| 11 November 2011
Because of the Penn State column that was posted earlier today, I didn’t have much time to think or write about this weekend’s games. Quite frankly, given everything that’s happened the last week, I’m not too sure how important they are to begin with.
Regardless, here are some quick, Week 11 picks:
CINCINNATI (-4) over West Virginia: Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ABC/ESPN2
Much like Dana Holgorsen’s hair-do, something just hasn’t been right with West Virginia all year. Every time they look good, every time they seem to be figuring it out, every time they look ready to turn a corner…they fall flat on their face. With their talent, there’s no excuse for losses to Syracuse or Louisville. None.
On the road, against a good team, I think things could get ugly for the Mountaineers.
(On a much less negative West Virginia note, I thought this column by John Canzano on Mountaineers Athletics Director Oliver Luck was outstanding)
Oklahoma State (-17 ½) over TEXAS TECH: Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ABC/ESPN2
Truth be told, I feel like the Pokes got a break here. Lubbock is always a tough place to play, but an 11 a.m. kickoff seems much more manageable than an evening one.
Oklahoma State…big.
PENN STATE (+3) over Nebraska: Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ABC
So…who likes field goals?
After a tough week around Happy Valley, I expect a hard-fought, emotional, defensive struggle between these two teams. Think of it as the ugly step-brother of LSU-Alabama last Saturday, if you will.
Last week the Tigers won 9-6. This week I’ll take the Lions by the same score.
SOUTH CAROLINA (-3) over Florida: Saturday, 12:00 p.m. CBS
But no, seriously…WHO LIKES FIELD GOALS!!! Not to mention belligerent coaches.
If those two things are your cup of tea, this is the game for you. Otherwise, it might be best to find something else to do. Actually, it might be best to find anything else to. The only highlight I expect out of this one will be when Will Muschamp makes one of his players cry.
MISSOURI (+1) over Texas: Saturday, 12:00 p.m. FX
This is a weird line, but Missouri is a weird team, and this is a weird kickoff time. Plus, Gus Johnson is calling this game, meaning that anything is truly possible.
Auburn (+12) over GEORGIA: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. CBS
For the record, I think Georgia is going to win this game, and basically seal up an SEC East berth. But still, isn’t Auburn getting 12 points a wee bit too much? You know, since all three of their losses have come on the road, against Top 10 teams (at Clemson, at Arkansas, at LSU)?
Georgia wins, Auburn keeps it close.
TCU (+15 ½) over BOISE STATE: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Versus
As hard as this might be to believe, Kellen Moore- yes, that Kellen Moore- is one of the most underrated storylines of the college football season. The fact that his stats are better than ever, despite his talent being worse than ever really is mind-boggling. The offensive line still doesn’t block as well as I’d expected them to, and Boise doesn’t have anyone nearly as capable at wide receiver as either Austin Pettis or Titus Young were last year. Yet there's Kellen just chugging along, piling up stats and wins.
This one will be close for about two and a half quarters, before the Broncos open up some breathing room. Boise wins, TCU covers.
Miami (+9) over FLORIDA STATE: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ABC
So, does anyone besides me remember when this used to be one of the premiere games of the entire college football season? Yeh, about that. Now I need a "coverage map" just to see if it’s actually going to be broadcast in my area.
As for what’s going to happen on the field, well, I expect Jacory Harris to throw three interceptions, E.J. Manuel to throw two, and Florida State to win by one ugly final score.
Washington (+11 ½) over USC: Saturday, 3:45 p.m. FX
Because of a nasty Northeast power outage, I wasn’t able to see each of USC’s last two games. I heard they looked good, but really, how am I to be sure? Hell, Lane Kiffin could’ve left to coach in the CFL two weeks ago for all I know. I’ve been that out of the loop.
Still, there’s something fishy about this line. Washington can score points and has beaten ‘SC each of the last two seasons. It’ll be closer than 11 ½ points.
ARKANSAS (-14) over Tennessee: Saturday, 6:00 p.m. ESPN2
I would say that “I’m done trying to figure out Tennessee,” but I don’t know what there is to figure out. They’re playing a third-string quarterback, their best wide receiver is out for the year, and the defense wasn’t good to begin with.
Quite frankly, two touchdowns doesn’t seem like enough for the Hogs. They could win by 30.
Alabama (-17 ½) over MISSISSIPPI STATE: Saturday, 7:45 p.m.
I’d like to put out a Code Red warning to any and all Mississippi State ball-carriers this Saturday. Things were already personal for Alabama’s defense, and after last week I’m starting to wonder if lives will be in danger for Mississippi State on Saturday.
Oregon (+3) over STANFORD: Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ABC
I’ve said all year that I thought Stanford was overrated, and I’ve said all week that I don’t think they’ve got the speed defensively to slow down Oregon. Quite frankly, their best (and maybe only hope) to keep this one close is long, time-consuming, clock-chewing drives on defense.
As weird as this sounds, if Andrew Luck is MVP of this game, Stanford is in trouble. If running back Stepfan Taylor is MVP, they’ve got a chance.
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