College Football: Week 7

This is gonna be a good college football weekend. Why? Because teams in the Top 15 are going to lose. Teams are going to have to prove they are worthy of BCS talk now. And some Heisman candidates will have to finally prove themselves against some quality competition. And if all that doesn't excite you, how about having great football starting at noon and going on until midnight. Again, this is gonna be good.

I went a very respectable 11-4 last week but yet again, my APPY pick was off. I was hoping that one of the Big 12 teams would go down but alas, I was wrong. The Big 5 in the Big 12 stayed undefeated bu that's about to change for two of them. And it all starts with...

TOP 15 GAMES (Last week 11-4, Season Total 58-32)

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #1 Oklahoma vs. #5 Texas (in Dallas) - The 'Ol Red River Rivalry. In recent years, this game has not been close. None of the games in the past 7 years have been decided by 7 points. But this one could and should be. Both teams have cruised so far and for good reason. They have played like top-tier teams should when they face inferior foes. And their quarterbacks have been the leaders of their strong starts. It's unfortunate that these two teams have to face each other so early because the loser pretty much loses all hope of a conference and BCS title after this game. But such is life. In a close game for a change, I'm gonna choose OKLAHOMA.

REST OF THE BEST
2. #4 LSU @ #11 Florida - The SEC season starts picking up now and here's one of those games that means a lot to both teams in just Week 7. Florida has already dropped a game so if they want any chance to stay in the BCS race, Tebow and Co. have to win. Meanwhile, LSU is trying to defend its title with a completely new team and so far, hasn't disappointed. Only thing is that they haven't really played a great team. Their biggest win is a 26-21 Auburn and we've all seen how bad their offense is. Florida is a better offense and it's in the Swamp. I'm picking FLORIDA and hoping the game finishes in good time cause I don't go on-air until it's over.

3. #17 Oklahoma State @ #3 Missouri - Another huge Big 12 game. For the Cowboys, it's a chance to really shake up the conference race and the BCS title race. Not to mention also pull off one of their bigger victories in recent years. And they have a team to do it. Problem is the team in the other side is playing amazingly right now. Their offense has yet to have a 3-and-out and Chase Daniel has been next to perfect all season. And as much as I want to think Mizzou is looking ahead to their tussle with Texas next week, they should be more than ready for this one. MISSOURI wins in a good game til the end.

4. #6 Penn State @ Wisconsin - Been a rough two weeks for the Badgers. First, they blow a 19-0 lead to an unranked and mediocre Michigan team. Then last week, they lose a thriller to Ohio State led by a true freshman quarterback. It could be a rough three weeks though if they lose to Penn State. From BCS contender to Big Ten basement. There's a lot on the line for the Nittany Lions. They are in the midst of a huge 3-week stretch that includes this game, at home vs. Michigan and then a trip to Columbus. And while I think Penn State is for real, the loss to OSU last week is gonna fuel 'Sconsin. There's no way Bret Bielema's Badgers lose 3 in a row. They're too good for that. So in my APPY pick, I'm taking WISCONSIN to give Penn State their first loss of the year.

5. Clemson @ #21 Wake Forest (THU) - In the ACC, this is a battle of the two best. Sad thing is that, these are the two best. Clemson has just been terrible this season. and Wake Forest hasn't exactly been lights out either. I mean, they lost to Navy. Both teams have talent and when playing their best, are definitely in the top 25 in the nation. But this Thursday, I'm going with Jim Grobe's WAKE FOREST team to tame the Tigers.

6. Arizona State @ #8 USC - This game was a huge deal at the beginning of the season. But since then, USC lost a joke of a game to Oregon State and Arizona State has falen from the ranks of the Top 25 like a rock. Now, this game is just another Pac-10 game and in all honesty, will be overlooked. But this has upset written all over it. USC is beat up. Malauga is playing hurt and Mark Sanchez is questionable. And Arizona State is looking for a signature win to add a spark to their season. If the Sun Devils play like they are capable, they have a shot against the injured Trojans. But to be safe, I'll go with USC.

7. Tennessee @ #10 Georgia - The season isn't over yet for the Dawgs. Get through the rest of the SEC season and they'll be in great shape. And while Tennessee has been struggling, this is an SEC game and two teams that know each other very well. UGA is coming off a bye week and had some injuries against Alabama so it was a welcome bye week. The Dawgs need this win much more than the Vols so I'm picking GEORGIA to win easily. Bulldogs 34-16

8. #23 Michigan State @ Northwestern - It's kind of weird that in the AP poll, MSU is 23rd and NU is unranked (30th) while in the coaches poll, this is a top 25 matchup between MSU (19th) and NU (22nd). No matter what the polls say, this is a good matchup of teams looking to become the team to challenge PSU and OSU for the Big Ten title. MSU has responded well from their first week loss to Cal while NU has started the season with a fairly easy schedule, hence their 5-0 record. This game is in Evanston but that makes no difference. I've seen the stadium. Gimme MICHIGAN STATE by a touchdown.

9. #13 Vanderbilt @ Mississippi State - Shouldn't be a close one but Vandy shouldn't overlook Croom's crew. That's because this is a good Bulldog team at home. They played Auburn tight until they lost 3-2. And they have good enough players to hang with nay team in the SEC. It's just a matter of if they will. Vandy is flying high after their win over Auburn and may be looking ahead to their big matchup with Georgia. I'm still going with VANDERBILT but this could be that "trap game".

10. Notre Dame @ #22 North Carolina - It's now time for Notre Dame to show just how good they are. They are on the road again. The first time against MSU was less than stellar. And UNC is a similar opponent so this will be a good test for the Irish, who are hoping to crack the Top 25 with a win. Meanwhile, props to UNC for their top 25 ranking. Doing it without their usual starting QB TJ Yates and their only loss is a 3-point loss to VT. This is not an ACC game though so the Tar Heels may not be as excited for this one but Notre Dame isn't good enough to win a game like this yet. Soon but not now. NORTH CAROLINA wins handily.

11. Western Michigan @ Buffalo - In the MAC, this is a matchup of two of the best teams. In other words, could be a preview of the MAC championship if Ball State should fall. WMU is 5-1 and hasn't showed any sign of slowing down their 5-game win streak. Meanwhile, Buffalo is a hard-luck 2-3 but may the best team in the East. And since all MAC games count in the division, this game is a biggie in the tight division races. In a slight upset, I'll pick BUFFALO to win at home.

12. Colorado @ #16 Kansas - I gotta say, KU is nto getting a lot of love from the pollsters. The teams does have one loss but it was to a good South Floirda team in a great game. And last week, they narrowly beat Iowa State but that furious comeback deserves some credit. Now this week, they need to really set the record straight that they are for real. Beat the Buffs badly and they should be be moving up at a nice clip. A loss to the reeling Buffs though...would not be good. KANSAS should win by a ton.

13. Purdue @ #12 Ohio State - The Terrelle Pryor test in the Big Ten continues and it's back in Columbus. The Buckeyes are hoping Pryor learned from his mistakes at Camp Randall while the Boilers are just hoping their offense shows up to play. Considering this game is in Columbus and that the Buckeyes are coming off a huge road victory, I really like OHIO STATE to win this one with ease, which is unlike this OSU team this season. Buckeyes 34-14

14. South Carolina @ Kentucky - No, they aren't ranked but these are two good teams hoping to become relevant in the SEC and nation again. South Carolina has won 3 in a row and while there are plenty of question about this team still, they have the talent to really shake up the SEC. And the same goes for UK, which played Florida tough last week and proved they aren't gonna be an easy team to beat. In the end, UK has looked more solid than SC has so far so i'll take KENTUCKY

15. Toledo @ Michigan - This one makes the list only because I wanna see if Michigan can really go 2-2 or 1-3 in their non-conference matchups this season. If they go 1-3, that's just a reflection of their season. Teams with the tradition of Michigan don't lose 3 non-conference games but that could happen with a loss to Toledo. The Rockets almost beat Fresno State at home so they can play with the big boys. And while I would love to see the MAC pick up one more upset, I gotta go with MICHIGAN.

Week 5 NFL Picks

Ten minutes before kickoff and the picks are in! Some good games today so sit back, kick a few back, and enjoy the action!

Was not a good week for me at all last week, going 6-7 and that stinks because I pride myself on having an even or winning record each week. Welp, not to be. And to make it worse, Jake, my NFL pick adversary, went 9-4. so my lead has slimmed down. His season total stands at 31-29 while I sit at 33-27. As usual, you can see his picks in his blog

WEEK 5 PICKS
SUNDAY OCTOBER 5TH
Tennessee @ Baltimore - TEN
Kansas City @ Carolina - CAR
Chicago @ Detroit - CHI
Atlanta @ Green Bay - GB
Indianapolis @ Houston - IND
San Diego @ Miami - SD
Seattle @ New York Giants - NYG
Washington @ Philadelphia - PHI
Tampa Bay @ Denver - DEN
Buffalo @ Arizona - ARZ
Cincinnati @ Dallas - DAL
New England @ San Francisco - NE
Pittsburgh @ Jacksonville - JAX

MONDAY OCTOBER 6TH
Minnesota @ New Orleans - NO

CFB Week 6 Recap

When I first looked at the slate of games in Week 6, I thought it had the potential to be an upset Saturday. Road tests for Oklahoma, Mizzou, Texas and Penn State against unranked but formidable foes. In the end though, it was a cookie cutter Week 6. Besides USF, Vandy and Fresno, all the higher ranked teams won this week. And that's fine, considering there's plenty of season to go and plenty of amazing games in the weeks to come.

THE BIG 10 THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK

1. Terrelle Pryor is the now and the future - I'll be honest. I hated the idea of Pryor starting. Now, I'm a huge fan. What he did in the 20-17 win over Wisconsin was downright amazing for a true freshman quarterback. This time last year, he was playing high school teams in PA in front of maybe 10,000 fans. Now, he's playing Division-1A, Big Ten squads all over the Midwest in front of 80,000-100,000+ fans and is making it look easy. Don't get me wrong. The guy made plenty of mistakes against Wisconsin, showing his age. But then, he showed the presence of a veteran in the final drive. Buying time to pass, running the ball with confidence and above all, managing the clock very well. The scary thing is that he is only going to get better. Playing in Madison taught him a lot and for OSU, they hope it's enough to lead the Bucks to a Big Ten title.

2. The Big 12 is no joke this season - There's an awful lot of talk about how good the SEC is. May wanna change that to the Big 12. 4 of the top 7 teams are in the Big 12. Oklahoma, Mizzou, Texas and Texas Tech. So how did those four teams perform in Week 6? How about winning by a combined 187-86. Oh, and did I mention all four were playing conference foes? Oh, and all on the road? Yeah, there are some good teams in this conference. And all 4 quarterbacks are early Heisman candidates. Sam Bradford (OU), Chase Daniel (Mizzou), Colt McCoy (UT), and Graham Harrell (TTU). Gonna be a good race down to the end but it starts next week with OU vs. UT.

3. The new Golden Boys - Yeah, I'm talkin about Vanderbilt, the new darlings of the SEC. And they should be now. They are 3-0 in the SEC East, putting them ahead of Georgia and Florida who both have fallen already. Their offense survived losing their starting QB and their defense bounced back after giving up 13 pts to a pathetic Auburn offense. They are simply a solid SEC squad and that's all you need in that conference to pull off those big upsets. Now, I'm not sold on them winning the division. They haven't played any really tough yet. I know Auburn and South Carolina were ranked but those offenses are less than stellar. Once they face the Gators and Dawgs, we'll know Vandy's true colors. But for now, celebrate Commodores.

4. USC has awaken - You had to feel sorry for Oregon before this game began. The Trojans were coming into the game hoping to prove a point. And after seeing them dismantle the Ducks 44-10, I think they did. They proved that they are still one of the best in the nation and that the Oregon State game was just a lapse of concentration. Unfortunately, in the system we are in, that lapse could mean no national title chance but at least USC has set the record straight somewhat. Only problem for them now is that there will be no other team ranked in the Pac-10 now besides them. Arizona State lost again, Oregon will drop out, and Oregon State isn't getting in either after falling to Utah. So while USC may have showed they are one of the better teams this week, they won't have any real chances to prove that the rest of the way.

5. Kevin Goessling should be on suicide watch - I say this jokingly but talk about a tough season for the Fresno State kicker. The guy has made 5 out of 9 field goals this season. But it's those 4 misses that probably have the kicker wishing he lived under a rock. 3 misses versus Wisconsin in a 13-10 loss to the Badgers. And then this week, a chance to be a hero in the 4th quarter. 43 seconds left and only a 36 yard FG. And it's blocked. And to make it worse, he misses a 40 yd FG in OT, which leads to Hawaii kicking a game-winning FG in OT. The guy has a good leg. It just isn't accurate. But his accuracy is now beginning to become a liability for the Bulldogs. Their two losses can be directly attributed to his inept kicking. It's a shame too because this team could be 5-0, ranked in the top 15, and have a good chance at playing in a BCS bowl game.

6. Dave Wannstedt saved his job (again) - He does this every year. It's almosty turning into a joke. The Panthers struggle and under perform against mediocre teams. Sometimes they win but sometimes they lose. And right when Pitt fans call for Wannstedt fired, he pulls off a huge win that has them rethinking their sentiment. In 2004, he led them to a Big East championship despite losses to Syracuse and UConn. Last year, it was a win at West Virginia when rumors were circling. And this year, it's South Florida. The guy is not a bad coach but he's not good either. But if his team plays it its potential, it can win the Big East. They showed it this week and won. But it's a crapshoot to see if they keep it up.

7. Backup QBs are becoming popular - Not very often so many quarterbacks that did not start Week 1 are making an impact for some very good teams. Obviously, Pryor leads the pack with the way he has taken over the OSU offense. Vandy's Mackenzi Adams gets a mention too for he helped lead the Commodores over Auburn. Tyrod Taylor has Virginia Tech back in the Top 25 after taking over for Sean Glennon. Jaybo Shaw has filled in admirably for Josh Nesbitt at Georgia Tech. Chris Smelley threw for 327 yards for South Carolina against Ole Miss. And a special mention to Cincy's Chazz Anderson, who is the third-string QB who is in due to injuries to his teammates. Good to see some more players getting their shots and taking advantage of it, a la Jamie Foxx in Any Given Sunday.

8. Mad props to the Armed Forces - First off, mad props to Army, who stopped a 10-game losing skid with a good 44-13 win over Tulane. Nice to see them showing some determination on the road to end that streak. Props also go out to Navy for an impressive win over Air Force. Tough to go play in that high altitude but Navy did that, winning 33-27. Navy overcame just 38 yards passing as a team by blocking two kicks for touchdowns. Unfortunately, Air Force did not win so no props to them. But hey, 2 out of 3 aint bad.

9. Notre Dame is not a Top 25 team - Irish fans have to love the fact that their team is 4-1, eclipsing last year;s win total in just 5 games. But before Irish fans start gushing about their team, they need to realize that this team is not worthy of the top 25 poll. The team has played no one of worth yet. Wins over Michigan, Purdue, San Diego St and Stanford. None of them have a winning record. In this week's 28-21 win, Stanford came back while in the San Diego State game, the Irish were lucky to walk away with a win. Plus, the 4 wins are all at home. The one loss in on the road. And that's not good news for a team with 4 of the next 5 away from South Bend. Good luck Irish. You'll need it.

10. The comeback is still alive - This is all about Miami (FL) and Kansas. For the 'Canes, it was close but no cigar. Down 24-3 at the half but they turn it around and lose respectably 41-39 in a rain-drenched rivalry game in Miami. Meanwhile, Kansas was looking to avoid an upset from the hands of Iowa State. The Cyclones were up 20-0 at the half but by the end of the 3rd quarter, it was 21-20 KU. And at the end of the game, it was 35-33 Kansas on top. Nice to see teams not giving up in the first half (ex. Ohio State vs. USC) and playing until the final whistle.

11. OU-Miami (OH) is gonna be bad - Both teams are 1-4. Both can't defend a brick wall. I'm all for a good rivalry game like this in the MAC but the thought of seeing this game in person sickens me. These are bad teams this season. Hopefully, because both teams are so bad, they game will be good. But that may not be true.

BEST GAME - Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
FSU-Miami (FL) was a close second but this one tops the list. It was a typical Big Ten battle. Slow moving offenses and defense dominating most of the game. The running game wearing down the defensive line but also opening up the passing game downfield. These teams are very even but tonight, it came down to the fact that OSU has a quarterback that can make plays in so many ways, it's hard to stop him. It was fun to watch on TV and probably a lot more fun to watch in person as 3 of my friends did in Madison.

WORST GAME - Missouri vs. Nebraska
I almost picked this game to be an upset and boy, sure glad I did not. There was a lot of talk about Bo Pelini's Husker D slowing down the Mizzou offense. Well, that didn't happen. In fact, the shutout was gone before one minute was off the clock. Nebraska simply laid an egg in this game and for a 9pm game that is the only one on after a thriller in Wisconsin, it needed to be a lot better.

OVER/UNDER
Well, it has to be said I think. Despite many who felt they could compete for a conference title, ARIZONA STATE is OVERRATED. At one point, they were #15 in the nation. But losses to UNLV, UGA and Cal have tarnished this team's image and proven to everyone that they were incredibly overrated when the season began. Too bad too because USC needs a team in the Top 25 to help the conference look decent.
And if we're talking UNDERRATED, I think you have to bring up BOSTON COLLEGE. No one really had much faith in them in the ACC season but so far, so good for the Eagles. 4-1 start despite the loss of Matt Ryan. In fact, in this week 38-31 win over NC State, BC QB Chris Crane threw for 428 yards. Not too shabby huh?

HE/SHE SAID WHAT?
"Mitch King with some serious penetration. He's a beast."- Ray Bentley

3 QUESTIONS

1. Kimbo Slice lost tonight in 14 seconds to an unknown. How does that happen?

2. Of the four Big 12 QBs, which will make the best NFL QB?

3. Just how out of proportion will ESPN blow up the Red River Rivalry?

College Football: Week 6

Hello once again readers. Hope you have recovered from the "shocking Saturday" that was last weekend. The calendar has turned to October and for baseball, that means playoffs but for the college football season, that means jumping full force into the conference season, besides a few non-conference matchups that are sprinkled in.

Not sure about you but I am quite excited for the conference season. It's when the upsets really happen. Teams are familiar with each other. Teams that have players that were recruited by both teams and play with an extra edge. Rivalries start coming into play as well. Oh, the humanity!

It was a down picking week for me, going 7-8. I said teams like Ole Miss and Michigan had very good chances to win BUT I didn't have the guts to call the upset. Meanwhile, my APPY did not come through. But life goes on. On to Week 6...

TOP 15 GAMES (Last week 7-8, Season 47-28)

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #14 Ohio State @ #18 Wisconsin - There are some good games this week but I think this one trumps them because it all about proving the critics wrong. For Ohio State, they're trying to still prove to people that the USC loss was not a symbol of their team. Not to mention also that their new offense with by Terrelle Pryor/Beanie Wells combined is better than what they had. The lack of confidence in the Buckeyes was shown by the pollsters too. Despite a win last week and a slew of upsets, the Bucks stayed at #14 so they need this win bad. Meanwhile, the Badgers have to bounce back from the meltdown at Michigan. Up 19-0 and somehow find a way to give up 27 points down the stretch. They went from a BCS title contender to another Big Ten bomb. Both these teams are talented and if they run the table impressively in the conference, could sneak in to a BCS title game. Playing at Camp Randall is not gonna be an easy task for OSU, as seen by the 27 wins in 28 games by the Badgers at home. Should be a good one. I'm taking OHIO STATE to win it late. Buckeyes 27-24

REST OF THE BEST
2. #23 Oregon @ #9 USC - Welp, USC is lucky to not have fallen further after their pathetic showing against Oregon State. They came out with no fire and were outplayed in every area in Corvallis but yet, find themselves at #9 and still in good shape if they run the table. This game against Oregon will be their first chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of the voters. Oregon has not exactly been impressive this season. Yeah, they've put up 60+ points twice this season but against quality comp in Purdue, they won by the skin of their teeth in OT and 2 weeks ago, were beat by Boise State in Eugene. But if they want to earn some respect, they need a big road win like this. USC will be ready for the Ducks but if Oregon can muster up some extra motivation, they may stay in this one. I'll take Mark Sanchez and USC and see if USC finds a way to creep into the Top 5.

3. #13 Auburn @ #19 Vanderbilt - Somehow, Auburn has managed to stay in the Top 15. Their offense has been anemic all season and yet, the voters hold them in pretty high regard. They beat Mississippi State 3-2 and a terrible Tennessee team 14-12 at home. Now, they are back on the road and playing a Vandy team full of confidence. A team that is ranked for the first time since 1984. A chance to go 5-0 for the first time since 1943. ESPN College Gameday visiting Nashville for the first time ever. And with an extra week to rest some bodies and get prepared for the SEC season, you have to like the Commodores chances of keeping this magical start going. Gimme VANDY by 10 or more.

4. #4 Missouri @ Nebraska - This is one of two Big 12 games that I have my eye on. Mizzou comes in with that dynamic offense led by Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin. They played Illinois to begin the year, but since then, it's been smooth sailing versus some bad teams all at home. But now, it's time to hit the road and they're not playing a cupcake. They're heading to Lincoln to face Bo Pelini's Cornhuskers, fresh off a disappointing loss against Virginia Tech. This game reminds me a bit of Wisconsin-Michigan. Highly ranked team coming off a bye week. An underdog with a storied history but not playing like it recently. A chance to knock off the big dog at home and a new coach that would love nothing more than to do it in his first year on the job. The Huskers have won 15 straight vs. Mizzou in Lincoln. But the streak stops here. My pick is MISSOURI just because I don't think Nebraska's defense can slow down the Tigers.

5. #5 Texas @ Colorado - There's all this talk about Mizzou, Texas and Oklahoma that again, it is a game like this that gets overlooked. Going to Boulder isn't easy. Just ask West Virginia. And this is a Texas team that has played next to no one in their first 4 games. But starting this week, the Longhorns have it tough. Colorado this week and then #1 OU, #4 Mizzou, #21 OK St, #7 Texas Tech four weeks in a row. Ouch. And with OU and Mizzou ahead, this looks like a trap game. As for Colorado, they are coming off a disappointing loss to Florida State. But having a team like Texas in its home stadium prolly has the team licking their chops again. Texas has not played a team as good as Colorado and Dan Hawkins is a crafty coach. Call me crazy but I don't like Texas at all in this matchup. I'm choosing COLORADO for the second time for my APPY of the week.

6. Pittsburgh @ #10 South Florida (THU) - There's no telling when the real Pitt Panthers will stand up. A one-point win vs. Iowa two weeks ago. A less than exciting 10-point win over Syracuse last week. But they still are 3-1 and their best football is yet to come. It could be this week and if so, then they have a real shot of winning this game. But South Florida is good. Really, really good. You saw how their offense can explode for points against Kansas. but also, how their defense can shut teams down as seen by their performances the past two weeks. The Bulls are for real and the Panthers have not acted like they are there yet. So I'm putting my money on SOUTH FLORIDA to walk away with an easy victory.

7. #6 Penn State vs. Purdue - Well, the real season has begun for the Nittany Lions. They looked impressive against Illinois in Happy Valley but time to get away from home now and jump into the Big Ten road waters. Their first test is in West Lafayette and a Purdue team that is more than capable of pulling off this upset. The Boilers didn't look good against Notre Dame but this is college football. All a team needs is 60 good minutes to pull off this kind of upset. Penn State is in the driver's seat for the Big Ten title right now in my mind. But this week's road test and then road tests against Wisconsin and OSU are not gonna be easy. If the Nittany Lions are looking ahead to Wisconsin, Curtis Painter and Purdue will win. But I don't see that happening. PENN STATE keeps Purdue's offense at bay or just scores so much, it doesn't matter.

8. Oregon State @ #15 Utah - Can Oregon State make it two weeks in a row? Well, if they play like they did last week, they will. OSU played extremely well last week. Yea, a couple of breaks went their way but all in all, the Beavers controlled that game against USC. Plus, how can you now like their RB Jacquizz Rodgers? So small, you can't bring him down cause you can't find him. But Utah is good. They've shown all year that can pretty much score at will and slow down the opposing offense when needed. This game being at home too will help. If OSU plays like they did last week, they will stay in this game in the end. But because of their upset of USC, I think UTAH will be prepared for the Beavers.

9. Illinois @ Michigan - Could Michigan really start the year 2-0? Well, all it will take is one win. Mad props to the Wolverines for their great comeback against the Badgers. It was the first sign of fight in Michigan all season. Meanwhile, Illinois did not play bad against Penn State. They just didn't play as well as Penn State did. And though the Illini are out of the Top 25, you have to remember their two losses are against Mizzou and Penn State. Those are two quality losses for sure for a team that is still darn good, especially on offense. Something tells me Illinois wants this win bad considering their 2-2 record and lack of respect around the nation right now. So I'm taking ILLINOIS to get a big win in the Big House.

10. Florida State @ Miami (FL) - Remember when this game was a primetime game and full of national title game implications? Yea, those were not the good 'ol days. Instead, these are the good 'ol days where we are not subjected to this game nationally. Florida State deserves some credit for their win over Colorado in Jacksonville. It was a good bounce back after scoring just 6 points against Wake Forest the week before. But Miami (FL) is seething after losing to UNC last week at home. And while this game prolly won't mean too much in the ACC in the end, it still is a rivalry and that should give the 'Canes and 'Noles plenty of motivation. My pick is MIAMI (FL) because of the home crowd advantage.

11. Rutgers @ West Virginia - At the beginning of the year, this prolly looked like a marquee Big East game. But after the 1-3 start by Rutgers and the 2-2 start by WV, this game has lost nearly all of its luster. For Rutgers, the losses have just been flat out ugly. Their offense has looked inept and because of that, their defense has been worn out trying to stop the opponent. Meanwhile, WV is a team that has the talent but has just not performed on the field when it matters. The 24-3 ECU loss was devastating and the 17-14 OT loss to Colorado was just deflating. But the Big East season is what these teams are playing for anyways. Call it a second season if you will. Pat White should be good to go for the Mountaineers according to coach Bill Stewart and for me, that makes all the difference. WEST VIRGINIA wins easily.

12. #1 Oklahoma @ Baylor - On paper, this game should not be close. Heck, on the field, it probably won't be either. But after seeing USC lose to Oregon State on the road, it'd be insane of me to not at least add this game to the list. Oklahoma has been lights out this season. Sam Bradford has put himself in the headlines every week and the team is well on its way to another big disappointment down the road thanks to their strong start. That disappointment could be this week against a Baylor team that just like OSU, has no business being in this game. But consider this. The game is in Waco. Oklahoma's only road game so far has been @ Washington, so it barely counts. Baylor has played the likes of Wake and UConn already so they have played good competition. And their head coach Art Briles is in his first year, so it will be tougher for Bob Stoops to gameplan. And finally, the game begins at 11:30am CT, so it'll be an early affair. I'm still thinking OKLAHOMA will win by a big margin, but at least I have cleared myself of any ignorance if Baylor pulls off the upset. (And I hope they do for my friend TI in Waco).

13. Navy @ Air Force - This is a game that I would normally not even consider for this section but I almost have to because 1) I am patriotic and 2) after the upset Navy pulled last week. Beating a good Wake Forest team in Winston-Salem is a big achievement for this team. Especially since they are trying to start a new era after Paul Johnson left for greener pastures at Georgia Tech. And as for Air Force, they are 3-1 with their only loss coming against the Utes of Utah 30-23. Should be a dandy of a game between the two Armed Forces. AIR FORCE is my pick to win.

14. Ball State @ Toledo - A good MAC matchup here. You have Ball State, who lost 27-25 to Central Michigan but still is maybe the most talented team in the MAC, especially on offense. And on the other side, you have a Toledo team that took Fresno State to the edge before missing on a two-point conversion. Playing in Toledo is never easy but BALL STATE is too good to lose this game.

15. Stanford @ Notre Dame - The Lou Holtz watch continues for me. Lou said they would win 11 games. Well, since ND fell to Michigan State, that means the Irish have to run the table. This week shouldn't be too tough. Stanford is still in the rebuilding stages so they are not expected to win this game. But this is ND we're talking about. They aren't that good either. But their win over Purdue is inspiring me. I'll pick NOTRE DAME.

TEAMS I LOVE (OR ACT LIKE I LOVE)
Ohio @ Western Michigan - It's tough for me to criticize the 'Cats when they are 9 hours away and can only be seen on Gametracker but you know what, they are just not cutting it for me this season. The VMI game was a chance to make a statement. The offense sure did, putting up 51 points. But 31 points given up by the defense? Yikes. That does not make me in Augusta, GA feel good about their chances in the MAC anymore. This week, they get a 4-1 Western Michigan team whose only loss came against Nebraska. As much as I would love to see a Bobcat win, I'm picking WESTERN MICHIGAN to get the W. Broncos 34-17

South Carolina @ Ole Miss - Both teams have something to build on after wins last week. for SC, it's the fact that they may have found a quarterback for the rest of the season in Stephen Garcia. The guy can run and pass, something Beecher or Smelley could not do. He's wasn't amazing last week but solid and that's all you can ask for right now. As for Ole Miss, they are coming off a huge win over the Florida Gators. Houston Nutt has gotten this team to believe and now, they are gonna be playing spoiler all season in the SEC. With the momentum from the Florida game, I will take OLE MISS to win in a good ballgame. OLE MISS 20-14.

Alright, there it is boys and girls. Have a great college football weekend!

2008 MLB Playoff Predictions

Alright, the matchups have been set. And while I am loathing that the Indians are not playing in October this season, I am still plenty excited for this season's postseason. 4 new teams are in (Rays, Dodgers, Brewers and White Sox) while 3 teams did not make it back (Yankees, Indians, D'Backs and Rockies). Both NY teams missed out but both Chicago and LA teams are in. The Brewers make the playoffs for the first time since 1982. The Rays make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Plenty of great storylines to go around.

If you read the debate post with Luke, you will already know my World Series pick is Rays over Cubs. But in fairness to the other 6 teams, I am still going to break down each series and provide a prediction. And if the Rays or Cubs lose in this divisional series, I will pick a new World Series winner/matchup.

For now though, on to the divisional series breakdown.

Brewers (90-72) vs. Phillies (92-70)
Game 1: Gallardo (0-0) vs. Hamels (14-8) - Wed 2pm
Game 2: Sabathia (11-2) vs. Myers (10-13) - Thu 6pm
Game 3: Moyer (16-7) vs. Bush (9-10) - Sat 6:30pm
Game 4: Hamels vs. Suppan (10-10) - Sun TBA
Game 5: Sabathia vs. Myers - Tues TBA

Season Series: PHI leads 5-1

Breakdown: The pitching favors the Phillies. Though Sabathia has been clutch for Milwaukee down the stretch, he was horrendous in the postseason last year, so there are no guarantees. Plus, the Phillies bullpen is one of the best, with Lidge closing the door. Offensively, both teams have some pop. Brew Crew has Fielder, Braun and Hart while the Phils sport Howard, Burrell and Utley. Should be a fun series no matter what.

Prediction: Phillies 3-1

Dodgers (84-78) vs. Cubs (97-64)
Game 1: Lowe (14-11) vs. Dempster (17-6) - Wed 6:30pm
Game 2: Billingsley (16-10) vs. Zambrano (16-10) - Thu 9:30pm
Game 3: Harden (5-1) vs. Kuroda (9-10) - Sat 10pm
Game 4: Lilly (17-9) vs. Maddux (8-13) - Sun TBA
Game 5: Lowe vs. Dempster - Tues TBA

Season Series: CHC leads 5-2

Breakdown: Pitching edge goes to the Cubs by far. Their 4 pitchers are better than the Dodgers' best in Lowe. At the plate, Manny Ramirez has added a jolt to a rather anemic offense. The Dodgers are coming in winners of 19 of their last 27 games, while the Cubs cruised in, thanks to their big division lead. But they still led the NL in runs, were 2nd in avg, and their pitching staff was the best in the NL. That's a lot to ignore.

Prediction: Cubs 3-0

Red Sox (95-67) vs. Angels (100-62)
Game 1: Lester (16-6) vs. Lackey (12-5) - Wed 10pm
Game 2: Matsuzaka (18-3) vs. Santana (16-7) - Fri 9:30pm
Game 3: Saunders (17-7) vs. Beckett (12-10) - Sun TBA
Game 4: Lackey vs. Lester - Mon TBA
Game 5: Matsuzaka vs. Santana - Wed TBA

Season Series: LAA leads 8-1

Breakdown: Talk about a clash of the AL titans. Some are calling this the ALCS in the ALDS. This series gets the extra day of rest so the 3-man pitching rotation means only the big guns will pitch. Edge goes to the Angels in talent but Red Sox in clutch experience. Both closers are nearly unhittable so scoring before the 9th will be huge. The Red Sox have the better bats by far but this might be where no Manny in the lineup hurts. Tough to pick a team in this battle.

Prediction: Angels 3-2

White Sox (89-74) vs. Rays (97-65)
Game 1: Vazquez (12-16) vs. Shields (14-8) - Thu 2pm
Game 2: Buehrle (15-12) vs. Kazmir (12-8) - Fri 6pm
Game 3: Garza (11-9) vs. Floyd (17-8) - Sun TBA
Game 4: Sonnanstine (13-9) vs. Danks (11-9) - Mon TBA
Game 5: Vazquez vs. Shields - Wed TBA

Season Series: Rays lead 4-2

Breakdown: Having to play the makeup game against the Tigers and the playoff game against the Twins hurt the rotation. The team's best two pitchers are going in games 3 and 4 and by then, they could be down 2-0. There's nothing really flashy about either team's offense so it will come down to starting pitching and the bullpen. And if that's the case, the Rays should cruise to their first playoff series win in franchise history.

Prediction: Rays 3-1

That's all for now. Enjoy the postseason...and all those Frank TV ads you will be subject to since all the action is on TBS for this round. Seriously, the words "very funny" together will make you wanna puke after these series are over. PLAY BALL!