Thursday, October 15, 2009

NCAA '09 Football: Week 7






The first BCS rankings will be posted after this week’s action and the debates will begin. Florida will be number #1. Alabama and Texas are way up there. How does Georgia Tech get shuffled as an ACC team? Will Boise State who is clobbering everybody but nobody respects the WAC, a so-called lesser conference, get proper recognition? Where do USC and Ohio State figure in? Surely, some teams must do well this weekend to be among the nation’s elite including Cincinnati, Miami (FL), LSU, and Iowa. The beauty of the BCS is nobody likes it. Everybody argues about it, but just how suspect are their results. It’s not an easy system. All the science in the world ignores there must be a substantial subjective element since all conferences are not created equal. Oh those pesky gray areas!!!

Our picks…a work in progress, for entertainment purposes only. We’re so bad on college games, it’s a laughing matter. Oh well, if at first you don’t succeed, so much for skydiving.

Cincinnati #8 (2 ½) at South Florida #21
The talk around Cincinnati is they have the best team in Ohio. Well, for the pros, that’s a no brainer, but in the college ranks, could Cincinnati be better than Ohio State?

That would be a good one to settle on the field. Cincinnati’s ready for a trap game and South Florida is the kind of team that can deal one out. We’re going with South Florida. This game serves notice that the Big East is alive and well several years after the ACC robbed them of Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College.

Oklahoma #20 at Texas #3 (-3)
Home cooking and home field assures Texas the all important Big 12 showdown victory.

USC #6 (-10) at Notre Dame #25
What happened to all the preseason hype about the Fighting Irish being a top bowl contender in 2009? Okay, it’s a home game and they have God on their side. USC is simply too talented even if a little jet-lagged.

Virginia Tech #4 (-3) at Georgia Tech #19
Georgia Tech is one of the teams that shows the ACC is not the flimsy conference they were accused of being back in August. Regardless of outcome, the ACC wins in this showdown. If Virginia Tech wins, that enhances their credentials in the national championship picture. If George Tech wins, it shows the conference is tougher than predicted. The Hokies look very solid this year and will prevail.

Virginia (-4) at Maryland
What will it take for these distinguished schools to become distinguished football programs again? Maryland is a more competent unit than before the days of Ralph Friedgan but after some big successes at the beginning of his reign, the Terps have fallen back into more familiar mediocre territory. The Cavaliers have had difficult times in recent years as well. For Maryland, 2009 is what team shows up. At home in October, we’ll say the good one that will beat Virginia. (Homer pick admittedly)

South Carolina #22 at Alabama #22 (-17)
We liked the Gamecocks when Lou Holtz coached them, but now they are Steve Spurrier’s team. Here’s hoping the boys from Bama pour it on so badly that by halftime, Coach Spurrier is yipping like a wet Chihuahua on crystal meth.

Missouri at Oklahoma State #16 (-7)
Here are two teams that would seem to say they don’t get enough respect. Missouri had its chance still in the top 25 last week against Milwaukee but choked against a much more aggressive Nebraska team despite enjoying their home crowd. This week it’s off to Oklahoma State and the challenge has now become a bigger one. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State wants its name mentioned along with the Texas big shots and the other Oklahoma. Give it to Oklahoma.








1 comment:

Right Minded Fellow said...

All readers are welcome at Right Minded Fellow!!!

Don't for a moment think I'm an expert on college football, just a fan. My predictions on the NFL which should be posted later today for this week are generally much more accurate though this is one tough week coming up which translates into exciting football.