Bones to pick...
...so, another week of college picks. And the final week of college picks for the Big Ten conference. All eleven teams will be done after today, so I won't have them to lean on for the next few weeks. There are, however, a few games in the coming weeks that are big enough that I'll pick them, no matter what rankings or lack thereof the teams have. Here are the five games I'll be doing, starting with the ones next week:
1. Toledo v. Bowling Green. That's next week and it is the I-75 battle for Northwest Ohio supremacy. It'll be played over at Doyt, so I might swing over there for a little glimpse. (By the way, next week the college picks come on Wednesday, because the pro picks will come on Thursday because of Thanksgiving. Got that?)
2. Grambling v. Southern. That is also next week, and I'll willingly dip into D-II just for this game because it is the biggest rivalry between black colleges going.
3. Alabama v. Auburn. The war for Alabama drops in Auburn this year. Auburn has the week off, while Alabama warms up with Louisiana.
In two weeks:
4. Army v. Navy. Two weeks from now, the biggest game in all of the Armed Services commences. This one is pretty big, because Army didn't play Notre Dame this year, and Navy did and beat them. This year will mark the fourth time it will be played in Baltimore, and the second at the Ravens' stadium. In the last 25 years, it's been played mostly either in Philadelphia or at the Meadowlands, with the exceptions coming in Baltimore or the one-off year in '83 when it was played at the Rose Bowl. They haven't played the game at a non-neutral field since 1943. And it's always a big game, no matter what the records are.
5. California v. Stanford. The other "The Game", but not THE GAME. It'll be played at Stanford this year, and Cal will likely be expected to win it.
6. UCLA v. USC. There's not too much chance that this one will be out of the T25 (USC is 11 and idle), but it will be covered nonetheless. I think it'll be played in the Rose Bowl this year, but I can't be sure.
Those six games will be covered in lieu of Big Ten games the next two weeks. After that, I'll cover all the championship games and make predictions on every single bowl game, all made just prior to the first one.
Now, on to this week. Alabama, Auburn, and Cal all drop out, and in come the giant killers Wisconsin, Illinois, and Cincinnati. 26 teams, 4 teams idle (Arizona State, USC, Texas, and Virginia), 4 games within the top 25 (including THE GAME), 18 games for the T25, 2 more to finish off the Big Ten, 20 game slate for this week.
And I'm already to 500 words, but let's get this thing crankin'.
LSU v. Mississippi--Once again, the Tigers are the top team in all the land. Can they maintain that lofty perch, or will the inevitable resignation of Lloyd Carr put pressure on Les Miles to return home so we can have a legit THE GAME every year? No matter. At the very least, this week's win is pretty much assured. LSU by 11
Oregon v. Arizona--A Thursday nighter. Versus a team that's put up some big points on some good schools the last couple of weeks. That makes the pickings for a big upset. Lee, tell 'em. "Not so fast, my friend!" Thank you, Lee. As long as Dennis Dixon is upright and slingin', there is little to no chance that Oregon fumbles this game away. Oregon by 6
Oklahoma v. Texas Tech--Oklahoma has a steady glide to the Big 12 championship game. The goals: Put Dennis Franchione out of a job, go after the 40-year-old, then beat up on the pretenders from the North. After that, and the dumb gods of the BCS willing, they will be once again playing for a National Championship. Goal 1 looks to be well in hand. Oklahoma by 7
Kansas v. Iowa State--For Kansas to have any chance at the national championship, they must keep doin' like they've been doin'. This week, it's easy. Maybe too easy. But next week they face off against Mizzou, then if they win they play Oklahoma. Survive that 1-2 punch...and good things might happen. But don't make the mistake of overlooking the jab. Which I don't think they will. Kansas by 5
West Virginia v. Cincinnati--Ah, the classic "watch out" game. The Mountaineers need to keep steady, but they still have an outside shot at the title game. But the watch out is for those pesky, pesky Bearcats. The volatility of their quality might put some teams off; however, the Mountaineers have been through the trials and know to expect the unexpected. West Virginia by 3
Missouri v. Kansas State--Mizzou's goal? Destroy the whole state of Kansas, then humiliate the big-shot. However, with Oregon and West Virginia above them, it'll be a tough go to get to the title game. They'd need two teams above 'em to fall without their assistance. But first, they need to take care of bidness against the K. State team that shocked Texas just before Red River. Mizzou by 4
Ohio State v. Michigan--At last, we come down to it. THE GAME. As usual, the Big Ten is on the line. A trip to Pasadena (or, for Ohio State on the outside shot, New Orleans) is on the line. Pride is on the line. Bragging rights are on the line. Lloyd Carr's job is on the line. My clothes are on the line. But that doesn't have anything to do with this game. What you have to do is to look at the teams. Boeckmann? 100%. Beanie? 100%. Henne? Banged up but will play. Hart? Banged up but will play. They've got guts, but the other two got health. And the power of the sweater vest. And this series in the palm of his hand until Les Miles gets up to Ann Arbor and makes this a real rivalry. Next year. Ohio State by 4
Georgia v. Kentucky--Georgia. Needs to win out and hope Kentucky lets bygones be bygones and beats Tennessee next week. Kentucky. They'd rather just beat 'em both and then take out LSU. This'll be a slobberknocker. However, I believe the home team will win. In this case, it's the Dawgs. Georgia by 2
Virginia Tech v. Miami--Well, Miami's descent will end on the road, from Blacksburg this week to Boston next week. There ain't much they can do to salvage the season except possibly beat Va. Tech. That ain't happenin'. Va. Tech by 6
Florida v. Florida Atlantic--They can't win the SEC East. They can only beat up Florida teams from here on out and pray that a BCS bowl calls. Florida by 8
Clemson v. Boston College--This one decides the "Atlantic" division, basically. It's a pretty good game, but it goes to the home team with the Heisman hopeful. BC by 3
Hawaii v. Nevada--One more D for this high-powered O to plow through before getting to the only game on their schedule that matters, the one that means either a BCS game or another Aloha Bowl...the one against Boise State. The Warriors should handle these guys, though. Hawaii by 7
Boise State v. Idaho--Speaking of, the Battle for Idaho is at hand. However, it's one sided. They're exact opposites. Boise State 9-1 (6-0), Idaho 1-9 (0-6). Don't expect that to change here on the blue field. Boise State by 9
Illinois v. Northwestern--Another mini-rivalry, and the Illini are flush from knocking off the top team in all the land. Time for them to lay claim to the Tomahawk. Illinois by 5
Tennessee v. Vanderbilt--Hopefully, the Vols won't be looking at Kentucky here and get broadsided by Vandy. Though, even if they do, I think they can handle the weak blow. Tennessee by 6
Connecticut v. Syracuse--Don't count UConn out quite yet. In fact, they have an awesomely good chance to be Big East champs. They have the Mountaineers next, so all they have to do is beat Syracuse, and then they line up and hammer West Virginia. And West Virginia still has Pitt after that, while UConn is done...so even if they lose, they still have a chance after that. However, they must take care of business here first, and they will. UConn by 5
Wisconsin v. Minnesota--They play for a really big axe. The problem for Minnesota is, they've already been axed to give it to the Badgers. And the probability is that Wisconsin will beat it out of them anyways. Wisconsin by 8
Penn State v. Michigan State--A land grant? Who plays for a land grant? Oh well, both teams are hungry, but Joe Pa looks to stay awake for the entire game, so...Penn State by 5
And now, to finish off the Big Ten:
Purdue v. Indiana--That wooden bucket. How does it hold up year after year? Well, this year it's going to go to the team that plays its heart out. And I think the Hoosiers just want it more right now. Indiana by 2
Iowa v. Western Michigan--Poor Iowa, left without the dance partner. But they put together a pretty impressive string of wins to round out the season, so that's gotta count for something, eh? They should put the pretty bow on this one by beating Western. Iowa by 6
And there you be...my that was a handful of letters! And it's about that time for you to hand me a handful of yours tomorrow!
1. Toledo v. Bowling Green. That's next week and it is the I-75 battle for Northwest Ohio supremacy. It'll be played over at Doyt, so I might swing over there for a little glimpse. (By the way, next week the college picks come on Wednesday, because the pro picks will come on Thursday because of Thanksgiving. Got that?)
2. Grambling v. Southern. That is also next week, and I'll willingly dip into D-II just for this game because it is the biggest rivalry between black colleges going.
3. Alabama v. Auburn. The war for Alabama drops in Auburn this year. Auburn has the week off, while Alabama warms up with Louisiana.
In two weeks:
4. Army v. Navy. Two weeks from now, the biggest game in all of the Armed Services commences. This one is pretty big, because Army didn't play Notre Dame this year, and Navy did and beat them. This year will mark the fourth time it will be played in Baltimore, and the second at the Ravens' stadium. In the last 25 years, it's been played mostly either in Philadelphia or at the Meadowlands, with the exceptions coming in Baltimore or the one-off year in '83 when it was played at the Rose Bowl. They haven't played the game at a non-neutral field since 1943. And it's always a big game, no matter what the records are.
5. California v. Stanford. The other "The Game", but not THE GAME. It'll be played at Stanford this year, and Cal will likely be expected to win it.
6. UCLA v. USC. There's not too much chance that this one will be out of the T25 (USC is 11 and idle), but it will be covered nonetheless. I think it'll be played in the Rose Bowl this year, but I can't be sure.
Those six games will be covered in lieu of Big Ten games the next two weeks. After that, I'll cover all the championship games and make predictions on every single bowl game, all made just prior to the first one.
Now, on to this week. Alabama, Auburn, and Cal all drop out, and in come the giant killers Wisconsin, Illinois, and Cincinnati. 26 teams, 4 teams idle (Arizona State, USC, Texas, and Virginia), 4 games within the top 25 (including THE GAME), 18 games for the T25, 2 more to finish off the Big Ten, 20 game slate for this week.
And I'm already to 500 words, but let's get this thing crankin'.
LSU v. Mississippi--Once again, the Tigers are the top team in all the land. Can they maintain that lofty perch, or will the inevitable resignation of Lloyd Carr put pressure on Les Miles to return home so we can have a legit THE GAME every year? No matter. At the very least, this week's win is pretty much assured. LSU by 11
Oregon v. Arizona--A Thursday nighter. Versus a team that's put up some big points on some good schools the last couple of weeks. That makes the pickings for a big upset. Lee, tell 'em. "Not so fast, my friend!" Thank you, Lee. As long as Dennis Dixon is upright and slingin', there is little to no chance that Oregon fumbles this game away. Oregon by 6
Oklahoma v. Texas Tech--Oklahoma has a steady glide to the Big 12 championship game. The goals: Put Dennis Franchione out of a job, go after the 40-year-old, then beat up on the pretenders from the North. After that, and the dumb gods of the BCS willing, they will be once again playing for a National Championship. Goal 1 looks to be well in hand. Oklahoma by 7
Kansas v. Iowa State--For Kansas to have any chance at the national championship, they must keep doin' like they've been doin'. This week, it's easy. Maybe too easy. But next week they face off against Mizzou, then if they win they play Oklahoma. Survive that 1-2 punch...and good things might happen. But don't make the mistake of overlooking the jab. Which I don't think they will. Kansas by 5
West Virginia v. Cincinnati--Ah, the classic "watch out" game. The Mountaineers need to keep steady, but they still have an outside shot at the title game. But the watch out is for those pesky, pesky Bearcats. The volatility of their quality might put some teams off; however, the Mountaineers have been through the trials and know to expect the unexpected. West Virginia by 3
Missouri v. Kansas State--Mizzou's goal? Destroy the whole state of Kansas, then humiliate the big-shot. However, with Oregon and West Virginia above them, it'll be a tough go to get to the title game. They'd need two teams above 'em to fall without their assistance. But first, they need to take care of bidness against the K. State team that shocked Texas just before Red River. Mizzou by 4
Ohio State v. Michigan--At last, we come down to it. THE GAME. As usual, the Big Ten is on the line. A trip to Pasadena (or, for Ohio State on the outside shot, New Orleans) is on the line. Pride is on the line. Bragging rights are on the line. Lloyd Carr's job is on the line. My clothes are on the line. But that doesn't have anything to do with this game. What you have to do is to look at the teams. Boeckmann? 100%. Beanie? 100%. Henne? Banged up but will play. Hart? Banged up but will play. They've got guts, but the other two got health. And the power of the sweater vest. And this series in the palm of his hand until Les Miles gets up to Ann Arbor and makes this a real rivalry. Next year. Ohio State by 4
Georgia v. Kentucky--Georgia. Needs to win out and hope Kentucky lets bygones be bygones and beats Tennessee next week. Kentucky. They'd rather just beat 'em both and then take out LSU. This'll be a slobberknocker. However, I believe the home team will win. In this case, it's the Dawgs. Georgia by 2
Virginia Tech v. Miami--Well, Miami's descent will end on the road, from Blacksburg this week to Boston next week. There ain't much they can do to salvage the season except possibly beat Va. Tech. That ain't happenin'. Va. Tech by 6
Florida v. Florida Atlantic--They can't win the SEC East. They can only beat up Florida teams from here on out and pray that a BCS bowl calls. Florida by 8
Clemson v. Boston College--This one decides the "Atlantic" division, basically. It's a pretty good game, but it goes to the home team with the Heisman hopeful. BC by 3
Hawaii v. Nevada--One more D for this high-powered O to plow through before getting to the only game on their schedule that matters, the one that means either a BCS game or another Aloha Bowl...the one against Boise State. The Warriors should handle these guys, though. Hawaii by 7
Boise State v. Idaho--Speaking of, the Battle for Idaho is at hand. However, it's one sided. They're exact opposites. Boise State 9-1 (6-0), Idaho 1-9 (0-6). Don't expect that to change here on the blue field. Boise State by 9
Illinois v. Northwestern--Another mini-rivalry, and the Illini are flush from knocking off the top team in all the land. Time for them to lay claim to the Tomahawk. Illinois by 5
Tennessee v. Vanderbilt--Hopefully, the Vols won't be looking at Kentucky here and get broadsided by Vandy. Though, even if they do, I think they can handle the weak blow. Tennessee by 6
Connecticut v. Syracuse--Don't count UConn out quite yet. In fact, they have an awesomely good chance to be Big East champs. They have the Mountaineers next, so all they have to do is beat Syracuse, and then they line up and hammer West Virginia. And West Virginia still has Pitt after that, while UConn is done...so even if they lose, they still have a chance after that. However, they must take care of business here first, and they will. UConn by 5
Wisconsin v. Minnesota--They play for a really big axe. The problem for Minnesota is, they've already been axed to give it to the Badgers. And the probability is that Wisconsin will beat it out of them anyways. Wisconsin by 8
Penn State v. Michigan State--A land grant? Who plays for a land grant? Oh well, both teams are hungry, but Joe Pa looks to stay awake for the entire game, so...Penn State by 5
And now, to finish off the Big Ten:
Purdue v. Indiana--That wooden bucket. How does it hold up year after year? Well, this year it's going to go to the team that plays its heart out. And I think the Hoosiers just want it more right now. Indiana by 2
Iowa v. Western Michigan--Poor Iowa, left without the dance partner. But they put together a pretty impressive string of wins to round out the season, so that's gotta count for something, eh? They should put the pretty bow on this one by beating Western. Iowa by 6
And there you be...my that was a handful of letters! And it's about that time for you to hand me a handful of yours tomorrow!