Last week’s 7-10 performance was okay. I missed the key SEC matchup between LSU and South Carolina, and I’m still angry at Harry Coleman because of it.
This week, plenty of games are up in the air, conference races are starting to get interesting, and the polls are getting tight at the top. Good times.
That said, I have no idea who is going to win nearly all of these games, so I’m going with the Upset Special theme. It’s the Week of the Underdog, fellow droogs.
I’m bypassing the lame Thursday games for a WAC Friday night thriller.
Boise State at San Jose State (Upset Special Part One)
San Jose State has an ugly loss to Nebraska and another defeat at the hands of Stanford. But they are undefeated in WAC play thus far—and conference games always bring a new element.
I have not seen the Spartans play for one second this year, but I’m picking them mainly so I can write the words “This is Sparta!”
That should be a mandatory video clip on the JumboTron after every first down. Seriously. Hopefully San Jose State has a JumboTron.
Winner: San Jose State, 34-31
On to Saturday’s games.
Michigan State at Michigan
Sure, the Spartans looked awful last week, but they’ve played well in close games for a change—and I have a feeling this will be a barnburner.
Ringer gets it going early and keeps Michigan’s offense on the sidelines.
Plus, it’s the “This is Sparta” theme, so they get my pick by default.
Winner: Michigan State, 24-23
Texas Tech at Kansas (Upset Special Part Two)
Sorry, Mike Leach, but I’m picking against you this week and the three weeks to follow. Your team might be better than Kansas, but I don’t care what the Texas Tech faithful are saying: The Red Raiders are overrated, and we all know it.
Like Billy Madison once said, “O'Doyle, I've got a feeling your whole family's going down.”
Mike Leach, you are O’Doyle, and Mangino is Billy Madison. Or something.
Winner: Kansas, 38-35
Cincinnati at UConn
It’s hard to tell how good the Bearcats are this year, as they have posted marginal wins over weak opponents. UConn, though, is on an ugly two-game losing streak—getting pasted by North Carolina and upended by a weak Rutgers team.
Huskies continue their downward spiral.
Winner: Cincinnati, 20-19
Wake Forest at Miami
Jim Grobe’s Demon Deacons let me down mightily last week. I’m banking (again) on Riley Skinner to finally return to form and put up some points.
Wake still has a good chance to win their division, so they will show up to play. Meanwhile, Miami is trying to avoid the cellar spot normally reserved for Duke.
Robert Marve has looked awful his last six quarters of play, so Jacory Harris will likely get early action against a tough Wake defense.
If Wake loses, I’m never picking them again. Until next week.
Winner: Wake Forest, 24-21
Kentucky at Florida
A seemingly easy pick here, as Kentucky is decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball. Down in Gainesville, the Gators are coming off a huge win over LSU and an additional week to heal injuries to key offensive players.
This one should get ugly early.
Winner: Florida, 45-10
4 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Justin Goar 8 months ago
i'm feeling worse and worse about my penn st pick as the week goes on. at least OSU has more experience in big games.
i think UGA fans are traveling with such numbers to Baton Rouge that their wearing of black will block out the sun.
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Eric Brown 8 months ago
Really? No pick in the Aubie/WVU game? I thought you would consider that an pre-instant classic. Pat White, dude! He was awesome in '06.
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Tim Pollock 8 months ago
Funny that in the preseason Auburn-West Virginia looked like one of the premiere games of the year. Now it looks like North Texas vs. Florida International.
That Bill Stewart hire was money!
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evan m 8 months ago
I can't believe OSU PSU is getting more hype than UT vs the not overrated OSU. The big 10 is weak sauce.
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