So today is the last day of the MLB season. Oakland and Texas are tied for the AL West, Baltimore can tie the Yankees in the AL East, the Braves could get bounced by the Cardinals on Friday (again) even after winning 93+ games, and the Royals might not lose 90 games. Will today be as exciting as last year's last day?
Well, that's enough non-football.
Last week I dedicated my blog and picks to my dad... and I went 22-3 (only the Lions, Cowboys, and Buccaneers let me down... which meant the Redskins, my dad's team, won... so even better). There is no way I can repeat last week's success, especially with this week's college slate, specifically the SEC games.
Before my picks, I'd like to give a little Mizzou analysis since I couldn't pick there game last week and I feel like everyone needs to know where I stand. We're 5 weeks into the first SEC season and they are 3-2 (0-2). Am I dissappointed? Not at all. Do I believe they could be better? Of course, but COULD is the operative word. The Tigers have been hampered by injuries to the o-line, erradic quarterback play, and terrible play calling. Injuries are something all teams have to deal with, they are not a good excuse. In Mizzou's case they have caused a shuffle... when your starting center is your backup left tackle and your backup right guard is your backup center and your right tackle is your backup to all the backups you can't have more than 1 injury to the line or you'll make yourself insane trying to make the depth chart each week. Well the Tigers have 3 injures to their top 5 lineman and the biggest problem is the center can provide the quarterback with a solid and accurate shotgun snap... a SERIOUS problem in an up-tempo-sticking-with-the-spread-or-die style like the Tigers'. The injuries have thrown a large wrench in the machine, if it's not fixed this week, it never will be. When the rumors started to surface about why Berkstresser started over Franklin against Arizona State (about 10 minutes before kickoff), my concern immediately shifted towards the locker-room psyche, not the play on the field. Berkstresser is more like Gabbert and Franklin is more like Daniel, either one is fine, neither are going to win championships. More importantly, the rumor was that Franklin had lost the support of his teammates because of his strong religious beliefs. After the game, with the assumption that Franklin would be cleared to play against South Carolina, the coaching staff needed to do one of two things: either stick the support behind Franklin and say that if he's healthy, he's playing, or give Berkstresser the keys to the car and let him loose. The trouble is, they didn't let Berkstresser do ANYTHING against Arizona State (hence the lack of offense), and no one thought that he could lead the team to any upsets down the road (which would mean a 5-7 season). So option 2 was a tough choice for a coaching staff that's been playing "not to lose" ever since they lost the '07 Big12 Championship game (remember, when they were #1 in the BCS). They took option 1 and Franklin has looked terrible ever since. I like James Franklin the person... I'm not a huge fan of James Franklin, starting quarterback of the Missouri Tigers. He's committed to his religion, his family, his girlfriend (star volleyball player Molly Kreklow) and his team... but he lacks passion, at least in the eyes of a fan. We never see him get pissed at his o-line for a bad snap or a missed block, his celebrations are muted and unselfish, and he's been nothing but polite and courteous to the media. He's bland. I would prefer my quarterback to have fire and confidence (like Chase Daniel) and the ability to scream at his teammates when the need motivating or correction. I don't get that from Franklin. Finally, it's very hard to win football games when your offensive coordinator can't help his quarterback improve. Mizzou has one 4th-and-short play, and everyone in the SEC knows it... they've gone from 4 halfbacks sharing the load to 1 feature back in 10 months...they finally have 3 receivers over 6'4" to stretch the field, and insist on throwing them screens and 2-yard outs. The Spread offense is the hardest to stop... when executed flawlessly. David Yost cannot be blamed for poor execution... but he could stop calling plays that his offense fails to execute. He could call more deep crossing routes, he could use the wide side of the field more, and he could throw out the script and let his speedy athletes loose. This week is a breaking point for Mizzou. Beat Vandy and they can play their style and gain some respect in the SEC the rest of the way finishing with 7 or 8 wins. Lose AT HOME to Vandy, and you can kiss the bowl game goodbye. Heck, you'd be lucky to win another game.
Sorry, on to the picks.
Oklahoma over Texas Tech - you can talk about the improved Tech defense until you're blue in the face. I won't believe it until they hold a ranked team to less than 200 yards and less than 20 points.
Stanford over Arizona - speaking of defenses Stanford needs to get there's in check soon.
Georgia over South Carolina - I've seen both teams against Mizzou, I have more faith in South Carolina's defense, but much more faith in Georgia's offense.
Michigan over Purdue - last chance for Michigan to convince us that Denard Robinson is a quarterback.
LSU over Florida - I have more faith in Florida's offense, but much more faith in LSU's defense.
Clemson over Georgia Tech - Tech is now running the triple option on defense too: let them run, let them pass, or let them score.
Ohio State over Nebraska - in the battle of teams that should have NEVER done alternate uniforms, I'm sticking with the slight hope that Ohio State finishs undefeated and stays home for the holidays.
Texas over West Virginia - first team to play defense against the Mountaineers should win
Auburn over Arkansas - why couldn't the SEC have figured out the new cross-divisional rivals thing before this season? Mizzou should be playing Arkansas this year instead of making their 3rd straight trip to A&M.
Penn State over Northwestern - If redemption exists, Penn State will win this game. If not, nothing is right in the Big Ten (Northwestern 6-0???)
Last Week: 10-0 (55 pts)
Season: 32-18 (198 pts)
Cardinals over Rams - sticking with the undefeated team until an opponent gives me a compelling reason to think they can lose.
Bengals over Dolphins - the Bengals are dangerous. If Pittsburgh keeps losing, Cincy is in prime position to make the playoffs.
Packers over Colts - Andrew Luck, meet your better.
Ravens over Chiefs - I promise you, unless they are on a 3-game winning streak and are playing a team with at least 6 losses, I'm not picking the Chiefs. I wish I hadn't locked the Ravens last week.
Giants over Browns - speaking of teams I've already locked, could have really used the Giants this week.
Eagles over Steelers - the Eagles are the Bengals of the NFC, good enough to win enough games to slide into the playoffs.
Falcons over Redskins - sticking with the undefeated team until an opponent scares me into thinking the streak could end.
Seahawks over Panthers - it's entirely possible that the NFC could be the Falcons and 10 decent teams between 9-7 and 7-9... the Seahawks are one of those 10.
Bears over Jaguars - this is my LOCK for the week. I will say there is an outside chance that the Bears could have a let down, but I bet Blaine Gabbert throws for less than 120 yards and at least 1 pick.
Vikings over Titans - the Vikings are probably another 9-7 or 7-9 team in the NFC.
Patriots over Broncos - Peyton Manning outdoors against the Patriots? You're kidding right?
49ers over Bills - either the 49ers or the Cardinals will be better than 9-7 the other will be in that group.
Chargers over Saints - if the Chargers win, expect my lock next week to be whomever they play.
Texans over Jets - zero points against the 49ers translates to less than 10 against the Texans.
Last Week: 12-3
Season: 39-24
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