Week 7 - Just Call Me MJ . . .

. . . Because I'm stuck with the 2-3. I've realized that either a) I know nothing about these games and I should really watch more football or b) I'm overanalyzing it too much and should go with my gut feeling (like Notre Dame not covering - again). I'll take the latter.

This week was an especially big one in New York sports. Yes, the Yankees are out of the playoffs, yes Joe Torre still has a job, but more importantly, Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle crashed his plane into the side of an apartment building in New York. I know I'm supposed to play the "Red Sox fan who hates everything Yankees" but as a big baseball fan, and guy who had Lidle on his fantasy baseball team, I can't but feel sad. However the $450 Lidle helped me win will not be going to his kid's college fund.

Last Week: 2-3
This Season: 13-16-1

Maurice Clarett award nominee: The Wisconsin Badger Marching Band narrowly beating out VA Tech WR Josh Hyman who was suspended from Thursday night's game after blowing a .12 and being charged with DUI early last Friday morning. Get it, Hyman was busted for DUI. The Wisconsin Band was put on probation for behavior "that can be seen as anything from boorish and offensive to patently dangerous and unlawful." The Chancellor of the school John Wiley warned the band that any continued acts of "gratuitous vulgarity, sexualized banter or joking, hazing, or other forms of demeaning conduct" would result in the suspension of the band's season. Gratuitous vulgarity? Sexualized banter? What is left for these band kids to talk about? And I thought that "and this one time at band camp" joke would get old. Thanks Badgers!

On to the picks.

Auburn -1 Florida

I could talk about how the outcome of this game is likely going to shake up the SEC and that both teams are likely to be bowl bound (including Florida's potential shot at a National Championship) or the fact that the Gator QB tandem of Chris Leak and Tim Tebow are getting fans in Gainesville as excited about this team as they used to get during the good ole days of fun-and-gun, but I won't do that. Instead, I'll tell you that Auburn has a WR named Lee Guess. I think that's an invitation. Florida takes the point and beats Auburn.

California -8.5 Washington State

"Hey Cal QB Nate Longshore, why aren't you a Heisman candidate? You've only thrown for 1400 yards and 17 TD's. Your team is 5-1 and ranked 10th in the nation. You took Oregon behind the woodshed last week and blew open what should have been a close game. Oh, that's right; you lost to Tennessee in Week 1. That must be it." Cal covers the spread.

Maryland -4 Virginia

Man do I hate Maryland football. I hate those stupid "We must protect this HOUSE" commercials, I hate that they play in Byrd Stadium even though their mascot is a turtle, and I hate the swagger that Maryland fans get because they had one good season under that stomach-stapling coach of theirs Ralph Freidgen. However, this season Maryland has beaten the teams they should have (William & Mary, Middle Tennessee, Florida International) and lost to teams they should have lost to (West Virginia, Georgia Tech). This week, Maryland goes to Charlottesville for their first real "iffy" game. And as much as I dislike Maryland, they ALWAYS get up for the game against the Cavaliers. Plus Maryland's QB is out to prove that he ain't no Hollenbach-girl. Sorry - I couldn't resist. Maryland covers this one.

Arizona -4 Stanford

Not even the "Stanford Band is on the field" could save this season. Fortunately for the Cardinal, this is their best shot at a win this season. Unfortunately for them it probably won't happen this week. No wonder the girl who wore the Tree costume drank so much. Arizona covers the spread.

Navy -1.5 Rutgers

Rutgers burned me two weeks ago with the "blocked" field goal in the 4th quarter that would have put them up by 5 thus covering the 4 point spread. However, the field goal was blocked, they won by 2, and yup, Lee went 2-3 for the week. Rutgers is one of 3 Big East schools that remain undefeated. Yes, we're still talking about football. I'm of the school of thought that thinks Service Academies are full of fantastic athletes, but that you'll never see Army, Navy or the Air Force contend for a National Title. That being said, I think Rutgers has a legitimate shot at a big bowl game this year, and Navy will not get in their way of staying undefeated. Heisman committee, do you hear that knocking? It's Ray Rice, and he and his 11 TD's want to come in. Rutgers covers this week and rolls to 6-0. Hell may freeze over.

Until next week . . .