Friday, October 8, 2010

Back to School. College Picks

A lackluster 3-3 last week as LSU, Georgia Tech and Maryland all won but failed to cover. I was 2-1 on my leans, so hopefully you got in on those to make it a winning week. The Picks stand at 10-6 on the season. Time to get back on the winning track. Lots of games on the board that I like. Hopefully you had the Huskers last night. I'm officially on Oklahoma St. tonight -24.

Alabama -7 at South Carolina
What a long, strange trip it's been for Gamecocks QB Stephen Garcia. He's a redshirt junior but it feels like he's been playing as long as the Dead has been touring. The Head Ball Coach benched Garcia in favor of a true freshman for the last two possessions against Auburn two weeks ago, but is turning back to him this week against #1. "We're going to give Stephen every opportunity to be our quarterback," isn't exactly a ringing endorsement, but a lot of scouts think the 'Cocks will be able to throw the ball on Alabama. I don't. Steve is going to be Truckin' for his life. "Other times I can barely see," is the likely refrain. Auburn ran the ball at will and #1 will do the same this week. There are no trap games in the SEC even when you play three straight top 25s. Nick will have the boys ready. A touchdown isn't enough. Roll Tide.

Arkansas -5 vs. Texas A&M at Cowboys Stadium
I'm always worried when a line looks off the mark. It generally means I need to do some more work because somebody in Vegas knows something I don't. I've done the work and I don't see it. Last year marked the first year of a ten-year deal that these two schools signed to play annually at Cowboy Stadium. Jerry Jones got a chuckle as the 1-2 Razorbacks thumped the 3-0 Aggies 47-19. A&M QB Jerrod Johnson is really talented, but he's thrown four interceptions in each of the last two games. Look for a ton of points in this one and take Over 62 with the Hogs as they make it 2-0 in the series. Get on Arkansas in a big way.

Ohio St. -22.5 vs. Indiana
Indiana is gonna get punished for the fact that Illinois played the Buckeyes close last week. Don't let anyone tell you that running up the score is no longer important because of the BCS system. That's just not true. The coach's poll is still the biggest factor and running up the score gets you pretty points even if no one admits it. Look for the Buckeyes to put up 50 in the 'Shoe this week.

Oregon -36.5 at Washington St.
Don't be afraid to lay big numbers. Pretty points matter more for Oregon than anyone. See above. In this one speed kills. I don't think they can make the line big enough.

USC +9.5 at Stanford
How the mighty have fallen. Nothing makes me happier than watching the Trojans get blown up. Pete Carroll cheated and then jumped ship and Mike Garrett's legacy as a bozo was cemented when he hired Lane Kiffin. I've set the over/under on Kiffin's tenure as head coach at 2.5 seasons. This week USC's stud freshman running back Dillon Baxter admitted he's been going through the motions. Where's the guy on the white charger? Having said all that USC will be up for this game after suffering their worst defeat in over 40 years at the hand of the Cardinal last year. 9.5 is too many. Even though their defense is terrible I expect USC to keep this close.

Baylor PK at Texas Tech
The sharps are on this game as the line has moved from Baylor +2 to pick 'em already. Baylor crushed Kansas last week and Tech lost to Iowa St. Tommy Tuberville is having trouble playing the Captain of Mike Leach's pirate ship. Robert Griffin, Baylor's quarterback, is legit and Art Briles is making the Bears a team that the other schools in the Big 12 are going to have to take seriously. Baylor rolls on the road.

Florida -6.5 vs. LSU
Last week I wrote that Les Miles is a terrible in-game coach. On cue. Watch this disaster last week against Tennessee. Yet, as seemingly is always the case, the Tigers got the win. They are 5-0, but their offense is terrible. Urban Meyer will have the Gators fired up at the Swamp after getting waxed by #1. Go Gators.

Auburn -6 at Kentucky
Kentucky upset Auburn 21-14 last year on the road. It's payback time as Auburn goes 6-0 for the first time since 2004.  Ole Miss shredded the Kentucky run defense last week and Auburn will do the same. Alabama-Auburn is starting to loom in the distance.

Leans: NC St. -9.5 vs. Boston College, Navy -3.5 at Wake Forest, UCLA +7.5 at Cal

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