Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Pick 12 (v 3.0)

Last week was an ok one for me. I went 9-4 (18-7 overall), but I get to hang my hat on the fact that I picked Auburn to go into the swamp and win. But that's in the past; week 6 is upon us with many more intriguing matchups than last week.

As always, winners in bold

#8 Kentucky @ #11 South Carolina

With Andre Woodson running the Kentucky offense, the Wildcats have put up a plethora of points (46.6 ppg). South Carolina's offense isn't too shabby either and they have a decent D as well. This game is incredibly hard to choose. On one hand the game is at SC, but their starting quarterback only has one game under his belt. Kentucky is on fire...and really has no glaring negatives. Granted, SC's one loss was @LSU, Kentucky has done less wrong this year and are riding an incredible wave of momentum. UK by 9.

#5 Wisconsin @ Illinois

After this week, Illinois will finally crack the rankings. Wisconsin is primed to fall as they have looked unimpressive in 4 of their 5 wins. Plus, they finally leave the friendly confines of Camp Randall and hit the road again. Their only other road game this season was at UNLV and they barely made it out of there alive. Illinois is a lot better than UNLV. Illini by 3.

Kansas @ #24 Kansas State

Kansas State is coming off a thrashing of the Longhorns in Austin while the Jayhawks are riding high at 4-0. While the Jayhawks have annihilated everyone that has stepped on the same surface as them, this week will be different. Mainly because they're not playing Central Michigan, SE Louisiana, Toledo, or FIU. Penn State beat up on lowly opponents. Look at them now. KSU by 12.

#10 Oklahoma @ #19 Texas (...well, kinda @Texas)

First off, since when was this not the Red River Shootout??? Seems like these teams sold their souls and now play against each other in what is called the "AT&T Red River Rivalry." They couldn't even keep the word shootout? Anyway, to the game...Texas got smashed on their home turf. Oklahoma barely lost on the road to a team that honestly (after watching some of it) looked destined to win. Both teams know that they can't afford to lose 2 Big 12 games in a row but OU will play with more urgency. Not even Colt McInjured can stop them. Oklahoma is just a flat out better team and should rout Texas. Sooners by 17.

Iowa @ Penn State

I'll keep this simple. If the game was in Iowa City, this game goes to the Hawkeyes. It's not, so the game goes to the Nittany Lions. Personally, I hope Morelli throws 7 INTs and the Lions still win just so JoePa is forced to bench him. Unfortunately, the only reliable player on Penn State is the 12th man and he'll be certain to show up on Saturday. That's why they have the edge. Here's to hoping the 12th man doesn't have to experience another 6-4 loss (I still shudder when I think about that game). Nittany Lions by 6.

#15 Virginia Tech @ #22 Clemson

Somewhat of a peculiar game. Nobody knows what to expect from VT or Clemson when they take the field. VT is ranked as high as they are because they started high and lost early (to the #2 team in the country). Clemson was ranked too high but I think high teens-early twenties is more fitting for them. Both teams don't really have particularly good offenses. However, the complete ineptitude of the Hokies offense will burn them here as Clemson also seems to always step up in big games. Clemson in a nail biter by 3.

Wake Forest @ Duke

Oh wait...this isn't basketball. Oh well, I'll take the bye-week rested Deacons by 25. Poor Spurrier still can't vote for his favorite team.

Notre Dame @ UCLA

Neither team is ranked...do the Irish have a chance? No. Bruins have a little bit of fun running up the score for a 31 point victory.

#12 Georgia @ Tennessee

Tennessee hasn't really showed me much this year. Eric Ainge has just been mediocre and in their two losses, albeit to #12 Cal and #5 Florida, their defense forgot to play, giving up 45 and 59 points in those games, respectively. Georgia has been a resilient bunch since getting edge by the Gamecocks earlier in the season. Going into Tuscaloosa and beating a highly motivated Alabama team was no small task and they pulled it off. Look for the dynamic duo in the backfield of Moreno and Brown to give the Volunteers fits. Bulldogs by 6.

#4 Ohio State @ #23 Purdue.

This matchup of Big Ten unbeatens will be sure to entertain. Both teams have impressive offenses but its on defense where things are different. Purdue gives up 20.4 ppg, OSU 7.2. That's a big gap. Boeckman will continue to impress as he throws a couple TDs to Robiskie. Buckeyes (unfortunately) cruise, winning by 14.

#20 Cincinnati @ #21 Rutgers

Cincinnati has looked very impressive in all their wins this season, lighting up the scoreboard. Rutgers had looked decent until falling to Maryland. Honestly, I think they were just very cocky and thought it would be a cakewalk but it wasn't. Maryland is a decent team that you should be able to beat if you're an elite program, but one that you can't take lightly. I think Rutgers wakes up and pounds the Bearcats with revenge for last season's loss on their minds. Scarlet Knights by 17.

#25 Nebraska @ #17 Missouri

I really don't care about this game...it's the Big 12 North for crying out loud. But I saw two ranked opponents and felt the need to pick it. I'll go with Nebraska because I can name one person on their team (Sam Keller). And because Missouri hasn't done anything of note this year...though they did win in Illinois. Who woulda thought that'd be an accomplishment this year? Huskers by 8.

Well that'll do it. Oh, the biggest game this week you ask? I decided to save that for my lucky 13th pick. I'm feeling like a flip-flopper so I'll go with the Gators winning in Baton Rouge. Florida is pretty ticked after losing that game to Auburn and you know Meyer is working the hell out of them this week. Plus, LSU hasn't looked as impressive the past couple weeks as they did at the beginning of the season and they're primed for a letdown. Tebow runs the Gators to a tight 2 point victory on Saturday night.

No comments: