Post by trnyerheadncough on Oct 8, 2014 17:01:59 GMT -5
“Jesus, I forgot. I just thought I was doing GREAT with you.”
Ok sports fans. Week 6 gone by with a mountain of epic games. I was exhausted just flipping from channel to channel. After a lackluster September, the first week of October delivered. Lemme tell ya gang, the second week ain’t too shabby either.
Mark is trying to run away from the pack here midseason. He needs to flop….so I’m putting out the voodoo vibes on our leader to…well….choke.
By the way, we’re down to only 10 undefeated teams in all of college football. 4 play each other this week. 2 others are underdogs in their games. We might be down to a half dozen by the time the chips fall…
I’m goin’ with the Thursday game again…I like whetting the appetite:
THURSDAY GAME
BYU +3 @ UCF. In one week, and one unfortunate injury can completely derail a season. Last week, BYU was locked in a major battle with Utah State until their quarterback suffered a broken leg and is gone for the season. BYU lost the game, and now their playoff-busting hopes are snuffed out.
They gotta now try to get up off the mat and play a UCF team that is sitting at 2-2, having won 2 straight, including one last week against Houston.
At this point, you have to wonder where the Cougars’ mojo is at after losing their leader and best player. The backup quarterback basically shit the bed, going 10/29 with 3 picks. Although I think BYU is the better team, there’s a reason they’re the dog in this game, and UCF at home gets it done because the Cougars are still reeling. Golden Knights.
SATURDAY GAMES
Texas +14 ½ v. Oklahoma. Well, the Red River Shootout…Rivalry….Standoff….Disagreement… Lover’s Quarrel is back again this year, and once again, doesn’t really have too much national significance. Tejas is going through some major growing pains, sitting at 2-3 with their wins against North Texas and Kansas. Ew. Oklahoma was shocked last week against TCU, and will be looking for blood this game. If Oklahoma had survived last week I’d be tempted to pick Texas, but not so much now. Oklahoma needs to make a bunch of statements to climb back into the playoff discussion. They start here. Sooners.
Northwestern +4 @ Minnesota. Don’t look now, but Northwestern is leadin’ the Big 10 Western Division with a record of 2-0 after beating Penn State and Wisconsin in back to back weeks. Minnehaha is hot on their heels at 1-0 and sits in second place tied with…Iowa. The Wildcats started the year at 1-2 and you wondered if Patty Fitzgerald was packing his office into a shoebox, but they’ve got new life. The next 4 for them will make or break the season as they’ve got the Gophers, then Nebraska at home, at Iowa, and then Michigan comes to town. So are the Wildcats for real?
My thought is…well….I doubt it. Northwestern is a good feel good story, but if Wisconsin had a quarterback who was even below average, the Badgers blowout Northwestern. Nope….4 picks. Combine that with 2 more turnovers against the Nitts, and you get an idea of why Northwestern won those two games.
The Gophers, on the other hand, are +6 in the turnover department this year, 4-1 with their loss being to a TCU team that is pretty damned good, and they are simply better than Northwestern….especially at home. Gophers…easy.
Duke +3 1/2 @ Georgia Tech. A pretty interesting matchup in the ACC, Georgia Tech is 5-0 for only the second time since 1990. Duke is 4-1, but has an ugly loss to Miami, which Georgia Tech manhandled last Saturday night. The triple option is definitely going to give Duke fits. Not to mention, last year, the Jackets beat the dog shit out of the Devils, 38-14, and I don’t think that Duke is as good this year as they were last year. With wins over Miami and Virginia Tech, a win over Duke would set up a potential showdown with Virginia to see who is in firm control of the Coastal division of the ACC. A hair over a field goal??? Sorry…not enough….Ramblin’ Wreck.
TCU +8 1/2 at Baylor. Our first big one of the weekend as the Horny Toads, fresh off their upset of the Sooners, now come to Baylor’s house to see if they can knock off the Bears and take control of the Big 12. Fun fact in this series…since the two squads resumed playing in 2006, they’ve played 6 times. TCU is 4-2. The two losses? 50-48 in 2011, and 41-38 last season. Unless my math is wrong, both of those losses are by less than 8 and a half…
The question is, does TCU have a let down after that masterful win over Oklahoma? I don’t know. Certainly possible, to be sure, but I always feel like let down games are seen when matched up with teams who are supposed to be overmatched. Baylor isn’t a pushover, and TCU knows what they’re up against. Combine that with the idea that Baylor really hasn’t played anyone with their talent level. Giving up 21 points to Buffalo and 28 to Iowa State is enough for me to think that TCU gets it done on the road. Another undefeated team falls regardless. I think TCU wins outright, but I’m happy to take the points.
Auburn -3 @ Mississippi State. The second match of undefeated teams this week as the Tigers, fresh off their thrashing of a fading LSU team, now go into Stark Vegas and take on the Bulldogs, who had a healthy win over previously undefeated Texas A&M.
First question is, which Auburn shows up? The one that obliterated LSU or the one that looked awfully ugly against Kansas State? I will say that Mississippi State made TAMU look mortal. Yeah, the Aggies went for over 500 yards, but they didn’t run all that well, and Kenny Hill threw 3 picks. Dak Prescott has firmly placed himself in the Heisman race with his masterful performance in his last two games.
This is another one of those games where folks might be talking about a letdown, but I don’t see it. Prescott is playing very well, and the cowbells are going to be loud and raucous. I think Auburn’s win over LSU is going to look less and less impressive as the year goes on as the Tigers are going to lose a couple more along the way…but I still think they are a scary good football team. Auburn scraped by a 4 point win at home last year. I think both teams are a little better than last year, but Mississippi State has made a larger improvement, and they’re at home. Playing with confidence, and Auburn isn’t going to get it done. Bulldogs.
LSU -1 1/2 @ UF. I include this solely for the rivalry value as both teams are searching for…something. UF’s newfound confidence that they’ve found a good signal caller to step in for Driskell was short-lived as Treon Harris has been suspended pending an investigation. Although I think that’s a bad move for the Gators without a formal charge, it is what it is, and the Gators have to push on with and LSU squad coming to town with their confidence thoroughly shaken. The Gators are 4-1, but could just as easily be 2-3 right now. LSU has lost 2 straight, and you almost wonder if Lester’s seat is getting a touch warmer. Not that he deserves it, but the natives’ expectations are probably unusually high.
You almost wonder if the first team to 17 points wins this game. Auburn had success on the ground, and that’s the only place where the Gators have found any offensive success. Both teams really need this one….LSU doesn’t want to go 4-3, as I don’t see ANY “gimme” wins on the schedule from this point forward outside of maaaaaybe Kentucky at home next weekend. By the same token, UF doesn’t wanna go 4-2, as their next two games are Georgia and Missouri. I feel like this is a coin flip…so I’ll go with my heart. LSU, but ET can spend the rest of the week trying to convince me to lay a money line bet on his beloved Gators.
Oregon -2 1/2 @ UCLA. This game lost a lot of its luster as both teams lost to conference opponents last weekend as part of that massive shakeup. For all of the hype from Tim Brando and others, neither of these teams looks like they’re in the consideration of post season championship position. Oregon’s offensive line has suffered some injuries, and it shows as Mariota has been running for his life. Hundley has been underwhelming this year. This could be Chapter 1 of this saga this year as it seems like despite the losses, these two still seem like the best squads in their divisions. I think Mariota makes enough plays and Oregon’s defense makes just enough plays, Oregon.
Georgia -3 @ Missouri. Essentially a battle to see who sits on top of the SEC East (with UF and Kentucky still lurking). Georgia is 4-1 with the arguable Heisman frontrunner in T.J. Gurley. Missouri is also 4-1, but undefeated in conference. Missouri is ranked #51 against the run this year, and they’re facin’ the best runner in the nation. Plus I just think Georgia is better. The South Carolina comparisons don’t hold much water for me…Spurrier hates the Dawgs and shoulda beaten the Tigers. Georgia.
Louisville +9 1/2 @ Clemson. If Clemson wants to climb back into the ACC Atlantic division, it starts with this game. Louisville gets FSU on a Thursday night in a coupla weeks and you know the Tigers, assuming they can get past this one, will be pulling like hell for the Cardinals. After pulling a Clemson in Tallahassee, Clemson has found their game changer in Deshaun Watson. 91 points for the Tigers in their last two. Watson with over 700 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Tigers are rolling, and although 9 1/2 seems like a lot….almost enough to get me to go the other way, I’ll stay with Clemson.
Ole Miss +2 @ Texas A&M. Fresh off the big win against Alabama, the Rebels get no respect as they head to Kyle Field and play a TAMU squad smarting after the loss to Mississippi State. Undefeated, fresh off a win over a #1 squad…and the next week…underdog to a once-beaten team. Another letdown possibility? I don’t know. Wallace played well, the defense was outstanding. I’ll take the Black Bears.
USC -2 1/2 @ Arizona. Well, I’m getting tired of writing these. LOL Another undefeated dog…at HOME no less? What’s the deal? Does Vegas see Arizona as more like the team that needed a 36 point 4th quarter and a hail mary to beat Cal? Or the one that controlled the mighty Ducks? I guess the former. Arizona State just beat SC with a hail mary, so you gotta figure the Trojans are working on hail mary defense this week. Arizona survives another week of being undefeated.
Penn State +1 @ Michigan. Well, we’re through the “Definites”, and we’ve moved into the “Maybes”. The Nitts have had a week to stew over the shocking loss to Northwestern, but the perfect ointment is to play a reeling Michigan team looking for something, anything to hang heir hat on. At 2-4, the Wolverines have lost 3 straight, and now have lost Derrick Green for the season. If Penn State was -2, I’d take them…so I won’t hesitate if I’m getting points. Nittany Lions.
West Virginia -6 @ Texas Tech. Another marginal game that will be fun to watch the offenses go up and down the field. Clint Trickett has thrown for 1902 yards this season….ho hum. LOL What is really interesting is that on the road, Trickett is better. 2 road games, 876 yards and 5 touchdowns. Only 1 pick. Texas Tech has lost 3 straight, but their quarterback, Mr. Webb, has thrown for a paltry 1620 yards this season…and 16 touchdowns. West Virginia hasn’t played great defense all year, but they’ve at least played some. Texas Tech has only held one opponent under 35 points all year, and that was UTEP…who scored 26. Mountaineers.
North Carolina +17 @ Notre Dame. Week before the big matchup betwixt the Domers and the Noles, does Notre Dame get caught looking ahead? Possibly, but I doubt it. North Carolina doesn’t play defense. They rank 124th in the nation in points against. Average given up? 42. Yuck. If they give up their average, can they score 25? They gotta good shot. This is a coin flip for me too. But I want to see the Domers undefeated and riding high when they come to Tallahassee next week…so I’ll throw my karma in with them. Domers.
Good luck all.
Ok sports fans. Week 6 gone by with a mountain of epic games. I was exhausted just flipping from channel to channel. After a lackluster September, the first week of October delivered. Lemme tell ya gang, the second week ain’t too shabby either.
Mark is trying to run away from the pack here midseason. He needs to flop….so I’m putting out the voodoo vibes on our leader to…well….choke.
By the way, we’re down to only 10 undefeated teams in all of college football. 4 play each other this week. 2 others are underdogs in their games. We might be down to a half dozen by the time the chips fall…
I’m goin’ with the Thursday game again…I like whetting the appetite:
THURSDAY GAME
BYU +3 @ UCF. In one week, and one unfortunate injury can completely derail a season. Last week, BYU was locked in a major battle with Utah State until their quarterback suffered a broken leg and is gone for the season. BYU lost the game, and now their playoff-busting hopes are snuffed out.
They gotta now try to get up off the mat and play a UCF team that is sitting at 2-2, having won 2 straight, including one last week against Houston.
At this point, you have to wonder where the Cougars’ mojo is at after losing their leader and best player. The backup quarterback basically shit the bed, going 10/29 with 3 picks. Although I think BYU is the better team, there’s a reason they’re the dog in this game, and UCF at home gets it done because the Cougars are still reeling. Golden Knights.
SATURDAY GAMES
Texas +14 ½ v. Oklahoma. Well, the Red River Shootout…Rivalry….Standoff….Disagreement… Lover’s Quarrel is back again this year, and once again, doesn’t really have too much national significance. Tejas is going through some major growing pains, sitting at 2-3 with their wins against North Texas and Kansas. Ew. Oklahoma was shocked last week against TCU, and will be looking for blood this game. If Oklahoma had survived last week I’d be tempted to pick Texas, but not so much now. Oklahoma needs to make a bunch of statements to climb back into the playoff discussion. They start here. Sooners.
Northwestern +4 @ Minnesota. Don’t look now, but Northwestern is leadin’ the Big 10 Western Division with a record of 2-0 after beating Penn State and Wisconsin in back to back weeks. Minnehaha is hot on their heels at 1-0 and sits in second place tied with…Iowa. The Wildcats started the year at 1-2 and you wondered if Patty Fitzgerald was packing his office into a shoebox, but they’ve got new life. The next 4 for them will make or break the season as they’ve got the Gophers, then Nebraska at home, at Iowa, and then Michigan comes to town. So are the Wildcats for real?
My thought is…well….I doubt it. Northwestern is a good feel good story, but if Wisconsin had a quarterback who was even below average, the Badgers blowout Northwestern. Nope….4 picks. Combine that with 2 more turnovers against the Nitts, and you get an idea of why Northwestern won those two games.
The Gophers, on the other hand, are +6 in the turnover department this year, 4-1 with their loss being to a TCU team that is pretty damned good, and they are simply better than Northwestern….especially at home. Gophers…easy.
Duke +3 1/2 @ Georgia Tech. A pretty interesting matchup in the ACC, Georgia Tech is 5-0 for only the second time since 1990. Duke is 4-1, but has an ugly loss to Miami, which Georgia Tech manhandled last Saturday night. The triple option is definitely going to give Duke fits. Not to mention, last year, the Jackets beat the dog shit out of the Devils, 38-14, and I don’t think that Duke is as good this year as they were last year. With wins over Miami and Virginia Tech, a win over Duke would set up a potential showdown with Virginia to see who is in firm control of the Coastal division of the ACC. A hair over a field goal??? Sorry…not enough….Ramblin’ Wreck.
TCU +8 1/2 at Baylor. Our first big one of the weekend as the Horny Toads, fresh off their upset of the Sooners, now come to Baylor’s house to see if they can knock off the Bears and take control of the Big 12. Fun fact in this series…since the two squads resumed playing in 2006, they’ve played 6 times. TCU is 4-2. The two losses? 50-48 in 2011, and 41-38 last season. Unless my math is wrong, both of those losses are by less than 8 and a half…
The question is, does TCU have a let down after that masterful win over Oklahoma? I don’t know. Certainly possible, to be sure, but I always feel like let down games are seen when matched up with teams who are supposed to be overmatched. Baylor isn’t a pushover, and TCU knows what they’re up against. Combine that with the idea that Baylor really hasn’t played anyone with their talent level. Giving up 21 points to Buffalo and 28 to Iowa State is enough for me to think that TCU gets it done on the road. Another undefeated team falls regardless. I think TCU wins outright, but I’m happy to take the points.
Auburn -3 @ Mississippi State. The second match of undefeated teams this week as the Tigers, fresh off their thrashing of a fading LSU team, now go into Stark Vegas and take on the Bulldogs, who had a healthy win over previously undefeated Texas A&M.
First question is, which Auburn shows up? The one that obliterated LSU or the one that looked awfully ugly against Kansas State? I will say that Mississippi State made TAMU look mortal. Yeah, the Aggies went for over 500 yards, but they didn’t run all that well, and Kenny Hill threw 3 picks. Dak Prescott has firmly placed himself in the Heisman race with his masterful performance in his last two games.
This is another one of those games where folks might be talking about a letdown, but I don’t see it. Prescott is playing very well, and the cowbells are going to be loud and raucous. I think Auburn’s win over LSU is going to look less and less impressive as the year goes on as the Tigers are going to lose a couple more along the way…but I still think they are a scary good football team. Auburn scraped by a 4 point win at home last year. I think both teams are a little better than last year, but Mississippi State has made a larger improvement, and they’re at home. Playing with confidence, and Auburn isn’t going to get it done. Bulldogs.
LSU -1 1/2 @ UF. I include this solely for the rivalry value as both teams are searching for…something. UF’s newfound confidence that they’ve found a good signal caller to step in for Driskell was short-lived as Treon Harris has been suspended pending an investigation. Although I think that’s a bad move for the Gators without a formal charge, it is what it is, and the Gators have to push on with and LSU squad coming to town with their confidence thoroughly shaken. The Gators are 4-1, but could just as easily be 2-3 right now. LSU has lost 2 straight, and you almost wonder if Lester’s seat is getting a touch warmer. Not that he deserves it, but the natives’ expectations are probably unusually high.
You almost wonder if the first team to 17 points wins this game. Auburn had success on the ground, and that’s the only place where the Gators have found any offensive success. Both teams really need this one….LSU doesn’t want to go 4-3, as I don’t see ANY “gimme” wins on the schedule from this point forward outside of maaaaaybe Kentucky at home next weekend. By the same token, UF doesn’t wanna go 4-2, as their next two games are Georgia and Missouri. I feel like this is a coin flip…so I’ll go with my heart. LSU, but ET can spend the rest of the week trying to convince me to lay a money line bet on his beloved Gators.
Oregon -2 1/2 @ UCLA. This game lost a lot of its luster as both teams lost to conference opponents last weekend as part of that massive shakeup. For all of the hype from Tim Brando and others, neither of these teams looks like they’re in the consideration of post season championship position. Oregon’s offensive line has suffered some injuries, and it shows as Mariota has been running for his life. Hundley has been underwhelming this year. This could be Chapter 1 of this saga this year as it seems like despite the losses, these two still seem like the best squads in their divisions. I think Mariota makes enough plays and Oregon’s defense makes just enough plays, Oregon.
Georgia -3 @ Missouri. Essentially a battle to see who sits on top of the SEC East (with UF and Kentucky still lurking). Georgia is 4-1 with the arguable Heisman frontrunner in T.J. Gurley. Missouri is also 4-1, but undefeated in conference. Missouri is ranked #51 against the run this year, and they’re facin’ the best runner in the nation. Plus I just think Georgia is better. The South Carolina comparisons don’t hold much water for me…Spurrier hates the Dawgs and shoulda beaten the Tigers. Georgia.
Louisville +9 1/2 @ Clemson. If Clemson wants to climb back into the ACC Atlantic division, it starts with this game. Louisville gets FSU on a Thursday night in a coupla weeks and you know the Tigers, assuming they can get past this one, will be pulling like hell for the Cardinals. After pulling a Clemson in Tallahassee, Clemson has found their game changer in Deshaun Watson. 91 points for the Tigers in their last two. Watson with over 700 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Tigers are rolling, and although 9 1/2 seems like a lot….almost enough to get me to go the other way, I’ll stay with Clemson.
Ole Miss +2 @ Texas A&M. Fresh off the big win against Alabama, the Rebels get no respect as they head to Kyle Field and play a TAMU squad smarting after the loss to Mississippi State. Undefeated, fresh off a win over a #1 squad…and the next week…underdog to a once-beaten team. Another letdown possibility? I don’t know. Wallace played well, the defense was outstanding. I’ll take the Black Bears.
USC -2 1/2 @ Arizona. Well, I’m getting tired of writing these. LOL Another undefeated dog…at HOME no less? What’s the deal? Does Vegas see Arizona as more like the team that needed a 36 point 4th quarter and a hail mary to beat Cal? Or the one that controlled the mighty Ducks? I guess the former. Arizona State just beat SC with a hail mary, so you gotta figure the Trojans are working on hail mary defense this week. Arizona survives another week of being undefeated.
Penn State +1 @ Michigan. Well, we’re through the “Definites”, and we’ve moved into the “Maybes”.
The Nitts have had a week to stew over the shocking loss to Northwestern, but the perfect ointment is to play a reeling Michigan team looking for something, anything to hang heir hat on. At 2-4, the Wolverines have lost 3 straight, and now have lost Derrick Green for the season. If Penn State was -2, I’d take them…so I won’t hesitate if I’m getting points. Nittany Lions.West Virginia -6 @ Texas Tech. Another marginal game that will be fun to watch the offenses go up and down the field. Clint Trickett has thrown for 1902 yards this season….ho hum. LOL What is really interesting is that on the road, Trickett is better. 2 road games, 876 yards and 5 touchdowns. Only 1 pick. Texas Tech has lost 3 straight, but their quarterback, Mr. Webb, has thrown for a paltry 1620 yards this season…and 16 touchdowns. West Virginia hasn’t played great defense all year, but they’ve at least played some. Texas Tech has only held one opponent under 35 points all year, and that was UTEP…who scored 26. Mountaineers.
North Carolina +17 @ Notre Dame. Week before the big matchup betwixt the Domers and the Noles, does Notre Dame get caught looking ahead? Possibly, but I doubt it. North Carolina doesn’t play defense. They rank 124th in the nation in points against. Average given up? 42. Yuck. If they give up their average, can they score 25? They gotta good shot. This is a coin flip for me too. But I want to see the Domers undefeated and riding high when they come to Tallahassee next week…so I’ll throw my karma in with them. Domers.
Good luck all.
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