Thursday, September 17, 2009

College Picks Week 3

So it seems as if the folks at ESPN are, in so many words, calling this "Put up or shut up" Week. Several games involve teams that need to find an identity, either mediocre/terrible or contender. Tonight's Georgia Tech vs. Miami game is an example... the winner is for real, the loser may be a pretender. Mizzou better put up on Saturday. Anything less than a 30 point win is inexcusable.

Here are this week's ESPN Pick 'Em games (ordered least confident to most):
-Clemson over Boston College... the Tigers made a valiant effort against Georgia Tech last week, which gives them the nod for me.
-Iowa over Arizona... Big Ten running game against a Stoops defense? I'll take the home team in a near push.
-Auburn over West Virginia... the formally woeful Tiger offense has ran all over the competition, while WVU has pounded weak opponents. Which team is for real? Probably the home team.
-Oregon State over Cincinnati... upset special! Home team plus running game should make the difference in a barn-burner.
-Virginia Tech over Nebraska... I'd love to buy into this Nebraska team... wait. No I wouldn't! Hokies and home.
-Utah over Oregon... I think the Ducks may get back to normal dispute the incident in the opener, but not against the Utes.
-Georgia over Arkansas... I don't buy the hype around Ryan Mallett. Bobby Petrino is still going to suffer from karma for the Atlanta job and Georgia is better than they played at Oklahoma State.
-North Carolina over East Carolina... the Pirates beat a good WVU team last year but lost to an average WVU team this year... that means they are not as dangerous this year.
-California over Minnesota... the Cal running game is too good to be stopped, unless maybe it's USC's defense. They still have to have 14 guys on the field.
-Texas over Texas Tech... YES, IT IS ABOUT REVENGE! And there will be revenge.

Last week: 7-3 (41 pts.)
Overall: 14-6 (87 pts. 83rd percentile)

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Are satisfied with a Mizzou 40 pt win and the points for furman coming in the 2nd half junk time? I am.

Thoughts on Washington over USC? Is it the QB issues at USC or the coaching connection?

Good call on V-Tech on Nebraska - but the huskers kept it really close? Do you think their defense is for real, and if it is, can their offense score enouch for them to win the big 12 north?

Also, Baylor had looked real for a bit, but a big loss to UConn at home? Is Baylor still the same old Baylor or did UConn win because of their awesome name only?

Finally, Notre Dame. As you know, I've always liked the Irish, and I was expecting 9 wins this year. I wasn't a "Irish in the BCS" person, but I gave them a good run. Also, I can forgive a loss to an improving Michigan at Michigan. However, they struggled at home to Mich. State, who lost to Central Mich., is Notre Dame really overrated?