Neu-tral Fie-ld?For a second straight weekend, your gambling guru managed a 6-2 showing, bringing my two week season long total to 12-4 (an astonishing 75% percentage. BE ON THE LOOK SOON FOR MY COLD HARD PLATINUM LOCK OF THE WEEK!!). Lady luck's bound to spit on my face eventually, but even until then, remember to bet at your own discretion.
National Games
Thursday - #7 Cincinnati at #19 South Florida (+1.5) 7:30 p.m. - ESPN Seriously, how many Thursday evening games have we profiled this year? The scheduling powers that be at the TWWL offer us another gem as Ohio's other BCS conference team takes on Jim Leavitt and fellow unbeaten South Florida. Rutgers/Cincy back in week one proved to be all hype and little substance, but this one has all the makings of a real slugfest. Despite the proclamations from bloggers and talking heads alike that "these Thursday night games ALWAYS lead to big upsets", USF's 43rd ranked offense won't have quite enough fire power to keep up with Cincinnati's 30th as the Bearcats stay a national title dark horse 34-28.
#22 Oklahoma vs. #3 Texas (-3) 12:00 p.m. - ABC One of the weekend's marquee games and a rivalry game to boot, Oklahoma travels to the Texas State Fair to toe off with the #3 Longhorns (and slam some of these). While Colt McCoy's played at a relatively high level, in the estimations of many, the preseason Heisman candidate hasn't even been the best player on his own offense (see: Shipley, Jordan). Sam Bradford's second game back from injury will be a potential season saver, as an Oklahoma upset will get the Sooners back in line for a Big 12 Championship Game berth. As this week's spread has shrunk from 4 to 3.5 to 3, so has my pessimism about the Horns. Despite high expectations going into the year, Texas goes down to the nation's best 2-loss team 35-31.
#6 USC at #25 Notre Dame (+11) 3:30 p.m. - NBC This game has an unusually un-USC v. Notre Dame feel going into it compared to other recent years' matchups. Despite a stout D, USC's offense seems on the precipice of getting a freshman moment from Matt Barkley at a moment's notice. Notre Dame has flashes of brilliance, but a suspect D has left every game the Irish have played since the Michigan one a close call. While every bit of common sense would tell you that the Trojan would be tight going into this one, somebody forgot to let Pete Carroll and co. know they should be. With this game potentially serving as a potential play-on for Charlie Weis' future in South Bend, I'll say the final is closer than the spread would indicate, but the result still with USC leaving victorious 31-27.
#4 Virginia Tech at #17 Georgia Tech (+3) 6:00 p.m. - ESPN2 After punting zero times last weekend, Paul Johnson's Wramblin' Wreck host buzz team du jour Va Tech. Tyrod Taylor, who suddenly's giving every Terrelle Pryor doubter hope for the future, will have to keep the turnovers to a minimum. Despite a defense with little prospects of stopping anyone, GT's offense is capable of putting points on the board virtually every time they possess the ball. While we've seen all too closely what the flexbone attack can do to even the most skilled of defensive lines, if anyone can slow Jonathan Dwyer and Josh Nesbitt, it's this Hokie D. Bud Foster's blitzes prove too much as Virginia Tech takes this one 37-27. #21 South Carolina at #1 Alabama (-17) 7:45 p.m. - ESPN This one's a rather difficult contest to get a read on. While on one hand this one has every bit the potential to be another LSU/Florida, the Georgia-South Carolina possibilities loom as well. Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram give Alabama a versatile running attack with Julio Jones somewhat not living up to lofty expectations this season, while South Carolina keeps riding Stephen Garcia's groove train. Alabama should continue their unbeaten streak, though OBC proves more than game for the challenge falling short in one of those closer-than-the-score-indicates 27-13 showings.Big Ten Games
#9 Iowa at Wisconsin (+1) 12:00 p.m. - ESPN or ESPN2 (Regional) Despite this weekend's slate being rather loaded, this weekend's Big Ten group doesn't exactly take the cake for its strength in numbers. Iowa/Wisconsin could prove to be the best of the bunch, with many Vegas books making Bucky Badger as many as three point favorites. Coming off a second huge, emotional night win on the season, the Hawkeyes may prove just ripe for the picking. Wisconsin brings to the table a viable offense, and if anything, a rather stout ability to kill massive amounts of time. The over/under on this one is 48 (Hint: take the under). Even with Wisconsin looking like a trendy upset pick, Iowa holds off the Badgers in Madison 17-13.
Northwestern at Michigan State (-13.5) 12:00 p.m. - ESPN or ESPN 2 (Regional) In years past, this one could've served a potential track meet. However, with both of these clubs not living up to expectations, this game will likely only be caught by those at the most lavish of sports bars. Mike Kafka hasn't exactly metamorphosized into the dual threat some thought he would, while Sparty themselves have struggled to find consistency under center from Kirk Cousins. With the Spartans' Glenn Winston season ending injury mucking up the MSU running back rotation, look for Northwestern to cover but Sparty escape 34-31.
Minnesota at #15 Penn State (-14.5) 3:30 p.m. - ABC/ESPN (Regional) Funny what one monumental let down game can do for you. Going into the season, Penn State was a trendy Big Ten championship pick, and at times in the first several weeks looked every bit capable on improving upon last season's 11-2 showing. After going down at home against the Hawkeyes, most have simply written the Nittany Lions off. However, should this group ever get healthy and in rhythm, very few teams in the country will be able to stop them. Minnesota's once vaunted passing attack's also failed to meet expectations, to say the least. Last weekend Adam Weber looked positively pedestrian going just 5/9 for 74 yards, 0 TDs, and a whopping 2 INTs. It's hard to think the Weber to Decker combo gets back in rhythm against the PSU D, and despite a daunting spread, Penn State takes it 31-14.
Comments
Schlichter talks about Pryor and coaching:
http://www.lancastereaglegazet...
Nice Franz Kafka reference.
Great read. I have a quick Art story. I never thought he was a bad guy and I was feeling sorry for him while he was in prison. So I wrote him a letter while he was locked up. Well after he gets out he gives me a call thanking me for the letter. He then says he can get me two Super Bowl tickets from the Colts for 750 each. I had just had a child so I told him things were kind of tight. Then a few months later he had more gambling/check problems. Has anyone read his latest book? Worth reading? What was his first book "Straight Arrow"?
Cincy is going down. Thursday night game home underdog doesn't lose very often. We'll see if USF learned anything from Va Tech last year, and if George Selvie can pressure Pike. If so then Cincy is in trouble.
I have yet to see South Florida play a game, so I can't really say I think they'll beat UC. However, I think it will be a good show of how good UC really is. This is, in my opinion anyway, by far the best team they've played. I think Boise State last night showed they weren't a top 5 team with their perfomance against Tulsa. I'm interested to see if UC lives up to their lofty Ranking too.
I think USC destroys Notre Dame. The team can barely beat Purdue. That's all I have to say about it. Iowa and Wisconsin will be a good game and I think will tell a whole lot about Iowa. I'm pulling for them to win hard core. I have 2 tickets to the game on November 14th and It'd be awesome to be there for 2 top 10 teams. I think Texas will beat the Sooners. But Texas is a funny team, they have let some pretty bad teams score a fair amount of points this season.
To the home team go the Spoils
USF - 31 Cincy - 27
Only 1 football team can lead their Division or conference in football.....if not the world will explode.
Oklahoma - 34 Texas - 24
Texas has not impressed this year and with Bradford back I see Oklahoma excited to prove how good they are.
To the home team go the......wait nevermind
USC - 35 ND - 21
I would love to see ND win this and put Jimmy Touchdown ahead of Tebow in the Heisman race.......I just don't see it happening.
G Tech -24 V Tech -21
Tyrod is to inconsistent, he'll have some costly turnovers.
Alabama - 42 Gamecocks -17
Old Ball Coach gets an old @$$ whooping.
Whisky - 17 Iowa - 10
Iowa's offense may be worse than ours......wait, probably not.....but still, I'm not sold on them yet and they struggled with UM.
MSU - 31 Northwestern - 20
You lost to Syracuse Northwestern.....for shame
PSU - 38 Minnesota - 31
PSU is over-rated and Minnesota is underated......but not that much.
That 1st comment should say:
"Only 1 football team in Cincy can lead their Division or conference in football…..if not the world will explode."
Are people voting the Cincy upset as the most likely, or just the one that they want to happen?
Penn State plays nobody again this week. Due to getting a break and not having to play UW this year, if they lose to us they will be the least-accomplished 10-2 team ever. Think about it--their wins would be against:
Temple
Akron
Syracuse
Eastern Illinois (I-AA)
Minnesota
Illinois
Michigan
Michigan State
Northwestern
Indiana
What a joke. There's not one quality win on that schedule.
Probably a bit of both.
I like the way you think and pick Wil. I see some upsets there I will be rooting for this weekend.
Iowa wasn't ranked when they played, so PSU has yet to face a ranked foe, first one is when OSU rolls into town...game 10.
Im with you on Wisky. I don't see Iowa gettin 3 offensive TD's like our vaunted Buckeye's, nor will they get the pressure on "the loner" Tolzien.
Wisky holds off Iowa in a close one and spits in the face of B10 conference strength once again.
Upsets may happen frequently on Thursdays, but Cincinnati pretty much owns Thursdays (someone can show me I'm wrong, though).
I like all of the higher ranked teams to win this weekend. Bradford is shaky. USC will get it done over ND's average defense. Virginia Tech is firing on all cylinders, while Georgia Tech is nowhere close. South Carolina is still South Carolina - all pass rush but no offense. Alabama has the stamina to manage.
Don't sell Iowa-Wiscy short. If Wiscy pulls the upset, they're still in the Big Ten title race. That's going to be a low-scoring brawl for two teams that are looking to impress.
Truly, the best scenario would be that they win and Illinois gets it together and beats them.
Minnesota and Michigan are all but surefire bowl teams. Northwestern is a fringe bowl team. I'm not exactly sure how this is different from beating Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida State.
So if Texas loses in a shootout with bradford...ie texas tech game.
Notre lame hangs with usc wins at the end of the game like they have been.
Virgina Tech defense gets ran over by the triple option.
Where would you see ohio state?
They win out they would jump boise with wins over ranked (iowa, penn)
Texas falls deep after a loss to Bradford and company.
Bama or Florida lose?
You see where i am going!
Any chances?
Calling Notre Ame's Defense average is being WAAAAAAAAAAY to generous man
The thought of MNC game and this years Offense makes me sick to my stomach man.......
I like SFlorida's coach. He should has his players ready. Cincinnati's players seem to have a ton of talent and determination. I like this game. I hope both teams show up, but I would love a South Florida upset to end all this BS talk about who the best team in Ohio is.
Voters would give Cinci or Boise the nod unless we really played really well to end the season.
i didn't say it would happen!
the fact is we have been here before 06.
These thoughts are not that far fectched.
not so sure.
If iowa and penn st stayed up to par we would likely play and beat
two top 15 teams in 2 weeks. With one on the road, possibly if missagain
stays on par a top 25 team @ missagain.
After boise game last night.
After cincy struggles to put away USF.
That would mean we have beat the #26, #14 @ Penn, #11.
one loss early in the season to a pac 10 champion.
Tressel singing the praises of Nick Siciliano in his press conference in regards to a question about TP having probs because of a young inexperienced QB coach.... (paraphrasing)... "Nick worked with Josh Heupel (so what he sucked in the NFL), and I don't feel the need to get involved in the QB room too much, because Nick does a great job and he did alot of the QB coach duties over the last 3 yrs. since coach Daniels has been sick (uh.... 3 years --Troy laid an egg in the most important game of his life, Boeckman regressed and got punked by LSU, Pryor has made little progress...). I am not comfortable with these comments ... anyone have anything to add on this one??????
Cincy can suck it till they win something... they choked it last year and will do so again this year.... they got punked by VT and OSU would blow them out of the water.
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech 20, Cincinnati 7
I honestly see people jumping Boise State this week. C'mon one touchdown over Tulsa? Tulsa is good in C-USA, but no where else. Boise State has a solid team, but just coach Holtz said last night, they may beat anyone one night, but they won't compete week in and week out with a solid conference.
And honestly, VA Tech wasn't that strong last year. They were good but not great. What was glaring to me was how much faster they were than UC.
Aren't you the same guy that said I was being too critical of Pryor after the Wisconsin game. Why the change of heart?
Sounds like he's criticizing the coaching, not Pryor.
Regardless, he's stating that Pryor has made little progress. I stated the same thing after the Wisconsin game and I was labeled a fairweather fan. Criticize the coach or the player and based on that logic it makes him a hypocrite!
A. no it was not me saying you were too critical of Pryor after the Wisky game..... I was very critical of him myself on this very site...
B. Flip has it correct, I was complaining about Tressel singing Siciliano's praises with very little to show for that praise.
c. I was criticizing Tressel for insinuating that he has very little to do with the QB's --since he is a former QB coach himself.
I am not calling you a fairweather fan.... we all need to watch what is going on and formulate our own opinions...... it is better than being blind to the truth.
and my comments have been consistent... people on this site know me and know the comments I have made... I make them from my observations and I have said that Pryor has talent off the charts but he has not found a way to translate that into games against tougher opponents. He still has trouble dealing with the fact he is no longer the best player on the field and has to rely on the team for a win, not his talents. If he can move past that, he has a chance to be great.
For once I have to agree with you. I think his ego is a huge detriment to his success. Believe it or not I actually defended the decision to throw him in last year because I believed it would pay dividends at some point. I have to give you credit. You have been much more patience then I have. I defended him until the USC game. I was at that game and watching from above it was very frustrating to watch his mechanics, decision making and lack of confidence. I criticized the play calling last year but after the USC game realized he doesn't have to ability to take the ball under center, break down the defense and make a decision of what to do with the ball. I think he should be much further along at this point. I also remember Troy Smith dropping back not even looking for a receiver and taking off running until about 3/4 through the 05 season.
I hope you're right! I would be happy to take a beating on these boards if he just blows up and becomes huge for us. I'm not even asking for that. I just want him to minimize his mistakes and take control of this team. Until he shows leadership on the field his offensive players won't reach their full potential as well.