Week 6 - Big Conference Matchups . . . and Navy!

I always felt badly for the D1A "Independent Schools." Well, at least not those that have a national TV contract. Though Temple, Western Kentucky and UConn have all fallen under this moniker, and Army spent an unsuccessful 7 years in Conference USA, I'm talking specifically about the Middies at Navy. Here is a better than average team that never gets to beat up on weak conference opponents. They never play the Mississippi States or Dukes or Washington States that Florida, VA Tech and USC have on their in-conference schedules. Navy has to settle for a five year rivalry with Temple. The Midshipmen won't play in a BCS game either, unless Notre Dame is putrid and Navy manages to have an undefeated season that would warrant even consideration of an invite. What is my point? As usual, I don't have one - I'm just ranting. However, I will make it a point to pick Navy games more often, since they always manage to keep the score close and are a pretty good team against the spread.

Bonehead of the Week

I'm going with the chair of the FSU trustee board Jim Smith and head coach Bobby Bowden. After the Seminoles lost again, Smith said that Bowden's days at FSU were numbered. Bowden's response?:

The moral of the story - don't get into a pissing match with a 79 year old man. Their bladders are unpredictable.

On to the picks.

Navy -11.5 Rice

Navy's first game in the battle to be the best four letter team in the nation! Watch out, Troy, Army and Duke - this could be Navy's year. Navy is coming off a morale-boosting OT win against Air Force, and I think they'll use the momentum to roll over Rice this week. Granted, Rice is just awful, allowing an average of 40+ points per game. The Midshipmen should have no trouble covering against Rice, and I'm taking them giving the points.

Pitt -7.5 UConn

From a pure gambling point of view, this is an intriguing matchup. My friend (okay, we've never actually met) Danny Sheridan lists this one as a 7.5 point spread, whereas most other "for entertainment purposes only" sites have it at 6.5. Here's a free tip - when there is a full point difference between the recognized spread and the one you're using, someone either is A) adamant that they are correct, or B) not watching the way people are betting. Either way, I like UConn's chances here - mostly because they are 4-0 against the spread this season, and while I think Pitt is a good team, I don't see them emerging as the Big East contender this season. However, they do have a QB named Bill Stull who has already tossed 11 TDs and has a strong, Big XII-esque sounding name (like Colt McCoy, Taylor Potts or Robert Griffin III). He also has the 4th best passer rating, which I guess is also a sign of success. He'll be up against a UConn defense that is 5th in the nation in sacks, and pretty effective against the pass. I'm taking UConn getting 7.5 here, from the "they're getting too many points" standpoint.


Alabama -4.5 Ole Miss

Roll Tide! This Alabama offense scores so frequently and so easily, you'd think they were slipping their opponents roofies. [NOTE: Neither Lee, nor Lee's Picks of the Week endorse or advocate the use of Rohypnol in any way shape or form. In fact, if you knew Lee in college you'd know he was more like Western Kentucky than Alabama.] The Tide starts a string of games against three tough opponents (and an underrated Tennessee team) with the trip to Oxford this week. The Rebels will look to capitalize (no, that is not a "people from Mississippi have difficulty with grammar" joke) on lat week's drubbing of Vandy. They will be up for a big challenge as Alabama brings the 2nd ranked defense along with their high-powered offense. I think Alabama wins this one and covers the spread, and with the status of Florida QB Tim Tebow in question, there is a good chance that Alabama could springboard into the top 2 by Halloween.


Bowling Green -3 Kent State

Whoooooooo! MAC Football - Feel the excitement!

Bowling Green will look to stop a four game losing streak against a Golden Flashes squad that is going with a quarterback by committee strategy. However, the key to the Kent State offense has been converted-wide-receiver-to-tailback Jacquise Terry. If Terry can carry the offense for Kent State, the Falcons will have a tough time avoiding a 5th straight loss. If you've managed to stay awake through this paragraph, congrats! I had as much trouble finding a hook as you did reading it. I'm taking Kent State getting the points. Here's a video to wake you up.




Michigan State -4 Illinois

Last week Michigan State pulled off an overtime upset against rival Michgan. The Illini countered with their 3rd loss - a trampling by Penn State and Grandpa Joe. The Spartans are one of those middle-of-the-road Big Ten teams that ends up going .500 and playing in the Little Ceasars Pizza Bowl. They win the games they're supposed to win, lose the ones they're supposed to lose, and pull off an upset in the middle. Well, with the upset accomplished, I say they move on to Illinois and scratch out a win against a vastly inferior team. They only thing I can see that Illinois brings to the table is some wisdom on the bench. I'm taking MSU giving the points.


Jeff's Picks of the Weak

Iowa -8

Virginia -6.5

Mississippi +4.5

LSU +8

Oklahoma +26

Until next time . . .