So I will go through my picks today for both college and the NFL and include some quick thoughts for each. I am hoping to be able to post some reaction entries either Sunday or Monday for some of the action, but no promises.
On to the picks...
Predictions (Home teams in CAPS)
NCAA
Illinois (-4) over PURDUE
Purdue has lost to Rice, beaten Middle Tennessee by 3, and in their two games against above average competition (Notre Dame and Penn State) they have only averaged 14 PPG. Look for Illinois to bounce back from their first loss of the season to Ohio State last week.
CLEMSON (-11) over North Carolina
Clemson looks to keep their unbeaten season going at home against the Tar Heels. North Carolina comes in at 5-2, but their two losses are by a combined total of 13 points so they could give Clemson some trouble. I expect the Tigers to pull away in the fourth quarter behind Boyd and Co.
Arkansas (-16) over OLE MISS
Poor Ole Miss fans, they will probably see Houston Nutt fired by season's end and they have to witness back to back blowouts at home at the hands of Alabama and Arkansas.
Boston College (+21) over VIRGINIA TECH
BC's offense is horrible but if they can sustain some drives the Eagles could keep this game close. Their defense is pretty good but they have to play 40 minutes every week. I also don't think Virginia Tech's offense is all that good. BC, coming off of a bye, stays within arm's reach and covers.
Georgia Tech (+3) over MIAMI
Tech is coming off of their first loss of the season while Miami is looking to build off last week's win over North Carolina. The Canes offense has been putting up some points, but I think Tech will give their defense problems with their option attack and keep the offense off the field.
BOISE STATE (-30) over Air Force
Kellen Moore and the Broncos should roll here, but still need a lot of help to enter the BCS Championship picture.
LSU (-23.5) over Auburn
The suspensions of Tyrann Mathieu and Spencer Ware hurt for sure, but the Tigers should still roll in their final tuneup before their trip to Tuscaloosa on November 5. Auburn is terrible offensively and LSU still has a lot of playmakers on the field to make up for the lost production.
VANDERBILT (-11.5) over Army
This should be win # 4 on the year for James Franklin's Commodores. They are scuffling right now, having lost three straight to South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia, but a bowl could still be in reach with a 2-2 November.
ALABAMA (30.5) over Tennessee
A trip to Tuscaloosa is bad enough but the Vols are also without quarterback Tyler Bray and top receiver Justin Hunter. The Tide should roll in their final test before LSU in 2 weeks.
NOTRE DAME (-9) over Southern Cal
I believe every time this season I have picked Notre Dame to cover they have failed to do so but I am going to stick to my guns on this one. For the first time in a decade the Irish enter this matchup with more firepower than the Trojans. I think Michael Floyd, Cierre Wood, and the rest of the Notre Dame offense will be too much for USC to handle in this primetime game in South Bend.
Last Week: 4-6
Season: 34-32-4
NFL
Bears (-1) over BUCS
Two teams that have displayed some Jekyll and Hyde tendencies this season. My gut tells me that Chicago is the better team and I think they will take advantage of a Bucs team coming off of an emotional win over New Orleans last week.
PANTHERS (-3) over Redskins
Another game that I am not totally comfortable picking. Carolina had been the kings of the backdoor cover before last week's meltdown against Atlanta that featured Cam Newton throwing a screen directly into the stomach of a waiting defensive lineman. I am sticking with Carolina at home, behind a big game from Cam.
Chargers (-2.5) over JETS
The Jets are coming off of a short week and are terrible offensively. They only scored 24 points against a Dolphins team that can't stop anyone, and that included a return TD by Revis. The Chargers are the better team.
Seahawks (+3) over Browns
The Mediocrity Bowl!
TITANS (-3) over Texans
A battle for first place in the suddenly dismal AFC South. A Tennessee win puts them in the driver's seat for the division title. Houston will be without Andre Johnson again and have already lost Mario Williams for the season. I smell a big Chris Johnson game here.
Denver (+1.5) over DOLPHINS
Tebow getting his first start of the year on the day that the Dolphins decided to honor Florida's 2008 National Championship team??? It sounds like the rapture has arrived in Denver.
LIONS (-3.5) over Falcons
It will be interesting to see how Detroit reacts to its first loss of the season as well as all the distractions following the post game incident between Jim Schwartz and Jim Harbaugh. I like them here at home.
RAIDERS (-4) over Chiefs
Backing Carson Palmer in his return to the NFL will probably be something I live to regret. Expect a lot of McFadden and a lot of Richard Seymour on top of Matt Cassel.
Steelers (-4) over CARDINALS
Pittsburgh should roll here leading to everyone overrating them and picking them to win against the Pats next Sunday. Wonder how that will work out.
COWBOYS (-13) over Rams
Dallas will bounce back after their last minute loss to New England last week that shockingly didn't include a Tony Romo meltdown. The Rams are bad and to make things worse their goal of 6 wins to take the NFC West is going down the drain as the Niners continue to surprise.
Packers (-9.5) over VIKINGS
Poor Adrian Peterson probably can't figure out if rookie Christian Ponder is an upgrade or downgrade from Donovan McNabb.
SAINTS (-14) over Colts
They can't make this line high enough.
Ravens (-8.5) over JAGUARS
It's been stated already, but whoever was in charge of selecting the Monday Night lineup for ESPN this season should be fired.
Last Week: 6-5-2
Season: 48-36-6
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