Picks of the Week from "the DEGENERATE GAMBLER"

Since we are still picking outright winners instead of against the spread, it should be easy pickings (no pun intended) once again for Apollo's Creed this week. I started off my first week picking games on the blog strong with a solid 7-1 showing. My record would have been 8-0 if I would have had the guts to follow my heart and pick the Wildcats to beat Arkansas in Fayetteville. My strategy this week is to pick the games based on my initial thoughts, and not to over think things. With that said, let's get on to the picks.



South Florida 31 West Virginia 28

I feel like this game will put the South Florida program on the map in what is still a top-heavy Big East. Yes, I know what people are thinking out there. South Florida has already arrived, thanks to a solid road win over an admittedly down Auburn team this year and last year's win over the Mountaineers in Morgantown. However, I feel that South Florida still has to prove that they have staying power. With a solid team on both sides of the ball, and the home-field advantage, South Florida should be able to overcome West Virginia's explosive offense.

Alabama 23 Florida State 13

As much as I want to pick the Seminoles in this game, I don't trust either Drew Weatherford or Xavier Lee at QB for Florida State. Both defenses are solid, and John Parker Wilson is the difference as the Crimson Tide wins rather easily.

Florida 30 Auburn 10

The Auburn offense has been horrible in against every team they've played this year except for a pathetic New Mexico State squad. There is absolutely no way they will be able to slow down the Florida offense enough to stay in this game. Florida QB Tim Tebow has turned into a legitimate Heisman candidate in just his sophomore year, and the Florida defense is solid. I hate both of these teams, so it's easy for me to keep the emotions out of the pick. Florida dominates and the seat gets hotter for Tuberville at Auburn.

Texas 31 Kansas State 14

Texas isn't as good as they've been over the past few years, but it really shouldn't matter in a pathetic Big 12. Oklahoma should handle them, but that game isn't for a few weeks. Kansas State doesn't have the athletes to stay with Mack Brown's bunch, and unless Brown makes some bonehead coaching decisions (not out of the realm of possibility), Texas will handle the Wildcats.

Purdue 52 Notre Dame 21

As a Boilermaker fan, and an Irish hater, I have been greatly looking forward to this game all week. This one really shouldn't be close, as Purdue's offense has been close to unstoppable this year, albeit against less than solid competition. However, if you study the game tape of the Purdue offense, what you see is a team that has the athletes and scheme to score against anyone in the country. Notre Dame is definitely not one of the best teams in the country, and have played so bad that it's almost beyond comprehension. Now, the Purdue defense is still the weak point of the team, and the Irish should be able to score some garbage points after the game is out of hand. The only thing that could possibly make this game competitive is if Purdue continues their early season trend of fumbling the ball away pretty much every possession they don't score on. It's almost as if that's Joe Tiller's new strategy this year. "Let's just fumble instead of worrying about punting." All kidding aside, the Boilers win in a blowout.

Michigan State 20 Wisconsin 17

I'll be completely honest. I don't think either one of these teams is very good. However, Wisconsin has been playing with fire every game this year and is due to lose one. Michigan State's new coach has the Spartans believing in themselves again after the dark days of the John L. Smith era, and they will pull the upset in a tight one.

USC 48 Washington 10

USC is a great team as usual. Washington is still a slightly below average team, with a good young quarterback to build around. The greatness of USC wins big.

Oregon 35 Cal 31

Oregon has a stud at quarterback in Dennis Dixon, as well as explosive athletes all over the field. Cal has a very good quarterback, as well as explosive athletes all over the field. The stud wins every time especially in the friendly confines of Autzen Stadium.