A Return to Respectability

After suffering through most of the season, Apollo's Creed has put together back-to-back 7-1 weeks in the picks. Look for that trend to continue as we look at this week's slate of games. Rivalry week is upon us, and I could not be happier. Not only do we have a great selection of college games to enjoy over the holiday weekend, but there are 3 NFL games on Thursday that are actually interesting to me. My two favorite NFL teams are in action as the Cowboys will take on the Jets and the Falcons are hosting a banged up Colts team. Although I have no allegiance to either team in the other game on Thanksgiving Day (Detroit-Green Bay), the Lion's game actually should be a fairly good game for the first time in years. In addition to picking our normal group of college games that we do every week, I'm also going to throw in the Thanksgiving Day NFL games as a special holiday treat for our readers. Without further ado, let's get onto the picks.

Missouri 48 Kansas 45

Wow!!! Who would have guessed before the season that this would be the biggest game of the weekend? I really don't have strong feelings about either team in this match-up in terms of making a confident pick, so I'm going to flip a coin in what should be a high-scoring affair. Both of these teams have powerful offenses that have gotten fat against ridiculously bad schedules, but at the same time they have been very impressive. Missouri wins a shootout on a late field goal to spoil Kansas' perfect season.

Virginia Tech 20 Virginia 16

This game is for the ACC Atlantic Division title, and should be a heated affair. Virginia is getting this game at home, and has been very effective at winning the close games this year. However, even at this point in the season I'm still not very confident in their ability to beat a solid team. I just haven't seen it, and Virginia Tech has been playing well lately. They take this game in a close one, and Coach Beamer will take his team to the championship game.

USC 27 Arizona State 23

Arizona State was exposed as the frauds that they are against Oregon and Dennis Dixon. Much like Kansas and Missouri, Arizona State hasn't beaten anyone of note. USC has been up and down, but in the end they are still USC. This game will be closer than many expect it to be, but the Trojans will pull out the victory on the basis of their defense and running game.

West Virginia 31 UCONN 21

As much as I would like to see West Virginia go down in this game, I just don't see them losing in Morgantown when they have as much on the line as they do. UCONN has played solid ball all year, but I just don't think they have the overall talent to score enough to keep up with West Virginia's offense.

Florida 35 Florida State 24

This game will be played in the Swamp, which really doesn't matter as much some would believe. Florida is simply the better team, and would probably be undefeated if they played in the ACC. Tebow has been unstoppable, and has turned out to be a much more accurate passer than I thought he would be this year. Tebow will dominate this game, and Florida State's pedestrian offense will be held in check.

Oregon 24 -UCLA 14

The only thing I will say about this game is that even though Dennis Dixon is out at QB for Oregon and a Leaf will get the start for the Ducks, UCLA is going to battle with a fourth-string walk-on QB. That alone will eliminate any possibility of a Bruin victory in Los Angeles.

Auburn 24 Alabama 14

I really can't stand Nick Saban. There's something about him that just makes my skin crawl. Maybe it's the fact that he's the devil. Anyways, Auburn should win this game as long as Brandon Cox doesn't blow it. It seems like that's always the extent of my analysis for any Auburn game.

Georgia 34 Georgia Tech 17

Georgia should put the final nail in Chan Gailey's coffin in this game. That said, this game always seems to be closer than it should be. That could very well be the case this year, but I really think Georgia is playing at the top of their game right now and will dominate the Yellow Jackets. Knowshon will continue his march towards being a preseason favorite for the Heisman in 2009, and Matthew Stafford will chip in a few touchdown passes.

Detroit 24 Green Bay 20
(Green Bay is a 3.5 point favorite)

Dallas 34 N.Y. Jets 13
(Dallas is a 14.5 point favorite)

Indianapolis 20 Atlanta 17
(Indy is a 12.5 favorite)