College Football Picks of the Week

This is the week where the men separate themselves fro, the boys. Midway point of the season, and now we can see where the powerhouses truely are, as well as finally getting a real grasp on the Heisman favorites. Before I mention my picks, I need to get this one off my chest.

As of right this second, Tim Tebow is NOT a Heisman candidate! He has done squat on the field so far. I am tired of the media, espeically ESPN, pounding this kid down our throats purely based on reputation. When he starts putting up huge games, then we can discuss him. Until then, no more Heisman talk for Tebow. No one is bringing up Sam Bradford for Heisman on rep are we?

Now, your picks for the week:

Pittsburgh 16, Rutgers 6 - It is going to be cold, windy, and rainy in NJ for tonight's conference tilt. I just do not trust Rutgers after getting waxed by Cincy, then playing an Ultra-Soft Charmin month long schedule.

Texas 28, Oklahoma 20 - Sam Bradford did look good in his return, but like the BYU game, is going to see some serious pressure from teh Longhorn front four against his weak, inexperienced OLine. Colt Mccoy knows he needs this one to become the front runner for the Heisman.

Ohio St. 45, Purdue 23 - Purdue can score, but they could not stop a flag football team from Syosset Long Island.

Iowa 24, Wisconsin 16 - This could be a serious Upset Alert, but I am hoping the Hawkeyes can somehow pull this one out, just like they have been doing week after week. It is not pretty, but it is getting done.

Florida 38, Arkansas 23 - Tim Tebow better have a big game against such a weak defense. He needs one of those 250 yards passing and 3 TDs, with 80 yard rushing and 2 TDs. Although, if he does that, the braintrusts at ESPN might cream in their pants.

Nebraska 45, Texas Tech 28 - This line went from 5.5 to 11 for a reason. The reason is that the Cornhusker front four can get enough pressure on the Red Raiders that they can sit 7 defensive backs into coverage. Big game for Roy Helu Jr.

Virginia Tech 41, Georgia Tech 31 - I am starting to think that the Hokies are the 2nd best team in the country. All they needed for to open up the offense a bit, and Tyrod Taylor has been playing superb.

Kansas 54, Colorado 23 - Can we please get some Todd Reissing Heisman love somewhere? The guy has been overlooked for three years now. Always in the shadow of Mccoy, Bradford, Chase Daniels, and the Texas Tech QB assembly line. Just go take a look at Reissing's stats the past 3 years.

Alabama 20, South Carolina 10 - I saw this line and said "17 points??" I am going to bite. I do not think Bama can run wild on this good defense. They will win, and it will be a big win, over a ranked team.

Missouri 42, Oklahoma St. 31 - UPSET SPECIAL! No Dez Bryant? No Kendall Hunter? No win against real competition. My national title game team is toast, and we can see the steam in the sky from T. Boone's ears.

And, finally...

Notre Dame 34, USC 31 - UPSET OF THE YEAR! Remember in my orginal College Football Preview that I said I could not wait to see USC just destroy the Irish? Well, I do not think that will happen anymore. Why?

USC is not as good as advertised. They are injured, and they are starting a Frosh. QB that looks very shaky at times. The most important reason I feel this upset coming though is...

This is the game where Jimmy Clausen wins or loses the Heisman. I think he wins it here. Clausen goes bonkers against USC, no Mccoy or Tebow legendary games are going to top this.

Last Week: 7-4

Season: 38-26

College Football Picks

After last week, where the Polls were more volitale than the Nasdaq last year, the college football season is turning into an unpredictable season.

Who would have thought after Oregon got embarrassed by Boise St. opening night, that they would destroy Cal. and beat Utah?

Miami climbing the mountain, then freefalling off of it last week?

Two Non-BCS teams with legit shots at being in the Title Game in Boise St. and TCU.

USC walking on air in the polls for no reason. Ok, so that one is easy predictable. Sue me.

Few good games this week, more than likely a few more surprises in the bag as well. Let's take a gander at them:

Penn St. 27, Illinois 6 - No way Penn St. loses to games in a row. JoePa and team will want to put a hurting on someone, and Illinois is the perfect patsy for that. There is no Fight in the Illini anymore.

South Florida 23, Syracuse 12 - This could be such a trap game for South Florida. After beating Florida St., and the offensive machine called Cincinnati next week, this does fit the bill. There is just no way I see Syracuse pulling this off. QB Greg Paulus has not seen a defense like this since Villanova in the Basketball NCAA tournament.

Tennessee 20, Auburn 17 - No one has been able to stop Auburn's new wild offensive explosion, averaging 45 a clip. I just really like this Tennessee defense. They have the right personnel and coaching in Monty Kiffin. Big day at Rocky Top.

Stanford 23, UCLA 17 - UCLA is such an enigma. Stanford is the model of consistency on both sides of the ball this season. Jim Harbaugh has done a solid job with this program.

Michigan St. 34, Michigan 31 - UPSET SPECIAL! Michigan looked stale last week against Indiana, and Michigan St. does not want to lose to both Notre Dame and Michigan in the same season. Freshman QB Tate Forcier gets his first taste of a hostile crowd, and defeat.

Houston 52, UTEP 21 - I just love watching this Houston offense. They are so unpredictable and exciting. UTEP got buried last week by Texas, expect more of the same.

Arkansas 45, Texas A&M 41 - Arkanasas got throttled last week by Alabama. I do not expect the Razorbacks to be shut down again. The Aggies are putting points on the board as well. Shootout Central, here we come.

Notre Dame 31, Washington 24 - In a game that might possibly have the two best NFL QB prospects in it, I expect Jimmy Clausen and Jake Locker to put on a show. Somehow, Notre Dame, Clausen, and all of his playmakers pull this one out late in the 4th.

USC 31, California 17 - I had Cal winning this game at the same time last week. Then, they went to Oregon and got taken like a young boy in a San Francisco Bath House. USC is banged up, and we wish the best, and a speedy recovery for RB Stafon Johnson, but the Camp Carroll does have an unlimited amount of talent. Sets up the USC-Oregon game for the Rose Bowl. RB Jahvid Best only had 30 yards rushing year against Trojans. Not a good sign.

Oklahoma 28, Miami 17 - I really want to pick the Hurricanes here. I just do not see them scoring enough against this great Oklahoma defense. Virginia Tech last week gave the blueprint on how to beat the Canes. The Sooners just follow it, with or without Sam Bradford.

Georgia 37, LSU 31 - UPSET SPECIAL #2! This game last year was a shootout, with no defense in it. Georgia has not played defense this season since the first game against Oklahoma St., but WR AJ Green is going nuts. LSU should not be ranked 4th. When in doubt though, take the home team. I just hope they do not move up USC to 4th ahead of Boise St. after this game.

Last Week: 7-4     Season: 24-18

College Football Picks of the Week

This is a great time of year for a sports junkie. Baseball is coming down the stretch with the pennant races, and the postseason is right around the corner. We are currently in the process of getting ready for the college football season, starting tonight, along with the NFL a week from today. We also have the NFL and basketball right in the rearview mirror.

Here is a look at some of the more interesting matchups this weekend in College Football (No, I will waste my time and yours on how Florida, Texas, USC, etc will win by a combined score of 34,498-9):


South Carolina 16, North Carolina St. 27

When was Steve Spurrier suppose to re-take the SEC again? He has been slightly better here than he was with the Washington Redskins. NC St. comes in with a very solid QB in Russell Wilson, who will hurt the Gamecocks in more ways than one way, and make less mistakes than his counterpart.

Oregon 45, Boise St 38

I find it amusing that basically Boise St.'s season is based on their opening game. Bottom line, if they beat the Ducks, they will probaly go undefeated. The only thing is, they will not win. Too much firepower from the Ducks, and this is a revenge game after last season. Boise St. cries on their blue grass after the game (See more on this game in The Degenerates Corner).

Navy 13, Ohio State 31

Navy will score early, as the Buckeyes takes a few series to adapt to the option attack, but Terrelle Pryor makes the crowd cream in their pants by looking like Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl back in the Nintendo days.

BYU 27, Oklahoma 55

Just before I did this article, I saw that Oklahoma will miss All-Universe Tight End Jermaine Gresham this week. Now, that is the only reason why I have Oklahoma only scoring 55 in this game. BYU will score, but I have a hard time seeing Oklahoma even attempting a punt in this game. Big game for Heisman Winner QB Sam Bradford.

Nevada 28, Notre Dame 24

Here is my Upset Spay-Shal of the Week! The only thing I have to explain this upset for me on paper is, Nevada really does have one of the Top 10-12 Quarterbacks in the country in Colin Kaepernick.
I just want to see how Lou Holtz has to explain on National TV that his expert opinion on who wins the National Championship is dusted in Week 1 of the season by Nevada. I am telling you, someone at Bristol HQ should put Holtz on suicide watch sometime this season if the Irish are 4-3.

Maryland 23, California 42

I remember watching this game last year. It was in Maryland, on ESPN, at Noon Est time. Cal in the first half looked like they just got into Maryland two hours before gametime. They were like zombies in the first half, and they could not overcome the scoring margin in the 2nd half. This game is on the left coast, this game is payback time, and Cal has RB Javhid Best that will headstomp on the Terps.

Missouri 34, Illnois 45

Was there any other team more disappointing last season than Illinois? They are loaded with athletes and talent all over the place and they just disappeared like an Italian mobster after talking to the Feds. I am jumping back on the bandwagon early this season, but with caution. Just too many weapons to ignore, led by QB Juice Williams and WR Arreilous Benn.

Georgia 27, Oklahoma St. 41

After the Cowboys lost two starters this week to injury and quitting, I am a little queasy on this pick. I mean, afterall, I do have them in the BCS Title game. I think this game being at home is huge for them, and any team that plays Okie St. right now, they just have to prove to me that they can stop WR Dez Bryant.

Virginia Tech 10, Alabama 23

This is what it comes down to. The SEC pays fo..... errrrr... I mean recruits better and more polished athletes than the ACC. Just take a look at Bama's talent, even with a new QB under Center. This might be the best defense in the nation, and the fact that the Hokies lost their starting RB, Darren Evans for the season, this should be a long night for Va. Tech.

Cincinnati 20, Rutgers 21

Think the Bearcats are pissed that this game was moved up the schedule to opening night? They are right to feel that way. They took it in the gaspipe by the schedule makers.
This really does not matter, since the Big East is absolutely putrid this season. It just sounds like that Greg Schiano's recruiting is finally going to pay off, and Rutgers will have a solid defense this season. Player to watch in this game is Bearcat WR Marty Gilyard. He is the most underrated WR in the nation, and does not get enough ink.

Miami 19, Florida St. 24

The rivalry continues. Both teams are desperate to start off hot, especially Miami. I just think Seminole QB Christian Ponder makes all the difference in a Monday Night televised game on ESPN.

This is the Wayne Root game of the week. Want to know what that is? Go check out The Degenerates Corner.