2014-15 College Football

Good call, Matt. Feel free to predict Northwestern victories the rest of the way. I will be in your debt.

 

About the only thing I got right.

The NCAA should go out and hire Felix. His bingo methodology would come in useful for selecting the top 25 tomorrow.

 

I'm going to pretend that TCU read my post and was inspired by it.

 

No fears... we seem to have some pretty good analysts here.
Let's talk about ND - Stanford. I hope other teams take heart from what Stanford did to them at South Bend.
I've a friend who likes ND for no apparent reason. I've disliked ND since the film 'Rudy', exacerbated by the rabid fandom of Regis Philbin, who I really enjoyed seeing cry. So, also no real reason except I want them to lose and watch their fans cry.
Even more than I like seeing 'bama lose.
Michigan beaten by Rutgers... pitiful. And that's using the same POV that tOSU drubbing MD didnt mean much. Headline: "Are Buckeyes a Big Ten contender?" Answer: "yeah.. So what!"

 

Only Tues. but can't get to them later. Another bunch of important games. The theme this week is how teams without the huge pedigree handle big wins the following week? Usually it's very tough the next week for those schools.

#2 Auburn at #3 Mississippi State Those annoying cowbells will be in full voice in the game of the day. What a tough game to call, Auburn made me look foolish last week and has that experience that MSU doesn't. Rooting for the Bulldogs, but going with Auburn in the last second or OT.

#3 Ole Miss at #14 Texas A&M Kenny Hill needs to be just himself and not worry about being 'Thrill' Hill. Sometimes a loss can be the learning experience that gets everyone refocused. Going with the Aggies to win handily.

USC at #10 Arizona. 3 weeks ago Arizona would be a 7 point home underdog, so wouldn't call this an 'upset' if SC win. Hard for me to fathom the Cats being in the Top 10, but I'll take it. It's at night and Arizona did get a couple extra days of prep. SC is coming off losing on a Hail Mary (possibly the worst defended one ever). Don't care if I'm wrong, ain't picking against my boys...CATS!!!

#9 TCU at #5 Baylor. The Horned Frogs coming off the huge win over Oklahoma but will lose in Waco

Texas v #11 Oklahoma. The Red River Rivalry will be all red over burnt orange.

#12 Oregon at #18 UCLA. Two teams with playoff hopes coming off huge disappointing home losses and now the loser of this one is done. Not sure what to expect, but every team that plays Oregon beats up Mariotta, going with the Bruins.

FUSA Special
Northwestern (Tim) v Minnesota (Encorespanish). NW coming off the huge upset win over Wisconsin. The Gophers have 3 of the next 4 Big 10 games at home along with a road game at Illinois that can put them in a great spot before playing Ohio State. Minnesota had the bye so will go with them.

Upset Alert
Hard to find one I'm feeling good about, but 2 possibilities;

#7 Alabama at Arkansas. The cloak of invincibility is gone
Duke at #22 Georgia Tech. Tech always seems to lose just when it looks like they'll get rolling

 

I'm not sure if it's a blessing or a curse to be picked to pull off the FUSA Special this week, but I'll take it! COYGophers! Hopefully this isn't the week the nation realizes we are getting it done with smoke and mirrors.

 

For what it's worth my 'Cats looked pretty darn good against Wisconsin. If they play like that, they should get the job done up in the Twin Cities.

 

Phew! That was a close and what a fantastic late game return! Hopefully we can keep the ball rolling next week against Purdue!

 

Arizona placekickers have been such a source of comedy ever and lost so many games, that it was nice to think the Wildcats had a reliable one. 3 missed FGs (the last being w/14 seconds left and from chip shot range to lose by 2) later and...DOH!!

Really glad I wasn't in Vegas last week. To the Magnolia State I have to admit I was wrong. Both Mississippi State and Ole Miss were amazingly impressive.

Games of the Week:

#5 Notre Dame at #2 Florida State. Not buying either team, but someone will be that a big step towards the playoffs. Just another Jameis Winston week of distraction. Want to pick ND, but a crummy North Carolina team lit them up. Noles at home.

#21 Texas A&M at #7 Alabama. A cross-roads game, will take the Tide at home.

#14 Kansas State at #11 Oklahoma. An elimination game. K State has had 2 weeks to prepare, so expect this to go right down to the wire. Will pick OU to make a play late.

#15 Oklahoma State at #12 TCU. How do the Horned Frogs respond to blowing a 21 point lead in the final 8 minutes? OSU has only lost a close game against Florida State, and will take them this week also.

#23 Stanford at #17 Arizona State. Not sure about either team, but will take the Cardinal.

Purdue at Minnesota. Encore to watch the Gophers keep it going.

Upset Alerts; In the middle of conference play anything can happen, a few to look for;

#19 Nebraska at Northwestern. Tim's boys beat Wisconsin, and wouldn't be a surprise to beat the Huskers

#10 Georgia at Arkansas. The Hogs have been knocking on the door for a signature win.

#4 Baylor at West Virginia. Another shootout in Morgantown. Who will have the ball last?

#20 Utah at Oregon State. Corvallis on a Thurs. night is no joke.

 

Missed last week and just getting in under the wire this one. I'll have to start trying to do these midweek.

Notre Dame @ FSU - I can't get a good read on either team either. FSU has needed a wake-up call every game, but fortunately for them, when they wake up they can do major damage. FSU's D has struggled with mobile qb's. The Noles are also struggling to run the ball more than last year. But when it comes to which offense I trust to keep the ball and make plays, it's Free Shoes U. Plus they're at home, so Noles win.

Texas A&M @ Alabama - The one thing I had the most confidence in coming into this season was the Aggie O-line. They've been the biggest question mark for 3 weeks and we've struggled to run the ball. Now maybe both Miss teams are that good. But then so is Bama typically. In our favor, Bama has struggled with hurry up spreads b/c they rely so much on stunts and disguising their D, things you need time to do. I'm hearing really good things out of Aggie camp this week, but until I see the O-line return to glory, I just can't pick em. Bama wins.

Okla St @ TCU - Okie Lite has had injury issues and haven't played anyone since FSU either. I'll take the Horny Toads to bounce back at home.

Stanford @ Arizona St - Great, the Pac12 again. Road teams have ruled but I don't like Kevin Hogan so I'll take the Sun Devils.

Purdue @ Minnesota - Playing to the crowd, eh Joseph? Give me Jerry's Killer Gophers to keep it going against a Boilermaker team that has spent about as much time playing the MAC as the B1G (and not very well I might add).

Georgia @ Arkansas - The Hogs just have to break through and finish a game one of these days, don't they? This would seem to be a good week for it to happen, but I just can't go against that Georgia D. Dawgs win.

Baylor @ West Virgina - This seems to be a popular upset pick but I'm not that big on this year's WVU. They won't be burning any couches tonight, despicable little Bears win a wild one.

Upsets -

K State @ Oklahoma - Call it the curse of Katy Perry. The Landthieves have been outplayed by TCU and Texas. They won't outwork the Cats, and with the extra week to prep, I question if they outplay them either. Knight has been horribly inefficient at qb, looking like he did pre-Sugar Bowl. I'll take K State for the upset.

Nebraska @ Northwestern - I also like NW for the upset for all the same reasons I gave for their Wisconsin game.

 

Not a bunch of showdowns, but conference play = close games.

#6 Oregon at Cal. Cal is the one of if not the most improved team in the country. The Ducks better be ready to go Friday night.

#1 Mississippi State at Kentucky (still can't believe the #1 part). Made the mistake thinking the Magnolia State schools wouldn't handle the high rankings well. Not going to again (kiss of death?), Cowbells win.

#3 Ole Miss at #24 LSU. In the last 50 night games at Death Valley the Bajou Bengals are 46-4, but going to pick Ole Miss's stellar D to win.

#4 Alabama at Tennessee. Rarely does the return of an offensive coordinator cause this much of a commotion, but Lane Kiffin's return (the over/under camera shots on Kiffin is 50) is taking center stage. Have to think the Tide will win, but not without a tussle.

#20 USC at #19 Utah. By far Utah's best season since joining the Pac 12, and interesting that they've been doing it w/instability (changing starters) at quarterback. Buck Allen is one of the better running backs in the country, and will grudgingly take the Trojans.

Minnesota at Illinois. Encore's boys have to go on the road and find a way to get it done. A win in Champaign and they get a bye before Lax's Hawkeyes go to Minneapolis. Gophers!!

Upset Alert

#15 Arizona at Washington State. Wazzu has lost a few heartbreakers, and this could come down to which kicker blows it on the final play.

#22 West Virginia at Oklahoma State. Pokes were embarrassed against TCU and will bounce back.

 

I like this little streak the Gophers are on since you started picking them. With the close escape at home last week against Purdue of all teams, I'm a less confident going into Illinois. If we can make it through this, then we run the gauntlet of Iowa, Ohio St., Nebraska and Wisconsin with the last two being on the road. Ouch.

 

For starters, I think it's pretty safe to say we can leave my Aggies off of this thread going forward. What an unmitigated disaster that was in Tuscaloosa.

Encore, that's a nasty run-in and I'm afraid we'll see gobs of greasy grimy Gopher guts as a result. But not this week...

Minnesota @ Illinois - The Illini have been more competitive the last 2 weeks, but they still only have wins against WKy, Youngstown and Texas St. Jerry's Killer Gophers add one more win to the run before the wheels come off.

Miss State @ Kentucky - The Wildcats coach turned into a pumpkin in Death Valley last weekend. I expect they'll be eager to show that's not who they are and will play better at home, but they don't have enough for Hell State. The Dogs remind me more and more of Tebow's Gator teams. They don't have the secondary and linebackers of those Gator teams, but there are a lot of similarities.

Ole Miss @ LSU - This is the Miss school I expect to trip up before the Egg Bowl and normally this would be the perfect spot to call the upset. But LSU's qb is garbage with a 48% completion % against P5 conference teams. The Landsharks will feast on that incompetence.

Bama @ Tennessee - I expect the Vols will hang around for 2-3 quarters on Rocky Top, but Bama will pull away in the 2nd half.

USC @ Utah - Great, the Pac12. I've had pretty good luck lately picking opposite of Joe, so give me the Utes. Should be a close game.

West Virginia @ Okla State - Tried to tell you last week Joe, the Pokes are beat up with injuries and aren't very good at the moment. I still don't trust the 'Neers on the road, but I think they win this one.

Upset Specials

Arizona @ Wash State - I'm sure they'll Coog it since I'm picking them, but give me the boys from the Palouse in a shootout. Even with their kicker who is a sparkling 1 of 3 from inside 30. Still better than the Cats kicker though.

Texas @ Kansas St - The Horns are only allowing 167 passing yards/game. They'll need that to keep Lockett in check, as he has been their undoing previously. Of all the B12 teams, the Sips have also been the best at running the ball against K-State in recent years. It will probably be an ugly, grind it out affair, but I think Texas will win it. Going to go vomit to get that taste out of my mouth now...

 

And on queue, the Gophers lay an egg at Illinois. I'm staring down the barrel of a 6-6 season...

 

Not going to get too wrapped up in the rankings, because every week something will change.

Thurs. #2 Florida State at #25 Louisville. Jump's boys will be ready to go tonight. FSU has been ripe for the picking the entire season. Going with the Upset Special to start the week.

#3 Auburn at #4 Ole Miss. Not sure if you can play worse than Bo Wallace did last week, but the coach not trying for the tying FG w/9 seconds to go was in a word...STUPID. Auburn got worked at Mississippi State, but will win at Ole Miss.

#7 TCU at #20 West Virginia. The Horned Frogs didn't let the 4th quarter collapse at Baylor keep them down, and think they will win in Morgantown.

Florida v #11 Georgia. Huge rivalry game that will see the Bulldogs heap more misery on the Gators.

Arkansas at #1 Mississippi State. Eyes on Dak Prescott and his health. Cowbells win even if he is not 100%

Stanford at #5 Oregon. The Ducks kryptonite come to town. Stanford out and out blew 2 of their 3 losses. Oregon will exorcise the Cardinal demon.

#17 Utah at #14 Arizona State. The Scummies QB is back, while the Utes best WR is out for the year, pains me to say the Scumbags will win.

#12 Arizona at #24 UCLA. Going with a bunch of college buddies to the Rose Bowl for this one. Cats shocked me with their great performance last week (up at Wazzu 59-16 in 4th quarter before Cougs scored garbage TDs). The Bruins are an enigma, but this wouldn't be an upset if they win at home. Went with the other team last week, and will again to see if the train keeps a rollin'.

 

Out of town this w/e so getting this in while I have some cell service. As a result, no explanations, just picks.

I'll go with Auburn, TCU, Jawja, Miss St, Oregon, Utah & Zona. The Terps for the upset.

 

Had a great time at the Rose Bowl...then I had to go in and watch the game. First time all year Arizona's offensive line was dominated, and our kicker....(head banging icon).

Of course it could be worse, I could be an Ole Miss fan. Brain cramps galore in the final seconds at LSU results in a loss last week and then they lose to Auburn Saturday. Their great WR Treadwell was going in for the leading TD w/less than 2 minutes to go only to be tackled awkwardly, fumbling inside the one yard line. Poor kid ends up with a broken leg to top it off. All but ends Ole Miss' chance at the playoff and the kind of loss Rebel fans will be commiserating about 20 years from now.

*Did miss the FUSA special between LaxAttack's Iowa Hawkeyes and Tim's Northwestern UnionCats, Sorry Tim for even bringing it up, 48-7 Iowa. Lax and Encore going head-to-head this week in Minneapolis.

 

Yes, we are playing for the PIG!! Good ol' Floyd of Rosedale!

 

We want bacon, clap clap, clap clap clap.

Go Hawks! Time to make TCF into Kinnick North 2.0.

 

LOL! You guys did seem to always win at the Metrodome. TCF is a different story, however...