Week 5 - First the Patriots and then USC? Watch out Notre Dame!

What a week its been. The Yankees miss the playoffs for the first time since Mariano Rivera joined the team (which was in like 1895 or something), Lance Armstrong officially announced his intention to "race my bicycle" again, and no one from Florida State or Penn State was arrested! What a week indeed!

My Bonehead of the Week Award goes to the USC Athletic Department. Yes, Pete Carroll was the one on the field leading his team to its second loss against Oregon State out of their last three meetings. However, it was the AD that thought a Thursday night game was a good idea. On a night usually reserved for MAC and C-USA games, the #1 team in the nation lost on ESPN - marking the 4th ranked team to be upset on a Thursday night game this season. Yes, I know TV revenues are important, but what does USC gain from playing on a Thursday? if they win, the headline gets buried in stories about the weekend's games. If they lose it becomes front page news. Nice planning, guys. #13 South Florida takes on Pitt and #17 Utah plays the Beavers next Thursday. I'm not going to spoil the surprise, but I can't imagine that I would wager on either of those top 25 teams next week.

On to the picks . . .

PENN STATE -14 Illinois

Penn State gets a boost this week with the return of linemen Cheech and Chong . . . err Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma. For the most part, the Nittany Lions have cruised through their non-conference schedule, and could be in for a wake-up call when they face a well-rested Illini squad led by Juice Williams at QB. I said it before and I'll say it again - I have no jokes about football players named Juice. Even if PSU has won their last 5 meetings in Happy Valley against Illinois, I don't think this one will be a cake-walk.

A quick aside. I had a business meeting with someone who worked for the AD's office at Penn State and described herself as a NARC for Joe Paterno. Her job involved going to the football players' classes and making sure they showed up. Unfortunately, I couldn't take anyone seriously that calls themselves a NARC for Penn State. A little more believable than a NARC for Miami or FSU, but still . . .

I'll take Illinois getting 2 TDs


NOTRE DAME -1 Purdue

The curse of Tom Brady has already brought down Bill Bellicheck (L to Miami), Pete Carroll (L to Oregon State) Romeo Crennel (o-3, 0-7 including preseason), and it is gunning for an injured Charlie Weis. I feel so strongly about this, I might even start Purdue QB Curtis Painter over Sam Bradford in my NCAA football fantasy league this weekend. Yes, I'm aware that fantasy college football leagues are for real dorks. No, I don't have a problem admitting it. I'm going with Purdue getting one.


OKLAHOMA -18 Texas Christian

In OU's last game before the tough Big XII season begins, they face a 3-0 Horned Frogs team that has defeated such heavyweights as New Mexico, Southern Methodist, Stanford, and the mighty Stephen F. Austin!

Ok, who an I kidding? This is OU's year. With USC, Ohio State, and Georgia stumbling, Sooner fans everywhere will rejoice. And yes, I'm going to do that every week until it gets old.

I'll take Oklahoma to cover the spread. BOOMER!!!!


AUBURN -6.5 Tennessee

Somehow, I'm not comfortable with Auburn being favored here. Maybe its the fact that they haven't impressed when tested this season, or maybe it has something to do the fact that their defense was just plain awful against LSU. The Vols on the other hand have been all over the map. They lost their opener to an overrated UCLA squad, blew out UAB, and then were embarrassed by the Gators in Gainesville. As Dr. Dre and NWA warned us, you don't mess with Crompton . . . or something like that. I'll take Tennessee getting the points.


MIAMI -7.5 North Carolina

Ok, I'll be honest. I know nothing about this game, and I want to go home. I do know that Edgregjlkeidsmsin James is being added to the Ring of Honor this weekend. So that's a morale booster, right? I'll take the Hurricanes giving the points.

Until next week . . .

Week 4 Results

Looks like the SEC method was just as useful as the actual SEC was this week, with both being responsible for slightly mixed results, bordering on the positive. Hopefully I won't have to break that out again, but for now, I'll take a winning week any way I can get it.

Week 4: 3-2
Season: 12-8

Week 4 - The Cliffs Notes version

Not to make excuses, but I've barely had enough time to sleep this week, let alone come up with funny jokes.

Since I'm so swamped, and with everyone pointing fingers over the turmoil in the financial markets, I'm instituting the emergency SEC rule to pick the games this week:

S - South, as in the team that is further geographically south;
E - Evaluation, as in what is my first glance, gut feeling on the game;
C - Coin toss

Let's just cut to the picks

Florida -7 Tennessee

Southern: Florida
Coin Toss: Tennessee

Evaluation: I like this Florida team a lot. I'm not sold on Tennessee. I KNOW Knoxville is one of the toughest places to play in the universe, but I don't see the Gators getting rattled every time the Vols band plays Rocky Top. Well, not unless Pat Summit gets involved. Advantage - Florida.

I'm taking the Gators giving a TD.


Boston College -10 Central Florida

Southern: UCF
Coin Toss: UCF

Evaluation: This isn't really necessary, since the fates are against the Eagles, but they are a home team and a bit of a sleeper. However, the Knights hung with South Florida and took that game to overtime two weeks ago. I think they will lose this game, but not by much. Advantage - UCF

I'll go with UCF getting the points.


MIZZOU -34 Buffalo

Southern: Mizzou
Coin Toss: Buffalo

Evaluation: 34 points is a lot to give against a 2-1 team (even if those wins came against Temple and UTEP). Granted, at 2-0 THE Ohio State University was supposed to put up a fight last week against USC, so you never know what a winning record really means this early in the season. The Tigers are sporting the best QB not named Sam Bradford, and this could be the week he throws for 6 TDs. Advantage - Mizzou.

I''l go with the Tigers giving 34


AZ -2 UCLA

Southern: Arizona (but not by that much)
Coin: UCLA

Evaluation: UCLA got toasted by a bunch of Mormons (on a mission, no less) last week. Arizona was also embarrassed last week at the hands of lowly New Mexico. Who can rebound this week, and who will still have the loss creeping in the back of their minds? Bruins QB Kevin Kraft frankly doesn't have the experience to bounce back, and his stats through two games (1 TD, 5 Ints, 2 Sacks) don't match up well against Arizona's go-to RB, Nic Grigsby (6 TDs, 125 yards per game average). Advantage - Arizona.

I'll take the Wildcats giving a pair.



PITT - 1.5 Iowa

Southern: Pitt (who knew Pittsburgh was further south than Iowa?)
Coin: Iowa

Evaluation: I don't care that they've played Maine, Florida International, and Iowa State. The Hawkeyes are holding opponents to an average of 2.7 points per game while scoring 35. Pittsburgh? They lost to Bowling Green. I don't even know where that is. Advantage - Iowa

I'll take Iowa getting 1.5 from the Panthers.


Until next week . . .

Week 3 Results

After a couple of close games, I end up going 3-2 on the week. I've also decided not to touch Temple again for at least a month. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice . . . . you can't fool me again.

Week 3 Results: 3-2
Season: 9-6

Week Three - Now things get interesting

Welcome back to Lee's picks. Lots of excitement as we gear up for week three. Police officers at the East Carolina game overshadowed the upset of West Virginia as allegations of excessive force were raised, Charlie Weis did his best Obama impression by inadvertently offending Michigan fans with a "to hell with Michigan" comment (though maybe he meant Hell, Michigan), and Ike has already canceled the Texas-Arkansas game as well as the McNeese State-Cal Poly game.

Note: I'm just not in the mood to make a hurricane joke, and its tough to find a funny one. Thanks Katrina.

Bonehead of the week - Hoppy Hoffman

Not so much a bonehead move, as something that completely backfired. Hoffman, who owns The Design Shoppe in Jonesboro, Arkansas offered Arkansas State fans a discount on apparel based on the number of points the Red Wolves win by each Saturday. Unfortunately for Hoppy, Arkansas State won last week by 73 points. According to ESPN, "We had a ball with it," Hoffman, who owns The Design Shoppe, said. "It was so much fun yesterday." Uh, yeah. Yesterday may have been so much fun, but I'm sure the end of the fiscal year won't be a barrel of laughs.

On to the picks - let's try it without the gimmicks this week.

Buffalo -6 Temple

I'm confused about this Temple team. They destroyed Army in Week 1, and nearly pulled off an upset against UConn last week. This is the team that went 4-8 last year, including a 42-7 loss to Buffalo, right? The same Buffalo team that features QB Drew Willy, who has passed for 220+ yards in each of his first two games this year (and 5TDs to boot).

I've eard that Temple coach Al Golden, despite his career 6-20 record in Philly, has the Owls headed for a turn-around. I'm not sure I see it happening. Then again, I thought the Huskies would have no trouble dispatching Temple last week, so what do I know?

I'll go with the Bulls giving 6 points.


Marshall -3.5 Memphis

From one questionable spread to another, Marshall is favored (?!) this week over Memphis. Hmmm. After beating Illinois State in week 1, the Herd jumped out to a 14-0 lead over Wisconsin last week. And then proceeded to give up 51 straight points .

On the other hand, Memphis is . . . well they're just bad. After giving up 41 points to Mississippi, they gave up 42 to Rice. At least they're consistent. And they have QB Arkelon Hall. What's so special about Arkelon Hall? Umm, his name is Arkelon Hall!! That just sounds badass.

Badass enough to lead the Tigers to victory? I don't think so. I'll take Marshall giving three and a half.


Michigan -1.5 Notre Dame

Oh what the Hell, I'll take the Irish getting the points. Michigan is on the road with a new coach, the Irish are coming off an emotional victory against SDSU (though any victory for this team is emotional), and Lou Holtz will be honored at halftime. Why not break out the green jerseys while you're at it and have Dan Ruettiger do the coin toss?

Did I mention that Notre Dame has a WR named Golden Tate? Not as cool, as Arkelon Hall, but give me a week, and I'll come up with something.


USC -10 Ohio State

Matt Cassel is finally getting the start this week. Unfortunately, he skipped over starting in college, and is going right to starting in the NFL. I'm sure his first start since high school coming against a future Hall-of-Famer in the biggest media market in the country will go smoothly. Sure. Good luck, Patriots.

On the other hand, USC takes on a Beanie Wells-less (who is on my college football fantasy squad) Buckeyes team in prime time in Los Angeles this weekend. USC has a question or two at QB since Mark Sanchez won't likely repeat his opening performance against #1 Ohio State.

This game will come down to defense, with OSU's James Laurinaitis at linebacker vying for dominance on defense with the Trojans' Rey Maulaluga. When it boils down to it, even though Laurinaitis' dad could probably beat up Maulaluga's, I don't like the Buckeyes' chances if they must rely on their passing game. Even though I'm not comfortable with a ten point spread, I'll take USC to cover at home. Sorry Jim Tressel, your sweater vest isn't going to help you against college football genius Pete Carroll.

A quick aside - do the executives at GEICO really think the caveman ad campaign is a good idea even though the tv series was a total flop? Can't you guys stick to the lizard? Its making me want to switch to All State.

Oklahoma -20 WASHINGTON

After losing on a blocked extra-point attempt last week, University of Washington president Mark Emmert instructed fans to "take it easy" on coach Ty Willingham. Seriously? You know you're in trouble when your university president has to come to your defense. Throw in a hot Sam Bradford (I mean he's had two good performances in a row - I don't have a man-crush on him or anything like some people I know . . .) and it doesn't look good for the Huskies. Who knows, maybe Notre Dame will decide to trade coaches with Washington after their teams suffer through another disappointing season.

This should be the week that Oklahoma can solidify their spot as a contender this year, and with Georgia and USC both facing the prospects of an upset, there exists the potential for the Sooners to claim the top spot in the nation. And yes, Zambutos, I only added that last part in for the two of you. I will take the Sooners giving 20 points here since I see the MVP of my NCAA fantasy football team "Coral Gables Study Hall," QB Sam Bradford having another monster game and leading Oklahoma to a 3 TD margin of victory over Washington.

That's all for this week . . .

Week 2 Results

So despite all the flashy embedded videos, I still went 2-3 on the week. That'll teach me to link videos of Hacksaw Jim Duggan to my college football picks. USA! USA!

Akron and Texas Tech managed to come through for me giving me my two wins. Somehow, ECU shocked the world (and caused a commotion in doing so) for the second straight week, Ball State managed to cover the spread, and Temple took UConn to overtime(!) before winning a game that featured no TDs. Good luck winning Big East games on field goals alone, Huskies. Granted with the way WVU looked against the Pirates, and Pitt's week 1 loss, filed goals alone might do the trick.

Week 2: 2-3
Season: 6-4

Week 2 - Now for the real games

After a week of tune up games, September has arrived and with apologies to Hofstra, Coastal Carolina, and Northern Arizona, D-I teams are playing other D-I teams and the real season has begun.

For my Bonehead of the Week award (sorry, the Maurice Clarett reference is dated), I’m bestowing the honor on three Penn State players. According to Penn State coach Joe Paterno, three players - Maurice Evans, Abe Koroma and Andrew Quarless will miss Saturday's game against Oregon State after police found marijuana in their apartment earlier this week. The players, who will miss this week’s game against Oregon State (they get caught with pot and now they’re missing a meeting with the Beavers!) will be suspended for one game, because team officials don’t yet have all of the facts, and there really isn’t much to do while you’re living at Penn State besides smoke pot. Let this be a lesson, college athletes. Marijuana has no place in collegiate athletics. In the NBA on the other hand . . .

A quick aside - I noticed this last night during John McCain's acceptance speech. The crowd at the RNC

reminds me a lot of crowds at Hacksaw Jim Duggan fights (see 2:57).

On to the picks

Ball State -6.5 Navy

Last week Navy dispatched Towson 41-13 largely on the legs of RB Shun White who rushed for a school record 348 yards last week. Navy led the nation in rushing last year, and it looks like not much in the strategy department has changed under new head coach Ken Niumatalolo. Even though QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada is on “emergency-only” status this week with a partially torn hamstring, the tandem of White and FB Eric Kattani should bolster the Navy running game. Not to mention, their names are much easier than Kaheaku-Enhada’s for the PA announcer at Ball State to pronounce on TD runs.

On the field for the Cardinals is QB Nate Davis, who had a great week last week with 3 TDs and 290 yards passing (albeit against Northeastern University – not known for their football prowess as much as they are for hockey and watching the Red Sox play). Over the past three seasons, Davis has had at least 1 TD in 18 straight games, and proven that he can lead a high-scoring offense at Ball State. The big question in this game is whether his passing game will be able to match the rushing game of Navy, and whether the Cardinal defense can manage to limit the number of points the Midshipmen score (Ball State has held opponents to fewer than 2 TDs just once over their last 14 games, including last week’s win against Northeastern).

I think we see Navy emerge as a legitimate force this season starting tonight against Ball State as they sail to something better than the Poinsettia Bowl come this post-season. I'll take Navy getting 7.

Syracuse -4.5 Akron

Syracuse!! Akron!! Big East and MAC Football Powerhouses live on ESPN 360!!

Uh . . . I'll take Akron with the points.


WVU -7.5 ECU

Not to take anything away from the Pirates’ win last week, but it was at home against VA Tech. Yes, it represented their second straight victory against a ranked opponent (Boise State was the first at the end of 2007), and yes their defense limited the Hokies to 12 first downs, but seriously? The Moutaineers are only 7.5 point favorites on the road? This is the same team that demolished ECU by 41 last season in Morgantown, right? The same Pat White who has never had below a 50% completion rate since becoming a starter (including an 18 for 20 game against these same Pirates in 2007)? I hate so say it, but the Moutaineers are going to be almost impossible to stop this season.

For the Pirates, they hope that last week’s win against VA Tech wasn’t a fluke. There is plenty of reason to think there might be a bit of a hangover for ECU QB Patrick Pinkney; he’ll have a really tough time throwing for 200+ yards again in Tropical Storm/Hurricane force winds. Unless ECU can get their running game together this week (no one stood out as being overly impressive) they’re going to hope that the defense/special teams can put together another miracle. Sorry, ECU. Hannah isn’t the only thing blowing through Bank of America Stadium this weekend.

Although they helped me last week, I can't see the Pirates coming within a TD of WVU. I'll take the Moutaineers to cover.


UConn - 7 Temple

Really? I know its a road game for the Huskies, but a one TD favorite over Temple? Listen, I get excited about Temple just as much as the next guy does, but let's be honest. A 28 point win against Army does not necessarily signal the start of a winning season for the Owls. Welcome back to earth as you open the season at home, Temple. I'll go with the Huskies to cover.


TX Tech -10.5 Nevada

Both Texas Tech and Nevada put up 49 points last week. The Red Raiders did it against Eastern Washington and the Wolf Pack against Grambling State – neither of whom is expected to crack the top 25 anytime soon. The difference? Texas Tech did it on the arm of Graham Harrell and his spread offense which had a mind-boggling 536 yards in the air last week. Nevada features a more balanced attack, but their cornerbacks have about as much D-1 experience as [Sarah Palin/Barack Obama] does leading the country. See – I can be fair and balanced.

The key to this game will be for Nevada to somehow contain Harrell, which as strategy is a lot easier said than done (so much for me being non-partisan). I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Nevada won’t be able to match Texas Tech on the scoreboard unless they can somehow convince the Red Raiders to run the ball and hope for another net 5 yards rushing on defense. Since the Wolf Pack gave up 225 yards passing to Grambling QB Greg Dillon in his first career start, I don’t think Mike Leach will go to the ground that much this week. I'm comfortable with the Red Raiders giving 10.5

Until next week . . .

Week 1 Results

Not too bad for my first week back. I successfully picked the Fresno State "upset" of Rutgers, and the ECU upset of VA Tech. I did miss Texas A&M's implosion against the Red Wolves of Arkansas State, and as expected, Florida rolled over Hawaii, and Mizzou covered against Illinois. All in all, not too shabby, if I do say so myself.

Week 1 Results: 4-1

Season Results: 4-1