Last Week: 14-6 Overall: 64-16
The games become harder to pick as we move away from bodybag games and deeper into conference play. The 14-6 should have an asterisk by it, as Hardin-Simmons led Louisiana College 28-12 in the second quarter when the game was called due to lightning. The game was not restarted, and the game will not be made up. The statistics do not count for either team, but I will count it as a win, since HSU had a commanding lead and would probably have won by more.
Texas Tech at Texas A&M: The biggest game of the Franchione era. Lose, and Fran’s head goes on the chopping block. Win, and A&M goes to 5-0 and probably into the Top 25. Tech has been inconsistent. Will they go down to Aggieland and get the win? Before the season, I would have said yes. Tech’s loss to TCU didn’t worry me, as lots of teams would lose at TCU. Their lack of offense there concerns me a lot. The realtors in Bryan/College Station relax for at least a week, as Fran’s job is saved, and A&M wins.
Kansas at Nebraska: The Huskers had won 37 in a row over the Jayhawks until last year. Nebraska starts another streak this year. Pick: Nebraska
Colorado at Missouri: The Buffs have improved greatly, from a loss to Montana State in the opening week to a near-miss between the hedges at Georgia. Missouri went undefeated in their non-conference schedule. It’ll be closer than it ought to be, but Mizzou wins at home.
Kansas State at Baylor: Baylor is favored in a conference game for the first time since Dr. Pepper was invented. Well, not that long, but it’s been a while. This pick is a real crap shoot. I hope it’s not just plain crap. I don’t trust Baylor. Give me K-State.
Sam Houston State at Texas: Rhett Bomar is not eligible to play at Sam Houston as of yet. As if it would really matter. Pick: Texas
Northern Iowa at Iowa State: A no-win situation for the Cyclones. Northern Iowa is a strong Division 1-AA program. The ‘Clones have nothing to gain, and everything to lose. Iowa State’s program, though, has moved beyond losing games like this. Pick: ISU
BYU at TCU: I thought the Mountain West Conference was getting away from Thursday games with their new TV contract. Instead, CSTV/Versus/OLN/Public Access Cable/Channel 84 is having them play on Thursday night at 6 PM. That’s 6 PM Eastern Time. The game starts at 5 PM in Fort Worth, and 4 PM in Utah. Outrageous. Are they making them play early so they can show reruns of Survivor: Marquesas in prime time? The Y will give TCU a test, but the Frogs win at home. Pick: TCU
Ohio State at Iowa: tOSU’s toughest game before the end of the season clash with the School Up North. Iowa is good, and they’re playing at home under the lights. Ohio State’s the best thing going, though. If they can win in Austin, they can win in Iowa City. Pick: The Ohio State University
Auburn at South Carolina: Steve Spurrier has had quarterback issues, and the ‘Cocks only beat Wofford by 7 points, before creaming Florida Atlantic last week. Auburn slept through a scrimmage with Buffalo last week. War Eagle needs this one to stay unbeaten. I don’t know how the ‘Cocks will do here. Pick: Auburn
Alabama at Florida: The Tide goes down to the Swamp bruised after a double-overtime loss to the Hogs. The Gators are looking strong. Bama doesn’t have enough this week. Pick: Florida
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech: The Ramblin’ Wreck have a pretty good team. The Hokies are a little better, especially at home. Pick: VPI
Michigan at Minnesota: Minnesota always plays Michigan tough, and in recent years has created new ways to lose to the Wolverines. This year will be no exception. The Little Brown Jug stays in A-Squared. Pick: Michigan
Miami, Ohio at Cincinnati: Miami is usually better than UC. Cincinnati, though, has shown sparks of brilliance at times against Ohio State and Virginia Tech. The Bearcats put it together against their hated rivals. Pick: Cincinnati
Rutgers at South Florida: The State University of New Jersey has cracked the Top 25. How long will it last? USF isn’t chopped liver at home. Pick: USF
Houston at Miami: Things are upside down when Rutgers is ranked and Miami isn’t. The Canes are down, and Larry Coker is a dead man walking. The Coogs are undefeated, and have a chance to win this game. In the end, though, Miami has too much talent. Pick: Miami
Purdue at Notre Dame: Purdue is off to a good start after an off year. The Irish are coming off the “Comeback of The Century”. Aren’t all Notre Dame comebacks that great? The Irish will be a little flat. However, I can’t pick against them, as badly as I may want to. Pick: ND
Boise State at Utah: Ambush City. Boise State is ranked this week. That won’t last. Pick: Utah
Wyoming at Syracuse: Syracuse has won two games this year, doubling last year’s win total. This week will be win #3 for the Orange. Pick: Syracuse
Illinois at Michigan State: Many will question the quality of coaching in this game, as Ron Zook is on one sideline, and John L. Smith is on the other. The Green and White blew it last week, big time. However, they have more talent, and the home field this week. Pick: MSU
Slippery Rock at Clarion: Saturday night in the rocking metropolis of Clarion, PA. Slippery Rock has rolled over their three D-II foes thus far. Give me the Rock. Pick: Slippery Rock
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
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6 comments:
I'm not sure what's up with the early game. I don't like it one bit. My roommate is thrilled because she works at TCU and staff get to leave at 1pm to make room for the game watching people.
Go TCU - kick some mormon butt. I used to hate BYU when they would throttle UH every year ... I hope TCU can keep this steak going (I have it posted on my classroom door for everyone in the hall to see - including the UT fan across the hall ;).
I don't know what's up with the early game, either. I checked the TV schedules for after the game: CSTV is showing a repeat of Navy vs. Tulsa, and Versus (formerly OLN) is showing a boxing match. Not quite a rerun of Survivor, but almost. A 5 PM CDT starting time is crazy and stupid for the conference and the network. Why don't they just play a game at 7 AM? Makes just about as much sense.
Next week's game at Utah is also on a Thursday night. I doubt if it is at 5 PM, but you never know.
TCU pulled off a miracle last year in Provo. The Y will be looking for payback. Good luck with all that. TCU is better than BYU.
Go Frogs
There are conflicting reasons for the early kickoff. According to this article in the Star-Telegram, the game was originally scheduled for 6 PM, but was moved up to 5 PM when the conference put the game on OLN/Versus:
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/colleges/15628160.htm
According to an interview with the TCU AD in the Daily Skiff, TCU had the choice to play at 5 PM, or at 8 PM. TCU chose to play at 5 PM, to "allow families to get their kids in bed at a decent time", and to make BYU play in the Texas heat. The family reason doesn't wash, as kids would be in bed no earlier than 10 PM by the time they get home from the game. It's the heat.
http://www.tcudailyskiff.com/media/storage/paper792/news/2006/09/28/News/Kickoff.Classes.Present.Dilemma-2312636.shtml?norewrite200609280709&sourcedomain=www.tcudailyskiff.com
Suck suck suck!!!!
Yeah, that's a good way to put it. I missed most of the game, but it doesn't look like I missed much.
Forget the BCS now. It looks like it'll be the New Mexico Bowl, or the Fort Worth Bowl, or somewhere like that. Too bad. At least the Mountain West doesn't have a deal with the blue turf bowl in Boise.
Correction: Minnesota beat Michigan last year, for the first time in 20 years.
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