Thursday, October 27, 2011

Week Nine

We’re still a week away from the showdown of all showdowns, and LSU/Alabama is all I have heard anyone talk about all week.  Last week was a struggle on the prognosticating.  The “If I Were a Bettin’ Man…” portion of the blog had its first losing weekend of the year going 1-2 against the spread for an 11-6 record for the season.  The national games were a struggle also going 3-5 on straight up winners (34-19 for the season).  But the blog continued to dominate SEC games going 3-0 (47-9 for the season).  The job I actually make money at has been high maintenance this week so sorry for the delay.  On to the games.
Friday:  7:00: BYU vs. TCU at Jerry’s World (ESPN) – Decent Friday night game here.  Both teams have been real inconsistent this year.  I say this one will be closer than the experts think as Corso would say.  Horned Frogs 28-27.
Saturday: 
11:00 AM: #9 Michigan State @ #13 Nebraska (ESPN) – Sparty has had a difficult October schedule although they remain undefeated for the month beating Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin - the latter being on one of the craziest endings last week that I have ever seen.  Nebraska has been flying under the radar since they were dominated by Wisconsin.  I think Sparty finally has a letdown here in a game that will allow the winner to have the inside track to the division title.  On a related note, does anyone else think it looks like Taylor Martinez is throwing a medicine ball when he drops back to pass?  Nebraska finds some way to win this one.  Huskers 21-20.  
Missouri @ #16 Texas A&M (FX) – Thanks Mizzou for proving me right last week – you are one of the most overrated teams in the nation even though the pollsters are finally starting to figure them out.  Texas A&M should roll here as the points pile up on both sides.  Gig ‘Em 45-30.
11:21 AM: #8 Arkansas @ Vanderbilt (SEC Network – ABC) – The Hogs played a half of football once again last week.  That will catch up to them eventually.  Last week, Vanderbilt did something only 4 other teams have done this year - beat Army.  The Hogs should handle Vandy fairly easy.  However, Vandy is leading the nation in interceptions and beat Ole Miss by 23…just sayin.  Hogs prevail 31-23.   
2:30:  Break out the extras for this time slot.
Baylor @ #3 Oklahoma State (ABC or ESPN2) – I can’t remember an over/under set at 80 before this game.  Problem for Vegas is that they can’t set it high enough because the over will probably hit regardless.  The Pokes have been playing lights out.  Baylor has been teetering, and it continues here.  Okie State 55-31.
Florida vs. #22 Georgia in Jacksonville (CBS) – QB John Brantley will probably be back for Florida this week.  Problem is that Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin are NOT.  The Gators offense is so bad that it has caused Charlie Weis to eat more to handle his stress.  Georgia continues its quest to be the worst 10 win SEC team in history – thanks in large part to the very weak schedule.  Hairy Dawgs 24-14.
#11 Oklahoma @ #10 Kansas State (ESPN) – Oklahoma choked a little earlier in the season this year than normal losing at home to an unranked Texas Tech team last week.  Kansas State continues to amaze although their schedule amps up considerably this week and into the rest of the season.  I can’t believe Oklahoma is a 2 TD favorite here.  I think they’ll pull it out though.  Oklahoma 31-28.
6:00: Mississippi State @ Kentucky (Fox Sports South/espn3.com) – Friends don’t let friends watch this game!  Cowbells 24-13.
Mississippi @ Auburn (ESPNU) – Or this one.  Auburn 24-13.
6:15: #14 South Carolina @ Tennessee (ESPN2) – No Marcus Lattimore for the Gamecocks; no Tyler Bray or Justin Hunter for the Vols.  This would have been a good game at some point in the season, but I’m not expecting much from it now.  Dooley benched Matt Simms finally.  Starting for the Vols this week is true freshman and last year’s high school Gatorade Player of the Year Justin Worley who just so happens to be from South Carolina.  I expect the Gamecocks opportunistic defense to make a couple of plays on the inexperienced QB to win an ugly game.  South Carolina 18-13.
7:00: #6 Clemson @ Georgia Tech (ABC Regional) – Okay Dabo, I’m serious this time…it’s time to choke.  Georgia Tech has been fading fast, but they show up on Saturday night in front of the home crowd.  Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech 35-33.
#4 Stanford @ #20 USC (ABC Regional) – See “If I Were a Bettin’ Man…” below.
#12 Wisconsin @ Ohio State (ESPN) – This would be a game worth watching in another time slot.  Wisky gets back on track and Buckeyes continue to suck.  Badgers 28-14.
9:30: Arizona @ Washington (Fox Sports Affiliates) – See “If I Were a Bettin’ Man…” below.
If I Were a Bettin’ Man…    
Stanford (-7.5) @ USC – Hate on Stanford all you want - they have hit their stride.  As I first predicted here in the summer preview, I think they still go undefeated and play LSU in the national title game.  They didn’t even need Andrew Luck last week as they ran for 440 yards averaging over 10 yards per carry against an above average Washington team!  USC beat Notre Dame last week, but Vegas is getting carried away here.  USC’s defense is as questionable as Lane Kiffin’s coaching record.  It’s in LA, but no one there cares about USC anymore.  Luck and the Cardinal overwhelms the Trojans here although the Trojans score with them and hang around for a while.  Cardinal 41- 28.
Arizona @ Washington (-6) – Let’s rewind a week.  Arizona just fired their coach after losing its fifth straight game and giving up around 45 points a game during that span.  Also, Washington was rolling along at 5-1 with better-than-Jake-Locker Keith Price and RB Chris Polk.  They were also ranked in the top 25.  Well, along came last week.  The Wildcats dominated UCLA at home (do I need to remind you how bad UCLA is).  Washington is destroyed by Stanford 65-21 on the road.  Oh, and remember seeing the Arizona/UCLA brawl – all of Arizona’s starting secondary is suspended for at least a half this week.  So back to this week.  Washington is at home.  Arizona was riding an emotional high last week with the coach firing and the interim coach taking over.  Well, that high is over and the first Washington score will demoralize Arizona.  Six points in this one is waaaay off!  Washington 38-17. 

Enjoy your weekend!
-Ernie

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