Last week: 5-6
Season total: 66-65-1 (still bowl eligible, baby!)
Inaugural PAC12 Championship Game
Y'know, I look at that disgusting spread and think, man, these kids are going to rally around Rick Neuheisel and not completely embarrass themselves. The Bruins still have weapons on offense (despite the shutout rumors to USC) and Oregon's defense can be vulnerable. I no doubt think UCLA will lose by 3-4 scores, but the optimist and homer inside is leaning toward the underdog here. And if you're keeping score, I'll be watching Florida-Syracuse basketball before tuning into this bloodbath.
The pick: UCLA covers the 31.5
(12) Georgia vs. (1) LSU [O/U 46], Saturday 4PM EST CBS
SEC Championship Game
Georgia is looking pretty high and mighty with their 10 straight wins after two losses, but what LSU did to that Arkansas offense last week was pretty inhumane. And Razorback O > Bulldog (GA) O if you're keeping score. Unless David Greene comes out of hiding, I think there's no way they go over here, short of the Tigers' backs rushing for about five scores.
The pick: Under 46
(24) Southern Miss at (7) Houston [O/U 72], Saturday 12PM EST ABC
CUSA Championship Game
USM is averaging 40.4 ppg over their last ten games, while Houston is still undefeated with the services of the Best in the World, Case Keenum. Normally I see such a bloated spread and think "under" without considering the facts, but this track meet of a title game should be fun to watch with little to no defense.
The pick: Over 72
(15) Wisconsin vs. (11) Michigan State [+9.5], Saturday 8PM EST FOX
Inaugural Big 10 Championship Game
Who ya got here? Legends or Leaders?! Whenever I hear those stupid names I always think the one division should be called the Domino's Legends Pizza Division, and the other one is just too poor to find a cool sponsorship. These teams played it really close last time out, with Sparty winning on that Hail Mary play that'll probably be the ESPY/Youtube/ZOMG play of the year. I still think the Badgers will win and I want them to pull it out, but damn it if MSU isn't getting soft points here. It's easy to forget that MSU dominated that game until UW made the furious comeback to tie it at 31 all before the shit went down. Some will point to Wisconsin's staggering PPG defense, but those were some sorry teams they held under 20 when not playing the Spartans or a rejuvenated Ohio State team. Oh, and if Russell Wilson connects with Nick Toon for the game winning TD, I'll personally mail Toon a Jags jersey. Lots of nice houses down here, Nick.The pick: Michigan State covers the 9.5
(5) Virginia Tech vs. (21) Clemson [O/U 53.5], Saturday 8PM EST ESPN
ACC Championship Game
These two teams combined for 26 points last time out in a 23-3 Clemson upset, so where are these guys getting 53.5 at? Clemson freshman sensation WR Sammy Watkins was held in check against the Hokies despite the win and in his last two games has been held under ten catches and 100 yards combined. I assume with VT more in sync that the score will be higher this time, but expect Frank Beamer to shut the Tigers down and win this crappy conference for good.
The pick: Under 53.5
 |
| Best new jerseys of 2011 |
With an O/U of 71 and a spread of about a field goal, this is the perfect coin toss, except for the fact that OSU is playing at home, Brandon Weeden, OSU having a chance to leapfrog Alabama in the BCS with a good win, Justin Blackmon, rivalry "get up" being generally overrated (ask Virginia, UCLA, or Clemson), and Joseph Randle. He'll be the one in the orange and gray with the No. 1 on his chest footprinting the Sooners all the way to six points. And again. And again...
The pick: Oklahoma State 43-30
NFL Sunday
Falcons at Texans [PICK EM], 1PM EST FOX
You have to ask yourself this question in what I'd call the game of the week: are the Texans truly underdogs because of their QB situation and will TJ Yates play well because teams don't have any tape on him? Even with Julio Jones questionable, the Falcons are just playing too good of ball lately (and yes, they should have beaten the Saints in OT, risky call or not). I think the rookie will make one too many mistakes here.
The pick: Falcons 27-20
Colts at Patriots [-20], 1PM EST CBS
Dan Orlovsky (not the MMA fighter) is starting for the Colts. That is all. But in all seriousness, remember when the Pats beat the Titans 59ish-0 at home a few years ago? Yeah, I'm not saying the Colts deserve what's going to happen to them or that it'll even be that bad, but sheesh should people in Indy find something else to do on Sunday. Like Parks & Rec marathons.
The pick: Patriots cover the 20
Benny Rapes still has a busted hand, Troy Polamalu has a busted "core" and the Bengals running game has been pretty sound lately. However, this has all the makings of an ugly, drag em out in the mud street fight with all sorts of turnovers and Andy Dalton getting his shit pushed in. Welcome to Blitzburgh, rook! Also, I wasn't at all impressed with the Steelers' offense last week at KC. Vintage AFC North here!
The pick: Under 42.5
Packers at Giants [PICK EM], 4:15PM EST FOX
Aaron Rodgers diddles around in the ocean with smokin' hot babes and does cool State Farm Double Down something or other commercials, while Eli Manning does...what were those things? The Wizardly World of Eating Double Stuf Oreos Competition? He's just another mouth breather like Matthew Stafford, and he'll get his. Ahmad Bradshaw is still broken, which is huge for a team that'll try to air it out to a gimpy Victor Cruz. This is still a tough game, but I'm in the minority in saying that the biggest test for Green Bay is still against a suddenly potent Oakland offense. Until then, watch how much suck Eli can produce for 55 minutes.
The pick: Packers 37-24
 |
| courtesy of WithLeather.com |
This'll be just as fun as that CUSA title game up there, but now you know who the players are! In a game following NDK Suh's evil transgressions and the hoopla that followed, this looks like a layup, what with New Orleans' penchant for running it up at home and everything. However, on offense I think Detroit hangs tough and makes this one close to the very end. Until Drew Brees rockets it to Devery Henderson or whatever track star is out there in the secondary.
The pick: Lions cover the 9
Stats by cbssports.com, spreads by VegasInsider.com
