It's rivalry week
part 1. While I'm not going to be looking at ALL rivalry games this week I have picked a
healthy assortment of them.
The games to watch this week are Oklahoma VS Texas Tech, Miami VS Syracuse, and Florida VS
Florida State.
If you scan up and down my picks you'll notice I've picked a good amount of upsets this
week. There's been a bunch of them this year - and I don't think that will let up. It will
probably back fire on me …but I'm going for it.
Purdue (5-3) vs Michigan State (5-3)
Pick: Purdue
Purdue has struggled since their loss to Illinois on the 3rd of November. But they've been
pretty good this season. Expect them to bounce back to Michigan State - who lost to reborn
Indiana last week.
Ohio State (6-3) vs Illinois (8-1)
Pick: Illinois
Don't let their 8-1 record fool you, Illinois has played poorly 2 of the last 3 weeks and
has just gotten by. … Whether they play poorly again this week is yet to be
determined, however one thing is clear - Illinois will stomp on Ohio State.
Mississippi (6-2) vs Georgia (5-3)
Pick: Mississippi
Mississippi QB Eli Manning will face a pass defense that's not exactly up to par (107th in
the nation to be exact) He'll light them up - but no SEC West title for Ole
Miss…sorry guys.
Auburn (7-2) vs Alabama (4-5)
Pick: Auburn
Auburn looks to win this game and head into the December 8th SEC game and face the Gators
once more. Maybe they're looking ahead - I expect them to struggle - but they'll find a
way to win.
New Mexico (5-4) vs Colorado State (5-5)
Pick: Colorado State
CSU wins… good for them
Virginia (4-6) vs Virginia Tech (7-2)
Pick: Virginia
Virginia's upset wagon continues to roll…as fast as Virginia Tech's be upset wagon!
Virginia Tech will get a chance to play
Washington (7-2) vs Washington State (9-1)
Pick: Washington
Washington could just be the team to take down Miami later in the year - However, they'll
have to get by a nearly as strong WSU team this week. Having the home field advantage will
certainly help here….WSU looks to get an @large berth… they won't…they're
going down.
Miami (8-0) vs Syracuse (8-2)
Pick: Miami
Miami might lose this year - it just won't happen to Syracuse this week. Miami QB Ken
Dorsey should be back on track this week (threw for 4 INT last week). Syracuse is looking
for the big upset - they're not coming to play the #2 team in the nation…they're
coming to BEAT the #2 team in the nation….This should be close.
Texas Tech (6-3) vs Oklahoma (9-1)
Pick: Oklahoma
After more research on this game I've actually changed my pick. At one time I thought this
was going to be the upset of the year - Texas Tech played very well against Nebraska - if
they can do it again you'll see Oklahoma fall to them. But they still have their
Defense… And their Defense has caused problems for many teams this season.
Wisconsin (5-5) vs Michigan (7-2)
Pick: Michigan
Michigan's chance at making a late run for the national title was spoiled by Michigan
State. But I don't expect Wisconsin to upset them here. It wouldn't surprise me at all,
but I don't see it happening. The Big 10 has been disappointing at best this
season…but Michigan is still playing for an @large berth.
South Carolina (7-3) vs Clemson (5-4)
Pick: South Carolina
South Carolina was treated harshly by Florida last week but they're still a tough team.
Clemson has a offense which keeps them in games against good teams - but South Carolina is
a defensive team and they'll shut down Woodrow Dantzler.
USC (5-5) vs UCLA (6-3)
Pick: UCLA
Without DeShaun Foster, UCLA will struggle to get a ground game going. However, I think
against USC they can get it done. If USC can keep from turning the ball over they could
win - But they won't.
BYU (10-0) vs Utah (7-2)
Pick: Utah
I'm tired of BYU. They've just barely gotten by on their 'good looks' and found their way
into the top 10. They don't belong there… And I think the rest of the nation will
finally see that this week. Utah takes it to them at their house!
North Carolina State (6-3) vs Maryland (9-1)
Pick: Maryland
North Carolina State is coming off a huge upset @ Florida State - making FSU 0-2 against
the state of North Carolina this season…and ending their home conference winning
streak. They entertain Maryland this week and I don't think you'll see another miracle.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Florida (8-1) vs Florida State (6-3)
Pick: Florida
Nevermind Florida State's 6-3 record. This is The Gators VS The Seminoles. Florida has
played like the best team in the nation every game but 1 this season. They'll go for big
numbers against the 'Noles…I expect Spurrier to take it to them early and often.
Remember, the Gators have lost all of their last 3 meetings vs Florida State… This
one wont be for the faint of heart - its gonna get ugly.
So there you have it… that's the run down.
If you're wondering how this whole thing is going to play out…..If Miami loses a
game…OR…. Nebraska loses to Colorado but then Beats Oklahoma you'll see Florida
in the National Title game. I'm not going to play out all the scenarios…You'll either
see: Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma or Florida. Period. |
