College Picks Week 4 (Cheney Guest)

It is time for week 4 of the college season. I will be in Raleigh this weekend for the Pitt/NC State game. Slamming with Fork, his band of Pack crew, Petrags, and two of his Pitt buddies. I will also scramble over to the awesome Wolfpack statue and marvel in its glory. I am super jacked up. Also Fork has a huge tow behind smoker named the Wolfcat (pictured above), so Friday night is going to be spent stocking the firebox and working on apps. Below is a preliminary menu…

Pork shoulders smoked for 12 hours, pulled and chopped into BBQ

Homemade coleslaw

Jalapeno cornbread

3 cheese dip with 3 kinds of jalapenos and sausage cooked in the firebox

Jalapeno poppers (might be my responsibility, excited for the challenge)

Smoked catfish dip

Fresh local sausages

Smoked fresh peach and blackberry cobbler

Wes Cheney is the guest prognosticator this week. He is a fellow Dcat and I ran into him at the reunion for the first time since the Bears opener at Green Bay in 2005 or 2006 in New York. He is a big Longhorn, Ranger, Mav and Cowboy fan. He loves David Segui and is the only person in the history of the world with a Quincy Carter Dallas Cowboy jersey. He is now located in San Francisco spying on the US for the Chinese. He also thinks he is better than me, and looks down his nose at me for being awesome. I would care, but he seems to forget that I know about the weird stuff he used to do constantly. My sour grapes aside, it was great reconnecting with Wes, he is a great sports fan and hopefully will see him when I make it out to San Fran. Cheney’s picks are in italics and as always don’t use these to gamble off of, mostly because I am stupid.

Ole Miss Rebels at South Carolina Gamecocks +4

Upset Thursday Night. Haven’t been a believer in the Rebs since the start (although I was impressed with their Cotton Bowl W over Captain Leach, watched it a Red Raider bar getting free shots every time TT scored. This was early day 2 of an epic 4 day New Years 09 bender). I think the OBC, Garcia, and that Cock D will be too much for the Rebs on the road.

I am taking Ole Miss and giving the points because South Carolina can’t win a big game.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Boston College Eagles -1.5

Boston College is awful. Not really sure if Jeff Jags or Gene DeFilipo have had a worse offseason. If Barry gets his way the BC offense would be eligible for TARP funds.

Taking BC because they are at home.

Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio State Buckeyes -14

Too many points. I look stupid for my Big Ten sleeper pick, serves me right for hitching my wagon to Zook’s star. But Jimmy T and Pryor have got to prove that they understand that point of offense is to score points before I give two touchdowns to a conference opponent not named Indiana.

Illinois looked terrible against Mizzou and will be blown out at the ‘shoe.

TCU Horned Frogs at Clemson Tigers -2.5

Gary Patterson was a candidate for Dabo’s job before he got the interim tag removed. I love Gary, but I think that Parker and the Tigers can protect Death Valley and come out ahead by more than a field goal. Clemson’s speed on the perimeter will make the difference. The real pregame headline is that this game, arguably the best of the weekend, is not being televised. Inexusable. Ricky Proctor is ready to take ESPN by force.

TCU will win the game outright.

LSU Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs +12.5

Starksville is not the easiest place to play, but I don’t think the Mullen and Co have enough to keep this one within two TDs. LSU needs to start racking up Ws before the calendar turns to October and they face the Dawgs, Gators, Allbarn and then the Tide and Rebs in Nov.

No pick from Cheney

Arkansas Razorbacks at Alabama Crimson Tide -17.5

That is a big spread, real big spread. I was watching College Football Live yesterday and Trevor Madich was showing Ryan Mallet highlights. He was showing Mallet reading the defense in his drop and lining up his body and making good decision and correct throws. I was very impressed. But I am swallowing hard and giving the hogs the points. I am all over the Tide this year, and think Saban is going to use this prime CBS game to kick some ass and send a message. They the most complete football team playing on Saturdays in America.

Can the offense and Mallett lead the Hogs to a victory? No way, but the score will be closer than 17. Grandpa Chaney is anxiously awaiting this game. Pig Sooie.

California Golden Bears at Oregon Ducks +5.5

Rumors are that the Ducks are going to be rocking retro uniforms in this game, and I think the Autzen fans will be enough to keep this game close. Spread seems a little big to me and this will be the second straight road game for the Bears after going to Minnesota last week. Javid Best is the heisman front runner, but I think it was important for the Kevin Riley to make some big throws to keep the Gopher charge at bay. The duck O has been underwhelming, but I think the home cooking will do wonders.

Do Cal athletes "walk-out" too? Cal might be a mess, but the football team is good and Jahvid Best is awesome.

North Carolina Heels at Georgia Tech Jackets -2.5

I don’t see an overrated Heel team winning in Bobby Dodd. I am going down with PJ ship, he has refused to cover for me yet this year. Although it was my fault last week for going against Black Ken Dorsey. I now have a few more rules for college football picks, under no circumstances should you go against …….

1) Southern Miss at home at night, especially on Thursday

2) Hokies in Blacksburg on a Thursday night

3) Jacory Harris

4) Brian Kelly

5) Tom O’brien against the Tar Heels

6) Jim Tressel against Michigan

If you feel the need to, just stay away from the game. Thank me later.

Jacory Harris was great, but still surprised Georgia Tech didn't do better against Miami, especially running the ball. North Carolina will win this game.

Pittsburgh Panthers at NC State Wolfpack -1

Panthers have been impressive so far this season, but can’t take Death Spiral Dave on the road. Hopefully the Wolfpack have turned a corner and don’t need to lose four games before they start playing well.

No pick from Cheney

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purdue Boilermakers +7

Notre Dame’s defense is terrible and Jimmy’s not 100%, but I think the Irish can cover the spread even if I am not sure how. I hope Clausen’s injury doesn’t hamper him, because watching him pilot the Irish offense has become must tv. They are the ESPN night game, check it out. Don’t feel great about this spread, but I think the game will go over 60.

Notre Dame sucks.

Texas Tech Red Raiders at Houston Cougars -1

Raiders hung tough last week in Austin, but came out with a L. The second straight road night game won’t be any easier. I think the Case Keenum and the Cougs keep it up.

Texas Tech didn't look all that bad in Austin. At PK, I'll take the Red Raiders.