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 . . .