With Air Force of the MWC and Bowling Green of the MAC hanging
around with unblemished records, the slots for BCS bowls could see their first
serious challenge for a mid-major participant. With undefeated Notre Dame
visiting Fort Collins and the Air Force Academy tomorrow night, one more
pretender will be eliminated, a lot of folks will stay up late to watch this
one!
Back after a week of no access due to circumstances beyond any
control, a few remarks about last week's action.
Florida and Auburn were both taken to the woodshed by LSU and Arkansas
respectively, casting further doubt on the relative strength of the entire SEC
throughout the Nation. The Dawgs methodically went about whipping the urnge
for the 3rd year in a row in a game that seemed closer thanks to scores on the
reserves in the fourth quarter. Tennessee isn't what they've been, injuries
notwithstanding. And last night, the Terps blew away the insects in the second
half raising some questions about the state of affairs at the Joke by Coke.
New nats HC Gailey has got his hands full and will need to perform some swift
repairs to the Yech team lest they fold up like a cub scout pup tent.
Second Half of the Season will see me begin anew with picks, so
let's get started!
12:30 JP
Vanderbilt @ Georgia (-26): The Dawgs welcome the Dores to
their Homecoming Celebration as they celebrate a perfect run through the first
half of the 2002 season. Vandy will welcome back their QB from suspension, a
timely thing given that his stand in was injured last week....Dawgs blow the
Dores off, UGA 48 VU 9
2pm. No TV
Kentucky @ Arkansas (-10): The Hogs went into Jordan-Hare and
blew the Tigers off their own field, surprising me given their 6 OT loss the
week prior, while the 'Cats couldn't overcome the chikins in a game they
truely pointed to as a statement kind of game. A team with new vigor, at home,
versus a team who failed to make the grade they wanted....don't like the
spread in this one but will take the Hogs to win, say 38-31.
3pm-ESPN
Colorado State @ Utah (-1): A key MWC battle for CSU as
they try to stay close to Air Force. Injuries have altered the Utes, along
with simply not making the plays as they've now lost 4 in a row, while the
Rams rebounded from their narrow loss to Fresno State last week against the
hapless Wyoming Cowboys. Nothing fancy about this game, a mano-a-mano
fistfight it will be, and the Rams will win the fight, say 24-21.
3:30pm ABC, GP
Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-9): One of two key B12 conference
matchups tomorrow as the surprising Cyclones descend upon Norman. The Sooners
got their annual thumping of Tejas out of the way last week while the Clones
spanked Texas Tech. Funny how schedules work out, for ISU faces Texas next
week in Austin, how's that for two tough games in a row! Cinderella thinks
she's in South Bend this year but she could just as well be in Ames if the
Clones pull the upset....NOT! Sooners 30-21.
3:30pm, ABC, GP
Washington @ Southern Cal (-8): Possible elimination game in
the PAC10 as both have a loss already. The Udub D has been a work in progress
this year and simply hasn't shown an ability to stop anyone but the O has lots
of get up and go. The Men of Troy have looked stout at times and lost at
times, but at home it's very hard to pick against them. USC prevails by a
34-24 type score.
3:30pm, ABC, GP
Ohio State (-7) @ Wisconsin: The unbeaten Buckeyes go on the
road to Camp Randall Stadium as the Homecoming guests of the Badgers, who
are reeling from a road defeat at Indiana. As many predicted, this Wisky team
was one that had the Offensive firepower but lacked the D to challenge
for the Big10 crown, their close losses to PSU & Indy confirm it. If the
Badgers fail to tackle perfectly tomorrow, they will absorb their 3rd
Conference loss. tOSU covers, 35-17.
3:30pm, CBS
Ole Miss @ Alabama (-11): Key SECW battle as Eli leads the
Rebels to Bryant-Denny to face the well rested Tide. This is a critical game
for Ole Miss, for it marks the Bataan Death March portion of the schedule
with 4 of the next six on the road (at Bama, at Arky, Auburn, at UGA, at LSU,
MSU). Each Rebel win from here on will be increasingly more crucial as
the race in the West is still wide open. As much as I think that the Rebs can
step up like they did vs. the Gators, I believe that the Tide will
regroup and out defense them. Bama wins 28-24, the spread is too much.
6:45pm, ESPN
Auburn @ Florida (-8): Just couldn't resist this one, two teams
I truely despise and who both suffered bloodied nose beatings last week. The
Gators of Zook are reeling after two consecutive losses and the home crowd
will not be patient should Auburn take the early advantage. Now Auburn simply
forgets how to play run D for the second half and gets blown off their own
field, go figure! Anybody doubt that Tubs and Zook occupy the hottest seats in
the SEC next to Jackie? With revenge a slight motivator, I'm picking the
Gators in a 35-24 type game.
7pm, TBS
UCLA (-3.5) @ California: Another elimination game out West,
the Bruins with a late minute loss to Oregon have but one while the Golden
Bears have lost to Wazoo & USC. Defense wins championships and the Bruins
have demonstrated they can play it better than Cal. A wild shootout is what I
see here, say UCLA 42 Cal 38.
7pm, Fox
Texas @ Kansas State (-2.5):Put up or shutup time for the Horns
and on the road in Manhatten doesn't make for a simple cure for their second
half ills. Bill Snyder's 'Cats can ill afford a loss either, for they battle
the Clones and Buffs for the North crown. Should be a heck of a battle and I'm
taking the Cats at home, 28-27.
7:45pm, ESPN2
South Carolina @ LSU (-8): Nick Saban's Tigers lost QB Matt
Mauck late in the fourth quarter after they had the Gators defeated and as of
this writing Mauck is out. The Gamecocks whipped UK on the road last week and
a win in Red Stick could propel them over both UT & UF in the SECE race.
The Bayou Bengals are tough but at night and in Death Valley, well, let's just
say ole Lou will have to really conjure up some magic to steal the win. LSU 24
SC 21
GAME OF THE WEEK
10pm on ESPN
Notre Dame @ Air Force (-3): Late night for many of us as this
could be one of the benchmark games of this Season! The Fighting Irish roll
into the Rockies undefeated and with a tough Defense and an opportunistic
style of play to face the prolific triple option of the Falcons, led by a QB
from Warner Robbins! Mistakes and turnovers are often the key to games like
this and surprisingly the two are tied in T/O% at #7 in the country. The Irish
have made me look bad this season so I might as well pick against them again
since I'm liking what the Falcons going undefeated does to the BCS. Air Force
28 ND 24.
Good luck to all this weekend and GO DAWGS!
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