Did I say Rangers in 6?

I thought I was walking the party line by taking the easy 'Rangers in 6' line the other day. Just goes to show that you need to stick to your guns when picking sports outcomes. And my guns (the last two weeks especially) have been college football games. Vegas didn't see it coming last week, but we took those top-25 matchups and rocked the spread. 3-1 (no thanks to Okie State's stellar defense) against the number and a road-scared 2-2 picking winners.

But, this week is when it gets interesting because the whole BCS Rankings could (cue the Fresh Prince) get flipped, turned upside down. The top 5 ranked BCS teams playing this weekend all go on the road this weekend, and while I am not too concerned about some (relax Auburn and TCU fans), this whole thing is setting up to be a jumbled, garbled mess of scary come Halloween night. And, I have reached that point with the BCS (is there an echo on this blog?)... Blow it up.

Now, to my tease from earlier this week: Lou Holtz said something I really agree with on Mike & Mike a few days ago. That, in itself, is a bit of an amazement. The coach is in the same league as Lee Corso, and should get their own network sitcom, played by William Shatner, because the sh!$ they say is hilarious. ESPN knows this, which is why actual, researched, level-headed analysts flank them on every show. (And, to be fair to Corso, he doesn't have NCAA violations following him from every coaching job like a lost puppy)

Anyways, Holtz made the remark that the simple fix to the national championship dilemma is simple. Play all of the games the way they are right now, with BCS bowls, etc. Just play all of the big ones on New Year's Day, like the old-school way. Then, run the polls again, take your top 2, and play 'em together one week later to get your champion. Of course, changes would be tweaked. You'd have BCS #1 playing #4 or something in one New Year's Day game. (We've got time to figure it all out, people) But, the BCS still makes money, you and I get an and-1 game and less fussing over who got left out.

Back to this season... We are setting ourselves up to have at least one of the following scenarios play out:

1. At a minimum, a very good one loss team gets hosed (Alabama, Michigan State, Oregon, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Missouri, Auburn, Stanford and TCU/Utah fit this bill, potentially)
2. Somehow, a Boise State - TCU undefeated showdown happens again, with the power conferences left out of a title shot
3. An undefeated Boise State or TCU doesn't get a chance... AGAIN

I am still convinced that a rested Crimson Tide team is, hands-down, better than anybody in the country. Almost as convinced that what Oregon does on offense is illegal in some capacity. But, will the polls punish teams who get punished the most in scheduling? If not, we punish a mid-major program that can't control it's situation. I am Switzerland and side with both. For now, we just enjoy the games and see how it all plays out... Oh, for the record, I think scenario #1 up there is coming, and coming fast, starting this weekend...

#8 Utah @ Air Force +7

This is a perfect example of the difference between the mid-major conferences and the power conferences. Air Force is a good Mountain West team. Their option offense will create some confusion and some problems. But, Utah will win. In fact, Utah will cover. It won't be easy early, but 60 minutes is more than enough time for a team like Utah to pull out the game. Air Force is the 4th best team in the MWC. If this was the SEC, the exact same comparison would be Alabama (2nd best team, in record) going to South Carolina (4th best team). We know how that turned out. Advantage, corrupt system.

Utah 38, Air Force 24 - With the TCU date looming the following week

#2 Oregon and USC +7

Wow! Getting a touchdown at home. I hope the house for Reggie Bush's parents was crib-tastic! Oregon is a facsimile of themselves away from home, and this game is on grass, not recycled tire grass. But, the Trojans just aren't striking the fear into anybody right now. I like their offense, and it's hard to pick against a Monte Kiffin defense, but USC is not built to guard the spread. Their dominant teams recently always got shocked by a team like Oregon. And those two deep safeties and linebackers just can't cover the Ducks' speed. This is really a tough one, because Oregon has to lose one game this season. It is going to happen. Is it in the Coliseum? I'm hedging...

Oregon 42, USC 38

#5 Michigan State @ #18 Iowa -6.5

I neither have anything creative or factual to back this up, except for the fact that, in this wild season of college football, the Spartans have to lose this game. They aren't good enough to be an undefeated Big Ten team, and Iowa is better than a 2-loss team. Oh, and the Hawkeyes are pissed about last weekend.

Iowa 27, Michigan State 20

#6 Missouri @ #14 Nebraska -7.5

I feel even more strongly about this one than the Michigan State loss. For every reason that I KNEW the Tigers would beat Oklahoma last weekend, they will get destroyed in Lincoln. I still don't know how the Huskers got beat at home by Texas, but this team is on a mission, and the black shirts likely got scolded for the 40-spot they gave up against Okie State. The spread says it all. Even Vegas knows this will get ugly for a top-10 team.

Nebraska 38, Missouri 14

And, come early next week, we will sort it all out. Season: 30-11 picking winners; 27-15 against Vegas (Don't bet; just have fun)

Transition Week

Football in full swing. Baseball to tip off a championship. The NBA to throw out the first games. Alright, so maybe I am bit cluttered in the sports brain. But this week is the total transition. With the World Series kicking off (there I go again) tonight, we will soon be hunkered down inside, longing for a bowl of chili and the winter sports that have swept to the top of the ratings.

We'll wait until Friday to really talk about college football and the intrigue that is the NFL... Here's a side bet: Which gets better ratings: The London drama of the 49ers and Broncos this weekend, or any World Series game? I'll go a step further... Does an ABC sitcom do better than Game 1 tonight? I think it's entirely possible, which is sad.

So, who wins? Pitching dominates in the postseason, and the Lincecum-Lee dual will be compelling enough to watch two, maybe 3 games. The Rangers have seemingly been the only team to make it past 162 and hit over the month of October. Don't discount that. Beyond Lincecum (and Lee), who do you like to shut down a game on the mound? Yep, me either. So, let's go with the team that can mash it better. Outside of game 1 and game 4, I think the series lacks real drama... Rangers in 6

I want to go on the record and side with two people I normally don't: Random talk-show emailer and Lou Holtz. First, to the random emailer of "Mike & Mike" a few weeks ago who suggested that all baseball playoff games be on weeknights, away from football. I am all for it. Why? Because the World Series didn't make a dent in the sports landscape in the 24 hours leading up to it. What did? Lebradeosh making their debut and the ankle/shoulder of Favre/Romo. The World frickin Series.

(As for Lou Holtz and his momentary genius, we will get to it on Friday)

Oh, and a quick analysis of the ballyhooed Miami heat debut: Are we sure that wasn't the Cleveland Cavs playing the Celtics. LeBron got his 30, controlled the ball and rendered another guard and big man to being a lesser percentage of their actual ability. Well, except for Bosh. His contract will be an anchor around that franchise by the middle of next season. Amare, Boozer or even Shaq would have been better values.

I'd write more, but I need to post this so my Rangers prediction looks legit...

If I blame the computers...

How can I blame a computer for ruining college football, when everything that makes this forum possible is done thanks to the magic little box. Okay, it's not really the computer's fault, but how much do the trustees, or bosses, or whatever the greedy folks behind the BCS are called LOVE the NFL this week? If it weren't for the pussification of professional football (that's harsh; I actually agree with everything the league is doing, yet reserve the right to judge in a couple weeks when punishments become regular), the big story all week would have been the joke of the BCS standings.

[That, and baseball, which has been REALLY good to watch. Pre-World Series blog coming after it's decided this weekend]

I have paid a TON of attention to college games this season. I've got a good feel for the teams. I've even watched three complete games played by Oklahoma. And I will admit: I actually had to check to see that they were undefeated when the BCS standings came out and they were on top. I thought to myself, 'surely this team lost a game,' and, 'wait, didn't Cincinnati beat them?'

But, it's Friday, it's nice out and I don't want to go on a rant about the BCS when so many well-qualified writers did an eloquent job this week. What I do want to talk about is my comeback in picks. After providing a much-needed lesson a week ago, Cover Two nailed the picks, going 5-0 against the number and 4-1 picking winners (including two upsets; should've had the stones to pick Texas). I'm going to go ahead and give myself a quick 1 victory against Vegas for an impromptu blog advice last night: Mrs. Half of Cover Two and I went to a little party of R-rated pumpkin carving and upon arrival found some gentlemen inquiring about the betting lines of Oregon-UCLA. I wasn't happy with the spread, but the over/under of 61 seemed like a no-brainer. I risked the fine reputation of this blog and endorsed the move (again, kids, no gambling here; well, except for the fact that I was aiding in somebody who was gambling; but, that doesn't mean I support it), and Oregon almost covered the over by themselves.

So, on the season now... 28-9 picking winners and 24-14 against Vegas

This week... When you are on a roll, there is no need to justify your picks. You just do it!

#16 Nebraska, 24 @ #14 Oklahoma State (+6), 31

#13 Wisconsin, 14 @ #15 Iowa (-6.5), 17 - BOB

#6 LSU, 24 @ #4 Auburn (-6), 31

#1 Oklahoma, 35 @ #11 Missouri (+3), 38

Yes, I like home teams. Especially when all of the road teams coming in are puckering a little bit...

Loyalty... in the short term

Everybody loves the new guy. What have you done for me lately? That's how we really value the person who walks in the door vying for our attention or, in some cases, a job. Take, for instance, what just happened with my Chicago Cubs. While Mike Quade did everything in his coaching powers (paying his dues, having the second-best win % over the last 30 something games, making nice with the players), there was something in me that never thought he would actually get the job.

Make no mistake, I don't dislike the hire and hope he performs at the same level; at this point, I'd take the corpse of Casey Stengel if it meant postseason success. But, wasn't that job destined for Ryne Sandberg? A Hall of Famer who, unlike most enshrined, put away any ego and rode the bus in the minor leagues, for four years. Not only that, but he WON. A lot. He could have demanded the managerial job before Sweet Lou Piniella got it, but wanted to prove he could manage a team. What did he do not get the job? Nothing, really.

I don't know if it makes it right or wrong. But, I feel for a guy who spent a significant portion of his life giving everything for the franchise he loves, proving his worth, only to be denied by a man (with great minor league credentials too), who happened to get enough of a shot to woo his employers. What if Sandberg gets called up from Iowa to manage the rest of the season, as a trial?

By all accounts, the players love 'Q,' and that is enough for me, but how tough will it be to see a man who bleeds Cub blue, denied his dream job, and out managing for the Blue Jays or another franchise? I know exactly what Ryno is going through, and I hope he lands the next-best job (in his mind) and ends up in a better place.

You See Kids...

This is why betting on sports is used solely for entertainment purposes and better prediction competition. Last weekend's college results proved that even the most assured individual will lose, and lose big, when taking on the mighty glitz of odds makers in Vegas. So, instead of what did we learn, let's hand out the 'Shame Ons' for this week...

(To officially recap - Cover Two went 1-3 picking winners and 3-4 against spreads and other bets; Season totals are now 24-8 and 18-14 respectively)

Shame on me for not growing a pair and picking South Carolina. As our one loyal follower pointed out, I did everything but actually go with my gut and pick the Gamecocks. Why? Because, as much as my Butler-built heart wants to see Boise State or TCU win the whole thing, the best team in the SEC deserves a title shot, given how talented that conference is.

Shame on Florida for scoring 29 against LSU's vaunted defense, but being unable to stop a team that has looked more disoriented than a Joaquin Phoenix con-job on offense. AT HOME

Shame on most of the country for believing Michigan was back and could play with anybody. I didn't write it, but I thought that Michigan State (+4.5) was easy money last week. If I actually knew how to pull it off, I would have sold the points, given some and made a fortune. Again, if I actually did that (which I don't - and neither should you [wink])

Shame on me for not paying attention to what I felt about Michigan and allowing me to think Indiana actually had a team that could compete

Shame on Arizona and Stanford for watering down the Pac-10's elite and making life more difficult for Oregon

Shame on the BCS system for giving us a system whereby Boise State, TCU and Utah had to humiliate and decimate Toledo, Wyoming and Iowa State just to earn style points. (By the way, the whole "we need a playoff" argument has been cute and fun for the past few years. But, I feel an epic storm brewing at the end of this season)

Shame on Penn State for tricking their fans into thinking there would be hope this season. 33-13 at home to the Zooker and Illinois?!?!

Okay, enough shame. This week is a new week! And, with only two matchups between top 25 teams, we can focus on some storylines and games of note, like...

Texas @ #5 Nebraska -10

Where the hell did Taylor Martinez come from?! He is Denard Robinson with his shoelaces tied. And the same age! There are guys playing high school football in Nebraska that are older than Taylor Martinez (I don't have exact proof of that, but odds tell me it's true). And, I know the Huskers have amazing history, but no freshman has ever started under center for them to open a season until him. And, what have we established about Texas this year? They are too young, but will be good. My only concern right now is how has Nebraska been tested this season. The defining moments are the road slaughters of Washington and Kansas State, but how about that home sleeper against FCS South Dakota State? Good team, with disciplined, albeit inferior, talent and Martinez struggled, mightily. The Longhorns and Huskers have experienced complete role reversal. Nothing to lose for Texas; everything to lose for Nebraska. I don't think they can go undefeated, but I don't think Texas has enough to take them down this weekend. 10 points is too much to give in what I expect to be a sloppy, defensive game. BOB

Nebraska 21, Texas 16

#10 South Carolina @ Kentucky +5

Apologies to all Gamecock fans for not recognizing the obvious: that your team could get a bye week, play the #1 team at home and get super-human performances from your QB (I think Garcia reached his peak in that game; retire) and NFL-bound RB and WR. [How about this stat: Alabama will play 5 teams coming off bye weeks this season] Kentucky played Florida tough, Auburn tougher and now have home-field in this clash. I didn't trust South Carolina at the beginning of the season, or even enough last week. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me...

Kentucky 31, South Carolina 30

#15 Iowa @ Michigan +3.5

I have reached a point in this blog entry where I realize that I may have totally screwed up the first two picks. My palms are sweating a little bit, and I am seriously questioning if my zero-credibility in writing this blog could actually turn to negative credibility (it's like dividing by zero) if I put an 0-fer up on the scoreboard this week. Michigan was outed last week at home. Sparty may be a top 2 team in the Big Ten. Iowa, meanwhile, took last week off (bonus), watched their home win over Penn State mean absolutely nothing (deduction) and saw Arizona get punked at home by Oregon State (deduction). Does Iowa still have one of, if not the, best front 7's in college football? If they do, Denard Robinson isn't a problem. Sparty proved that. This entire football season has been chaotic and unpredictable (I'm not even going to touch the NFL madness), but something has to work out the way it should. Given the home-field advantage, Vegas is essentially calling this game a push. I don't see it that way...

Iowa 20, Michigan 13

#1 Ohio State @ #18 Wisconsin +4

The Buckeyes remaining schedule has become remarkably easier thanks to the humbling of Wolverines and Nittany Lions. That leaves Wisconsin and Iowa (both road tests) as the only hurdles. [Iowa really messed up losing at Arizona. They could play for a title with OSU and Wiscy at home this season.] I just have faith in Ohio State losing one game before the end of the season. I think it is only fair when there are better number-one stories out there. But, does it start here, or do they become 2009 Penn State and lose at Iowa in a few weeks? Can the Badgers run effectively at home. I think this game is close, so I really like getting points at home, and I'll go ahead and take the home team...

Wisconsin 24, Ohio State 23

#12 Arkansas @ #7 Auburn -3.5

Well, it's official, we are going 0-for-4 with those first picks. Nothing feels right this week. Must be the moon cycling through. So, in order to spare Hogs and Tiger fans the curse of my picking the winner in this game, I will pull the double curse. I am obviously cursing whoever is the winner, but having had two nice conversations with Terry Bowden before, he informed me of the (how shall I put it) "delicate" relationship coaches have with the administration and trustees of the school. It burned Bowden and it burned Tubberville. So, I think the program is mildly cursed for how it forced out coaches. So, if Auburn is already cursed, and whoever I pick to win is cursed, if I pick Auburn to win, the curses cancel out and they WILL win. But, if I pick Arkansas, they will play to an eight-overtime tie due to lightning and exhaustion and knee replacements. Ah, who am I kidding. I like Auburn at home almost every time, and they will continue to sneak out wins until getting massacred in Tuscaloosa the day after Thanksgiving.

Auburn 38, Arkansas 27

Next season, I am picking golf winners...

The Closer

No, this is not the NBA playoffs and you are not viewing another commercial for a Kyra Sedgwick drama. It is amazing to think about how much football blinds us to the number of sporting events still taking place. As easy as it was to get sucked into Taylor Martinez going roadrunner on Kansas State last night, it was easier to forget that hockey started (yawn, wake me for the playoffs, when the action is faster) and that baseball was racing towards a champion. Although, without replay, are we sure the champion will be justified?

The Yankees have Mariano Rivera, who is actually less intimidating now that he is acting in Taco Bell commercials. He's about the only closer this postseason whose team wants him pitching. The other teams simply start their closers. Halladay, Lee, Lincecum. You get to see them in the 9th, and the 1st! [If you didn't see Halladay's no-no on Wednesday night, you did yourself a disservice. It was truly filthy stuff. It was Billy Madison dodge-ball dominant.] In an era where more and more players are bigger and better, having an elite stud makes all of the difference. I've noticed that more and more this college football season. The elite programs aren't dominating like 20-30 years ago because you can't own ALL of the talent. But, you can own a handful of elite players. Which is why Michigan escapes at Indiana. Oregon outruns Stanford. Etc. Etc. Can we apply this theory to this weekend...

#17 Michigan State @ #18 Michigan -4.5

I'll say that both teams were impressive last weekend. Sparty was better overall than Wisconsin, while the Wolverines survived an assault on the road by Indiana. Will we have a week when Denard Robinson is stopped by anybody not named Denard's Hamstring? Okay, let's play the elite athlete game with this one... Michigan: Robinson; Michigan State: Greg Jones. Well, that's a tie, so we give it to the home team, right? I'm not. There may be only two guaranteed playing-on-Sunday guys on the field, but the Spartans have plenty of talent on both sides, while Rich-Rod's defense is looking like Syracuse the last few years. I like the road dog in this one...

Michigan State 31, Michigan 28

#23 Florida State @ #13 Miami -6

Remember when this game used to kick off the season? Remember when a national championship was on the line? Remember when Bobby Bowden found a way to mainline vodka into a European import's leg just to avoid the exclamation "wide right!"? Are we getting back to that game? I don't think this primetime matchup will come close to giving us what happened in Eugene last weekend. Miami looked solid on the road a Pitt a few weeks ago, but then Jacory Harris keeps throwing it to the other team. On the other side, Christian Ponder is still my guy, but he broke my heart when I picked them to cover at Oklahoma in a Week 2 bloodbath. Stat, Miami went 2-1 on a difficult road trip, and return home with real BCS dreams. The 'Noles have been suspect on the road, and no, winning at Virginia doesn't do it for me. Sorry, Christian. (Too many elite athletes to count, but raw)

Miami 27, Florida State 17

#12 LSU @ #14 Florida -6.5

Go back to last week's predictions and read what I wrote about Penn State. I feel the exact same way about LSU, with a number of differences: 1) They don't even trust their QB 2) While they haven't lost, I consider last week a 'L' to the Vols 3) Karma is always watching. The Tigers being ranked this high is an injustice to ranking systems worldwide. Florida is still trying to figure everything out after stepping up to the NFL last week and getting beat. This games reeks of two ships passing in the night. Florida, on their way to being the team nobody wants to play in November and LSU, the team everybody wonders how they were ranked come November. (In four year, this Gator team will outnumber LSU 3-to-1 in terms of players in the league)

Florida 27, LSU 10

#1 Alabama @ #19 South Carolina +7.5

This is the game I marked on my schedule as being the one that nips the Tide. Coming off the brutal back-to-back of Arkansas and Florida, what more can they take. But, remember, this is an NFL team. They get paid (joking, "I love you, Nick Saban") to win games like these. I will see your Marcus Lattimore and raise you the Mark Ingram/Trent Richardson power duo. (That's a 2-1 victory at one position in eliteness!) I went against Spurrier once this season and got burned. Now, he's got a full week of preparation for this game. But, Auburn ran all over this defense two weeks ago, and they couldn't offer the same dual threat that Bama can. (I am only saying all of this because I easily could write it the other way, but I need something to give my pick conviction) I am going to hedge and go with the BOB here:

Bama 28, South Carolina 24

Last week - You see, this is why we always include the disclaimer that Cover Two does not participate in or support gambling on sports. Rather, it is used to make picking the games even more interesting! Because for every guarantee (Penn State is woeful against good teams on the road), you get Oregon erasing 25 points (including the spread) they spotted Stanford in that game. Cover Two was 4-1 picking winners and 3-2 against the spread. (If you are a degenerate gambler and didn't take Oklahoma last week, just give it up)

Season - 23-5 on winners and 15-11 against Vegas this season

You know what... For somebody only picking games matching top 25 teams, I am happy with the overall mark, but that Vegas number needs a little pep. So, let's roll the dice: I also like Indiana getting 22.5 at Ohio State, Georgia Tech giving 10 at home against Virginia and the Purdue/Northwestern OVER (49.5) - There, I'll be .500 or below next week, and we will all learn a valuable lesson.

Quick Hitters

The Ryder Cup spilling into Monday made it seem like an extension of the weekend, so let's look at a few of the tidbits we learned...

Nothing personal, but I don't like Europeans

Okay, that's a little harsh, but the Ryder Cup will make any red-blooded American hate the entire Euro-spending continent. The US had a real chance at it this morning in singles. Rickie Fowler's final burst was something to behold. Tiger was vintage. And Hunter Mahan was given the keys to the opening chapter, juicy middle and closing remarks of his Hall of Fame induction speech. Unfortunately, he hit every shot on #17 fat. No knock on him, because I don't know if I could make contact with a putter at that moment. The Europeans survived and the only reason I can't stand them winning was how unbelievably dorky and sad they looked trying to fist pump and get the crowd going. Ross Fisher looked like Pee Wee Herman doing his worst Chubby Checker impersonation. It's only fitting that he got beat by Jeff Overton, a proud Hoosier who red-necked his way into America's heart with his own dorky 'Boom Baby' celebration. Somewhere, Bobby 'Slick' Leonard is consulting a trademark attorney.

Give me the Lefty!

While we are on the Ryder Cup, I have to bring up something multiple people (here you go, Kyle and Kevin) brought to my attention. In that format, why not allow a "pinch golfer?" Could you imagine that added twist on captains. Instead of worrying about the osmosis of the rainsuits, Corey Pavin could have brought an extra two players (say, Anthony Kim and Lucas Glover). When Hunter Mahan hadn't made a birdie through 14 holes, Pavin calls a timeout, walkie-talkies to the driving range and brings in a sub. As a golf purist, I know how stupid that sounds, but think about it... You'd love that drama. And, no doubt, Colin Montgomerie would have subbed out Padraig Harrington 46 times over the weekend.

Alabama-Oregon Anybody?

Of course, it is WAY too early to forecast any games, but can we just go ahead and pencil this in for the second week of January? Give me any potential matchup that makes more sense than this. Bama is an NFL team disguised as an SEC juggernaut. Oregon is a team of 1980's steroidiffic Olympic sprinters dressed in pads and bold color schemes. No offense to Ohio State (been there, done that against the SEC's best... twice) or Boise (unfairly forgotten), but this has to be the game. Why it won't happen? Alabama has likely played the toughest schedule of any top 25 team, but if you removed those games and just analyzed the remainder of the schedule, you could still possibly say that. Brutal. Oregon? Eventually, they will have to stop somebody.

The NFL Makes NO Sense

Look at the weekly results and try to explain the season to me. The Bears chuck it all over the yard against Dallas and Green Bay (no slouches there) and then can't even find a way to dump it off against the Giants. The Rams looked dominant, even if it was against the Seahawks. Mark it down... 12-4 will be the #1 seeds in the playoffs. Parity is 2010.

There were cars racing this weekend

Yeah, NASCAR got a tighter race and IndyCar crowed a champion. No, seriously, this was taking place while you were watching football.

I'm sure I am missing something monumental, but I am too busy moving all of my 401(k) money out of international stocks. Damn Europeans!

Conference Play

After the riveting action of the Big Ten - MAC showdown last weekend, the schedule-makers couldn't get a good game to fans fast enough. All last weekend did for football fans in the Midwest was pad the coaching records of a few, instill phony confidence for some, and guarantee that the Minnesota-Purdue loser will go 0-for the Big Ten. So, how did we fare last week, while watching four games simultaneously and ignoring an available pontoon boat on the dock? Pretty darn well. Everything but Boise proving that they could cover 18 points came true: The Irish looked weak; Alabama looked like winners; Auburn looked good at home.

In total, 5-0 picking winners and 3-1 against the spread. That brings Cover Two to 19-4 picking winners and 12-9 against Vegas on the season. (If only we supported actual wagering - we don't) No wonder I walked around happy all week.

I've been lost in the grey and rain of the UK (my apologies below to Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton - stones!) for the past 24 hours to really know what to expect tomorrow in college football. So, let's dive into the meaty games with reckless abandon...

#22 Penn State @ #17 Iowa -7

How in the world is Penn State still ranked?! Look, I know their only loss was on the road to the High and Almighty team in the land, but loss isn't the word I would use in that game. Massacre, humbling, eye-opener are all appropriate terms. The Nittany Lions can't pass (QB needs to age much more betterer quicklierly - is that fast enough?), which means Royster is seeing 8-9 guys every time he touches the ball. Don't worry, you're only facing one of the best front 7's in all of football... ON THE ROAD. Iowa, meanwhile, can't escape the early mistakes in that road loss to Arizona. It will be 30 minutes of football they can't have back. If Temple can take an early lead on Penn State in Happy Valley, I think Iowa can pitch a first half shutout and cruise control to victory...

Iowa 24, Penn State 10

#11 Wisconsin @ #24 Michigan State +2

Now we're talking!!! There is nothing really sexy about this game except the top 25 matchup, yet I think it will be worth watching more than any big game all weekend. It'll be cold(er) and loud in East Lansing. And, I bet we get at least 6-8 one-on-one collisions between John Clay (grizzly bear) and Greg Jones during the game, which is well worth the price of admission. That's 500 pounds of granite going to work. [Side note: Both of these guys are 6'1" tall and weigh around 1/8 of a ton. You know what is considered obese at that height? 227 pounds. Sure, proper calculations take body mass into account, but c'mon!] Back to the game, Wisconsin has only looked human once this year, when they escaped at home against the speed and spread of Arizona State. Sparty can sling it, but this is Big Ten football, and nobody does Big Ten football like the Badgers. Statement game for them...

Badgers 27, Michigan State 23

#21 Texas vs. #9 Oklahoma -3.5

Did most of the country miss the UCLA-Texas debacle? Were we all too busy watching Ryan Mallett play catch with the Alabama secondary? Because something happened to pull the skirt up on the Longhorns and reveal something they didn't want discovered. I was hoping for a Mack Brown press conference where he channeled Rick Pitino and said, "Folks, Colt McCoy is not coming through that door. Earl Thomas is not coming through that door. Sergio Kindle is not coming through that door." But, you know who could come through that door? Anybody from the Bruins' backfield. Sweet Jeebus, that was a crazy thing to see. And now, the Red River Rivalry might as well take a year off and be named the Pink Puddle Pasting. Yes, Oklahoma has escaped in every game played this year except the dismantling of Florida State. Yes, they are young too. Yes, the 'Horns have owned them of late. But... Did you see Texas last weekend?!

Oklahoma 38, Texas 24

#7 Florida @ #1 Alabama -8

It is going to be really hard to convince my wife that date night is going to involve her, me, gators, elephants, Verne Lundquist, ducks, smart people and the Kirk Herbstreit-Brent Musberger super duo. I thought Bama were the champs before the season started, after the Penn State waxing, before the comeback in Hog country, especially after that game and still today. But, it is hard to fathom their current schedule (@ South Carolina next weekend). If they are 6-0 10 days from now, shine the trophy and get Saban to smile. I love how some experts say that Florida found their offense last week against Kentucky. Read the last two words of the previous sentence and do a little thinking. The Gators have everything they normally do, except execution and a star. Plenty of 5-stars, but nobody who has really decided to shine. I think this is a VERY interesting game if they played in the Swamp, but my kinfolk-in-law know what this game means.

Bama 30, Florida 20

#9 Stanford @ #4 Oregon -7

Did I say that Michigan State versus Wisconsin would end up being the best game of the weekend?! My apologies. I think I just wanted to diminish this game in my mind as much as possible since half of my day-job staff is out there on business and scored tickets. (Note: I could have been there with them, but elected to give up my spot in favor of my member-guest tomorrow morning, where temps will be hovering in the low 40's with rain - I am so obsessed with golf that I still feel like I am getting the better deal) When has either of these teams looked bad so far this year? Answer: they haven't. I don't think Oregon can stop Stanford from scoring when they want (despite the Nike home crowd). Stanford pushed Notre Dame around last week, but Oregon probably has the best speed of any team in the country at the offensive skill positions. Sort of like a tree in the woods... If a player is too fast for a big linebacker to catch him, can he crush his skull in? (Brain cramp?) The spread tells you everything the experts know... It will be high scoring, anybody could win, but the home team usually does. I love the Stanford-Harbaugh story, but they needed Oregon at home this year to live the dream... (I am actually predicting a push, but want to have some fake action)

Ducks 38, Tree 31.5 [That means I am hedging with Stanford to cover]

Now, I need to find a good way to make those games above appear romantic. Thinking.......