Some NFL picks while feeling grateful that I am not a fan of Washington State, who gave up over 60 points in a game to their fourth Pac-10 opponent today….
Last week: 8-6
Overall: 55-32
Dallas at St. Louis: The Cowboys enter this game with a new Roy Williams and a new quarterback, 40 year-old Brad Johnson. Rumor is that Jerry Jones is looking to buy an NBA franchise so he can hire Roy Williams from North Carolina to coach it. You can never have enough guys named Roy Williams. The Rams shocked the world with a win last week in Washington, their first of the season. Cowboys take care of business this week. Pick: Dallas
San Diego at Buffalo: This has the makings of a good game. The Chargers are bouncing back, while Buffalo suffered their first loss last week. Strange things happen when a West Coast team goes East. Pick: Buffalo
New Orleans at Carolina: Roll the dice, and may the highest total win. Who knows what to expect from either of these teams? Pick: Carolina
Minnesota at Chicago: Important game in the NFC North. Pick: Chicago
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: The Bengals have shown signs of life lately, but haven’t gotten into the win column yet. They won’t win this week, either. Pick: Pittsburgh
Tennessee at Kansas City: Who would have thought that the Titans would be the last undefeated team remaining? They’ll stay unbeaten this week. Pick: Tennessee
Baltimore at Miami: This is another unpredictable game. The Dolphins lost on the last play last week in Houston. They should be strong enough to win at home. Pick: Miami
San Francisco at New York Giants: The Giants had a game scheduled last Monday night in Cleveland. They didn’t show up. Someone wearing their uniforms did, and the Giants got kicked. Giants bounce back this week. Pick: Giants
Detroit at Houston: The Texans got their first win last week, and now face the worst team in the league in the Lions. Pick: Houston
Indianapolis at Green Bay: The Packers went out to Seattle with a banged-up quarterback and got a win last week. The Colts looked like the Colts of old last week as they thrashed the Ravens. Can they still win a big road game? Good question. Pick: Green Bay
New York Jets at Oakland: Yuck. Rematch of the Heidi game from 1969. These players weren’t born then, with the exception of Brett Favre. Favre slings it for a bunch of yards against an awful team. Pick: Jets
Cleveland at Washington: Browns showed a pulse last week as they thumped the Giants. Now, they travel to D.C. to play the Redskins, surprise losers last week to St. Louis. I don’t trust Cleveland. Pick: Washington
Seattle at Tampa Bay: The Sunday Night extravaganza visits Tampa as the beaten-up Seahawks come to town. Pick: Tampa Bay
Denver at New England: ESPN gets a good one for Monday night. Pick: Pats
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
College Picks, Week 8
Last Week: 13-7
Season: 105-35
The wheat is being separated from the chaff in another wild college football season. This season is still very fluid. It remains to be seen if a team can win a national championship with two losses, as LSU did last season. The only thing guaranteed in college football is chaos. Now, on with the picks...
Kansas at Oklahoma: The Fighting Manginos are solid once again this season, but are not quite as good as they were last year. OU is mad, very mad, after last week’s debacle in Dallas. Pick: OU
Missouri at Texas: What was once a potential meeting of top 5 teams is now a do-or-die game for Mizzou. The Longhorns are flying high after a dominant 2nd half against OU. Look for plenty of points here. Pick: Texas
Baylor at Oklahoma State: The last thing the Bears needed was another juggernaut in the South division. OSU is coming off the biggest win in school history last week at then 3rd-ranked Missouri. Cowboys should be on letdown alert here, but should still win. Pick: OSU
Texas Tech at Texas A&M: This is the worst A&M team since before Jackie Sherrill arrived in Aggieland a quarter-century ago. Tech barely escaped last week with an overtime win over Nebraska. Pick: Tech
Nebraska at Iowa State: Iowa State has a long way to go to be competitive in this conference, proven by last week’s shellacking at the hands of Baylor. The Huskers nearly pulled an upset last week in Lubbock. Pick: Nebraska
Kansas State at Colorado: Buffs have come way down to earth after hitting Big 12 play. Wildcats got a conference win at Texas A&M last week. Winner has chance to go to a bowl game. Pick: Colorado
BYU at TCU (Thursday): One of two games that BYU has a chance to lose. Pick: TCU
Ole Miss at Alabama: Bama was idle last week and was passed by Texas for the top spot in the polls. Which Ole Miss team shows up? The one that beat Florida in the Swamp? Or, the one that lost at home to South Carolina? Bama wins a close one at home. Pick: Alabama
Ohio State at Michigan State: Big, big game in the Big Ten. Winner has inside track to the Rose Bowl. MSU can really put themselves on the map with a win. But, TOSU has played big games before, especially in the Big Ten. Pick: TOSU
Georgia Tech at Clemson: What was once supposed to be a national championship-caliber season for Clemson has deteriorated into a mid-season coach firing. Now, they must face the Ramblin’ Wreck of Georgia Tech. Tigers come up big under interim coach. Pick: Clemson
Purdue at Northwestern: Wildcats suffered their first loss last week. They should be able to bounce back against the Boilermakers. Pick: Northwestern
Florida State at NC State (Thursday): Don’t look now, but the Seminoles are on the way back. They’re not national championship caliber just yet, but they should be able to contend for an ACC title. Pick: FSU
Hawaii at Boise State (Friday): Battle of the last two BCS crashers. This season, Boise State is one of ten undefeated teams remaining. Hawaii is in a serious rebuilding phase. Pick: Boise State
LSU at South Carolina: The Gamecocks can redeem themselves here with a win. The Tigers are hurting after being slaughtered last week in the Swamp. The Tigers have more talent. Pick: LSU
Virginia Tech at Boston College: Tech needs this one to stay on top of the ACC. Eagles have given the Hokies fits over the years in both the Big East and ACC. Pick: VT
California at Arizona: Big game for bowl positioning in the Pac-10. Weird things happen in late night games in the desert. Pick: Arizona
Michigan at Penn State: A long season for the Wolverines got longer last week with a loss to Holy Toledo. Penn State is cruising through an undefeated season. Pick: Penn State
Miami at Duke: The last time Miami visited Duke in 2006, a Duke team that went winless that year nearly beat the Canes. Duke is a lot better this season. Pick: Duke
Wake Forest at Maryland: Anything can happen in the ACC, and usually does. Pick: Wake Forest
Hofstra at Maine: Hofstra is now better known as the host of Wednesday night’s presidential debate. Their football team isn’t that bad, either. Pick: Hofstra
Season: 105-35
The wheat is being separated from the chaff in another wild college football season. This season is still very fluid. It remains to be seen if a team can win a national championship with two losses, as LSU did last season. The only thing guaranteed in college football is chaos. Now, on with the picks...
Kansas at Oklahoma: The Fighting Manginos are solid once again this season, but are not quite as good as they were last year. OU is mad, very mad, after last week’s debacle in Dallas. Pick: OU
Missouri at Texas: What was once a potential meeting of top 5 teams is now a do-or-die game for Mizzou. The Longhorns are flying high after a dominant 2nd half against OU. Look for plenty of points here. Pick: Texas
Baylor at Oklahoma State: The last thing the Bears needed was another juggernaut in the South division. OSU is coming off the biggest win in school history last week at then 3rd-ranked Missouri. Cowboys should be on letdown alert here, but should still win. Pick: OSU
Texas Tech at Texas A&M: This is the worst A&M team since before Jackie Sherrill arrived in Aggieland a quarter-century ago. Tech barely escaped last week with an overtime win over Nebraska. Pick: Tech
Nebraska at Iowa State: Iowa State has a long way to go to be competitive in this conference, proven by last week’s shellacking at the hands of Baylor. The Huskers nearly pulled an upset last week in Lubbock. Pick: Nebraska
Kansas State at Colorado: Buffs have come way down to earth after hitting Big 12 play. Wildcats got a conference win at Texas A&M last week. Winner has chance to go to a bowl game. Pick: Colorado
BYU at TCU (Thursday): One of two games that BYU has a chance to lose. Pick: TCU
Ole Miss at Alabama: Bama was idle last week and was passed by Texas for the top spot in the polls. Which Ole Miss team shows up? The one that beat Florida in the Swamp? Or, the one that lost at home to South Carolina? Bama wins a close one at home. Pick: Alabama
Ohio State at Michigan State: Big, big game in the Big Ten. Winner has inside track to the Rose Bowl. MSU can really put themselves on the map with a win. But, TOSU has played big games before, especially in the Big Ten. Pick: TOSU
Georgia Tech at Clemson: What was once supposed to be a national championship-caliber season for Clemson has deteriorated into a mid-season coach firing. Now, they must face the Ramblin’ Wreck of Georgia Tech. Tigers come up big under interim coach. Pick: Clemson
Purdue at Northwestern: Wildcats suffered their first loss last week. They should be able to bounce back against the Boilermakers. Pick: Northwestern
Florida State at NC State (Thursday): Don’t look now, but the Seminoles are on the way back. They’re not national championship caliber just yet, but they should be able to contend for an ACC title. Pick: FSU
Hawaii at Boise State (Friday): Battle of the last two BCS crashers. This season, Boise State is one of ten undefeated teams remaining. Hawaii is in a serious rebuilding phase. Pick: Boise State
LSU at South Carolina: The Gamecocks can redeem themselves here with a win. The Tigers are hurting after being slaughtered last week in the Swamp. The Tigers have more talent. Pick: LSU
Virginia Tech at Boston College: Tech needs this one to stay on top of the ACC. Eagles have given the Hokies fits over the years in both the Big East and ACC. Pick: VT
California at Arizona: Big game for bowl positioning in the Pac-10. Weird things happen in late night games in the desert. Pick: Arizona
Michigan at Penn State: A long season for the Wolverines got longer last week with a loss to Holy Toledo. Penn State is cruising through an undefeated season. Pick: Penn State
Miami at Duke: The last time Miami visited Duke in 2006, a Duke team that went winless that year nearly beat the Canes. Duke is a lot better this season. Pick: Duke
Wake Forest at Maryland: Anything can happen in the ACC, and usually does. Pick: Wake Forest
Hofstra at Maine: Hofstra is now better known as the host of Wednesday night’s presidential debate. Their football team isn’t that bad, either. Pick: Hofstra
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The South Is Where It's At
At the halfway point of the college football season, we find:
• There are ten undefeated teams remaining in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
• Five of those teams are in BCS conferences.
• Three of them are in the Big 12 South division: Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State.
• Oklahoma only fell to #4 in the latest AP writers’ poll. However, they have the worst record in the state. Oklahoma State and Tulsa remain undefeated.
• It’s early, but OU is not only #4 in the nation, but #4 in the South division standings after two weeks of conference play.
• The Big 12 South Division contains four of the top eight teams in this week’s poll: #1 Texas, #4 OU, #7 Texas Tech, and #8 OSU.
This is an incredible geographical concentration of football excellence. Oklahoma State joined this dogpile with an upset at previously third-ranked Missouri, 28-23.
Poor Baylor. The Bears have to play all these teams. Likewise for Texas A&M. However, if there was ever a year for A&M to stink, this is it, as they would have a hard time with these teams regardless.
Missouri and Kansas this week must fight for the honor of the North division in trips to Texas and OU, respectively. The rest of the North division looks relatively weak, though Nebraska nearly shocked Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday.
These teams should do a good job of knocking each other off in the last two months of the season, keeping one out of the BCS national championship game. The team with the best shot of appearing in Miami appears to be Penn State. The Nittany Lions are undefeated and are the best team in a weak Big Ten conference. Who will play them? Who knows. Alabama is strong and still undefeated, but must finish their SEC schedule. If USC can keep from farting around in the Pac-10, they have a good chance to get back to that #2 spot. Or, if a team survives the Big 12 with only one loss, they have a chance to be in Miami as well. In that case, Texas is in the driver’s seat.
The only guaranteed thing remaining in this college football season is change. Stay tuned.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
NFL Picks, Week 6
Some picks while digesting OU’s loss to Texas. It could be worse. I could be a Michigan fan today.
Last week: 8-5
Season: 47-26
Dallas at Arizona: This was once practically a home game for the Cowboys in the desert. The Cardinals are now competitive, though, and are showing signs of being a respectable franchise. Kurt Warner and his receiving corps are very dangerous. Tony Romo really, really needs to quit throwing interceptions. And, Adam Jones needs to realize that those bodyguards are there to protect his career and livelihood. Still, the Cowboys are just a hair better. Pick: Dallas
Chicago at Atlanta: It wasn’t that long ago that the Falcons’ fortunes were lost in an illicit pseudo-dog kennel in Virginia. Now, the Falcons are riding the arm of Matt Ryan and legs of Michael Turner to some success. The Bears are better than their record indicates. Pick: Chicago
Miami at Houston: The Texans are snake-bitten. Never was it more apparent than last week when they blew a 27-10 lead in the last four minutes of the game to lose to the Colts. Now, the resurgent Dolphins come to town. The Dolphins are trusting in Big Bill, with Tony Sparano as the front man. I’m picking against the Texans until they win. Pick: Miami
Baltimore at Indianapolis: The Colts meet the newest Baltimore franchise, and are very lucky to be 2-2. The Ravens have shown flashes of brilliance to date, but are unpredictable. Pick: Colts
Detroit at Minnesota: The Lions are awful. I will pick against them until they win. Pick: Minnesota
Oakland at New Orleans: The Raiders play their first game after the firing of head coach Lane Kiffin. The franchise is a huge joke. The Saints lost a wild game last week to the Vikings. The Raiders aren’t as good as the Vikes. Pick: New Orleans
Cincinnati at New York Jets: The Bengals didn’t give up last week after being down 17-0 to the Cowboys. The winless Bengals now visit the Jersey Meadowlands to face the Fighting Brett Favres. Pick: Jets
Carolina at Tampa Bay: It’s really hard to pick against the Bucs at home. Pick: Tampa Bay
St. Louis at Washington: After 20 years, I saw this game on the schedule and still thought Cardinals. These Rams are as bad as some of the old Cardinal teams. The Redskins are flexing their muscles after a Week 1 loss to the Giants. Pick: Washington
Jacksonville at Denver: The Jags lost a tight one last week to Pittsburgh, while the Broncos escaped against Tampa Bay. It’s really hard to pick against the Broncos at home. Pick: Denver
Philadelphia at San Francisco: The Eagles need to get on the stick or they will be left behind in the rugged NFC East. The mediocre 49ers should be able to help them with that. Pick: Philly
Green Bay at Seattle: The Seahawks are like Kryptonite on the road, but are super-tough at home. It’s a long way to Puget Sound for just about anybody. Pick: Seattle
New England at San Diego: Great matchup for the Sunday Night extravaganza. Chargers need this one more, and should be able to handle the Brady-less Patriots. Pick: San Diego
New York Giants at Cleveland: Dangerous game for the undefeated Giants. But, I’m picking them until they lose to someone, or until they play Dallas. Pick: Giants
Last week: 8-5
Season: 47-26
Dallas at Arizona: This was once practically a home game for the Cowboys in the desert. The Cardinals are now competitive, though, and are showing signs of being a respectable franchise. Kurt Warner and his receiving corps are very dangerous. Tony Romo really, really needs to quit throwing interceptions. And, Adam Jones needs to realize that those bodyguards are there to protect his career and livelihood. Still, the Cowboys are just a hair better. Pick: Dallas
Chicago at Atlanta: It wasn’t that long ago that the Falcons’ fortunes were lost in an illicit pseudo-dog kennel in Virginia. Now, the Falcons are riding the arm of Matt Ryan and legs of Michael Turner to some success. The Bears are better than their record indicates. Pick: Chicago
Miami at Houston: The Texans are snake-bitten. Never was it more apparent than last week when they blew a 27-10 lead in the last four minutes of the game to lose to the Colts. Now, the resurgent Dolphins come to town. The Dolphins are trusting in Big Bill, with Tony Sparano as the front man. I’m picking against the Texans until they win. Pick: Miami
Baltimore at Indianapolis: The Colts meet the newest Baltimore franchise, and are very lucky to be 2-2. The Ravens have shown flashes of brilliance to date, but are unpredictable. Pick: Colts
Detroit at Minnesota: The Lions are awful. I will pick against them until they win. Pick: Minnesota
Oakland at New Orleans: The Raiders play their first game after the firing of head coach Lane Kiffin. The franchise is a huge joke. The Saints lost a wild game last week to the Vikings. The Raiders aren’t as good as the Vikes. Pick: New Orleans
Cincinnati at New York Jets: The Bengals didn’t give up last week after being down 17-0 to the Cowboys. The winless Bengals now visit the Jersey Meadowlands to face the Fighting Brett Favres. Pick: Jets
Carolina at Tampa Bay: It’s really hard to pick against the Bucs at home. Pick: Tampa Bay
St. Louis at Washington: After 20 years, I saw this game on the schedule and still thought Cardinals. These Rams are as bad as some of the old Cardinal teams. The Redskins are flexing their muscles after a Week 1 loss to the Giants. Pick: Washington
Jacksonville at Denver: The Jags lost a tight one last week to Pittsburgh, while the Broncos escaped against Tampa Bay. It’s really hard to pick against the Broncos at home. Pick: Denver
Philadelphia at San Francisco: The Eagles need to get on the stick or they will be left behind in the rugged NFC East. The mediocre 49ers should be able to help them with that. Pick: Philly
Green Bay at Seattle: The Seahawks are like Kryptonite on the road, but are super-tough at home. It’s a long way to Puget Sound for just about anybody. Pick: Seattle
New England at San Diego: Great matchup for the Sunday Night extravaganza. Chargers need this one more, and should be able to handle the Brady-less Patriots. Pick: San Diego
New York Giants at Cleveland: Dangerous game for the undefeated Giants. But, I’m picking them until they lose to someone, or until they play Dallas. Pick: Giants
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
College Picks, Week 7
Last Week: 17-3 (Awesome!)
Season: 92-28
This week includes the mother of all rivalries: OU-Texas. Interestingly, the Big 12 has three of the top five teams in the nation, and four of the top seven. That will change after this week.
Texas vs. Oklahoma at Dallas: Sooners are ranked #1 in the nation, while Texas has whipped five opponents to start the season, and is ranked #5. This has all the makings of a great game. Pick: OU
Oklahoma State vs. Missouri: Look for lots and lots of points in this game. Mizzou has an even more high-powered offense. OSU’s roll stops here. Pick: Missouri
Nebraska at Texas Tech: The Huskers got spanked last week by a good Missouri team, and now must go out to the plains of West Texas for another potential thrashing. Get your licks in on Nebraska now, because they’ll be back. Pick: Tech
Colorado at Kansas: Crucial game in Big 12 North. Colorado is stumbling after last week’s annihilation by Texas. Pick: KU
Kansas State at Texas A&M: Which team shows up for this game? A&M gets what looks to be a rare conference win. Pick: A&M
Iowa State at Baylor: Battle of Big 12 bottom feeders desperate for a win. Baylor has shown flashes of brilliance and is playing at home. Pick: Baylor
LSU at Florida: Which Gator team shows up? The one that whipped Tennessee and Miami, or the one that lost to Ole Miss? LSU has already won a big road game this season at Auburn. Pick: Florida
Tennessee at Georgia: Is it too early to start the countdown on Phil Fulmer? Georgia, and it might not even be close. Pick: Georgia
Notre Dame at North Carolina: Carolina is an interesting team. It’s always a big game when the Fighting Irish come to town, but the Tar Heels should be ready. Pick: UNC
Ohio State at Purdue: Purdue got spanked last week by Penn State, while the Buckeyes proved themselves on the road at Wisconsin. Look for form to hold true this week. Pick: TOSU
Arizona State at USC: USC came back to life last week by drilling Oregon. Arizona State heads back to the desert with their heads between their legs. Pick: USC
TCU at Colorado State: TCU is toying with the rest of the Mountain West before they run into BYU and Utah. Pick: TCU
Clemson at Wake Forest (Thursday): Clemson has been sorely disappointing this year, after being picked by some to finish undefeated. Wake lost an inexplicable game last week to Navy. Strange things happen on Thursday nights, but Wake should have the edge. Pick: Wake Forest
Minnesota at Illinois: The Gophers need just two more wins to become bowl-eligible. They won’t get one this week in Champaign. Pick: Illini
South Carolina at Kentucky: Gamecocks saved some face last week with a win at Ole Miss. UK had their chances at Alabama before losing, 17-14. Pick: Kentucky
UCLA at Oregon: Late night game at Autzen Stadium does not bode well for the Bruins. Ok, the game isn’t late out there, but it is for the rest of us. Oregon should cruise. Pick: Oregon
Michigan State at Northwestern: Wildcats are undefeated, putting my preseason projections to shame. Spartans have only lost once, at California. Winner stays tied for first place in the Big Ten. Pick: Northwestern
Vanderbilt at Mississippi State: Commodores are riding high after last week’s win over Auburn. Can they keep the string going? They will this week. Pick: Vandy
Arizona at Stanford: Wildcats only need two more wins to become bowl-eligible. Stanford is wildly inconsistent. This will be an up week for the Cardinal. Pick: Stanford.
Stony Brook at Liberty: Stony Brook is 1-4 this season, and must travel down to Lynchburg for this one. It’ll be a long trip back to Long Island for the Seawolves. Pick: Liberty
Season: 92-28
This week includes the mother of all rivalries: OU-Texas. Interestingly, the Big 12 has three of the top five teams in the nation, and four of the top seven. That will change after this week.
Texas vs. Oklahoma at Dallas: Sooners are ranked #1 in the nation, while Texas has whipped five opponents to start the season, and is ranked #5. This has all the makings of a great game. Pick: OU
Oklahoma State vs. Missouri: Look for lots and lots of points in this game. Mizzou has an even more high-powered offense. OSU’s roll stops here. Pick: Missouri
Nebraska at Texas Tech: The Huskers got spanked last week by a good Missouri team, and now must go out to the plains of West Texas for another potential thrashing. Get your licks in on Nebraska now, because they’ll be back. Pick: Tech
Colorado at Kansas: Crucial game in Big 12 North. Colorado is stumbling after last week’s annihilation by Texas. Pick: KU
Kansas State at Texas A&M: Which team shows up for this game? A&M gets what looks to be a rare conference win. Pick: A&M
Iowa State at Baylor: Battle of Big 12 bottom feeders desperate for a win. Baylor has shown flashes of brilliance and is playing at home. Pick: Baylor
LSU at Florida: Which Gator team shows up? The one that whipped Tennessee and Miami, or the one that lost to Ole Miss? LSU has already won a big road game this season at Auburn. Pick: Florida
Tennessee at Georgia: Is it too early to start the countdown on Phil Fulmer? Georgia, and it might not even be close. Pick: Georgia
Notre Dame at North Carolina: Carolina is an interesting team. It’s always a big game when the Fighting Irish come to town, but the Tar Heels should be ready. Pick: UNC
Ohio State at Purdue: Purdue got spanked last week by Penn State, while the Buckeyes proved themselves on the road at Wisconsin. Look for form to hold true this week. Pick: TOSU
Arizona State at USC: USC came back to life last week by drilling Oregon. Arizona State heads back to the desert with their heads between their legs. Pick: USC
TCU at Colorado State: TCU is toying with the rest of the Mountain West before they run into BYU and Utah. Pick: TCU
Clemson at Wake Forest (Thursday): Clemson has been sorely disappointing this year, after being picked by some to finish undefeated. Wake lost an inexplicable game last week to Navy. Strange things happen on Thursday nights, but Wake should have the edge. Pick: Wake Forest
Minnesota at Illinois: The Gophers need just two more wins to become bowl-eligible. They won’t get one this week in Champaign. Pick: Illini
South Carolina at Kentucky: Gamecocks saved some face last week with a win at Ole Miss. UK had their chances at Alabama before losing, 17-14. Pick: Kentucky
UCLA at Oregon: Late night game at Autzen Stadium does not bode well for the Bruins. Ok, the game isn’t late out there, but it is for the rest of us. Oregon should cruise. Pick: Oregon
Michigan State at Northwestern: Wildcats are undefeated, putting my preseason projections to shame. Spartans have only lost once, at California. Winner stays tied for first place in the Big Ten. Pick: Northwestern
Vanderbilt at Mississippi State: Commodores are riding high after last week’s win over Auburn. Can they keep the string going? They will this week. Pick: Vandy
Arizona at Stanford: Wildcats only need two more wins to become bowl-eligible. Stanford is wildly inconsistent. This will be an up week for the Cardinal. Pick: Stanford.
Stony Brook at Liberty: Stony Brook is 1-4 this season, and must travel down to Lynchburg for this one. It’ll be a long trip back to Long Island for the Seawolves. Pick: Liberty
Monday, October 06, 2008
Ugly Uniform of the Day
Normally, I find the WNBA not worthy of comment. I think I heard that Detroit (coached by the great Bill Laimbeer) won the title over the weekend. However, I saw some really gross uniforms on SportsCenter the other night.
The Los Angeles Sparks were wearing these purple things with designs all over them. If they wore long pants, they would have looked like pajamas. These are U-G-L-Y! In researching these things, I found that they wear a similar gold uniform at home. Gross!
These uniforms are putrid. Yet another reason not to watch the WNBA.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
NFL Picks, Week 5
NFL picks for Week 5..my, how time flies…
Last week: 11-2 (yes!)
Season: 39-21
Cincinnati at Dallas: The hapless Bengals visit the Stadium With The Hole In The Roof. Chad Ocho Cinco really needs to get it together. It’ll be hard for him without QB Carson Palmer. The Cowboys lost a tough game last week, and should be able to bounce back Sunday. Pick: Dallas
Tennessee at Baltimore: The Titans are undefeated heading into Crab City. The Ravens lost in overtime last Monday night in Pittsburgh. The Titans are good, but not good enough to skate through the whole schedule undefeated. Pick: Baltimore
Kansas City at Carolina: The miserable Chiefs got a surprising win last week over Denver. Can they make it two in a row? No. Pick: Carolina
Chicago at Detroit: The Windy City is having a rough week in baseball. They’ll make up for it in football, at least for a week. Pick: Chicago
Atlanta at Green Bay: Word is that Packers QB Aaron Rodgers may not play. That makes this game more interesting. Still, the Falcons have no business winning this game. Pick: Green Bay
Indianapolis at Houston: The Texans finally get to play a home game. Since the roof of Reliant Stadium was damaged by Hurricane Ike, the Texans will play eight home games outdoors. They came close last week in Jacksonville. Now, the suddenly mortal Colts come calling. Tough pick here. Pick: Indy
San Diego at Miami: The Chargers are once again starting to put it together. The Dolphins have the potential to be dangerous here. Pick: San Diego
Seattle at New York Giants: The Giants look like the best team in the league at this point in the season. Pick: Giants
Washington at Philadelphia: The Redskins got an unexpected win last week in Dallas. The Eagles failed to defend the honor of the NFC East last week, losing to Chicago for the division’s first loss against outside competition. Washington can’t help but have a letdown here. Pick: Philly
Tampa Bay at Denver: The Bucs continue to win games. The Broncos lost an unthinkable game last week in Kansas City. Denver bounces back here. Pick: Denver
Buffalo at Arizona: The Bills are undefeated. The Cardinals are really glad to be back home, after two bad losses on the East Coast. Like the Titans, the Bills can’t go undefeated forever. Pick: Arizona
New England at San Francisco: The Patriots are looking for answers after a bye week. The mad scientist, Bill Belichick, finds a way to get the Pats back on track. The Niners will be more than happy to help. Pick: New England
Minnesota at New Orleans: There should be plenty of offense on Monday night. Pick: New Orleans
Last week: 11-2 (yes!)
Season: 39-21
Cincinnati at Dallas: The hapless Bengals visit the Stadium With The Hole In The Roof. Chad Ocho Cinco really needs to get it together. It’ll be hard for him without QB Carson Palmer. The Cowboys lost a tough game last week, and should be able to bounce back Sunday. Pick: Dallas
Tennessee at Baltimore: The Titans are undefeated heading into Crab City. The Ravens lost in overtime last Monday night in Pittsburgh. The Titans are good, but not good enough to skate through the whole schedule undefeated. Pick: Baltimore
Kansas City at Carolina: The miserable Chiefs got a surprising win last week over Denver. Can they make it two in a row? No. Pick: Carolina
Chicago at Detroit: The Windy City is having a rough week in baseball. They’ll make up for it in football, at least for a week. Pick: Chicago
Atlanta at Green Bay: Word is that Packers QB Aaron Rodgers may not play. That makes this game more interesting. Still, the Falcons have no business winning this game. Pick: Green Bay
Indianapolis at Houston: The Texans finally get to play a home game. Since the roof of Reliant Stadium was damaged by Hurricane Ike, the Texans will play eight home games outdoors. They came close last week in Jacksonville. Now, the suddenly mortal Colts come calling. Tough pick here. Pick: Indy
San Diego at Miami: The Chargers are once again starting to put it together. The Dolphins have the potential to be dangerous here. Pick: San Diego
Seattle at New York Giants: The Giants look like the best team in the league at this point in the season. Pick: Giants
Washington at Philadelphia: The Redskins got an unexpected win last week in Dallas. The Eagles failed to defend the honor of the NFC East last week, losing to Chicago for the division’s first loss against outside competition. Washington can’t help but have a letdown here. Pick: Philly
Tampa Bay at Denver: The Bucs continue to win games. The Broncos lost an unthinkable game last week in Kansas City. Denver bounces back here. Pick: Denver
Buffalo at Arizona: The Bills are undefeated. The Cardinals are really glad to be back home, after two bad losses on the East Coast. Like the Titans, the Bills can’t go undefeated forever. Pick: Arizona
New England at San Francisco: The Patriots are looking for answers after a bye week. The mad scientist, Bill Belichick, finds a way to get the Pats back on track. The Niners will be more than happy to help. Pick: New England
Minnesota at New Orleans: There should be plenty of offense on Monday night. Pick: New Orleans
Friday, October 03, 2008
Ugly Uniform of the Day
I am a fan of the throwback jersey. Most of the time. I make exceptions for that from time to time, though.
Before their run of four Super Bowl wins in the 1970's that put them on the map, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the most hapless franchise in the NFL. You would think the Steelers would want to forget about those days. But, no.. The Steelers have chosen to wear this ugly ensemble as a throwback uniform. This is what the Steelers wore in the 1960's when they royally stunk up the field.
The gold helmets and white pants do not go with the black jerseys. My high school wore black and gold, and they never tried to wear a gold helmet with white pants and a black jersey. But, the Steelers are in the NFL. They should know better.
This comes from the same city that gave us the Pirates' mix and match uniforms in the 1970's. Go figure.
Yuck.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
College Picks: Week 6
Last Week: 14-6
Season: 75-25
Another week of picks…this week includes the first week of conference play in the Big 12.
Oklahoma at Baylor: Poor Baylor. The Bears open Big 12 play against the #1 team in the nation. Sooners get a warm-up for Texas this week. Pick: OU
Texas at Colorado: Longhorns rolled through their non-conference schedule. Buffs have a chance to pull the upset at night in the mountains. However, the better team should win this game. Pick: Texas
Texas A&M at Oklahoma State: Aggies vs. Aggies. The Texas Aggies are struggling in a big way, and now enter conference play. OSU has a very good chance to move to 5-0. If they don’t, something is wrong. Pick: OSU
Missouri at Nebraska: If Missouri is going to contend for a conference and national championship, they must win this game. The Huskers came close but just short of an upset over Virginia Tech last week. Missouri is a better team than the Hokies. Pick: Missouri
Texas Tech at Kansas State: See Missouri. If Texas Tech is going to contend for any type of championship, they must win this game. This will be closer than it should be, but Tech should win the game. Pick: Tech
Kansas at Iowa State: Jayhawks are favored in dangerous road trip. They should live up to that billing. Pick: KU
Oregon State at Utah: One week after knocking off top-ranked USC, the Beavers must travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utes. That’s an order as tall as the Wasatch Mountains. Pick: Utah.
Kentucky at Alabama: Alabama proved last week they are the real deal. Pick: Alabama
Florida State at Miami: Florida State appears to be slightly ahead of Miami in their respective rebuilding processes. This was once the biggest game in America. Now it’s barely on the radar outside Florida. Pick: FSU
Illinois at Michigan: The Wolverines saved their season last week with a comeback win over Wisconsin. The Illini were competitive with Penn State for part of the game last week. Someone at the Big Ten office doesn’t like the Illini, sticking them with back-to-back road trips to Penn State and Michigan. Pick: Michigan
Ohio State at Wisconsin: Buckeyes visit Madison in a huge game with Rose Bowl implications. Badgers still don’t know what happened to them last week in Ann Arbor after blowing a 19-0 lead. Pick: Ohio State
Oregon at USC: Trojans were exposed as mortal last week by Oregon State. USC bounces back against the Ducks. Pick: USC
Auburn at Vanderbilt: Hell is freezing over. Vanderbilt is ranked 19th in the nation, and College Gameday is broadcasting from Vandy on Saturday morning. All good things come to an end, though, as Auburn restores order in the SEC. Pick: Auburn
Connecticut at North Carolina: Huskies are 5-0, but face their biggest test yet. Pick: North Carolina
Boston College at N.C. State: Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien faces his former team. Pick: Boston College
Duke at Georgia Tech: Don’t look now, but the Dukies are 3-1. Yellow Jackets run all over Duke with the option. Pick: GT
Penn State at Purdue: Nittany Lions face challenging game as favorite in Big Ten. Purdue got plastered last week at Notre Dame. Penn State should be able to handle this one. Pick: Penn State
Iowa at Michigan State: Michigan State could be a surprise team in the Big Ten. They need this game to stay in the lead. Pick: MSU
South Carolina at Ole Miss: It’s desperation time for the Gamecocks, who can’t seem to capture the previous success of current coach Steve Spurrier and former coach Lou Holtz. They now head to Oxford to take on last week’s upset king Ole Miss. Pick: Ole Miss
Hardin-Simmons at Mary Hardin-Baylor: Both schools own the American Southwest Conference and Division III in Texas. UMHB has been a little better in recent years. Pick: Mary Hardin-Baylor
Season: 75-25
Another week of picks…this week includes the first week of conference play in the Big 12.
Oklahoma at Baylor: Poor Baylor. The Bears open Big 12 play against the #1 team in the nation. Sooners get a warm-up for Texas this week. Pick: OU
Texas at Colorado: Longhorns rolled through their non-conference schedule. Buffs have a chance to pull the upset at night in the mountains. However, the better team should win this game. Pick: Texas
Texas A&M at Oklahoma State: Aggies vs. Aggies. The Texas Aggies are struggling in a big way, and now enter conference play. OSU has a very good chance to move to 5-0. If they don’t, something is wrong. Pick: OSU
Missouri at Nebraska: If Missouri is going to contend for a conference and national championship, they must win this game. The Huskers came close but just short of an upset over Virginia Tech last week. Missouri is a better team than the Hokies. Pick: Missouri
Texas Tech at Kansas State: See Missouri. If Texas Tech is going to contend for any type of championship, they must win this game. This will be closer than it should be, but Tech should win the game. Pick: Tech
Kansas at Iowa State: Jayhawks are favored in dangerous road trip. They should live up to that billing. Pick: KU
Oregon State at Utah: One week after knocking off top-ranked USC, the Beavers must travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utes. That’s an order as tall as the Wasatch Mountains. Pick: Utah.
Kentucky at Alabama: Alabama proved last week they are the real deal. Pick: Alabama
Florida State at Miami: Florida State appears to be slightly ahead of Miami in their respective rebuilding processes. This was once the biggest game in America. Now it’s barely on the radar outside Florida. Pick: FSU
Illinois at Michigan: The Wolverines saved their season last week with a comeback win over Wisconsin. The Illini were competitive with Penn State for part of the game last week. Someone at the Big Ten office doesn’t like the Illini, sticking them with back-to-back road trips to Penn State and Michigan. Pick: Michigan
Ohio State at Wisconsin: Buckeyes visit Madison in a huge game with Rose Bowl implications. Badgers still don’t know what happened to them last week in Ann Arbor after blowing a 19-0 lead. Pick: Ohio State
Oregon at USC: Trojans were exposed as mortal last week by Oregon State. USC bounces back against the Ducks. Pick: USC
Auburn at Vanderbilt: Hell is freezing over. Vanderbilt is ranked 19th in the nation, and College Gameday is broadcasting from Vandy on Saturday morning. All good things come to an end, though, as Auburn restores order in the SEC. Pick: Auburn
Connecticut at North Carolina: Huskies are 5-0, but face their biggest test yet. Pick: North Carolina
Boston College at N.C. State: Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien faces his former team. Pick: Boston College
Duke at Georgia Tech: Don’t look now, but the Dukies are 3-1. Yellow Jackets run all over Duke with the option. Pick: GT
Penn State at Purdue: Nittany Lions face challenging game as favorite in Big Ten. Purdue got plastered last week at Notre Dame. Penn State should be able to handle this one. Pick: Penn State
Iowa at Michigan State: Michigan State could be a surprise team in the Big Ten. They need this game to stay in the lead. Pick: MSU
South Carolina at Ole Miss: It’s desperation time for the Gamecocks, who can’t seem to capture the previous success of current coach Steve Spurrier and former coach Lou Holtz. They now head to Oxford to take on last week’s upset king Ole Miss. Pick: Ole Miss
Hardin-Simmons at Mary Hardin-Baylor: Both schools own the American Southwest Conference and Division III in Texas. UMHB has been a little better in recent years. Pick: Mary Hardin-Baylor
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Ugly Uniform of the Day
The New York Jets today wore throwback uniforms formerly worn by the New York Titans. The NY Titans was the original name of the Jets franchise when they came into the American Football League in 1960.
In 1964, Leon Hess, owner of the Hess oil corporation, was a partner that bought into the team. The team moved to Shea Stadium, took the name of Jets, and changed the team colors to green and white to match the colors of Hess gas stations.
The Jets need to stick with the green and white uniforms. These Titans uniforms are putrid. Brett Favre threw six touchdown passes today. Even that performance can't outdo the stink that these uniforms laid out onto the Meadowlands turf today.
Leave these New York Titans uniforms at Shea Stadium. Never mind that Shea is getting blown up. The unis can be blown up with it.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
NFL Picks: Week 4
NFL picks for this week…
Last week: 12-4 (much better!)
Season: 28-19
Washington at Dallas: The Greatest Division In Football, the NFC East, continues to flex its muscle. The division has only lost two games in three weeks, and those were to division opponents: Washington to the Giants and Philly to Dallas. The Cowboys are trying to keep up with the Giants and to hold off the Eagles and Redskins. The winning streak continues for Dallas. Pick: Dallas
Atlanta at Carolina: Don’t look now, but the Falcons are 2-1. They take the show up I-85 to face the Panthers, who lost last week for the first time. Things return to form this week. Pick: Carolina
San Francisco at New Orleans: This was once a division rivalry. Now, it’s just a couple of mediocre teams trying to play each other. Pick: New Orleans
Cleveland at Cincinnati: The state of Ohio is 0-6 so far this season. It’ll be 1-7 after this game. Someone has to win this one. The Browns have more hope than the Bengals. Pick: Cleveland
Minnesota at Tennessee: The Vikings visit Music City to face the undefeated Titans. Can the Vikes put together two wins in a row? Nah. Pick: Titans
Green Bay at Tampa Bay: A Bay will win this game. The Bucs got a good win last week in Chicago, while the Packers showed themselves to be inferior to the Cowboys. Pick: Tampa Bay
Denver at Kansas City: This was once a big rivalry with high stakes. It’s still a big rivalry, but the Chiefs stink. Pick: Denver
Houston at Jacksonville: The Texans are in danger of having a really terrible season. This trip to Jacksonville won’t help them. Pick: Jacksonville
Arizona at New York Jets: The combined ages of the quarterbacks in this game, Kurt Warner and Brett Favre, is approaching 300. Not quite, but it seems like it. Pick: Jets
San Diego at Oakland: The Chargers got back on track in a big way last week. The Raiders can’t even fire a coach correctly. Pick: San Diego
Buffalo at St. Louis: The Bills are undefeated and a team to watch in the AFC. The Rams aren’t even a team to watch in St. Louis. Pick: Buffalo
Philadelphia at Chicago: The Sunday Night Extravaganza comes to the shores of Lake Michigan. The Eagles are a good team that happens to be in the same division as the Giants and Cowboys. Donovan McNabb comes back to his hometown and gets a win. Pick: Iggles
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: Monday Night in the Steel City is always good entertainment. The home field advantage strongly favors the Steelers. Pick: Pittsburgh
Last week: 12-4 (much better!)
Season: 28-19
Washington at Dallas: The Greatest Division In Football, the NFC East, continues to flex its muscle. The division has only lost two games in three weeks, and those were to division opponents: Washington to the Giants and Philly to Dallas. The Cowboys are trying to keep up with the Giants and to hold off the Eagles and Redskins. The winning streak continues for Dallas. Pick: Dallas
Atlanta at Carolina: Don’t look now, but the Falcons are 2-1. They take the show up I-85 to face the Panthers, who lost last week for the first time. Things return to form this week. Pick: Carolina
San Francisco at New Orleans: This was once a division rivalry. Now, it’s just a couple of mediocre teams trying to play each other. Pick: New Orleans
Cleveland at Cincinnati: The state of Ohio is 0-6 so far this season. It’ll be 1-7 after this game. Someone has to win this one. The Browns have more hope than the Bengals. Pick: Cleveland
Minnesota at Tennessee: The Vikings visit Music City to face the undefeated Titans. Can the Vikes put together two wins in a row? Nah. Pick: Titans
Green Bay at Tampa Bay: A Bay will win this game. The Bucs got a good win last week in Chicago, while the Packers showed themselves to be inferior to the Cowboys. Pick: Tampa Bay
Denver at Kansas City: This was once a big rivalry with high stakes. It’s still a big rivalry, but the Chiefs stink. Pick: Denver
Houston at Jacksonville: The Texans are in danger of having a really terrible season. This trip to Jacksonville won’t help them. Pick: Jacksonville
Arizona at New York Jets: The combined ages of the quarterbacks in this game, Kurt Warner and Brett Favre, is approaching 300. Not quite, but it seems like it. Pick: Jets
San Diego at Oakland: The Chargers got back on track in a big way last week. The Raiders can’t even fire a coach correctly. Pick: San Diego
Buffalo at St. Louis: The Bills are undefeated and a team to watch in the AFC. The Rams aren’t even a team to watch in St. Louis. Pick: Buffalo
Philadelphia at Chicago: The Sunday Night Extravaganza comes to the shores of Lake Michigan. The Eagles are a good team that happens to be in the same division as the Giants and Cowboys. Donovan McNabb comes back to his hometown and gets a win. Pick: Iggles
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: Monday Night in the Steel City is always good entertainment. The home field advantage strongly favors the Steelers. Pick: Pittsburgh
Friday, September 26, 2008
College Picks: Week 5
This is already a crazy week in college football, as #1 is up for grabs thanks to USC’s Thursday night loss to Oregon State.
Last Week: 15-5
Season: 61-19
TCU at Oklahoma: The game of the week in the chicken fried kingdom has the Horned Frogs headed up I-35 to take on the Sooners. TCU has won their last two games in Norman: in 1996 and 2005. The Sooners have a better team this year, and won’t be overlooking the Frogs. TCU is by far the best non-conference team on OU’s schedule. Pick: OU
Arkansas at Texas: Hurricane Ike got this game two weeks ago, and the two teams happened to have a common open date this week, so they’ll try again. Arkansas is in a major rebuilding mode under Bobby Petrino. There is a good chance they may not win another game this season. The Longhorns have been impressive against inferior competition. This might get ugly. Pick: Texas
Virginia Tech at Nebraska: The Huskers have a chance to put themselves back on the map as the Hokies visit Lincoln. VT is looking better after blowing their opening game against East Carolina. The Huskers aren’t quite ready for prime time yet, but their time is coming. Pick: Virginia Tech
Army at Texas A&M: The real Army visits the fake army in College Station. The poor Cadets are winless against a weak schedule. Just what the doctor ordered for the Aggies. Pick: A&M
Louisiana-Lafayette at Kansas State: Another rent-a-win. Pick: K-State
Troy at Oklahoma State: Troy visits their second OSU in a row after losing to The Ohio State University in Columbus last week. Last year, the Trojans shocked the Cowboys in Alabama. Mike Gundy is still a man. OSU gets revenge. Pick: OSU
Colorado vs. Florida State at Jacksonville: Buffs got a big win over West Virginia last week. Now, they must go cross country to play an FSU team that lost at home to Wake Forest last week. The run ends for CU. Pick: FSU
Alabama at Georgia: Bubba Bowl. The Crimson Tide have returned to their traditional place in the Top 10. Georgia sits at #3, with a chance to move as high as #1 with a win. Bulldogs get a big win this week. Pick: Georgia
Tennessee at Auburn: The Vols are in sad shape after being walloped by Florida. Philip Fulmer better be checking his retirement accounts, because he may be forced to use them after this season. Auburn, on the other hand, lost a tough game at home last week to LSU. War Eagle won’t lose twice in a row. Pick: Auburn
Wisconsin at Michigan: The rebuilding year continues for Rich Rodriguez at Michigan. Wiscy is solid again, as usual. Pick: Wisconsin
Purdue at Notre Dame: Notre Dame was starting to feel good about itself until the Irish went to East Lansing last week and lost. Make two losses in a row to Big Ten teams for the Irish. Pick: Purdue
North Carolina at Miami: Butch Davis returns to South Florida to take on the Canes in their new digs at Dolphin Stadium. Miami got a big win last week over A&M, but a lot of teams are going to beat A&M this year. The Tar Heels have enough to pull this one off. Pick: North Carolina
Fresno State at UCLA: Which UCLA team shows up? The Bruins are reeling after a season-opening win against Tennessee. Can Fresno pull out the win here? Yes. Will they? Nah. Pick: UCLA
Illinois at Penn State: The Nittany Lions are looking like the favorite in the Big Ten now. They open Big Ten play against last year’s Rose Bowl team, the Fighting Illini. Pick: Penn State
Mississippi State at LSU: Tigers are still the favorite in the SEC West. Bulldogs just can’t hang with the Tigers. Pick: LSU
North Texas at Rice: North Texas is looking to drop to Class 5A after the next realignment. Just kidding. Pick: Rice
Ole Miss at Florida: The mighty Gators roll on. Pick: Florida
New Mexico at New Mexico State: Not many people outside of New Mexico care about this one, but don’t tell anyone in the Land of Enchantment. Pick: New Mexico
Nevada at UNLV: Another in-state rivalry. UNLV looks like it is turning the corner. Pick: UNLV
Austin Peay at Eastern Kentucky: Let’s Go Peay! EKU is at home in this one. Pick: Eastern Kentucky
Last Week: 15-5
Season: 61-19
TCU at Oklahoma: The game of the week in the chicken fried kingdom has the Horned Frogs headed up I-35 to take on the Sooners. TCU has won their last two games in Norman: in 1996 and 2005. The Sooners have a better team this year, and won’t be overlooking the Frogs. TCU is by far the best non-conference team on OU’s schedule. Pick: OU
Arkansas at Texas: Hurricane Ike got this game two weeks ago, and the two teams happened to have a common open date this week, so they’ll try again. Arkansas is in a major rebuilding mode under Bobby Petrino. There is a good chance they may not win another game this season. The Longhorns have been impressive against inferior competition. This might get ugly. Pick: Texas
Virginia Tech at Nebraska: The Huskers have a chance to put themselves back on the map as the Hokies visit Lincoln. VT is looking better after blowing their opening game against East Carolina. The Huskers aren’t quite ready for prime time yet, but their time is coming. Pick: Virginia Tech
Army at Texas A&M: The real Army visits the fake army in College Station. The poor Cadets are winless against a weak schedule. Just what the doctor ordered for the Aggies. Pick: A&M
Louisiana-Lafayette at Kansas State: Another rent-a-win. Pick: K-State
Troy at Oklahoma State: Troy visits their second OSU in a row after losing to The Ohio State University in Columbus last week. Last year, the Trojans shocked the Cowboys in Alabama. Mike Gundy is still a man. OSU gets revenge. Pick: OSU
Colorado vs. Florida State at Jacksonville: Buffs got a big win over West Virginia last week. Now, they must go cross country to play an FSU team that lost at home to Wake Forest last week. The run ends for CU. Pick: FSU
Alabama at Georgia: Bubba Bowl. The Crimson Tide have returned to their traditional place in the Top 10. Georgia sits at #3, with a chance to move as high as #1 with a win. Bulldogs get a big win this week. Pick: Georgia
Tennessee at Auburn: The Vols are in sad shape after being walloped by Florida. Philip Fulmer better be checking his retirement accounts, because he may be forced to use them after this season. Auburn, on the other hand, lost a tough game at home last week to LSU. War Eagle won’t lose twice in a row. Pick: Auburn
Wisconsin at Michigan: The rebuilding year continues for Rich Rodriguez at Michigan. Wiscy is solid again, as usual. Pick: Wisconsin
Purdue at Notre Dame: Notre Dame was starting to feel good about itself until the Irish went to East Lansing last week and lost. Make two losses in a row to Big Ten teams for the Irish. Pick: Purdue
North Carolina at Miami: Butch Davis returns to South Florida to take on the Canes in their new digs at Dolphin Stadium. Miami got a big win last week over A&M, but a lot of teams are going to beat A&M this year. The Tar Heels have enough to pull this one off. Pick: North Carolina
Fresno State at UCLA: Which UCLA team shows up? The Bruins are reeling after a season-opening win against Tennessee. Can Fresno pull out the win here? Yes. Will they? Nah. Pick: UCLA
Illinois at Penn State: The Nittany Lions are looking like the favorite in the Big Ten now. They open Big Ten play against last year’s Rose Bowl team, the Fighting Illini. Pick: Penn State
Mississippi State at LSU: Tigers are still the favorite in the SEC West. Bulldogs just can’t hang with the Tigers. Pick: LSU
North Texas at Rice: North Texas is looking to drop to Class 5A after the next realignment. Just kidding. Pick: Rice
Ole Miss at Florida: The mighty Gators roll on. Pick: Florida
New Mexico at New Mexico State: Not many people outside of New Mexico care about this one, but don’t tell anyone in the Land of Enchantment. Pick: New Mexico
Nevada at UNLV: Another in-state rivalry. UNLV looks like it is turning the corner. Pick: UNLV
Austin Peay at Eastern Kentucky: Let’s Go Peay! EKU is at home in this one. Pick: Eastern Kentucky
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Once A Weekend Sports Anchor in Anchorage....
...now Governor of Alaska, and possibly Vice President of the United States.
This is 24 year-old Sarah Heath, in 1988, a weekend sports anchor at KTUU television in Anchorage. She had no clue she would eventually marry snowmobile racing champion Todd Palin, become governor of Alaska, and possibly Vice President of the United States.
Is this a great country, or what?
This is 24 year-old Sarah Heath, in 1988, a weekend sports anchor at KTUU television in Anchorage. She had no clue she would eventually marry snowmobile racing champion Todd Palin, become governor of Alaska, and possibly Vice President of the United States.
Is this a great country, or what?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
NFL Picks, Week 3
Some more NFL picks while remaining evacuated due to Hurricane Ike…
Last Week: 8-7
Season: 16-15 (yuck!)
The NFL is a lot harder to predict than college football.
Dallas at Green Bay: The Cowboys travel to Green Bay for the first time in forever, and Tony Romo returns to his native state of Wisconsin. Aaron Rodgers is really, really hot as he replaces the great Brett Favre. Still, it’s hard for me to pick against the Cowboys. Do you really think I would do that? Pick: Dallas
Miami at New England: The Patriots won a game last week with Matt Cassel as starting quarterback in place of the injured Tom Brady. Now, the awful Dolphins visit Foxboro. The Pats have won 18 regular season games in a row. Make that 19. Pick: New England
Houston at Tennessee: The Texans visit the former Oilers. The Texans laid a big egg in their first game, then had an egg laid on top of them last week as a result of Hurricane Ike. The Titans are a surprising 2-0. Make that 3-0. Pick: Titans
Tampa Bay at Chicago: This game is the definition of unpredictable. Get ready for lots of defense in this one. Pick: Chicago
Cincinnati at New York Giants: The Bengals have started out really pathetic. The Giants have picked up where they left off in February. Pick: Giants
Arizona at Washington: Start printing playoff tickets in the desert, because the Cardinals are 2-0! This one will be a bit much for them, though. Pick: Washington
Carolina at Minnesota: The Panthers are 2-0, while the Vikings are a disappointing 0-2. Also, Adrian Peterson is a game-time decision for the Vikes. The Panthers make it three in a row. Pick: Carolina
Kansas City at Atlanta: Yuck. The Chiefs aren’t very good at all. The Falcons may turn out to be better than expected. Pick: Atlanta
Oakland at Buffalo: Watch out for Buffalo. The Bills are pretty good. Pick: Buffalo
Detroit at San Francisco: Somebody has to win this game. Pick: San Francisco
New Orleans at Denver: Attention, AFC: The Broncos are back. Pick: Denver
St. Louis at Seattle: Somebody has to win this game, also. The Rams are putrid. Pick: Seattle
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia: Winner gets to paint the state capitol in Harrisburg in their team colors. The Linc will be rocking for this one. Pick: Philly
Cleveland at Baltimore: The new Browns visit the old Browns. Cleveland is off to a slow start. The Ravens steal one at home. Pick: Baltimore
Jacksonville at Indianapolis: AFC South showdown. The Jags really need a win here. So do the Colts, as they limp along at 1-1. Pick: Colts
New York Jets at San Diego: Brett Favre appears on Monday Night Football once again. The Chargers are very desperate, especially after last week’s questionable loss in Denver. Chargers roll in this one. Pick: San Diego
Last Week: 8-7
Season: 16-15 (yuck!)
The NFL is a lot harder to predict than college football.
Dallas at Green Bay: The Cowboys travel to Green Bay for the first time in forever, and Tony Romo returns to his native state of Wisconsin. Aaron Rodgers is really, really hot as he replaces the great Brett Favre. Still, it’s hard for me to pick against the Cowboys. Do you really think I would do that? Pick: Dallas
Miami at New England: The Patriots won a game last week with Matt Cassel as starting quarterback in place of the injured Tom Brady. Now, the awful Dolphins visit Foxboro. The Pats have won 18 regular season games in a row. Make that 19. Pick: New England
Houston at Tennessee: The Texans visit the former Oilers. The Texans laid a big egg in their first game, then had an egg laid on top of them last week as a result of Hurricane Ike. The Titans are a surprising 2-0. Make that 3-0. Pick: Titans
Tampa Bay at Chicago: This game is the definition of unpredictable. Get ready for lots of defense in this one. Pick: Chicago
Cincinnati at New York Giants: The Bengals have started out really pathetic. The Giants have picked up where they left off in February. Pick: Giants
Arizona at Washington: Start printing playoff tickets in the desert, because the Cardinals are 2-0! This one will be a bit much for them, though. Pick: Washington
Carolina at Minnesota: The Panthers are 2-0, while the Vikings are a disappointing 0-2. Also, Adrian Peterson is a game-time decision for the Vikes. The Panthers make it three in a row. Pick: Carolina
Kansas City at Atlanta: Yuck. The Chiefs aren’t very good at all. The Falcons may turn out to be better than expected. Pick: Atlanta
Oakland at Buffalo: Watch out for Buffalo. The Bills are pretty good. Pick: Buffalo
Detroit at San Francisco: Somebody has to win this game. Pick: San Francisco
New Orleans at Denver: Attention, AFC: The Broncos are back. Pick: Denver
St. Louis at Seattle: Somebody has to win this game, also. The Rams are putrid. Pick: Seattle
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia: Winner gets to paint the state capitol in Harrisburg in their team colors. The Linc will be rocking for this one. Pick: Philly
Cleveland at Baltimore: The new Browns visit the old Browns. Cleveland is off to a slow start. The Ravens steal one at home. Pick: Baltimore
Jacksonville at Indianapolis: AFC South showdown. The Jags really need a win here. So do the Colts, as they limp along at 1-1. Pick: Colts
New York Jets at San Diego: Brett Favre appears on Monday Night Football once again. The Chargers are very desperate, especially after last week’s questionable loss in Denver. Chargers roll in this one. Pick: San Diego
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
College Picks, Week 4
Last Week: 14-6
Season: 46-14
This week’s games begin on Wednesday night, so the picks are a little early.
Kansas State at Louisville (Wednesday): Steve Kragthorpe has to be wondering if it was worth it to leave Tulsa for Louisville. The Ville has struggled in the last season plus the first part of this one. They get a home game against Kansas State, who suddenly isn’t afraid to go on the road to play a decent team. This will be a pretty good game, especially for a Wednesday night. Pick: Louisville
West Virginia at Colorado (Thursday): The Mountaineers were proven mortal by East Carolina two weeks ago. They now head to the other mountains to take on the improving Buffs. Tough pick. Strange things happen on Thursday nights. Pick: Colorado
Baylor at Connecticut: It’s a long way from Waco to East Hartford. The Bears have to be feeling pretty good after getting two lopsided wins in a row. But, the Huskies are feeling even better after pounding Virginia. Pick: UConn
Miami at Texas A&M: In the 90’s, this would have been a titanic matchup. Now, it’s two names with not nearly as much game. The Aggies regained a bit of respect by going out and getting a win at New Mexico in their last game. The Canes are a shadow of their former selves. Pick: A&M
Sam Houston State at Kansas: Mismatch alert. Pick: KU
Rice at Texas: The Feisty Knightbirds come into this one with a winning record after three games. The Horns have been impressive in wins over Florida Atlantic and UTEP. Pick: Texas
Iowa State at UNLV: The Clones go to Sin City to face a hot UNLV team. The Rebels got their biggest victory in years last week with a 23-20 overtime win at Arizona State. Pick: UNLV
Buffalo at Missouri: The Bulls are improved, but aren’t in Mizzou’s league. Pick: Missouri
Massachusetts at Texas Tech: There is a really big difference between Amherst, Massachusetts and Lubbock, Texas. UMass is a pretty good FCS program, so there may not be quite as much difference between the football teams. Still, Tech should win comfortably. Pick: Tech
Florida at Tennessee: It’s going to be really hard for the Big Orange to beat the Gators, even in Knoxville. Pick: Florida
Georgia at Arizona State: The Bulldogs leave the Peach State for a non-conference game for the first time in eons. They head to the desert to play an ASU team that is reeling from a shocking overtime loss at home to UNLV. The Bulldogs have fallen from 1st to 2nd to 3rd in the polls without losing. They get a statement win this week. Pick: Georgia
LSU at Auburn: LSU visits the Loveliest Village on the Plains for a titanic SEC Saturday night battle. This has become the biggest game in the SEC West year after year. Winner gets the inside track to a trip to Atlanta in December. Pick: Auburn
Notre Dame at Michigan State: The Irish are smiling after last week’s whipping of Michigan. They now head up the road to East Lansing for a chance to go undefeated against the Great Lakes State. Michigan State is improving a lot. The green team wins this one. Pick: Michigan State
Virginia Tech at North Carolina: Ambush alert. Butch Davis has the Tar Heels up and going now, evidenced by last week’s thrashing of Rutgers in New Jersey. Tech has already lost to East Carolina before winning home games over Furman and Georgia Tech. Pick: North Carolina
East Carolina at N.C. State: Pirates have been giant killers this month with wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia. The Wolfpack aren’t as good as either of those teams. Pick: East Carolina
Arizona at UCLA: Both teams lost on the road to Mountain West teams last week. Arizona lost at New Mexico, while the Bruins were pounded by BYU, 59-0. Can the Bruins find anything after that debacle? Probably. Pick: UCLA
TCU at SMU: The Iron Skillet is on the line once again. TCU is rolling right along, and won’t overlook the Ponies. Pick: TCU
Alabama at Arkansas: The Hogs are the worst 2-0 team in America, having squeaked out wins over Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe. Alabama has shown signs of returning to greatness. Pick: Alabama
Mississippi State at Georgia Tech: State lost a baseball game last week to Auburn, 3-2. Georgia Tech has looked pretty good running the option, but lost last week in a trip to Virginia Tech. Pick: Georgia Tech
Central Michigan at Purdue: These teams play all the time, it seems. They played twice last season: a regular season game in West Lafayette and in the Motor City Bowl. Purdue won both games. They’ll win this one, also. However, it won’t be easy. Pick: Purdue
Season: 46-14
This week’s games begin on Wednesday night, so the picks are a little early.
Kansas State at Louisville (Wednesday): Steve Kragthorpe has to be wondering if it was worth it to leave Tulsa for Louisville. The Ville has struggled in the last season plus the first part of this one. They get a home game against Kansas State, who suddenly isn’t afraid to go on the road to play a decent team. This will be a pretty good game, especially for a Wednesday night. Pick: Louisville
West Virginia at Colorado (Thursday): The Mountaineers were proven mortal by East Carolina two weeks ago. They now head to the other mountains to take on the improving Buffs. Tough pick. Strange things happen on Thursday nights. Pick: Colorado
Baylor at Connecticut: It’s a long way from Waco to East Hartford. The Bears have to be feeling pretty good after getting two lopsided wins in a row. But, the Huskies are feeling even better after pounding Virginia. Pick: UConn
Miami at Texas A&M: In the 90’s, this would have been a titanic matchup. Now, it’s two names with not nearly as much game. The Aggies regained a bit of respect by going out and getting a win at New Mexico in their last game. The Canes are a shadow of their former selves. Pick: A&M
Sam Houston State at Kansas: Mismatch alert. Pick: KU
Rice at Texas: The Feisty Knightbirds come into this one with a winning record after three games. The Horns have been impressive in wins over Florida Atlantic and UTEP. Pick: Texas
Iowa State at UNLV: The Clones go to Sin City to face a hot UNLV team. The Rebels got their biggest victory in years last week with a 23-20 overtime win at Arizona State. Pick: UNLV
Buffalo at Missouri: The Bulls are improved, but aren’t in Mizzou’s league. Pick: Missouri
Massachusetts at Texas Tech: There is a really big difference between Amherst, Massachusetts and Lubbock, Texas. UMass is a pretty good FCS program, so there may not be quite as much difference between the football teams. Still, Tech should win comfortably. Pick: Tech
Florida at Tennessee: It’s going to be really hard for the Big Orange to beat the Gators, even in Knoxville. Pick: Florida
Georgia at Arizona State: The Bulldogs leave the Peach State for a non-conference game for the first time in eons. They head to the desert to play an ASU team that is reeling from a shocking overtime loss at home to UNLV. The Bulldogs have fallen from 1st to 2nd to 3rd in the polls without losing. They get a statement win this week. Pick: Georgia
LSU at Auburn: LSU visits the Loveliest Village on the Plains for a titanic SEC Saturday night battle. This has become the biggest game in the SEC West year after year. Winner gets the inside track to a trip to Atlanta in December. Pick: Auburn
Notre Dame at Michigan State: The Irish are smiling after last week’s whipping of Michigan. They now head up the road to East Lansing for a chance to go undefeated against the Great Lakes State. Michigan State is improving a lot. The green team wins this one. Pick: Michigan State
Virginia Tech at North Carolina: Ambush alert. Butch Davis has the Tar Heels up and going now, evidenced by last week’s thrashing of Rutgers in New Jersey. Tech has already lost to East Carolina before winning home games over Furman and Georgia Tech. Pick: North Carolina
East Carolina at N.C. State: Pirates have been giant killers this month with wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia. The Wolfpack aren’t as good as either of those teams. Pick: East Carolina
Arizona at UCLA: Both teams lost on the road to Mountain West teams last week. Arizona lost at New Mexico, while the Bruins were pounded by BYU, 59-0. Can the Bruins find anything after that debacle? Probably. Pick: UCLA
TCU at SMU: The Iron Skillet is on the line once again. TCU is rolling right along, and won’t overlook the Ponies. Pick: TCU
Alabama at Arkansas: The Hogs are the worst 2-0 team in America, having squeaked out wins over Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe. Alabama has shown signs of returning to greatness. Pick: Alabama
Mississippi State at Georgia Tech: State lost a baseball game last week to Auburn, 3-2. Georgia Tech has looked pretty good running the option, but lost last week in a trip to Virginia Tech. Pick: Georgia Tech
Central Michigan at Purdue: These teams play all the time, it seems. They played twice last season: a regular season game in West Lafayette and in the Motor City Bowl. Purdue won both games. They’ll win this one, also. However, it won’t be easy. Pick: Purdue
Sunday, September 14, 2008
NFL Picks: Week 2
NFL Picks, Week 2
Quick picks after a long trip and a hurricane….
Last Week: 8-8
Season: 8-8
Philadelphia at Dallas: Both teams were impressive last week in big wins. Cowboys are at home on Monday night. Pick: Dallas
Tennessee at Cincinnati: Titans rode the arm of Kerry Collins to a win last week over the Jags. This week, they face the Ocho Cincos of Cincinnati. Pick: Cincinnati
Buffalo at Jacksonville: Bills looked sharp last week in dismantling of Seattle. Jags return home after losing to the Titans. Pick: Jacksonville
Oakland at Kansas City: Raiders got spanked last week on Monday night. It looks like another long year in the Black Hole. Pick: Kansas City
Indianapolis at Minnesota: Great matchup in spite of the Vikings’ loss last week in Green Bay. Colts didn’t look real great last week, either. The Colts are too good to go 0-2. Pick: Indy
Chicago at Carolina: Two surprise winners from last week. Is the magic back in Carolina? It’s too easy to tell. If the Bears can spoil the opening of the Colts’ new stadium, they can win here. Pick: Bears
Green Bay at Detroit: Lions were their normal selves in an opening-week loss to Atlanta. They come home to face the Favre-less Packers. Pick: Detroit
New York Giants at St. Louis: The Rams were really awful last week in being drubbed by Philadelphia. Now, they face the defending Super Bowl champions. Pick: Giants
New Orleans at Washington: Saints go on the road. Washington is really unpredictable. Pick: Redskins
Atlanta at Tampa Bay: Break up the Falcons! They’re 1-0. Not after this week. Pick: Tampa Bay
San Francisco at Seattle: Seattle is down to wide receivers off the street. Still, they’re playing the awful 49ers. Pick: Seattle
New England at New York Jets: This one is full of drama, as Brett Favre plays his first home game at the Meadowlands, and the Patriots play their first game without Tom Brady. This is the biggest injury in the NFL in years. Brady is the straw that stirs the Patriots’ drink. Pick: Jets
San Diego at Denver: Denver is flying high after pounding the Raiders late last Monday night. Chargers need a win to avoid going 0-2. Pick: Denver
Miami at Arizona: Yuck. Pick: Arizona
Pittsburgh at Cleveland: This should be fun, as no one hates the Steelers more than the people in Cleveland. The Steelers are a better team, though. Pick: Pittsburgh.
Baltimore at Houston: Oops. Hurricane Ike got this one. They’ll play later in the year.
Quick picks after a long trip and a hurricane….
Last Week: 8-8
Season: 8-8
Philadelphia at Dallas: Both teams were impressive last week in big wins. Cowboys are at home on Monday night. Pick: Dallas
Tennessee at Cincinnati: Titans rode the arm of Kerry Collins to a win last week over the Jags. This week, they face the Ocho Cincos of Cincinnati. Pick: Cincinnati
Buffalo at Jacksonville: Bills looked sharp last week in dismantling of Seattle. Jags return home after losing to the Titans. Pick: Jacksonville
Oakland at Kansas City: Raiders got spanked last week on Monday night. It looks like another long year in the Black Hole. Pick: Kansas City
Indianapolis at Minnesota: Great matchup in spite of the Vikings’ loss last week in Green Bay. Colts didn’t look real great last week, either. The Colts are too good to go 0-2. Pick: Indy
Chicago at Carolina: Two surprise winners from last week. Is the magic back in Carolina? It’s too easy to tell. If the Bears can spoil the opening of the Colts’ new stadium, they can win here. Pick: Bears
Green Bay at Detroit: Lions were their normal selves in an opening-week loss to Atlanta. They come home to face the Favre-less Packers. Pick: Detroit
New York Giants at St. Louis: The Rams were really awful last week in being drubbed by Philadelphia. Now, they face the defending Super Bowl champions. Pick: Giants
New Orleans at Washington: Saints go on the road. Washington is really unpredictable. Pick: Redskins
Atlanta at Tampa Bay: Break up the Falcons! They’re 1-0. Not after this week. Pick: Tampa Bay
San Francisco at Seattle: Seattle is down to wide receivers off the street. Still, they’re playing the awful 49ers. Pick: Seattle
New England at New York Jets: This one is full of drama, as Brett Favre plays his first home game at the Meadowlands, and the Patriots play their first game without Tom Brady. This is the biggest injury in the NFL in years. Brady is the straw that stirs the Patriots’ drink. Pick: Jets
San Diego at Denver: Denver is flying high after pounding the Raiders late last Monday night. Chargers need a win to avoid going 0-2. Pick: Denver
Miami at Arizona: Yuck. Pick: Arizona
Pittsburgh at Cleveland: This should be fun, as no one hates the Steelers more than the people in Cleveland. The Steelers are a better team, though. Pick: Pittsburgh.
Baltimore at Houston: Oops. Hurricane Ike got this one. They’ll play later in the year.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
College Picks: Week 3
Better late than never….
These picks are being made somewhere above the Atlantic Ocean. By the time I post these from the Newark airport, some of these games will be in progress.
Oklahoma at Washington: Washington lost last week on a questionable call of celebration in the end zone after a potentially game-tying touchdown. The Tyrone Willingham Death March continues, as the mighty Sooners visit the Great Northwest. The last time the Sooners visited the Northwest, Oregon stunned OU on some questionable late-game officiating. Perhaps the Pac-10 refs will get it right tonight. Pick: OU
Arkansas at Texas: Postponed. Pick: Hurricane Ike
Kansas at South Florida (Friday): I would have picked South Florida, and they won. This one doesn’t count.
Iowa State at Iowa: The Cyclones have won their first two games, but take a step up in competition against the Hawkeyes. The Cyclones more than hold their own against Iowa, a point of contention among Hawkeye fans. Go with the home team here. Pick: Iowa
Nevada at Missouri: Is Nevada trying to join the Big 12? This is their second game in a row against a Big 12 team, as they lost at home last week to Texas Tech. The Wolf Pack visit Columbia in what could be either a good game or a blowout. Missouri cruises in this one. Pick: Mizzou
New Mexico State at Nebraska: Years ago, this would have been a mismatch of Biblical proportions. It still won’t be close. Pick: Nebraska
Washington State at Baylor: Wazzu is at rock bottom. They can only go up. They now go into the land of Dr Pepper to take on Baylor, who pounded Northwestern State last week. Hey, it was Northwestern State, but it’s news when Baylor pounds anybody. Two in a row for the Bears. Pick: Baylor
Missouri State at Oklahoma State: Rent-a-win. Missouri State gets to pay for a women’s sport with the money from tonight’s check from OSU. Pick: OSU
SMU at Texas Tech: The Mustangs aren’t ready for prime time. Tech is. Pick: Texas Tech
Ohio State at USC: TOSU flies to the Left Coast bumbling and stumbling. USC is a well-oiled machine. Pick: USC
Michigan at Notre Dame: Zzzzz. The names are big, but that’s all in this game. Notre Dame struggled last week against a San Diego State team that lost to Cal Poly the week before. Pick: Meatchicken
Oregon at Purdue: Good intersectional matchup as the Ducks fly to Indiana. Go with the home team. Pick: Purdue
Wisconsin at Fresno State: This is what the little guys live for: a home game against a big-time opponent. The Badgers enter a hornets’ nest, or better yet, a dog pound. Pick: Fresno State
Georgia at South Carolina: If Georgia is going to contend for an SEC or national championship, they have to win this game. The Ol’ Ball Coach and the Gamecocks beat the Dawgs in Athens last year. But, they also lost to Vanderbilt last week. Georgia is really good. Pick: Georgia
Auburn at Mississippi State: Auburn continues their run through the state of Mississippi, having disposed of Southern Miss last week. This is a possible land mine for War Eagle, but Auburn should win here. Pick: Auburn
California at Maryland: The Pac-10 is racking up some miles in non-conference matchups this week. The biggest thing the Terps have going for them this week is home field. Pick: Cal
Stanford at TCU: Stanford is improving under Jim Harbaugh. The Frogs are tough, especially at home. Pick: TCU
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech: Battle of the Techs. Georgia Tech is now running the wishbone under Paul Johnson, and is 2-0 as a result. VT is still trying to bounce back from the stunning loss to East Carolina. This game is in Blacksburg. Pick: VT
Virginia at Connecticut: This is a rebuilding year for the Cavaliers. One of their close victories last season was over UConn. The Huskies get revenge this year. Pick: UConn
UCLA at BYU: UCLA looks for their second win over a big-time opponent under Rick Neuheisel. BYU is very fortunate to be undefeated after last week’s event in Seattle. Pick: BYU
Air Force vs. Houston at Dallas: Instead of playing in a hurricane in Houston, these teams will play in the rain at SMU. Pick: U of H
Arizona at New Mexico: If Mike Stoops wants to take the Wildcats to a bowl and keep his job, U of A must win this game. Los Lobos is 0-2 against the state of Texas, having lost to TCU and A&M. Pick: Arizona
These picks are being made somewhere above the Atlantic Ocean. By the time I post these from the Newark airport, some of these games will be in progress.
Oklahoma at Washington: Washington lost last week on a questionable call of celebration in the end zone after a potentially game-tying touchdown. The Tyrone Willingham Death March continues, as the mighty Sooners visit the Great Northwest. The last time the Sooners visited the Northwest, Oregon stunned OU on some questionable late-game officiating. Perhaps the Pac-10 refs will get it right tonight. Pick: OU
Arkansas at Texas: Postponed. Pick: Hurricane Ike
Kansas at South Florida (Friday): I would have picked South Florida, and they won. This one doesn’t count.
Iowa State at Iowa: The Cyclones have won their first two games, but take a step up in competition against the Hawkeyes. The Cyclones more than hold their own against Iowa, a point of contention among Hawkeye fans. Go with the home team here. Pick: Iowa
Nevada at Missouri: Is Nevada trying to join the Big 12? This is their second game in a row against a Big 12 team, as they lost at home last week to Texas Tech. The Wolf Pack visit Columbia in what could be either a good game or a blowout. Missouri cruises in this one. Pick: Mizzou
New Mexico State at Nebraska: Years ago, this would have been a mismatch of Biblical proportions. It still won’t be close. Pick: Nebraska
Washington State at Baylor: Wazzu is at rock bottom. They can only go up. They now go into the land of Dr Pepper to take on Baylor, who pounded Northwestern State last week. Hey, it was Northwestern State, but it’s news when Baylor pounds anybody. Two in a row for the Bears. Pick: Baylor
Missouri State at Oklahoma State: Rent-a-win. Missouri State gets to pay for a women’s sport with the money from tonight’s check from OSU. Pick: OSU
SMU at Texas Tech: The Mustangs aren’t ready for prime time. Tech is. Pick: Texas Tech
Ohio State at USC: TOSU flies to the Left Coast bumbling and stumbling. USC is a well-oiled machine. Pick: USC
Michigan at Notre Dame: Zzzzz. The names are big, but that’s all in this game. Notre Dame struggled last week against a San Diego State team that lost to Cal Poly the week before. Pick: Meatchicken
Oregon at Purdue: Good intersectional matchup as the Ducks fly to Indiana. Go with the home team. Pick: Purdue
Wisconsin at Fresno State: This is what the little guys live for: a home game against a big-time opponent. The Badgers enter a hornets’ nest, or better yet, a dog pound. Pick: Fresno State
Georgia at South Carolina: If Georgia is going to contend for an SEC or national championship, they have to win this game. The Ol’ Ball Coach and the Gamecocks beat the Dawgs in Athens last year. But, they also lost to Vanderbilt last week. Georgia is really good. Pick: Georgia
Auburn at Mississippi State: Auburn continues their run through the state of Mississippi, having disposed of Southern Miss last week. This is a possible land mine for War Eagle, but Auburn should win here. Pick: Auburn
California at Maryland: The Pac-10 is racking up some miles in non-conference matchups this week. The biggest thing the Terps have going for them this week is home field. Pick: Cal
Stanford at TCU: Stanford is improving under Jim Harbaugh. The Frogs are tough, especially at home. Pick: TCU
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech: Battle of the Techs. Georgia Tech is now running the wishbone under Paul Johnson, and is 2-0 as a result. VT is still trying to bounce back from the stunning loss to East Carolina. This game is in Blacksburg. Pick: VT
Virginia at Connecticut: This is a rebuilding year for the Cavaliers. One of their close victories last season was over UConn. The Huskies get revenge this year. Pick: UConn
UCLA at BYU: UCLA looks for their second win over a big-time opponent under Rick Neuheisel. BYU is very fortunate to be undefeated after last week’s event in Seattle. Pick: BYU
Air Force vs. Houston at Dallas: Instead of playing in a hurricane in Houston, these teams will play in the rain at SMU. Pick: U of H
Arizona at New Mexico: If Mike Stoops wants to take the Wildcats to a bowl and keep his job, U of A must win this game. Los Lobos is 0-2 against the state of Texas, having lost to TCU and A&M. Pick: Arizona
Thursday, September 04, 2008
NFL Picks: Week 1
Don’t worry..I haven’t forgotten about NFL picks. The season opens in two hours. Man, can you believe it’s September?
Dallas at Cleveland: The Cowboys come into the season with a rotten taste in their mouths after last year’s playoff disaster. The Browns were the best team to miss last year’s playoffs. This will be a fun game to watch at the Wannabe Dog Pound, aka new Cleveland Browns Stadium. Pick: Dallas
Washington at New York Giants: Last year’s unlikely champions caught lightning in a bottle and rolled to an unexpected Super Bowl trophy. This year, the Giants look to be pretty good. They get the honor of hosting the first game of the year on Thursday night. The Giants will celebrate their Super Bowl title and win their opener against the hated Redskins. Pick: Giants
Detroit at Atlanta: A stinker of a game right off the bat. You have to be a fan of either of these teams to want to watch this game. There is nothing to offer the casual fan here. The Falcons have hit rock bottom. Pick: Detroit
Cincinnati at Baltimore: Ocho Cinco visits Crab City with the Bengals. This one is hard to predict. I don’t trust the Bengals at all, so it’s best to pick the home team. Pick: Baltimore
Seattle at Buffalo: The Seahawks fly under the radar every year up in the corner of the country, but have been consistently good the last several years under Mike Holmgren, who is retiring after this season. The Bills showed some flashes of brilliance and lost some tough, close games. Go with the veteran team here. Pick: Seattle
New York Jets at Miami: Brett Favre plays his first regular season game for the Jets against the woeful Dolphins. The Dolphins have to be better than they were last season-they can’t get much worse. But, the Favre factor means something for an inconsistent Jets team. Pick: Jets
Kansas City at New England: Mismatch alert. The Pats will have a chip on their shoulder again this season, especially after last year’s Super Bowl loss. The Chiefs stink right now. Pick: Patriots
Tampa Bay at New Orleans: The Saints return home in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, and are glad to come home. The Bucs aren’t half bad. Pick: Tampa Bay
St. Louis at Philadelphia: The Rams have a lot of room for improvement. The Eagles keep going with Donovan McNabb at quarterback. Pick: Philly
Houston at Pittsburgh: News flash: The Texans don’t stink anymore. They’re not Super Bowl caliber, but they’re not half bad. However, they get to travel to the Steel City this week. Good luck with all that. Pick: Pittsburgh
Jacksonville at Tennessee: Important game right off the bat in the AFC South. The Jags have been a good team that happened to be in the same division as the Colts. They should be able to handle this one on the road. Pick: Jacksonville
Carolina at San Diego: The Chargers, with a few breaks, could be in the Super Bowl this year. The Panthers probably won’t. Pick: San Diego
Arizona at San Francisco: Yuck. The ageless Kurt Warner just keeps resurfacing as the quarterback of the Cardinals. But, they’re the Cardinals, and they’ll find a way to blow this one. Pick: San Francisco
Chicago at Indianapolis: The Colts open their new stadium on Sunday Night Football against the Bears. Poor Bears. They’re in for a loss in week one. Pick: Colts
Minnesota at Green Bay: Year 1 of the Aaron Rodgers Era begins in Green Bay. It’ll be a tough start for the Pack, because Minnesota is loaded this year. Pick: Vikings
Denver at Oakland: Big rivalry, but it’s snooze city for most people east of the Rockies. The game starts at 7:00 Pacific Time, a rare starting time on the West Coast, and the second half of the Monday Night Football doubleheader. At my hotel in the Netherlands, the game will start at 4 AM. I wouldn’t get up early in Europe for this one. I wouldn’t stay up past bedtime in the US for this one, either. Pick: Oakland
Dallas at Cleveland: The Cowboys come into the season with a rotten taste in their mouths after last year’s playoff disaster. The Browns were the best team to miss last year’s playoffs. This will be a fun game to watch at the Wannabe Dog Pound, aka new Cleveland Browns Stadium. Pick: Dallas
Washington at New York Giants: Last year’s unlikely champions caught lightning in a bottle and rolled to an unexpected Super Bowl trophy. This year, the Giants look to be pretty good. They get the honor of hosting the first game of the year on Thursday night. The Giants will celebrate their Super Bowl title and win their opener against the hated Redskins. Pick: Giants
Detroit at Atlanta: A stinker of a game right off the bat. You have to be a fan of either of these teams to want to watch this game. There is nothing to offer the casual fan here. The Falcons have hit rock bottom. Pick: Detroit
Cincinnati at Baltimore: Ocho Cinco visits Crab City with the Bengals. This one is hard to predict. I don’t trust the Bengals at all, so it’s best to pick the home team. Pick: Baltimore
Seattle at Buffalo: The Seahawks fly under the radar every year up in the corner of the country, but have been consistently good the last several years under Mike Holmgren, who is retiring after this season. The Bills showed some flashes of brilliance and lost some tough, close games. Go with the veteran team here. Pick: Seattle
New York Jets at Miami: Brett Favre plays his first regular season game for the Jets against the woeful Dolphins. The Dolphins have to be better than they were last season-they can’t get much worse. But, the Favre factor means something for an inconsistent Jets team. Pick: Jets
Kansas City at New England: Mismatch alert. The Pats will have a chip on their shoulder again this season, especially after last year’s Super Bowl loss. The Chiefs stink right now. Pick: Patriots
Tampa Bay at New Orleans: The Saints return home in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, and are glad to come home. The Bucs aren’t half bad. Pick: Tampa Bay
St. Louis at Philadelphia: The Rams have a lot of room for improvement. The Eagles keep going with Donovan McNabb at quarterback. Pick: Philly
Houston at Pittsburgh: News flash: The Texans don’t stink anymore. They’re not Super Bowl caliber, but they’re not half bad. However, they get to travel to the Steel City this week. Good luck with all that. Pick: Pittsburgh
Jacksonville at Tennessee: Important game right off the bat in the AFC South. The Jags have been a good team that happened to be in the same division as the Colts. They should be able to handle this one on the road. Pick: Jacksonville
Carolina at San Diego: The Chargers, with a few breaks, could be in the Super Bowl this year. The Panthers probably won’t. Pick: San Diego
Arizona at San Francisco: Yuck. The ageless Kurt Warner just keeps resurfacing as the quarterback of the Cardinals. But, they’re the Cardinals, and they’ll find a way to blow this one. Pick: San Francisco
Chicago at Indianapolis: The Colts open their new stadium on Sunday Night Football against the Bears. Poor Bears. They’re in for a loss in week one. Pick: Colts
Minnesota at Green Bay: Year 1 of the Aaron Rodgers Era begins in Green Bay. It’ll be a tough start for the Pack, because Minnesota is loaded this year. Pick: Vikings
Denver at Oakland: Big rivalry, but it’s snooze city for most people east of the Rockies. The game starts at 7:00 Pacific Time, a rare starting time on the West Coast, and the second half of the Monday Night Football doubleheader. At my hotel in the Netherlands, the game will start at 4 AM. I wouldn’t get up early in Europe for this one. I wouldn’t stay up past bedtime in the US for this one, either. Pick: Oakland
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
College Football Picks, Week 2
I apologize for the dearth of posts since last weekend. I am currently in Europe for a two-week project for work. Thanks, to the wonders of modern technology and the Internet (thank you, Al Gore), I know what his happening in America, and can comment on such trivial things as college football.
Before I move on to picks: What is up with the Texas Aggies? Dennis Franchione never lost to Arkansas State. Neither did R.C. Slocum (though he did lose to Louisiana-Lafayette once). Mike Sherman is off to an inauspicious start after the Ags lost at home to the Red Wolves of ASU, 18-16. It’s going to be a long year in Aggieland at this rate.
Last week: 16-4. Sort of disappointing. Thanks, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M.
Season: 16-4
Cincinnati at Oklahoma: Sooners take a step up in competition this week. This won’t be a 50-point win, because Cincinnati can play. Still, the game is in Norman. The Sooner starters will play the entire game, but OU should win comfortably. Pick: OU
San Jose State at Nebraska: Spartans get to make some money for their athletic department with this trip to Lincoln to take on the Big Red. I wouldn’t blow this game off, though, if I were Nebraska. Nebraska should win the game, however. Pick: Nebraska
Texas A&M at New Mexico: The Aggies lost the easiest game on their non-conference schedule, and now must travel to the Land of Enchantment. UNM got spanked at home last week by TCU. The Ags are shellshocked. New Mexico gets a win against a BCS conference team. Pick: New Mexico
Louisiana Tech at Kansas: The Bulldogs got a win last week, defeating Mississippi State in a rare home game against a BCS school. The Jayhawks will have their hands full this week. However, they will keep their home winning streak intact. Pick: KU
Montana State at Kansas State: Remember Montana State? In 2006, the Bobcats traveled to Boulder and shocked Colorado. K-State knows all about that. The jury is still out on the Wildcats, but they should be able to handle Montana State. Pick: K-State
Southeast Missouri State at Missouri: At least Mizzou is keeping the money in state for this rent-a-win. Pick: Missouri
Texas at UTEP: This will be the biggest regular season game in El Paso in years. The two schools share names, a color, and fight songs. The similarities end there. In football, UT got off to a good start with a rout of a decent Florida Atlantic team. UTEP, meanwhile, got manhandled at Buffalo. Texas has a young team, but should be able to handle this one. Pick: Texas
Northwestern State at Baylor: Believe it or not, this could be a tough game for the Bears. But, it’s hard to actually pick a FCS team on the road at a BCS conference team, even one as bad as Baylor. Pick: Baylor
Eastern Washington at Colorado: Eastern Washington represented themselves well last week in a 49-24 loss at Texas Tech. Now, their Big 12 tour continues in Boulder, Colorado. Eastern Washington returns home 0-2. Pick: Colorado
Kent State at Iowa State: Last year, Kent State ruined Gene Chizik’s debut at Iowa State by upsetting the Cyclones. Lightning won’t strike twice in the same place. Pick:
Iowa State
Houston at Oklahoma State; There should be lots of points scored in this one. OSU opens their newly remodeled stadium. Pick: OSU
Texas Tech at Nevada: This will be the biggest game in Reno, Nevada since the Wolfpack moved to Division 1-A. The Red Raiders worked some kinks out during last week’s win over Eastern Washington. They should be able to beat the Wolf Pack. Pick: Tech
Oregon State at Penn State: OSU-West makes the cross-country trip to Happy Valley. It’ll be a long way back for the Beavers. Pick: Penn State
Ole Miss at Wake Forest: The days of overlooking the Demon Deacons are over, and have been for a couple of years now. Pick: Wake Forest
South Carolina at Vanderbilt (Thursday): USC-East sputtered early, but skunked N.C. State last week. Vandy got a surprise win at Miami (Ohio). Steve Spurrier owns Vanderbilt. Pick: SC
Miami at Florida: Grudge match in the Sunshine State. The old Miami isn’t back yet. Go with the Fighting Tim Tebows. Pick: UF
BYU at Washington: Washington plays the first of three big-time non-conference opponents at home. The Y is more than good enough to win at U-Dub. Pick: BYU
West Virginia at East Carolina: Pirates are coming off of a comeback win over Virginia Tech. Now, they have a home game against mighty West Virginia. This game will be better than the Mountaineers would like for it to be. Still, WV has more than enough to beat them. Pick: West Virginia
Georgia Tech at Boston College: Very competitive ACC game. Pick: BC
Miami, Ohio at Michigan: The Bo Schembechler Bowl. Both teams are coming off losses. Michigan lost to Utah, while Miami lost to Vanderbilt. Meatchicken should bounce back at home. Pick: Michigan
Before I move on to picks: What is up with the Texas Aggies? Dennis Franchione never lost to Arkansas State. Neither did R.C. Slocum (though he did lose to Louisiana-Lafayette once). Mike Sherman is off to an inauspicious start after the Ags lost at home to the Red Wolves of ASU, 18-16. It’s going to be a long year in Aggieland at this rate.
Last week: 16-4. Sort of disappointing. Thanks, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M.
Season: 16-4
Cincinnati at Oklahoma: Sooners take a step up in competition this week. This won’t be a 50-point win, because Cincinnati can play. Still, the game is in Norman. The Sooner starters will play the entire game, but OU should win comfortably. Pick: OU
San Jose State at Nebraska: Spartans get to make some money for their athletic department with this trip to Lincoln to take on the Big Red. I wouldn’t blow this game off, though, if I were Nebraska. Nebraska should win the game, however. Pick: Nebraska
Texas A&M at New Mexico: The Aggies lost the easiest game on their non-conference schedule, and now must travel to the Land of Enchantment. UNM got spanked at home last week by TCU. The Ags are shellshocked. New Mexico gets a win against a BCS conference team. Pick: New Mexico
Louisiana Tech at Kansas: The Bulldogs got a win last week, defeating Mississippi State in a rare home game against a BCS school. The Jayhawks will have their hands full this week. However, they will keep their home winning streak intact. Pick: KU
Montana State at Kansas State: Remember Montana State? In 2006, the Bobcats traveled to Boulder and shocked Colorado. K-State knows all about that. The jury is still out on the Wildcats, but they should be able to handle Montana State. Pick: K-State
Southeast Missouri State at Missouri: At least Mizzou is keeping the money in state for this rent-a-win. Pick: Missouri
Texas at UTEP: This will be the biggest regular season game in El Paso in years. The two schools share names, a color, and fight songs. The similarities end there. In football, UT got off to a good start with a rout of a decent Florida Atlantic team. UTEP, meanwhile, got manhandled at Buffalo. Texas has a young team, but should be able to handle this one. Pick: Texas
Northwestern State at Baylor: Believe it or not, this could be a tough game for the Bears. But, it’s hard to actually pick a FCS team on the road at a BCS conference team, even one as bad as Baylor. Pick: Baylor
Eastern Washington at Colorado: Eastern Washington represented themselves well last week in a 49-24 loss at Texas Tech. Now, their Big 12 tour continues in Boulder, Colorado. Eastern Washington returns home 0-2. Pick: Colorado
Kent State at Iowa State: Last year, Kent State ruined Gene Chizik’s debut at Iowa State by upsetting the Cyclones. Lightning won’t strike twice in the same place. Pick:
Iowa State
Houston at Oklahoma State; There should be lots of points scored in this one. OSU opens their newly remodeled stadium. Pick: OSU
Texas Tech at Nevada: This will be the biggest game in Reno, Nevada since the Wolfpack moved to Division 1-A. The Red Raiders worked some kinks out during last week’s win over Eastern Washington. They should be able to beat the Wolf Pack. Pick: Tech
Oregon State at Penn State: OSU-West makes the cross-country trip to Happy Valley. It’ll be a long way back for the Beavers. Pick: Penn State
Ole Miss at Wake Forest: The days of overlooking the Demon Deacons are over, and have been for a couple of years now. Pick: Wake Forest
South Carolina at Vanderbilt (Thursday): USC-East sputtered early, but skunked N.C. State last week. Vandy got a surprise win at Miami (Ohio). Steve Spurrier owns Vanderbilt. Pick: SC
Miami at Florida: Grudge match in the Sunshine State. The old Miami isn’t back yet. Go with the Fighting Tim Tebows. Pick: UF
BYU at Washington: Washington plays the first of three big-time non-conference opponents at home. The Y is more than good enough to win at U-Dub. Pick: BYU
West Virginia at East Carolina: Pirates are coming off of a comeback win over Virginia Tech. Now, they have a home game against mighty West Virginia. This game will be better than the Mountaineers would like for it to be. Still, WV has more than enough to beat them. Pick: West Virginia
Georgia Tech at Boston College: Very competitive ACC game. Pick: BC
Miami, Ohio at Michigan: The Bo Schembechler Bowl. Both teams are coming off losses. Michigan lost to Utah, while Miami lost to Vanderbilt. Meatchicken should bounce back at home. Pick: Michigan
Thursday, August 28, 2008
College Football Picks, Week 1
It’s Thursday, and it’s Labor Day Weekend. That only means one thing: college football season. These games start tonight, and they all count.
Once again, this blog will host some fearless football predictions. All games involving Big 12 schools will be picked, along with games of national interest and other games that are worthy of a pick.
This week will see several perceived mismatches between BCS teams and Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA) teams. Though most of these games are a waste of time and money, there is always the chance of a lightning strike and an upset of Appalachian State-Michigan proportions.
On with the picks….
Tennessee-Chattanooga at Oklahoma: The Sooners were scrambling for an opponent for a 12th game after two other schools bailed on them, and came up with the Mocs of Chattanooga. This is not Tennessee-Knoxville, so there is only one obvious pick here. Pick: Oklahoma
Colorado State vs. Colorado at Denver (Sunday): Barack Obama’s Greek temple stage will be long gone from Invesco Field, and football returns. The Rams are rebuilding under a new coach, while the Buffs are headed upward. This is a grudge match, but the Buffs should be able to handle this one. Pick: CU
South Dakota State at Iowa State (Thursday): Puhleeze. Pick: Iowa State
Florida International at Kansas: FIU was the worst team in the FBS last year. KU schedules a win here. Pick: KU
North Texas at Kansas State: Another yawner. North Texas could win a championship…in Texas Class 5A. Pick: K-State
Illinois vs. Missouri at St. Louis: One of the better games of the week. Both teams played on New Year’s Day last season. Missouri returns a lot more talent. Pick: Missouri
Western Michigan at Nebraska: The Bo Pelini era begins at Nebraska. Pick: Huskers
Wake Forest at Baylor (Thursday): Battle of the Baptists, sort of. Wake Forest used to be a Baptist school, while Baylor still is. Wake Forest has a much better football team. Pick: Demon Deacons
Oklahoma State vs. Washington State at Seattle: Cowboys go to the Great Northwest to take on Wazzu. OSU ought to be able to win, but you never know with either of these teams. Pick: OSU
Florida Atlantic at Texas: Watch out, Texas. FAU is a good team from the Sun Belt, coached by Oklahoma’s favorite, Howard Schnellenberger. Texas will win, but it will be tougher than most think. Pick: Texas
Arkansas State at Texas A&M: The Mike Sherman era begins with a win. Pick: A&M
Eastern Washington at Texas Tech: Tech will score at will in this one. Pick: Tech
Alabama vs. Clemson at Atlanta: Great matchup guaranteed to draw lots and lots of people to Atlanta on Labor Day weekend. This should be Clemson’s best team in the last 20 years. Pick: Clemson
Michigan State at California: MSU is turning the corner, while Cal should never be overlooked. This one is out West. Pick: Cal
Utah at Michigan: The Rich Rodriguez era begins at Meatchicken after an eventful off-season. Utah is not chopped liver, and is favored by some to win the Mountain West Conference. This is a tough pick, but Michigan learned something last year from the Appalachian State disaster. Pick: Michigan
USC at Virginia: East Coast, West Coast, it doesn’t matter. USC rolls on. Pick: SC
N.C. State at South Carolina (Thursday): Competing against the Obama Show on Thursday night is opening night for Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks. The ‘Cocks get win #1 against the Wolfpack. Pick: USC-East
Oregon State at Stanford: Late night West Coast game is tough to pick. OSU-West has built a pretty good program. Stanford is capable of damage, as was done to USC last year. Go with the Trees at home. Pick: Stanford
Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina at Charlotte: ECU gave the Hokies all they wanted last year in Blacksburg. They might finish the job this time. I’m not going to bite on this one, though. Pick: VT
TCU at New Mexico: Frogs visit Los Lobos in Mountain West opener. New Mexico is never bad, but TCU is a little better, even in Albuquerque. Pick: TCU
Once again, this blog will host some fearless football predictions. All games involving Big 12 schools will be picked, along with games of national interest and other games that are worthy of a pick.
This week will see several perceived mismatches between BCS teams and Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA) teams. Though most of these games are a waste of time and money, there is always the chance of a lightning strike and an upset of Appalachian State-Michigan proportions.
On with the picks….
Tennessee-Chattanooga at Oklahoma: The Sooners were scrambling for an opponent for a 12th game after two other schools bailed on them, and came up with the Mocs of Chattanooga. This is not Tennessee-Knoxville, so there is only one obvious pick here. Pick: Oklahoma
Colorado State vs. Colorado at Denver (Sunday): Barack Obama’s Greek temple stage will be long gone from Invesco Field, and football returns. The Rams are rebuilding under a new coach, while the Buffs are headed upward. This is a grudge match, but the Buffs should be able to handle this one. Pick: CU
South Dakota State at Iowa State (Thursday): Puhleeze. Pick: Iowa State
Florida International at Kansas: FIU was the worst team in the FBS last year. KU schedules a win here. Pick: KU
North Texas at Kansas State: Another yawner. North Texas could win a championship…in Texas Class 5A. Pick: K-State
Illinois vs. Missouri at St. Louis: One of the better games of the week. Both teams played on New Year’s Day last season. Missouri returns a lot more talent. Pick: Missouri
Western Michigan at Nebraska: The Bo Pelini era begins at Nebraska. Pick: Huskers
Wake Forest at Baylor (Thursday): Battle of the Baptists, sort of. Wake Forest used to be a Baptist school, while Baylor still is. Wake Forest has a much better football team. Pick: Demon Deacons
Oklahoma State vs. Washington State at Seattle: Cowboys go to the Great Northwest to take on Wazzu. OSU ought to be able to win, but you never know with either of these teams. Pick: OSU
Florida Atlantic at Texas: Watch out, Texas. FAU is a good team from the Sun Belt, coached by Oklahoma’s favorite, Howard Schnellenberger. Texas will win, but it will be tougher than most think. Pick: Texas
Arkansas State at Texas A&M: The Mike Sherman era begins with a win. Pick: A&M
Eastern Washington at Texas Tech: Tech will score at will in this one. Pick: Tech
Alabama vs. Clemson at Atlanta: Great matchup guaranteed to draw lots and lots of people to Atlanta on Labor Day weekend. This should be Clemson’s best team in the last 20 years. Pick: Clemson
Michigan State at California: MSU is turning the corner, while Cal should never be overlooked. This one is out West. Pick: Cal
Utah at Michigan: The Rich Rodriguez era begins at Meatchicken after an eventful off-season. Utah is not chopped liver, and is favored by some to win the Mountain West Conference. This is a tough pick, but Michigan learned something last year from the Appalachian State disaster. Pick: Michigan
USC at Virginia: East Coast, West Coast, it doesn’t matter. USC rolls on. Pick: SC
N.C. State at South Carolina (Thursday): Competing against the Obama Show on Thursday night is opening night for Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks. The ‘Cocks get win #1 against the Wolfpack. Pick: USC-East
Oregon State at Stanford: Late night West Coast game is tough to pick. OSU-West has built a pretty good program. Stanford is capable of damage, as was done to USC last year. Go with the Trees at home. Pick: Stanford
Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina at Charlotte: ECU gave the Hokies all they wanted last year in Blacksburg. They might finish the job this time. I’m not going to bite on this one, though. Pick: VT
TCU at New Mexico: Frogs visit Los Lobos in Mountain West opener. New Mexico is never bad, but TCU is a little better, even in Albuquerque. Pick: TCU
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
