The HPSWBT compiled an 8-2 record in Week 1, Nebraska looked dominant in their opener and Michigan is out of the Top 25. All is right with the world.
Due
to work conflicts I wasn't able to watch as much football as I would've
liked last Saturday, but has that ever stopped me from throwing out a
pick or two? Never. The good news is I'm heading for the hills for this
weekend's Wake-Nebraska match-up then meandering over the next week to
Lincoln for USC-Nebraska. Starting on Friday, it's nothing but college
football which, really, is the way it should always be.
And, for the record, the goalposts won't come down after Nebraska beats the Trojans.
Not on my watch. I can't even believe we're talking about this. Act
like you've been there before. (Fair warning, that last link is an
audio link so have your volume adjusted accordingly.)
The
very definition of the IDGOOSBITC pick is to generate a rooting
interest for a game in which you have none. Do I really like Oregon
State here? Not really, but in a seeming toss-up I'll take a team that
can run the ball even on the road. Sure Cincinnati has former Demon
Deacon Ben Mauk spreading things out and throwing for 300 yards last
week but the Bearcats also gave up 175 yards rushing to FCS SEMO.
Should be a tight game, but I think Oregon State can control the ball
so that's where I'm going. Look at that, I have a rooting interest come
Thursday. Go Beavers!
Alabama @ Vanderbilt (+3.5)
I
could be very wrong but I'm making a Saban play here. I'm not willing
to believe in Alabama simply after a 52-6 win over Western Carolina,
not yet, but they have a lot less history to overcome than Vanderbilt
does. The talent deficit at Alabama will be their ultimate undoing down
the road in the SEC this year but this weekend is not that week.
Boise State @ Washington (+3)
Can
we officially invite Boise State to the Pac-10 now? They're favored on
the road against U-Dub. Everybody is high on Jake Locker after 265
total yards last week. Of course, that was against Syracuse, perhaps
the worst BCS conference team in the country. Still, I'm willing to
take Ty Willingham with a promising yet unproven QB and the points at
home.
Virginia Tech @ LSU (-12.5)
This number is going down?!
How? Sean Glennon looked awful against ECU last week so how is he going
to fare against Bo Pelini's marauders? I'll be everything I have that
VT doesn't score an offensive touchdown.
Fresno St. @ Texas Ag. & Mech (-17)
This
isn't the Fresno State of three or four years ago, but they still have
Pat Hill and the Aggies were still out gained on offense last week by
FCS Montana State (i.e. D1-AA...see, I'm trying to adapt to the times).
Dennis Franchione had this to say after the game, "We're not Michigan tonight." Does that inspire confidence in anyone? Me neither.
TCU @ Texas (-9)
The
worst thing to happen to the Frogs last week was Texas looking
unimpressive against Arkansas State. Does anyone really think that the
Longhorns 21-13 win last week exposed some major deficiencies? Not yet.
Not in week two. TCU is a quality squad with a salty defense that
should only get stronger with the probable return of Tommy Blake but I
can't believe Mack Brown will let the eyes of Texas wander off his
Longhorns for long.
California @ Colorado State (+14)
Forget
for a moment the home field advantage. How is Cal, clearly the superior
team in the Pac-10, less of a favorite against CSU than Arizona State
is over a Colorado team that just beat the Rams? The Golden Bears
defense will be good enough again in the foothills. Good enough against
USC? That remains to be seen.
Missouri @ Ole Miss (+6)
For
one half Ole Miss looked pretty decent. Defensively, Missouri never
looked decent. If not for Pig Brown and some fortuitous turnovers
courtesy of the Illini the Tigers would've been looking at a long road
and a must-win against Nebraska to crack the Top 25. Now they're
supposed to win in the SEC? I don't care if it's the Rebels, I don't
see any reason to lay the points on the road.
La. Tech @ Hawaii (-28)
I
normally hate these huge spread games but I don't really see a better
one on the board. Hawaii should be up 21 points by the time Louisiana
Tech steps off the plane. Colt Brennan and his Hawaii head will take care of the rest.
Nebraska @ Wake Forest (+8)
This
early in the season, my fortunes will ride with my team. Add in the
fact that Riley Skinner likely won't be there and Nebraska did nothing
to dissuade me with their performance against Nevada and I'll be
rooting for more than a win Saturday in Winston-Salem.
Further Reading:
There are a number of intriguing lines this week that I can't quite
bring myself to take a stand on. I'm still not sure how the Sun Deveils are two touchdown favorites against a Colorado team that everyone says was way better than 2-10 last year...I'm not certain Miami
is quite ready to go into Norman and win, but Sam Bradford will find
the going considerably tougher against the Hurricanes...Jimmy Clausen
may not survive Saturday's game against Penn State, but something is still holding me back from hammering the Nittanies, namely their offense...South Carolina didn't win anyone over with last week's performance against the Ragin' Cajuns, but on the road against Georgia seems like the sort of situation Head Ball Coach lives for...Is South Florida
really a touchdown better than K-State right now? According to the
wise-guys they are. I'd love to take the Bulls here...we'll find out
what Kentucky is made off this week against Kent State; historically aren't Lexington and Ames about equal when it comes to football?
Goalposts? Aww-man, why did someone have to mention goalposts? That is something I never thought I would ever see.
LSU should roll. The line has nothing to do with who the wise guys think are going to win. The line is just to try to split the money wagered in half so the casinos can collect the juice. The line going down shows how sports betters are betting with their hearts instead of their heads.
Cal and Colorado State line makes sense to me. I believe CSU outgained the Buffs and like Kansas State handed the game over. This line seems about right. The one that I don't get is the Arizona St/Colorado one.
Don't listen to me though, I just lost my house, wife, kids, and horse from last week.
I honestly don't see how Cal has a good defense. They allowed 31 points. Yeah they had 1 good goalline stand which was impressive, but in the later part of the game Tennessee made some stupid play calls, like the 2 3rd down screen passes back to the line of scrimmage which both resulted in punts.
First visit HPD . . . I may take you to Vegas! And, by the way, based on his coaching collapse at Auburn . . . I know Prince is no Pinkel, but he came damn close last weekend. How do you NOT keep a running back in ALL the time to keep that DE off your formerly hotshot QB?
I also think there's a better than even chance the shorthorns don't cover the spread this week. Not unless the TU D scores at least once and maybe twice.
HuskerRed13: Welcome! I wouldn't book our tickets just yet, Cincinnati is making me look like an #### and I liked the Bearcats initially. Of course, I changed my mind. Alas, no remorse.
I like TCU a lot but unless Texas is totally overvalued, I think the Longhors come out with a chip on their shoulder after Arkansas State.
'k . . . this may be one of those weekends for the pac in a sack. quack attack @ meecheegan, udub & bsu, let's see if it's still gonna be sc and the 9 semi-dwarves. btw, what's the line on sc vs. open? always nice to plug in an off week before arguably your toughest non-con game of the year.
