is your Heisman Top 5 and Honorable Mentions:

1. Mark Ingram RB, Alabama - I know I just completely trashed the SEC, but the fact is, Ingram is running over the best Conference in the nation. Last week, Ingram ran for 144 yards on a stout LSU defense. He now has 1148 yards, on 6.6 yards per carry. If Ingram has a monster game against Florida, yuo might just have to wrap this baby up.

2. Casey Keenum QB, Houston - I know Keenum is not exactly putting up these monster stats against the best competition possible, but how can you ignore the stats? He has a 28/5 TD/Int ratio, he completes 71% of his passes, and he has thrown for over 500 yards three times this season.

3. Jimmy Clausen QB, Notre Dame - The Golden Boy has a monster game, going for 450 and 2 TD's against Navy. The drop came because of the loss to a bad team and a costly fumble on the goal line. I will not blame Clausen for the Int, since Michael Floyd messed up.

4. Ryan Matthews RB, Fresno St. - With all due respect to Ingram and others, Matthews is the best RB in the nation. Close to 1,500 yards and 14 scores already, Matthews is automatic for 140 a game. He will not win the Heisman, but he has to garner consideration.

5. Kellen Moore QB, Boise St. - The newcomer on this list. Does anyone realize that Moore has 27 TD passes to only 3 interceptions? That is crazy. Moore also is 1st in the nation in Passer Eff. (media darlings Tim Tebow and Colt Mccoy are 9th and 16th respectively).

Honorable Mention: Tim Tebow QB, Florida, Toby Gerhart RB, Stanford, Dion Lewis RB, Pittsburgh, Golden Tate WR, Notre Dame, Jerry Hughes DE, TCU.



Before I get to the picks, I want to know how a daunting powerhouse like Louisiana Tech can schedule LSU, Auburn, and Navy in out of conference, but Texas's non-conf. schedule consists of Louisiana Monroe, Wyoming, Central Florida, and UTEP? How about Florida's schedule of Charleston Southern, Troy, Florida International and Florida St.?

Time for the big boys to schedule like they are big boys. Disgraceful.

Now, to the picks:

Tennessee 20, Ole Miss 16 - Anytime Jevan Snead faced a formidable defense this season, he has laid an egg. Monte Kiffin probaly has been in the office all week, laughing at Snead being a deer in the headlights.

Wisconsin 31, Michigan 20 - What a classic meltdown by the Wolverines this year huh? Rich Rodriguez is in deep trouble here, and for his coaching life.

Ohio St. 16, Iowa 6 - I really wanted to see this game on fair ground. No Ricky Stanzi for Iowa, which will make it hard to score off this stingy Buckeyes defense.

Cincinnati 44, West Virginia 24 - A very good Friday night game on ESPN. This game, along with the potential Pitt. showdown will vault the Bearcats big time in the BCS rankings. Brian Kelly is going with the hot hand of Zach Collaros over the now healthy Tony Pike. I cannot blame him.

Texas Tech 51, Oklahoma St. 44 - UPSET SPECIAL! I lost all respect for the Cowboys when they laid down to Texas. It does not matter who QB's for Coach Leach, as the Red Raider system is a QB's wet dream. Cowboys will not even force one punt.

Pittsburgh 40, Notre Dame 24 - As much as we love Clausen here at Sportstown, he is not the only great QB in this game. Pitt's Bill Stull has been a pleasant surprise, ranked 5th in Pass. Eff. The Panthers are loaded with offensive weapons, and can do more damage than what Navy did last week.

Nebraska 16, Kansas 10 - A once Big 12 North clash, has turned into a medicore game in a 3 week span. Nebraska's defense prevails in this game.

Florida 24, South Carolina 10 - Tim Tebow better have a monster game here, because he really is slipping in that Heisman race. We all know Steve Spurrier will try to win this game at all costs.

Arizona 34, California 16 - No Jahvid Best, no win for the Bears. Nice job by the Wildcats this season as a whole, as they could somehow get into the Rose Bowl. They have Oregon and USC still to come. Speaking of the Trojans.....

Stanford 38, USC 31 - UPSET SPECIAL #2! - USC is toast this season. I am praying that they do not get into the BSC Bowls with 2 losses and stiff a team like Boise St. Stanford is coming off a monster win over Oregon and can run the football on anyone. Bye Bye Petey Carroll. Hope you like the Holiday Bowl. Big game for Toby Gerhart.

TCU 31, Utah 13 - The game of the week. The Horned Frogs will be looking for revenge from last years lost to the Utes in a tough close game. Although, I do not agree with Vegas on this one. Twenty points is too high of an outcome. TCU will solidify there 4th ranking with a solid win here.

Last Week: 7-4

Season: 66-41