Off go the Crimson Glasses

So much for my claim that Alabama deserved a shot in the national championship. And, despite the defensive prowess, I still will never pick LSU in a top 25 matchup. Fortunately, after a so-so week (3-2 picking winners, 2-3 against the number; season: 37-13, 31-20) of predictions, I've been eye-deep in more soccer (you know you want to watch it) and the start of the college basketball season... which, by the way, shouldn't have polls until the first week or two of games are played. Lots to still learn.

Unfortunately, thanks to that crazy schedule, we need to fly through this week's picks of relatively lame games...

#23 South Carolina @ #22 Florida -6.5

I really have no idea on this game. The Gamecocks have been the ultimate good SEC team this year. Capable of pulling off really good victories, but then victimized by other good SEC teams. Spurrier can clinch the division AND beat his former team in their own place. According to all of the "experts," the Gators were supposed to keep getting better as the season went along, because of their youth. Yeah, and they said the same thing about Texas. Advantage: Swamp

Florida 31, South Carolina 24

#24 Kansas State @ #17 Missouri -13.5

Almost a two-touchdown spread! You know why? Because of Baylor last week at Oklahoma State. Pretender Big 12 school goes to play a more proven Big 12 school. The number is big, but the butt whopping will be bigger...

Missouri 45, Kansas State 24

#19 Mississippi State @ #12 Alabama -13

Make no mistake... Alabama WILL beat Auburn in the final week of the regular season. So, TCU will make the national championship game. But, does that mean the Tide really care about Mississippi State? What have we learned from this blog, last week's results and this week's news? Two things:

1. Pretender teams whose schedules are back-loaded get abused on the road by better teams.
2. Mississippi State didn't pay $200,000 for the services of Cam Newton. They should have.

Alabama 34, Mississippi State 17

And, to close, in honor of the start of the college basketball season (and as the advocate of the Horizon League), I would strongly consider Detroit (+9) at New Mexico tonight. The Titans could surprise some good teams out of the box.