College Picks

I am going to be on campus this week (Zona at Cal game), so my picks are in a little bit early.

Boston College at Virginia +4

I got to give it the Eagles, they have surprised me every week. They lost their coach, OC, and best player in the off season under strange circumstances. But Spaziani and Paul Blake have been able to win some big games and keep them competitive. I never think Groh will win any games, but they are playing at home and he usually can win late to save his job. But taking the Eagles and giving the points.

Northwestern at Illinois +5

The Illini have come alive after a disastrous start the season. There terrible start made me look like an idiot (see Big Ten Preview) and taught me never to put any faith in Zooker. The Cats are coming off a big win in Iowa and Wooten and the should be able to stop the run and contain Benn. Even though this game is in Champaign, I think Fitz and the Cats can cover the 5.

Iowa at Ohio State -17

No way the Buckeyes are losing this game and no way they are covering the 17. Iowa will have a game plan to keep #2 off the field and should be able to match Tressel on special teams.

Michigan at Wisconsin -8.5

With the Hilltopper and Memphis job opening up the hot stove coaching season has officially begun. This is the greatest time of the year. Its like labor day, Christmas, new year’s and my birthday rolled into one. You get the chance to follow the private planes of big boosters and get texts and phone calls telling you about campus visits. Outside of the goings on in South Bend, RichRod’s situation holds the key to a lame or tremendous hot stove season. I can’t see them winning either in Camp Randall or against the Bucks. Depending on how he and the boosters react to these Ls, the MEEEEEECHIGAN could be open. I think the Wolverines will cover the 8.5, but lose.

Clemson at NC State +8

A match up of the two ACC that I have had a love/hate relationship with over the past decade. They both have given me amazing highs (Clemson mostly) and terrible lows (Clemson again), while refusing to reaching their full potential. Home field advantage and Russell taking care of the football will allow the Pack to cover.

Tennessee at Ole Miss -4.5

As wrong as I was about the Illini is equal to how right I was about Nutt, Snead and the Rebels. It has been a very disappointing season in the Grove and the Volunteers are going to come in and make it worse. Layla’s husband and father-in-law cover on the road.

Nebraska at Kansas +3.5

Reesing and the Jayhawks have collapsed after a strong start. Bo’s Huskers are coming off a close W over the MASH unit Sooners. Suh and the rest of the Husker D will stifle Mangini’s offense and will score enough to win and cover.

Notre Dame at Pitt -7

This game lost a little bit of its luster after egg the Irish laid against the Midshipmen, but I still love watching Jimmy sling it around and the chance to root against Wanny on national tv is one of my favorite things. That being said……………….Pitt is going to wipe the floor with Irish D and Jimmy won’t have his handcuffs taken off. Pitt will win and cover the 7, causing Weis to be a lame duck for the Stanford game.

Arizona at Cal -1

Zona is too good to get beat without Best and the Bears in a tailspin. Zona wins.

Florida at South Carolina -15

Florida’s offense is not good enough to be giving 15 to that Gamecock D on the road. Putting aside the annual Spurrier late season swoon, he should be able to get the boys up for the Gators. Cocks stay within two scores.

Allbarn at Georgia -4.5

I don’t have a good read on either of these teams, would never take either of them over anybody that is any good. But unfortunately both these teams are bad. I think there are bad feelings in Athens right now and Allbarn is able to pull a minor upset due to turnovers and a good offensive game plan.