Week 11 - Oops

Since I never got a chance to post last week, I'm doing double duty this week. Without any further ado, here are the picks:

Boise State -31.5 Idaho

Boise State has a huge chip on their shoulder –and that wasn’t just a potato joke. This is a team that has a PR firm working for them to show just how deserving they are of going to a BCS bowl game this year. The Broncos are going to have a tough time arguing that point as long as TCU stays unbeaten as well, so they’ll have to make some noise on the field as well. For a team that routinely puts up 41+ points a game, that would seem like an easy task against the Vandals, who are 7-3 despite allowing an average of 31 points per game (including giving up 70 in their loss to Nevada). However, the Vandals are having one of their best seasons in quite some time, rattling off a string of five straight wins. The key to keeping this game close will be Idaho’s ability to keep pace with the Boise State offense. Unless starting QB Nate Enderle has fully healed from his rotator cuff injury, it is going to be a long day for Idaho. I’m not so sure he’ll be back or at 100%, but 31.5 points is an awful lot to win by. I’ll take the Vandals getting the points.


Temple -4 Akron

Temple is 7-2, has a very good shot of winning the MAC East division, and could very well wind up playing in *gasp* a bowl game this year. At 2-7, the Zips really shouldn’t pose much of a problem for the Owls, and I see Temple cruising to their first 8-win season since 1979. Gas up the RV, Jesse – it looks like Temple is heading to the post-season. I’ll take the Owls giving 4 points.

Miami -3 UNC

What a weird season the Hurricanes have been having. At 7-2, they still have one of the better records in the ACC, but despite beating GA Tech, they have almost no shot at making it to the ACC title game. In fact, the Hurricanes – who navigated a very top-heavy schedule – may find themselves on the outside looking in at the BCS. On paper UNC shouldn’t be a tough foe for Miami. But, as we know, games aren’t played on paper. They’re played on television. The Tarheels have a 3-0 record in Chapel Hill against the Hurricanes, and despite a 2-3 ACC record, have a 3 point upset win against VA Tech (who beat Miami) to brag about. This game should be closer than most people think, but I see the Hurricanes covering the spread. I’ll take Miami giving 3.

Pittsburgh -6.5 Notre Dame

I know it’s a tough economy, and Notre Dame is all about Catholic values and charity, but enough is enough with this Charlie Weis business. After last week’s embarrassing loss to Navy, Charlie is about as popular with Notre Dame leadership as the Trojan Man. On the field, the Bill Stull/Dion Lewis combo of Pittsburgh is just too much for the Irish, and I think this game is the one that might have resumes coming in to the AD’s office in South Bend. I’m taking the Panthers to cover.

Florida -15.5 South Carolina

The Gators ripped apart the Old Ball Coach last season – drubbing the Gamecocks by 50. As much as I’d love to see SC exact some revenge and throw the BCS into a tizzy, there isn’t much of a chance for the Gamecocks to knock off Florida. While the Old Ball Coach probably has a few tricks up his sleeve, they won’t be enough to end the Gators’ streak of 19-straight wins. Even with Tim Tebow poised to have his worst statistical season as a starter, I see the Gators winning this one and covering the spread. I’ll take Florida giving 15.5.

BONUS PICKS

Since I missed last week, here are five additional picks to bring me back to where I need to be:

Penn State -25.5 Indiana

That seems like a lot of points for the Nittany Lions to beat a team like Indiana (who only lost by 3 to both Michigan and Wisconsin). I’ll take the Hoosiers getting 25.5.

Cincinnati -9 West Virginia

I smell upset. I’ll take the Mountaineers getting 9.

TCU -19.5 Utah

See explanation of Boise State-Idaho. I’m taking Utah with the points.

Oklahoma -20 Texas A&M

Do the Zambutos even care at this point? I think the Aggies getting the points is a safe bet.

Western Michigan -12 Eastern Michigan

The battle of Directional Michigan Schools! I’ll take WMU to roll over the winless EMU Eagles and cover the spread.

Until next week . . .