Week 12 - Video Links Galore

Going into the final 3 weeks of regular season play, I’m still 8 wins away from being bowl eligible. It’s a good thing I work for a PR agency, and can make a public push for a spot in the post-season. With six teams still undefeated – including Texas, Alabama and Florida – it looks like TCU and Boise State (who has hired a PR firm) will have to play in the Orange, Fiesta or Sugar Bowls, while two of the three schools mentioned above duke it out for the BCS Championship.


Bonehead of the Week

In lieu of a Bonehead of the Week, I want to give a shout out to my favorite newsman and Canadian, Pat Kiernan of NY1. Not only is today Pat’s birthday, but he offered a personal apology for his spotty attendance on NY1 and to top it off, Lauren ended up winning $25 to Amazon.com in Pat’s daily trivia contest. Pat, if I could, I’d buy you a “Happy Birthday” Molson or Labatt’s. Just when I thought I couldn’t like him any more, today’s double dose of the “Canadian Cronkite” moves him ahead of Bobby Orr, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Darrin O’Brien (a.k.a. Snow) on my list of favorite Canadians. Thanks again, Pat.

On to the Picks!



Ohio State -12 Michigan

Its time to play The Game. Time to play The Gaaaaaaaaaaame. Sorry – I got a bit carried away. If Michigan has shown one thing this year, it’s that they can beat their non-conference opponents (4-0) and lose to their Big Ten rivals (1-6). Ohio State has already locked up a trip to the Rose Bowl, but don’t think they aren’t going to take the opportunity to keep Michigan from becoming bowl-eligible. This season is turning into one to forget for Coach Rich Rodriguez, and it won’t get any easy this week in Ann Arbor. I’m taking The Ohio State University giving 12. No word on whether Lemmy Kilmister is a Buckeyes or Wolverines fan, but with those mutton chops, I’d guess Michigan.



UL Monroe -2½ UL Lafayette

The Battle of University of Louisianas! The Warhawks have strung together a decent 6-4 record, albeit against some pretty crappy teams. The Ragin’ Cajins on the other hand are 5-5 having beaten - you guessed it – some equally crappy teams. With a two teams so evenly matched, I’ll have to look at the deciding factor. Which team has the best named player? I was leaning towards the Warhawks’ wide receiver LaGregory Sapp (and that hard-hitting interview), but then was drawn to the running back tandem of the Cajins, Undrea Sails and Yobes Walker (and that gag reel). Congrats, ULL, you guys have the better names, so I’ll take the Ragin’ Cajins getting the points.



Florida -45 Florida Intl

These are the kinds of spreads that I hate. The ones that are so big that you can't even believe you're going for it. Sorry - this is one of those “we’ll have no trouble whupping you” games for Florida. With 5-5 FSU on the schedule next week, and then the SEC title game against unbeaten Alabama, I can’t imagine that the Gators will go all out against FIU. HOWEVER, I also can’t imagine that the Golden Panthers will fare much better than Troy (56-6) or Charleston Southern (62-3). Because of my lack of imagination, I’m going to take Florida giving an astounding 45 points here.



Colorado State -4 New Mexico

Due to mathematical reasons, both of these teams cannot end the game having zero conference losses. Colorado State started the season 3-0, and has since lost seven straight. The Lobos didn’t wait until week 4 to start losing, they’re a perfect 0-10, and have lost 14 in a row dating back to October of last year. Don’t let the records fool you though. New Mexico stuck with #22 BYU last week, despite gaining just 41 yards rushing. If the Lobos’ passing game can have another solid week, and given the fact that CSU is allowing nearly 250 yards passing per game, I think New Mexico has a shot to win. I’m going out on a limb, and taking the Lobos getting the points.



Stanford -7 California

While this doesn’t have the pizzazz of the USC-UCLA rivalry, it does carry the Big Game moniker (I guess OSU-Michigan isn’t as concerned with adjectives). Stanford has been scoring like John Mayer lately, with big wins over top-ten squads Oregon and USC. Cal managed to put up a combine six points against those two teams earlier in the season. This one seems to be an open and shut case, even with the crazy mascot of the Cardinal. On a side note – the GW women’s basketball team played Stanford in the NCAA Tournament one year while I was the mascot. The Stanford mascot could not have been more annoying if she was in that Pizzazz video. As much as I’d like to see him/her/it lose, I’m taking Stanford giving seven.

Until next week . . .