Friday, November 12, 2010

I Hate Thursday Night Games

Screw the NFL Network. Why do they even get to broadcast games when, like, 2% of America subscribes to the channel? It's insane. I'm working so hard now I was oblivious to the fact there was a key NFL game last night.

Oh well, I guess I need to do the picks on Thursdays now...

Week 10:
Ravens over Falcons... being entirely too honest, but I wasn't paying attention to Matt Ryan's home record.

Lions over Bills... they've come close 3 weeks in a row, but I'm still not breaking rank.

Bears over Vikings... so, Favre showed some of that magic that makes him so popular. So what? He's still 41 and limping around... and it was the Cardinals!

Jets over Browns... the Browns have showed promise, but then again, they've reeled us in like this before. Remember Derek Anderson?

Colts over Bengals... at least Donald Brown is back. Plus, the Bengals had a short week. What NFL genius gave the Bengals the Steelers and Colts in a six day span?

Titans over Dolphins... yes, I'm starting Randy Moss this week, only because my 2-7 fantasy team has nothing else to lose. Expect other Titans receivers to burn Miami.

Buccaneers over Panthers... who would have thought two years ago that Josh Freeman would be a more successful NFL quarterback than Jimmy Clausen?

Texans over Jaguars... somebody in the AFC South has to step it up. It'll be ridiculous if the Colts win the division at 9-7.

Chiefs over Broncos... victims of a wacky officiating game last week, look for the Chiefs to pick up where they left off in Denver last year. Yes, remember the terrible Chiefs last year put 44 on the Broncos when they were fighting for a playoff spot.

Giants over Cowboys... my Eliminator pick of the week... don't screw this up Eli.

Cardinals over Seahawks... I couldn't tell you anything about either team.

Rams over 49ers... the more interesting NFC West pillow fight. I'm starting to like the Rams defensive unit, and Bradford hasn't died yet.

Steelers over Patriots... showcase of the AFC Championship?? Nope, they'll meet in round two.

Eagles over Redskins... will someone please tell these teams that the Giants are on the verge of running away with the division so they can get their act together.

Last Week: 7-9
This Week: 0-1
Season: 72-59

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Getting Drawn in By College Football

As I sit here watching the ESPN 30-For-30 documentary on Marcus Dupree, one of the greatest football players that never was, I realize that no matter what the Tigers do (or don't do) I will always treasure college football more than any other diversion.

On to this week's rankings:
1: Auburn (10-0)
2: Texas Christian (10-0)
3: Oregon (9-0)
4: Boise State (8-0)
5: Michigan State (9-1)
6: Louisiana State (8-1)
7: Stanford (8-1)
8: Ohio State (8-1)
9: Nebraska (8-1)
10: Oklahoma State (8-1)
11: Wisconsin (8-1)
12: Utah (8-1)
13: Nevada (8-1)
14: Temple (8-2)
15: Northern Illinois (8-2)
16: Alabama (7-2)
17: Arkansas (7-2)
18: Oklahoma (7-2)
19: Arizona (7-2)
19: Mississippi State (7-2)
21: Missouri (7-2)
22: Iowa (7-2)
23: Virginia Tech (7-2)
24: San Diego State (7-2)
25: Fresno State (6-2)
26: Baylor (7-3)
27: Hawaii (7-3)

Also receiving "votes": South Carolina (6-3), Texas A&M (6-3), Florida (6-3), Miami (FL) (6-3), Penn State (6-3), Kansas State (6-3), Southern Cal (6-3), North Carolina (6-3), Florida State (6-3), Michigan (6-3), North Carolina State (6-3), Central Florida (6-3), Northwestern (6-3), Navy (6-3), Southern Miss (6-3), Tulsa (6-3), Pittsburgh (5-3), West Virginia (5-3), Air Force (6-4), Clemson (5-4).

Honorable Mention: Ohio (7-3), Maryland (6-3), Texas-El Paso (6-4), Miami (OH) (6-4), Toledo (6-4).

Week 11 Picks:
Texas over #10 Oklahoma State
South Carolina over Florida
Miami (FL) over Georgia Tech
#19 Arizona over Southern Cal
#23 Virginia Tech over North Carolina
#16 Alabama over #19 Mississippi State
#1 Auburn over Georgia
#12 Utah over Notre Dame
#22 Iowa over Northwestern
#7 Stanford over Arizona State

Last Week: 4-6 (28 pts.)
Season: 57-43 (358 pts.)

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Paterno Gets #400 Today

That's right. Mark it down.

This Week's College Ranks:
1: Auburn (9-0)
2: Texas Christian (9-0)
3: Oregon (8-0)
4: Utah (8-0)
5: Boise State (7-0)
6: Ohio State (8-1)
7: Michigan State (8-1)
8: Alabama (7-1)
9: Oklahoma (7-1)
10: Arizona (7-1)
11: Louisiana State (7-1)
12: Stanford (7-1)
13: Missouri (7-1)
14: Nebraska (7-1)
15: Wisconsin (7-1)
16: Oklahoma State (7-1)
17: Nevada (7-1)
18: Mississippi State (7-2)
19: Baylor (7-2)
20: Virginia Tech (7-2)
21: Hawaii (7-2)
22: Central Florida (7-2)
23: Temple (7-2)
24: Northern Illinois (7-2)

Also receiving votes: Arkansas (6-2), Iowa (6-2), South Carolina (6-2), North Carolina State (6-2), Florida State (6-2), Maryland (6-2), Northwestern (6-2), San Diego State (6-2), Syracuse (6-2), Southern Cal (5-3), Florida (5-3), Texas A&M (5-3), Miami (FL) (5-3), Illinois (5-3), Michigan (5-3), Pittsburgh (5-3), West Virginia (5-3), Navy (5-3), Oregon State (4-3), Virginia (4-4).

Honorable Mention: Ohio (7-3), Toledo (6-3), Fresno State (5-2).

College Picks:
Clemson over NC State
Illinois over Michigan
#10 Arizona over #12 Stanford
#13 Missouri over Texas Tech
South Carolina over Arkansas
#8 Alabama over #11 LSU
Florida State over North Carolina
#2 TCU over #4 Utah
Penn State over Northwestern
#16 Oklahoma State over #19 Baylor

Last Week: 6-4 (41 pts.)
Season: 53-37 (330 pts.)

Pro Picks:
Falcons over Buccaneers
Bears over Bills
Patriots over Browns
Jets over Lions
Cardinals over Vikings
Saints over Panthers
Ravens over Dolphins
Texans over Chargers
Seahawks over Giants
Chiefs over Raiders
Colts over Eagles
Packers over Cowboys
Steelers over Bengals

Last Week: 7-6
Season: 65-52

Saturday, October 30, 2010

If I Were a Gambling Man...

... I'd be screwed. What an unpredictable season! Last week was the first time I did well in both college and the pros. It may also have been the first week (this late in the season) when my high school (7-1), my college (7-0) and my pro team (4-2) all won... and are all in first place. And they all vanquished opponents that they hadn't beat in years.

On to the college picks:

#4 Missouri over #15 Nebraska... Sure, it's in Lincoln. Sure, it's a huge let-down-game possibility for Mizzou. Sure, what are the odds the Tigers do it twice in a row? BUT... so many people are picking Nebraska that it's no longer an upset. I feel like Mizzou is getting no respect here... they'll take that personally.

Iowa over #2 Michigan State... I realized during the picking process on ESPN.com, that the easy picks were all road teams. I don't think Iowa lets it happen two weeks in a row, especially at home.

Georgia over Florida... remember when we were counting out the Bulldogs after a 1-4 start. Well, here they are, just 1/2 game out of first. With some help, they could be in Atlanta in December. Florida's offense is perfect for Halloween... trick or treat.

Michigan over Penn State... where have Joe-Pa's boys gone? What's up with them? The Wolverines have been much more consistent.

Northwestern over Indiana... why are we picking this game?

Clemson over Boston College... here's hoping the Tigers can jump on the opportunity that the ACC Atlantic is still wide open.

#4 Oregon over USC... I have no faith in the Trojan defense. And that's not good when facing the best offense in the country.

#1 Auburn over Mississippi... it's entirely possible for #1 to lose in four straight weeks, but this is the least competitive of the four games. Ole Miss needs to figure out run defense, then we can talk about upsets.

$17 Oklahoma State over Kansas State... this one should be high scoring. About as high as Justin Blackman scored on his DUI "test."

#11 Ohio State over Minnesota... why is this game on TV? Has Minnesota just been unlucky in it's 1-7 start? Are they an underrated, dangerous foe? Ohio State is going to be prepared for the other top Big Ten teams to lose. They're just waiting to steal the Rose Bowl bid.

Last Week: 7-3 (40 pts.)
Season: 47-33 (289 pts.)

Pro Picks:

Chiefs over Bills... when the 5-2 Titans and the 4-2 Seahawks are the lone remaining winning teams on your schedule, and you have a 1-1/2 game lead in the division, you can't lose at home to the worst team in football.

Dolphins over Bengals... I'm done trusting Cincy. Period.

Cowboys over Jaguars... the 'Boys have one more chance. Good thing Romo can't screw it up for them.

Redskins over Lions... remember how the Lions ended their 22-game losing streak against Washington last year? Yea, so do the 'Skins.

Rams over Panthers... just like the Chiefs, the Rams are benefitting from slight talent improvements and a last-place schedule.

Jets over Packers... weren't the Packers a trendy Super Bowl pick? The fact that my ESPN fantasy team is 2-5 and Aaron Rodgers was my keeper pick tells you everything you need to know about the Packers... and the rest of my team.

49ers over Broncos... they got off the schnide last week, and they get to pick on the Denver defense.

Titans over Chargers... how much do the Chargers miss LT? Take a look at their rushing stats,

Buccaneers over Cardinals... I can't believe Josh Freeman may lead Tampa to the playoffs. C'mon Saints, pick it up!

Patriots over Vikings... if only Randy Moss had a quarterback that could get him the ball so he can exact revenge.

Seahawks over Raiders... yes, I'm picking the Chiefs to be up 2-1/2 games by November 1st. Weird, isn't it?

Steelers over Saints... the defending champs at .500? Believe it.

Colts over Texans... once is a fluke, twice is coincidence. Good thing Peyton doesn't believe in coincidence.

Last Week: 10-4
Season: 58-46

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Week 9 College Ranks

The wait is over. Four weeks later than last year, but it's here. As a reminder, the record is the first thing. Then a four-part average of the AP, USA Today, and Harris Polls plus strength of schedule rank.

1: Auburn (8-0)
2: Michigan State (8-0)
3: Texas Christian (8-0)
4t: Oregon (7-0)
4t: Missouri (7-0)
6: Boise State (7-0)
7: Utah (7-0)
8: Alabama (7-1)
9: Louisiana State (7-1)
10: Wisconsin (7-1)
11: Ohio State (7-1)
12: Oklahoma (6-1)
13: Stanford (6-1)
14: Arizona (6-1)
15: Nebraska (6-1)
16: Florida State (6-1)
17: Oklahoma State (6-1)
18: Nevada (6-1)
19: Mississippi State (6-2)
20: Baylor (6-2)
21: Virginia Tech (6-2)
22: Hawaii (6-2)
23: Northern Illinois (6-2)

Also "receiving votes:" Arkansas (5-2), South Carolina (5-2), Iowa (5-2), Miami (FL) (5-2), Southern Cal (5-2), Michigan (5-2), Kansas State (5-2), North Carolina State (5-2), East Carolina (5-2), Northwestern (5-2), West Virginia (5-2), San Diego State (5-2), Maryland (5-2), Navy (5-2), Syracuse (5-2), Central Florida (5-2), Southern Mississippi (5-2), Air Force (5-3), Georgia Tech (5-3), California (4-3), Florida (4-3), Texas (4-3), Illinois (4-3), Clemson (4-3), Pittsburgh (4-3), Georgia (4-4), Oregon State (3-3), Washington (3-4).

Honorable Mention: Temple (6-2), Fresno State (5-2), Toledo (5-3), Ohio (5-3), Troy (4-2), Idaho (4-3), Houston (4-3), Army (4-3), Indiana (4-3), Penn State (4-3), Purdue (4-3), Louisville (4-3), Rutgers (4-3), North Carolina (4-3), Texas Tech (4-3), Texas A&M (4-3).

As you can see there are way too many teams here. I anticipate this is because of my inclusion of the Harris Poll, which obviously has no concern for record. I hope this number of teams receiving votes will decrease in the next few weeks.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Game Day Baby

Too busy of a weekend to put much but the picks out here, rankings will be next week, sorry.

College Picks
Missouri over Oklahoma
Auburn over LSU
Iowa over Wisconsin
Oklahoma State over Nebraska
Clemson over Georgia Tech
Hawaii over Utah State
Arizona over Washington
Miami (FL) over North Carolina
Alabama over Tennessee
Michigan State over Northwestern

Last Week: 4-6 (29 pts.)
Season: 40-30 (249 pts.)

Pro Picks:
Falcons over Bengals
Bears over Redskins
Titans over Eagles
Chiefs over Jaguars
Steelers over Dolphins
Saints over Browns
Buccaneers over Rams
49ers over Panthers
Ravens over Bills
Seahawks over Cardinals
Patriots over Chargers
Broncos over Raiders
Packers over Vikings
Giants over Cowboys

Last Week: 8-6
Season 48-42

Saturday, October 16, 2010

It's Getting Cold Out There

I'll apologize ahead of time for the lack of energy in this blog. I'm tired. My co-ed kickball team lost the de facto league championship last night 7-5. I haven't been picking well. So basically, I'll need a Tigers and Chiefs win this weekend to get back on track.

College Picks:
Arkansas over Auburn
Michigan over Iowa
Purdue over Minnesota
Oregon State over Washington
Ohio State over Wisconsin
South Carolina over Kentucky
USC over California
Nebraska over Texas
Michigan State over Illinois
Alabama over Mississippi

Last Week: 5-5 (22 pts.)
Season: 36-24 (220 pts.)

Reminder: Next week I'll unveil my rankings and get the great debate started.

Pro Picks:
Bears over Seahawks
Ravens over Patriots
Giants over Lions
Falcons over Eagles
Steelers over Browns
Packers over Dolphins
Chargers over Rams
Saints over Buccaneers
Texans over Chiefs
Raiders over 49ers
Jets over Broncos
Vikings over Cowboys
Colts over Redskins
Titans over Jaguars

Last Week: 6-8
Season: 40-36