After another dismal (4-4) performance last week I am attempting to regain my game picking mojo. This week lacks the punch of last weeks games but there are some good ones in SEC (as usual) as well as a hodgepodge of other action.
The standings are as follows:
Great Odin's Raven: 41-31
Thor's Hammer: 40-32
Apollo's Creed: 30-26
And now, without further ado, here are the week 11 play-doh...I mean lead pipe locks.
Georgia 23 - Auburn 21
The best player on the field will be UGA Freshman RB Knowshawn Moreno. Having already surpassed the 1,000 yard mark this season, Moreno is looking to put his name next to the great Hershel Walker should he get the Dawgs into a BCS game. Auburn comes into this game as the best defense in the SEC and 8th overall and DC Will Muschamp has the Tigers playing better than they did all of last year. The key match-up will be Tiger LB Tray "Little Ball of Hate" Blackmon against Moreno. If Moreno can run the ball effectively on this stout Auburn D (held RunDMC to under 50 yards) the Dawgs should be able to hit a couple of play action passes deep. Even though the home team never wins this game (AUB is 18-9 in Athens), I like the Dawgs to pull it out on a late Brandon Coutu FG.
Virginia Tech 20 - Florida State 17
FSU is coming off of an impressive road victory over then #2 Boston College. They now must face a hot Virginia Tech team that is finally playing good football. In a game where defense should rule the day look for Va Tech to make too many plays on defense (especially given the tendency of FSU QB's turning the ball over) and pull this one out at home. Beamer has his team poised to take the ACC title if they can continue their stellar defensive play.
Michigan 24 - Wisconsin 20
The Wolverines are playing some pretty good ball after their first few games and now are poised to make a run at the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin has been exposed for the frauds that they have been the last couple of years and the trend should continue. I know Michigan does now fair well when playing at Camp Randall but this is not the best Wisconsin team and they are playing without their top WR. Look for a steady diet of Mike Hart and Michigan QB Chad Henne should be able to hit WR Mario Manningham on a few deep plays.
Cincinnati 24 - Uconn 18
These two teams are mirror images of one another which should make this game very interesting. They both rely on defense and special teams but I like the Bearcat offense a lot more than I do the Husky offense. Cinci QB Ben Mauk should play well and this could be the day that Uconn's luck runs out. Look for both teams to cause a number of TO's but I like Cinci's offense to capitalize more than the Huskies.
Florida 28 - South Carolina 24
South Carolina is coming off of a game in which their stellar defense gave up over 500 rushing yards (yes, I said 500). Florida is coming off of a beatdown of a solid Vandy team and their offense has been nothing short of spectacular. Tim Tebow is in the thick of the Heisman race and do-it-all Percy Harvin is a machine. This game will be close as it is being played in Columbia but there is simply too much offensive talent on Florida's team to lose this game. USC's offense has been average at best as of late and I would expect the trend to continue.
Kansas 31 - Oklahoma State 27
The Pokes are coming off of yet another brutal loss to Texas where they held a 21-point 4th quarter lead. Kansas is coming off a gang raping of Nebraska and their confidence could not be any higher. OSU has a legitimate offense but their defense is not going to cut it against the best offense you have never seen, led by stud QB Todd Reesing. Look for Kansas to get to 10-0 (having played no one) and they should set themselves up for a showdown with Missouri at the end of the year.
USC 27 - CAL 20
USC's has a freakish defense and an average offense. California has a freakish offense and a terrible defense. I always like the defense in that match-up and this instance is no different. Should Cal lose this game it would give them 4 losses in the Pac 10 and would mean another average year for Jeff Tedford. USC has proven all year long that without the stud WRs and RB's that they have had in the past that they are simply not that good on offense. Cal's defense is bad enough that it should not matter.
Clemson 27 - Wake Forest 23
This is the type of game that Tommy Bowden usually loses. Clemson is better, playing at home and favored to win. Wake coach Jim Grobe is one hell of a coach and should have his team prepared but I just cannot believe that Spiller and Davis won't run all over the undersized d-line of the Demon Deacons. This should be a good game to watch as neither team is drastically better than the other one but Clemson still has the edge in talent...if only Bowden would win the games he was supposed to win. This win should make the Boston College - Clemson game for all of the marbles in the ACC.
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