Bowl Week Part Three - A New Year of Games

12/29/2006

Ah yes, the final 15 games. As of last night (thanks, Rutgers) I'm 7-4-1, making me 40-39-3 for the season (over .500 again . . . finally!). After the New Year, I'll probably write a season recap, hand out some awards, and figure out something to do to keep myself busy until August. Without further delay . . .

Saturday, Dec. 30
MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
Boston College -7½ Navy

Last week, Jeff Jagodzinski was named the Gregory P. Barber and Family Head Football Coach at Boston College. I had no idea it was even possible to donate money towards a position. Could you imagine being the Charles S. Lyman Event Planner or the Amy E. and Eric J. Stevens Advertising Sales Exec? Seriously, BC, let's just stick to selling the naming rights of our buildings and stadiums for now on. Its bad enough we exploit our college atheletes, but now we're making money off of our coaching staff? That doesn't sound too Catholic to me. Then again, 647 yards from Navy doesn't sound like much of a passing game either. This year's Commander-in-Chief's Trophy winners just don't give me a "warm-and-fuzzy" feeling against Boston College, but then again, neither does a new head coach who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the 7-8 Packers (who were shut out twice this season). In the end, it comes down to your gut feeling, and since I'm from Boston, I'll take the Eagles to cover.

ALAMO BOWL
Texas -10½ Iowa

In what amounts to a home game for a team that came one 12-7 loss from playing in the Big XII Championship and likely a bid to play in the Fiests Bowl, the Alamo Bowl is a far fall for last year's National Champions. Instead, the Longhorns get Iowa, who was 2-6 in the Big 10 this year and ranks right up there with Minnesota as "teams who probably shouldn't have gotten bowl bids over Southern Methodist, Arkansas State, or Wyoming." Okay, probably not the case, but did a team with 2 conference wins have a good season? I didn't really think so either. Either way, the return of Colt McCoy won't bode well for the Hawkeyes who have lost 3 straight and face a team averaging nearly 37 points per game. As long as Jim Thorpe award winner Aaron Ross doesn't have any lingering effects from his car accident on December 21st, Iowa should have a great deal of trouble moving the ball on offense. Look for this game to rival the Rutgers-Kansas State debacle. Texas will cover the spread.

CHICK FIL-A (not the Peach) BOWL
Virginia Tech -2½ Georgia

Yes, Virginia Tech is the better team here, and yes they've beaten 2 out of 3 ranked teams they've played this season, but Georgia went 2-0 against Auburn and Georgia Tech to finish the season a solid 4-4 in the SEC, and they're playing a "road" game at the Georgia Dome. This game should be fun to watch considering Georgia's QB Matthew Stafford has a touchdown to interception ratio of 1:2 (yes, you read that right) and the Hokies have forced 16 picks this season. On the other hand, VA Tech QBs have been sacked 26 times, and the Dawgs top ranked defense has 30 sacks this season, including 7.5 from DE Charles Johnson. What does all this mean? I'd take the under in this game, and I'll also go with the home team even if they technically are the road team. Take Georgia with the points.

Sunday, Dec. 31

MPC COMPUTERS BOWL
Miami (FL) -3 Nevada

When told that his team would be facing a 6-6 Miami team in Idaho, Nevada coach Chris Ault said, "This is exciting news, this is a great opportunity to meet a school with a lot of football tradition. We are looking forward to the game." Translation: "We'd never have a shot in Hell to beat a team like Miami any other year, but after they went 6-6 with that brawl, and Coker was fired, we might have a shot at winning this game." This one should be a no-brainer with Coker on his way out giving the team that "win one for me or else I'll be under .500 for the first time ever at Miami" speech. However, Boise. Idaho (36 degrees) is slightly colder than Miami (80 degrees) in December. I'll still take Miami to cover the spread.

Monday, Jan. 1
COTTON BOWL
Auburn -2½ Nebraska

A good game all around. Two solid teams facing off on New Years Day in a big bowl game - well done BCS! Wait, this isn't a BCS game? Oh. nevermind. Nebraska has lost 3 of their 4 games to teams ranked in the top 10 this season. Auburn? They're number 10 in the country. Coincidence? Probably. What we do know is that great seats are still available - both Husker and Tiger fans are bummed about not playing for a national championship, and surprisingly no one wants to spend New Year's Eve in Dallas. Whether or not their fans tune in, I'm taking Auburn to win. Any team that can beat both Florida and LSU this year should have no problem with Nebraska.

OUTBACK BOWL
Tennessee - 4 Penn State

You know you're old when you've faced the opposing coach when he was a player and now you're squaring off against him again, this time as a head coach. As if Joe Pa needs another reminder of how old he is. I'm just glad that he's healed up and we get to enjoy watching his funny run across the field. The Vols had a solid year losing only to Florida, LSU (sound familiar), and Arkansas, while Penn State's big win came against . . . I guess they're still waiting for it. I don't see it happening here. I'm a bit perplexed as to how Tennessee DB "Inky" Johnson wound up in the Mayo Clinic after season-ending shoulder surgery, but if it was good enough for the late Gerald Ford, it must be good enough for Inky. I'll take the Vols to cover the spread.

CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Arkansas -1 Wisconsin

This is Wisconsin's chance to show everyone how good they are even though their schedule was rediculously easy. This is Arkansas' chance to show everyone that even though coach Nutt has little clue as to which QB will play most of the game, their passing game can still be effective. Florida tried the whole QB by committee thing and look where it got them. Okay, bad analogy. My point is . . . I don't really have a point. I haven't picked any Big 10 schools yet, and I won't start now. I'll take the Razorbacks to cover.

GATOR BOWL
West Virginia -7½ Georgia Tech

Still riding high on the Big East after Rutgers thumped K-State, I think West Virginia will prove that they belong in the top 10 in the nation with a win over the Yellowjackets. Unless GA Tech can slow down Steve Slaton, they will likely be playing catch-up most of the game. That wouldn't be too tough for the 'Jackets, that is if they had Reggie Ball calling the plays. Instead, Reggie will be spending New Years Day studying while Tech gets schooled. The Moutaineers should cover the spread.

ROSE BOWL
Michigan -1½ USC

"We're Michigan and USC, and we're mad that we can't play for the national championship. Grrrrr." I probably won't even watch this game - they might as well remane this the Overrated Bowl. Because I have to choose one of them, I'll take USC.

FIESTA BOWL
OKLAHOMA -7 Boise State














Adrian Peterson's gonna fight? Adrian Peterson's gonna fight! This game will be the argument against undefeated WAC teams getting a BCS bid. As much as I would love to see the Broncos finish the year without a loss and not in the top 5, it won't happen against Oklahoma. NFL scouts, I hope you're watching. The Sooners will cover against Boise State, and Adrian Peterson isn't the only guy to watch in this game (paging Paul Thompson).

Tuesday, Jan. 2
ORANGE BOWL
Louisville -11 Wake Forest

Let me get this straight, Louisville - the team that lost to The Greatest Story In College Football Part I, is now playing The Greatest Story In College Football Part II and is favored by 11? I don't think so. Sorry Louisville, I know you've been in like nine straight bowl games or something pseudo-impressive like that, and you have the number three offense in the nation this season (38.9 points) but honestly? You're Louisville. Get over yourselves. I'll take Wake Forest and their cast of Hollywood special effects and storybook endings with the points.

Wednesday, Jan. 3
SUGAR BOWL
LSU -7 Notre Dame

Find me a single Notre Dame fan who thinks they have an chance in this one. Seriously, I'l wait . . .

. . . they're probably the same fan who is still waiting for Brady Quinn to have his "breakout game" this season. Don't get me wrong, but against the four toughest teams on the Fighting Irish's schedule (Michigan, Michigan State, USC and UCLA) Quinn didn't have a completion percentage above 60%. Again, not necessarily bad, but not good enough to cut it against LSU and JaMarcus Russell. Even if Quinn manages to step out of the shadow of being A.J. Hawk's brother-in-law, Notre Dame's defense just hasn't been solid enough this season to stop the Tigers. As good as this one looks on paper (Quinn vs. Russell) the defense battle is more one-sided than the Boise State - Oklahoma matchup, and look how that one ended . . . Uh, yeah, I'll take LSU to cover.

Saturday, Jan. 6
INTERNATIONAL BOWL
Cincinnati -9 Western Michigan

Sunday, Jan. 7
GMAC BOWL
SO Mississippi -6½ Ohio

Just because you're so Mississippi doesn't mean you're so good. Yeah, I know, bad joke, but with this game, does anyone really even care? I'll take Ohio and the points

Monday, Jan. 8
TOSTITOS (or as my girlfriend calls them Toasted O's) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
THE Ohio State University -8 Florida

Like there was much choice in this one. My apologies to my cousin Erin.I'll take the Buckeyes.

Bowl Week Part II - Everything Santa Didn't Bring Me

After 2 blowout bowl games, I'm 1-1, putting me at 34-36-2 for the season. Technically, I'm not bowl eligible, but neither is GA Tech QB Reggie Ball, so I'll take my chances. Forget the chit-chat, I'll pick up right where I left off - with mediocrity! These picks should tide you over until New Year's. Or until I'm bored again next week - whichever comes first.

Tuesday, Dec. 26
Motor City Bowl
CENTRAL MICHIGAN -11½ Middle Tenn St

This year, the Detroit Bowl features the MAC Champion Chippewas and the Sun Belt Co-champion Blue Raiders of MTSU. Um, yeah. Pretty exciting stuff. Here's my question - since this game is obviously not tops on anyone's "to watch list" and Detroit is not tops on the "to visit" list, why not spice this game up and invite Ted Nugent to perform at halftime? There's no way I wouldn't tune in to at least part of the game to see the Nuge perform, and possibly take someone out with a high-powered rifle or a bow and arrow. Who's with me here? Anyhow, MTSU features a relentless defense but no passing game, and I don't think CMU will have too much difficulty finding open receivers (five have 5+ TDs this season). I'll take Central Michigan to cover in this one.


Wednesday, Dec. 27
Emerald Bowl
UCLA -4½ Florida State

Me (to an FSU alum in my office): So what do you think about Florida State's chances in the Emeral Nut Bowl?

Her: What's with all these stupid bowls? Seriously, they don't even deserve to go to a bowl game. I'm done with them this season. They'd better step it up next season or I'm buying Rutgers season tickets.

When you're willing to abandon your alma mater for Rutgers, you know your team had a bad season. I'll take UCLA in this one.

Thursday, Dec. 28
Independence Bowl
Oklahoma State -3 Alabama

6-6 Alabama square off against 6-6 Oklahoma State - its the SEC and the Big XII only on ESPN! I could go in so many different directions with this one. If a big-name program without a coach plays a bowl game in Shreveport at 4:30pm on a Friday, will they make a sound? Will anyone outside of Alabam or Oklahoma watch it? I'd like to say yes to both, but since I don't have ESPN HD at work, and I'm not at "degenerate gambler" level yet, I'll have to say no. How does Alabama get motivated for this one? "Well guys, let's look at it this way, if we go 6-7 this season its still better than that time our coach got caught at the nudie bar, right?" Even if Alabama's offense will be run by their defensive coordinator, I still think they'll fare well against the Cowboy's defense (giving up an average of 30.8 points per game over their last 9 games). Aside from an upset win over Nebraska, Oklahoma State really hasn't impressed that much this season. I'll take Alabama with the points this week.

Texas Bowl
Rutgers -7 Kansas State

When the biggest storyline from this game is whether or not New Jersey residents will be able to watch the game on the NFL Network, you know the analysts are scraping the bottom of the barrel for something to talk about. Not me though. I've been watching the Scarlet Knights all season, following their stats, reading post-game interviews and reports, and I can honestly say that . . . hmmm. They're wildly inconsistent? After starting the season 9-0, they lost 2 of 3 to end the season tied for 3rd in the Big East. I'd like to say that Ray Rice, Brian Leonard and QB Mike Teel are the strongest trio to come out of New Jersey since the Fugees, but as solid as Rice has been, Teel has been as shaky. I think this game will hinge on whether Mike Teel can play like he did against Navy (215 yards, 3 TDs) and not like he did against Ohio (83 yards, 3 INTs). As long as Teel can complete enough passes to keep the Wildcat defense from effectively focusing on the run (which they have had trouble with all season), Rutgers should have no problem winning and winning big. I'll take the State University of New Jersey to cover the spread.

Holiday Bowl
CALIFORNIA -5 Texas A&m

Remember when Cal lost to Tennessee and it became the defining loss of their season, Nate Longshore played with a chip on his shoulder and Cal won 8 in a row? And then they lost to Arizona and USC in consecutive weeks and ended up playing in the Holiday Bowl instead of the Sun or Rose Bowl? Good times, good times. I really don't have too much to say about this game other than I think A & M beating Texas was a bit flukey, as was Cal losing to Arizona. I'll stick with Cal in this game, even though I'm sure it will be a lot closer than expected.

Friday, Dec. 29
Liberty Bowl
SOUTH CAROLINA -6½ Houston U

Man, I hate Tom Penders. Yes, I know he doesn't coach the football team, but I don't care. I'll take the Ole Ball Coach and the Cocks to cover against Houston.

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Clemson -11 Kentucky

This game was a lot easier to call before Clemson CB Duane Coleman was arrested for pot possession this week putting his status for the game in jeopardy, and earning him Maurice Clarett award nominee status. Duane, what were you thinking? You go to Clemson, not Miami! I know both teams wear orange, but that's no excuse for getting caught with weed a week before the bowl game. This is Coleman's second suspension from the team (the first in was in 2005 for whining too much - seriously). Clemson lost 3 of 4 to end the season, and though they're giving up just over 15 points per game with Coleman, I'm not sure they'll do much worse without him. I'll take Clemson to cover the spread here; Kentucky's passing game just won't be able to overcome the Tigers' defense.


Sun Bowl
Oregon State -3 Missouri

Oregon State's running back is named Yvenson Bernard. What a cool name, Yvenson. And he's not even from Norway or Sweden or one of those World's Strongest Man Competition places. I'll take Yvenson and the Beavers to cover the spread.

Champs Sports Bowl
Maryland -3½ Purdue

Maryland has been tough to read all season. Their only real quality win was a 1 point victory over Clemson, and they've lost all four games to ranked opponents. Purdue lost to 4 ranked opponents as well this season, and had the luxury of being in the Big Ten (11) and not playing Ohio State or Michigan this season. Yes, both teams had rough schedules, but neither one was overly impressive at any point. The edge here goes to Maryland just because the Boilermakers are 1-5 in their last 6 bowl appearences and Maryland has given up only 10 points in their last two. I'm going with the Terps even though my GW roots tell me otherwise.

Insight Bowl
Texas Tech -7½ Minnesota U

It isn't games like Florida - Ohio State with USC on the outside looking in that make me hate the BCS. Its games like this one - teams such as Minnesota who were absolutely dreadful (3-5) in conference this year and won 2 of their games against cupcakes like Temple and North Dakota State, and 2 more against Kent State (6-6) and Indiana (5-7). Those games accounted for 67% of the Golden Gophers' wins. I can't wait to see Red Raiders QB Graham Harrell light up Minnesota's defense for 600 yards passing. After putting up 519 against Texas and 483 against Baylor it could certainly happen, and I hope it does. Why does this make me so upset? I have no idea, but it might have something to do with a mascot camp incident involving Goldie the Gopher. Don't ask. I'm going with Texas Tech to cover.

Until next week . . .

Bowl Season is upon us!

The days are getting shorter, the shopping days are getting fewer, and the reasons to fire Isiah Thomas are piling up. Must mean only one thing - the holidays have arrived! And what better gift to all of us already tired of BCS talk and complaints from teams that feel left out than more college football! As always, I'll be picking the winner of each and every bowl game, though some of them won't get the full treatment (you can decide if that is a good thing or a bad thing). Cut me some slack - its Hanukkah, I'm in the middle of finals, and I have that thing from 9am - 5pm every day. Work, I think they call it. Teams in bold are my picks. Anyhow, here's how I see the first week of games shaping up:


Tuesday, Dec. 19
POINSETTIA BOWL - San Diego, CA
Texas Christian -12 Northern Illinois

TCU is ranked and 10-2 this season. NIU went 7-5 in the MAC. However, Garrett Wolfe of the Huskies rushed for an NCAA leading 1900 yards rushing, and it would be pretty cool to see him break the single season record for rushing. He only needs 729 against the Horned Frogs. I don't see it happening, and I also don't see TCU winning by less than a pair of TDs. I'm taking Texas Christian to cover.

Thursday, Dec. 21
LAS VEGAS BOWL - Las Vegas, NV
Brigham Young -3 Oregon

This game was already written up in TV Guide this week. Here's what it said.

Las Vegas Bowl (Comedy) - A wacky bunch of Mormons find themselves far from home as their Mission takes back them to Sin City for the second straight year. Also starring Oregon as the unlucky losers of three straight games.

As much as it pains me to pick against BYU in Vegas for a second straight year, could Oregon really lose four games in a row? I don't think so. I'll take the Ducks to beat the spread. I'm sure they'll unveil some crazy zebra-striped uniform for the game. Phil Knight and Nike won't let me down.

Friday, Dec. 22
NEW ORLEANS BOWL - New Orleans, LA
Rice -4½ Troy

Uh, there's a team called Rice? Sounds good to me. Might as well take the over on this one too. Just a hunch.

Saturday, Dec. 23
PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL - Birmingham, AL
South Florida -4½ East Carolina

Yes! A battle of directional schools! I'm most intrigued by South Florida's WR - Taurus Johnson. See, South Florida are the Bulls, and Taurus is a bull. See how that works out? Pretty neat huh? Its a good thing Taurus' parents didn't name him Hootie. Then he'd be a sexist and probably wouldn't let himself play at Augusta National. You thought I was going to make a "He'd have to play for Temple because they're the Owls" joke, didn't you. I totally went in another direction on that one! South Florida covers.

NEW MEXICO BOWL - Albuquerque, NM
NEW MEXICO -3½ San Jose State

Home field advantage, blah, blah, blah. If home field was such an advantage, why did the Lobos go 2-4 there this year? SDSU is 8-3 against the spread this season - one of the better marks in the country. Yes, they're tied for third place in the WAC, but there is something to be said about a barely eligible bowl team playing at home. I'm not sure what it is, but there is something to be said. I'll take the Spartans with the points.

ARMED FORCES BOWL - Fort Worth, TX
Utah -1 Tulsa

Nothing says "We Support Our Troops" quite like 7-5 Utah taking on 8-4 Tulsa. I'm sure our servicemen and women in Iraq are looking forward to waking up at 4:00am on Sunday the 24th, cracking open a cold one, and enjoying the offensive powerhouse that is Utah's leading rusher Darryl Poston (546 yards, 5 TDs)
. Tulsa on the other hand had three straight losses before beating up on Tulane to end the season. This one should be, um, fun to watch. I'll take Tulsa with the points because you can't spell Tulsa without USA!


Sunday, Dec. 24
HAWAII BOWL - Honolulu, HI
HAWAII -7 Arizona State

Colt Brennan's last shot at the single-season TD record + ASU giving up 21 or more points seven times this season + Hawaii playing in a virtual home game = an early Christmas gift for the Rainbow Warriors. See, Mrs. Falkoff, I am good at math. With 2 completions, 199 yards and 2 TDs, Brennan would set records for passes completed (374 by David Klingler in 1990) passing yards (5188 by Ty Detmer in 1990) and TDs (Klingler 1990) in a season. In addition, his passer rating of 182.80 is already tops all time. On the other side of the field, ASU is losing their coach after the game, so they have that going for them . . . which is nice. I'll take Hawaii and the Lazer from Laguna Beach to cover the spread.

For more on the post-Christmas games, check back later on this week . . .

Week um . . . there are no games this week

So its that funny week where there are no games because Bowl Games haven't quites started yet. I may as well take this time to let everyone know that yes, I will be picking all of the Bowl Games - who isn't excited to read about the GMAC Bowl?

Last Week: 2-3
This Season: 33-35-2

In College Football news, America's Sweetheart Brady Quinn won the Maxwell Award as the top player in the nation, and Troy Smith took home the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top QB. Um, Awards people, Troy Smith and Brady Quinn are both quarterbacks. Does this mean that Troy Smith is better at QB than Brady Quinn, but Brady is better at playing than Troy Smith? This is so confusing.

More later . . .

Week 14 - Championship Week

Here we are after 13 weeks, and wouldn't you know it, my record stands at a nearly even 31-32-2. Quite the poor showing on my part this season. I've made some stupid mistakes, pulled a few picks out of nowhere, and generally slid by for most of the year - just like Notre Dame! This week we have three conference championship games on the schedule, plus the MAC championship last night. Not to mention the (trap) game for USC this week. I'm hoping to pull myself over .500 for the year, and rumor has it that if I do, I'll be penciled in for the Rose Bowl - just don't tell LSU fans that.

Maurice Clarett award nominee(s): Wisconsin cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu and his twin brother, Northern Illinois safety William Ikegwuonu who were arrested after stealing an XBox from someone's apartment. This sounds like something Law and Order would "rip from the headlines." How dumb are these guys? First of all, if it had only been one of them who stole the XBox, they could have at least blamed it on the other one and there would be no way the prosecutor could get charges to stick. Not to mention, both of their teams are going to bowl games this season (Wisconsin to the Capital One Bowl and Northern Illinois to the Poinsettia Bowl. Do these guys realize that each bowl game gives out a "goody bag?" Last year, the Poinsettia Bowl participants got the following:
• 4 GB iPod Mini
• $15 music gift certificate
• Fossil watch
• Commemorative sweatshirt, t-shirt and hat

The Capital One Bowl participants got:
• Medallion Quartz watch with bowl logo
• Sony camcorder
• Commemorative beach towel

I guess it makes sense then to steal an XBox - only the BCS games give away Sony PSP's and stuff like that.

On to the picks . . .

Last Week: 3-2
This Season: 31-32-2


Florida -2.5 Arkansas

For the SEC Championship, #4 Florida (11-1) hosts #8 Arkansas (10-2). Neither of these teams has been overly impressive this year, but if Florida wins (and USC loses) they could be a long shot go to the BCS Championship game. Not to mention, Florida could clinch their first SEC Championship in six years. This match up will hinge on Florida's ability to stop the rushing game of Darren McFadden and the Razorbacks. The good news is that the Gators give up less than 70 yards rushing per game and are holding opponents to just over 12 points per game. This puts way to much pressure on Arkansas' QB Casey Dick and coach Houston Nutt, and as we saw last week, there was a disconnect between Dick and Nutt. I can't believe I just wrote that. Could this be the year that Florida returns to greatness and fans finally let go of the days of the Ole Ball Coach? I think it is. Florida covers the spread and heads to a BCS game.

WEST VIRGINIA -9.5 Rutgers

Remember when this was an important game with national championship implications? Yeah, those were the days. Now the winner of this game goes to the Sun Bowl or the Texas Bowl at best, with an outside shot at the Gator Bowl. Remember when I said the Big East was the tough conference and a force to be reckoned with? Yeah, me neither. In what should still be a very good game, I see Rutgers falling short in Morgantown. I'll take the Mountaineers to cover the spread.

USC - 13.5 Ucla

My brother interns for a morning radio show in Los Angeles, and this morning they had cheerleaders and the band from USC and the mascot and some cheerleaders from UCLA. He said that the USC girls were far better looking. For that reason alone I'm taking USC to cover the spread. So what if they only know how to play one song?

HAWAII -8.5 Oregon State

This game really isn't all that exciting. Hawaii plays all of their games too late for most East Coasters to watch, they won't win their conference since they lost to 12-0 Boise State, and they won't play in a bowl game outside of their time zone. So why would I pick it? The fact of the matter is, Hawaii QB Colt Brennan has been a TD machine this season throwing for 51 and rushing for another 5. He is currently 4 TDs shy of breaking David Klingler's single season record. If he can get around the Oregon State pass defense this week, he should have no problem winning the game and breaking the record before the Hawaii Bowl. I like the Warriors' chances this week, and I'll take Hawaii to cover the spread.

Oklahoma -3.5 Nebraska

Surprise, surprise - the Vince Young-less Longhorns lost to Texas A&M, giving Oklahoma a shot at the Big XII Championship. Not to rub it in for Sooner fans, but if things had gone correctly against Oregon, and Florida/USC/Michigan weren't so strong, and Adrian Peterson hadn't broken his collarbone . . . well, you get the idea. The bad news for Oklahoma is that Peterson is still a week away from returning to action. The good news is that Allen Patrick is averaging more than 110 yards per game as Peterson's replacement, which is only 10 less than Peterson's average of 120.6 . Nebraska is giving up more than 125 rushing yards per game, and unless things change drastically this week, their offense will have to pick up the slack. For a team that has scored less than 21 points only twice this season, the Huskers' offense should be up to the challenge. Unfortunately for them, I see Rufu Alexander and Zach Latimer (168 tackles, 4 sacks, 20.5 tackles for a loss) more than ready to put the sticks to Nebraska, or some sort of football term like that. I'll take Oklahoma to cover the spread this week.

Until next week . . .