I cannot tell a lie.  Last week my picks can be summed up with one word:  PATHETIC.  So pathetic even a Caveman could do it.  So pathetic any #### with a keyboard could pick them.  All told, I finished up 4-9 ATS.  A 3 year-old could do that well. 

For the season that puts me at 44-35-3.  Profitable at 55.7%, but now very much middling and on the brink of the 'Mendosa Line'. 

Time for some positive thinking, and the gumption to get the nose back to the grindstone. 

Without further adieu, I bring you my Week 8 selections.  As always, only the toughest and most interesting games will fill out my opinions.

Thursday:

BYU @ TCU (+ 1):  Unbelievable, but this game is bigger than the Florida State @ NC State game on this night's slate.  BYU is riding high and undefeated as the 8th ranked team in the country.  TCU, statistically, has the #1 and #2 ranked defense in the nation in terms of yards and points given up respectively.  No doubt this is a game in which contrast of styles will clash.  BYU has a high-powered offense with an above average defense, while TCU has a stout defense and a ball-control offense.  Something has to break in this one, right?  TCU's only loss was against Oklahoma in which they gave up a bevy of big plays and 4 TO's compared to 0 for OU.  And the final score was still only 35-10.  BYU has been struggling a bit as of late, thus the line movement from BYU favored by 3 to a mere 1 since it opened.  I'm not buying, and will go against the general public in this one.  BYU just hasn't been challenged mentally in the past couple of weeks to be prepared.  They should be fully prepared for this one, and have enough defense to keep the Horned Frogs offense at bay, even if their offense struggles.  It should be a good one, but I'll side with the better team........BYU 24 TCU 17.

Saturday:

Wake Forest @ Maryland (+ 1.5):  I'll be honest.  I can't figure out this Wake Forest team.  Yes, I believe they are good, but the question is:  How good?  Maryland can be a very tough team when prepared and mistake-free.  But Wake just doesn't allow a team to be mistake-free.  Alphonso Smith may be the best cover corner in the country and he baits even the best of QB's into mistakes.  If Maryland can't run the ball, they are in serious trouble.  I see that as a very likley problem, even at home.  Not my favorite of contests, but I'll side with the road favorites and take Grobe over the Fridge......Wake 22  Maryland 13.

Georgia Tech @ Clemson (+2):  Seems way too easy to take Georgia Tech after all the turmoil surrounding Bowden's resignation/dismissal from Clemson.  I won't bite.  Even Clemson players have spoken openly about their dislike for Bowden's tactics.  Look for Clemson players to regroup and put together a solid effort after the departure of their embattled coach.....Clemson 27  Georgia Tech 17.

Virginia Tech @ Boston College (-3):  I'll gladly take the 3 points with the road dogs and play......Virginia Tech 21 Boston College 17.

Mississippi @ Alabama (-13):  Ole Miss was getting 24 from Florida in their upset of the Gators a couple of weeks ago.  Now they only get 13 from the 2nd ranked team in the country?  Something smells funny doesn't it?  That funny smell is Alabama's sometimes less than efficient offense.  Their defense isn't as good as most would think either.  The Tide have been far from a smoke and mirrors team, but they have been very opportunistic in their games thus far.  Personally, I hate the game, but like the dreaded O/U total of 49 1/2.  From the line given they are saying that Bama wins something like 31-18.  I simply can't see that much scoring in this contest.  I'll take UNDER the total and stay far away from a scary 13 point post for Bama..........Alabama 27  Ole Miss 14.

Vanderbilt @ Georgia (-15):  Even as pathetic as Vandy's offense is, I still have to side with them (don't I?).  Even when the line moves from an opening 13 to the now stated 15.  Time for Georgia to impress.  Their 'great' road win over a 2-4 Arizona State team now looks rather mediocre, at best.  Their arse-handing defeat to Alabama should be the reality of this squad so far.  Unless Georgia keeps from turning the ball over to the ball-hawking Vandy 'D', this one should go UNDER the total of 45.  Throw in the fact that Vandy might not score, and it seems like a very sensible play.  I like Georgia to cover, but will not make a play on it.......Georgia 22  Vandy 6.

USC @ Washington State (+42 1/2):  I'm putting this game in here because I can't remember the last time I saw a ROAD team favored by 7 TD's in a College Football game.  I do remember the days of home teams being favored by 50+, but not against a conference opponent on the road.  Yes, Washington State is THAT bad.  Of note, however, is the last time USC was favored by 40 or more they were beat STRAIGHT UP by Stanford last year.  After the 28-0 shutout over Arizona State last week in which the teams combined for 9 TO's, look for the Trojans to be very sharp early against the worst BCS school in the land.  Even in Pullman.  The only saving grace for WSU is if it snows........ alot.  And that likely won't help.  In 4 conference games Wazzu has been on the wrong side of the following numbers:  66-3, 63-14, 66-13, and 28-3.  The last against a depleted UCLA squad.  2 of those humbling defeats have been at home.  Now onto another humbler,..........I'll make the O/U play in this one.  I'll take the OVER in the 55 1/2, and look for USC to pack it in by half and let the Cougars score just enough to put it over the total...........USC 52  Washington State 10.

Ohio State @ Michigan State (+ 3):  Toughest game on the card.  I will simply look for a late scorefest, or early one, to cover the 41 1/2 on the OVER/UNDER that is given. I'll take the OVER......... Ohio State 27 Michigan State 24.

California @ Arizona (+2):  Night game @ Arizona.  All I need to know.  Take the home dog.........Arizona 31  Cal 24.

Game of the Week:

Missouri @ Texas (-5 1/2):  Simple play for me.  Missouri has never beaten Oklahoma or Texas in Big 12 conference play.  Media, fans, and experts are taking Missouri in the upset.  I'll take Texas, to stay focused in a game that I believed that Missouri would attain their 1st loss anyway.............Texas 41  Missouri 27.

The chimpanzee has spoken.

That is how I see it, how about you?

As always, best of luck to you and yours, and good luck to your squad for the rest of the year.