Picks of the Week
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 7:31 am
Last Week: 5-0
Year to Date: 9-1
Utah -3 at Texas Christian
People are still high on TCU after their big upset over Oklahoma, but they won't have the luxury of stacking 8 or 9 people in the box against Utah's balanced offense. Urban Meyer is gone, but his recruits are still there and sophomore QB Brian Johnson is doing very well replacing Alex Smith. Utah is 7-0 in conference road games the last two years and TCU is coming off a horrible loss to SMU (SMU?!?!?). Utah in a surprisingly easy one.
Wisconsin -2.5 at North Carolina
Well, this line opened at 1.5, so a lot of other people have had the same idea here. UNC is a much tougher team than many people think, but their defense will have their work cut out for them in trying to stop Wisconsin's ground game, and if Carolina stacks the box like Temple did, John Stocco can take care of business with a short passing game. UNC QB Matt Baker looked impressive against Georgia Tech, but he lost his composure when the game was on the line. Moreover, UNC can't run the ball, so Wisconsin's defensive line won't be so much of a liability. Bowling Green lit up the Wisconsin secondary for two quarters and then Wisconsin shut them down for two. I see the second half secondary showing up against UNC.
Florida State -1.5 at Boston College
Don't be confused by FSU not showing up for the first half of the Citadel game last week; BC is a tough conference opponent and Bowden will have the troops ready to go from snap one. FSU's offense is in the middle of a complete makeover in scheme, which explains some of their problems against Miami and Citadel, but their defense may be the best in the nation, even if their top corner was declared ineligible. BC is tough, make no mistake, and they'll go after Drew Weatherford with a vengeance, but in the end, FSU's speed and defense proves too much.
Wyoming +3 at Air Force
The MWC's #1 rushing offense (Air Force) takes on the MWC's #1 rushing defense (Wyoming). In a case like this, I typically go with the defense, especially when one of Wyoming's games was at Florida. Unlike previous Air Force teams, this one can actually pass effectively, which will make things a bit more challenging for the Cowboys. But the Falcons defense is truly awful, and Wyoming QB Corey Bramlett and WR Jovon Bouknight should both have a big, big day.
Oklahoma +7 at UCLA
Well, we know what OU is going to do - give the ball to Adrian Peterson 40 times. And we know UCLA is going to put 8-9 men in the box to try to stop it. But, UCLA was near the bottom of the nation last year in rush defense (105th to be exact), and Oklahoma State went out there last year and ran for over 400 yards while only attempting 8 passes. UCLA is also missing their best defensive lineman, Kevin Brown, who is out with a bum ankle. Despite a poor showing in both opening games, OU is a tough, physical team, and Bob Stoops ain't the type of coach to let his team wallow in misery. Look for OU to overpower a much small Bruin team.
Year to Date: 9-1
Utah -3 at Texas Christian
People are still high on TCU after their big upset over Oklahoma, but they won't have the luxury of stacking 8 or 9 people in the box against Utah's balanced offense. Urban Meyer is gone, but his recruits are still there and sophomore QB Brian Johnson is doing very well replacing Alex Smith. Utah is 7-0 in conference road games the last two years and TCU is coming off a horrible loss to SMU (SMU?!?!?). Utah in a surprisingly easy one.
Wisconsin -2.5 at North Carolina
Well, this line opened at 1.5, so a lot of other people have had the same idea here. UNC is a much tougher team than many people think, but their defense will have their work cut out for them in trying to stop Wisconsin's ground game, and if Carolina stacks the box like Temple did, John Stocco can take care of business with a short passing game. UNC QB Matt Baker looked impressive against Georgia Tech, but he lost his composure when the game was on the line. Moreover, UNC can't run the ball, so Wisconsin's defensive line won't be so much of a liability. Bowling Green lit up the Wisconsin secondary for two quarters and then Wisconsin shut them down for two. I see the second half secondary showing up against UNC.
Florida State -1.5 at Boston College
Don't be confused by FSU not showing up for the first half of the Citadel game last week; BC is a tough conference opponent and Bowden will have the troops ready to go from snap one. FSU's offense is in the middle of a complete makeover in scheme, which explains some of their problems against Miami and Citadel, but their defense may be the best in the nation, even if their top corner was declared ineligible. BC is tough, make no mistake, and they'll go after Drew Weatherford with a vengeance, but in the end, FSU's speed and defense proves too much.
Wyoming +3 at Air Force
The MWC's #1 rushing offense (Air Force) takes on the MWC's #1 rushing defense (Wyoming). In a case like this, I typically go with the defense, especially when one of Wyoming's games was at Florida. Unlike previous Air Force teams, this one can actually pass effectively, which will make things a bit more challenging for the Cowboys. But the Falcons defense is truly awful, and Wyoming QB Corey Bramlett and WR Jovon Bouknight should both have a big, big day.
Oklahoma +7 at UCLA
Well, we know what OU is going to do - give the ball to Adrian Peterson 40 times. And we know UCLA is going to put 8-9 men in the box to try to stop it. But, UCLA was near the bottom of the nation last year in rush defense (105th to be exact), and Oklahoma State went out there last year and ran for over 400 yards while only attempting 8 passes. UCLA is also missing their best defensive lineman, Kevin Brown, who is out with a bum ankle. Despite a poor showing in both opening games, OU is a tough, physical team, and Bob Stoops ain't the type of coach to let his team wallow in misery. Look for OU to overpower a much small Bruin team.