Friday Football Blotter - A Day Late, Probably a Buck Short

The college football schedule this weekend, save the two big games at 8PM, looks pretty meek. I could pick the Gators/Tide game, but I'm so pessimistic as a Florida fan that I couldn't justify it when, in a possible defeat, my mind tricks me into having some solace about "having seen it coming." With that said, the Swamp needs to get loud and loud early tonight. I can't stress enough how important it is for John Brantley to have a fruitful drive early in the game. If the Gator QB gets flustered early, it could be all downhill from there. I've heard it's possible to have a great team with a sub-par signal caller in college football, but I won't believe it until I see some results tonight. LSU and Jarrett "Von Erich" Lee are the outlier. Somehow, someway, I finished 4-6 last week, making it my second dip into the losing week pile. It's almost impressive how lackluster I've been this year. I think I'm defying science at this point.

Last week: 4-6

Season: 16-19

(8) Nebraska at (7) Wisconsin, 8PM EST ABC
This may be a little biased here, but I've seen way more Wisconsin than I have Nebraska so I can kind of vouch for the Badgers' awesomeness. For the past two years, the UW running game has been stout, and now with Russell Wilson at the helm? I like Nebraska to be a thorn in Ohio State's side for years to come, but their Big 10 opener will be a rude one. I absolutely love the trio of Wilson, RB Montee Ball, and WR Nick Toon to come out and defend Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin wins 27-17.

(14) Texas A&M vs. (18) Arkansas, 12PM EST ESPN
Two quick things: this one is being played at the Jerry Dome in Arlington and apparently I gave the Aggies far less respect than they deserved. I apologize. But I won't apologize for the ass-whooping you are about to receive from your future stable mates. SEC! SEC! SEC! Don't let that bloated loss against Alabama fool you--some of those points given up by Arkansas were boneheaded and fluky. While I can acknowledge A&M's ability to throw it around, I don't see their defense stifling the Razorbacks too much. Arkansas wins 38-23.

Arizona at USC (-12.5), 3:30PM EST FSN
Arizona blows, and the Trojans are a totally different team at home for whatever reason. Not much to explain here, but I'll take USC with the points.

Yeah. We get it.

Auburn at (10) South Carolina (-10.5), 3:30PM EST CBS
I'm really split on this one--Auburn's defense has looked disappointingly awful, but these second-tier SEC games seem to always turn into shootouts. I'll give the Gamecocks the benefit of the doubt to stop Michael Dyer and Ontario McCalebb to a point, but Stephen Garcia needs to cut down on the silly turnovers to win, much less cover the spread. With the points, I'll take SC at home in a shootout that stays close most of the way.

Lions at Cowboys, 1PM EST FOX
These two teams are a combined 5-1 and Dallas is the underdog at home, making for an intriguing matchup to say the least. I'm still not a believer in Jahvid Best to stretch drives, but Dallas' RB trio hasn't fared much better. The Cowboys really showed up last Monday against the Skins, and proved that their D-Line is still probably among the best, a unit that should give Detroit fits. I'm taking the Cowboys 31-24.

Saints at Jaguars (+7), 1PM EST FOX
Awwww, Marques Colston is back already? Apparently doctors put some sort of Ironman-esque plate on top of his broken collarbone, so yeah. Good luck, Jags, but the Saints would have to stumble pretty hard not to win by 10. With the points, I'm taking New Orleans to cover. Yuck.

Derpa bubble gum rape FUMBLE INTERCEPTION

Steelers at Texans, 1PM EST CBS
Big Ben might turn it over eight times in this game before people realize that the Steelers might be the worst best team ever. I really think this'll be close, but I still like Houston's defense to step up after laying an egg last week. Texans win 33-27.

Titans at Browns, 1PM EST CBS
Both of these shit teams are 2-1. Ugh. Will this be the game that Chris Johnson finally breaks out of his slump? I like him to get around 100 APY, but overall I think he's proven that the NFL is a fit man's sport and he's not that. Peyton Hillis will play, so I'll take the Browns to win 24-13.

Broncos at Packers (-13), 4:15PM EST CBS
The Broncos are a mess, and I'm not just saying that because I really, really want Tim Tebow to play QB all the time, every day. Perhaps just to see what happens. Then what will people clamor about around the water cooler? Even with no Ryan Grant, I'll take the Packers to surge on and cover the points.

Jets at Ravens, 8:20PM EST NBC
I have a feeling Mark Sanchez is going to get ripped a new one in this game. Did you know that the Jets have only beaten the Ravens once...back in 1997? Damn you, Elvis Grbac! Or was that Stoney Case? Trent Dilfer? Wow, I know far too many antiquated Baltimore QB's. New York's run game has been paltry, while Ray Rice is looking like an outside MVP contender. This should be a great game, but I'll take the Ravens 23-13 in this one.

Stats by CBSsports, spreads by VegasInsider.com