Week 7 - Happy New Year

Sorry this blog is going to be a short one. I've been a bit out of the loop this week with Yom Kippur and attempting to stay up late and follow one of the baseball teams that is still playing in September.

BONEHEAD OF THE WEEK

LSU lineman Ricky Jean-Francois. Ricky - first off, your last name is hyphenated, and both last names are French!! Not exactly a people that typically strike fear in the hearts of opponents. I think the last French person I was mildly afraid of was André the Giant. This week, Ricky publicly announced that he and the Tigers were going to "try our best to take [Tim Tebow] out of the game" this week against the Gators. I'm glad he's made this proclamation, and put a target on his back. I'm sure the Florida O-Line will have no extra motivation for knocking the pass rushers on their asses this week. Way to open yourself up to a few eye gouges and other street fighting maneuvers when you're making your way to the QB this week. Plus, at 6'3", 230lbs Tebow isn't exactly the smallest guy on the field. And he has the Lord on his side. Next time you decide to put a target on your back, Frenchy, stick to things you're good at. Like eating cheese, drinking wine and surrendering.


On to the picks


CINCINNATI -7.5 Rutgers


I'm sorry. This Rutgers team was almost as overhyped as this season of Project Runway. Both of which had huge expectations, and both of which have generally sucked. The Bearcats have one loss (in which they got doubled up) to Oklahoma, but otherwise have been plauing pretty good ball. The Scarlet Knights have one win (a 38-0 rout of MEAC powerhouse Morgan State) and four losses in which they've played . . . uninspired. QB Mike Teel, the hero of last season's squad, has thrown 7 interceptions and has gotten drilled more than a few times this year.

It isn't looking much better for Rutgers this week, or against UConn the next, or against Pitt the week after that. Frankly, this 7.5 point spread looks too good to pass up. I'll take Cincinnati to cover this week.

HAWAII -7.5 La Tech

Yes, this Hawaii team is very much not good. However, they did shock Fresno State in OT last week (well after midnight on the East Coast, so pretty much no one but degenerate gamblers saw it). LA Tech might be .500 this season, but they're still a Western Athletic Conference team from Louisiana, and even I know that Louisiana is not in the western United States. To make matters worse for the Bulldogs, Hawaii is riding on the arm of Inoke Funaki who has a proper Hawaii QB name. I'll take the Warriors to cover.


OU -6.5 Texas

I know better and there are people at the CDC who could unleash bubonic plague or cholera on me if I don't choose correctly. Key stats of the game: 244 ypg. That's what Texas' pass defense allows, ranking them 96th in the nation. 361 ypg. That's what OU's pass offense averages. The power of Sam Bradford compels you!! The power of Sam Bradford compels you!! I'll take the Sooners to cover.


Vandy -2.5 Mississippi State

I think I just like their mascot. Yeah, that must be it. I'll take Commomdores to cover the spread.


Texas Tech -20.5 Nebraska

The last time Nebraska visited Texas Tech, they were decimated by 60 (no, not a typo). The Red Raiders feature Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, the top QB-WR duo this side of Tom Brady Matt Cassel – Randy Moss. Huskers QB Joe Ganz could make a game of it, but if Nebraska couldn't stop Chase Daniel last week, their defense is not going to stop the Red Raiders' pass game in Lubbock. Late in the game, I see this one falling apart faster than a Wall Street rally. I originally thought Nebraska could make a game of it, but after losing to Mizzou last week 52-17, I thought better of it. I'll take Texas Tech giving the points.




Until next week . . .