Weekend TV Preview

Last Week - 7-10-1
YTD - 85-74-4

Thursday

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech (-3) - ESPN - 6:30 pm
Va. Tech lost in the most improbable of ways last week. Game was in the bag and Boston College stole it from them. These 2 teams are pretty average, but have good defenses. Close, low scoring, ugly game with VT winning it.
Pick - VT +3 and Under 40.5


Saturday

Wisconsin at Ohio State (-15.5) - Big 10 Network - 11:00 am
Wisconsin struggles against everyone, so how do you think they're going to do in the Horseshoe? Ohio State is blowing through a weak conference and is going to be in the national title hunt unfortunately. I actually hope they get there and get blown out of the stadium again, just to further the expose the quality of play in the Big 10.
Pick - Ohio State -15.5

Purdue at Penn State (-7) - ESPN - 11:00 am
Penn State got their pants pulled down on national TV last weekend and has proved to be a pretty mediocre team. Purdue is just as mediocre. They can score points, so I have to take the TD on the road against a team that got demoralized and pounded the week before.
Pick - Purdue +7

Iowa at Northwestern (-1) - ESPN2 - 11:00 am
I just had to include this game so I could alert everyone to the official worst TV game of the day.
Pick - Northwestern -1

Nebraska at Kansas (-18.5) - FSNSW - 11:30 am
Nebraska actually showed fight last weekend at Texas. Defensive adjustments, attacking the middle of the field on offense, fire and fight from players and coaches, and barely losing on the road to a top 15 team. It was fun to watch. The fun ends in Lawrence. Kansas is loads more physical than Texas. Is loads better on defense. And has a recent history of beating up on Nebraska. Wow, I can't believe I just said that. Kansas rolls 45-17.
Pick - Kansas -18.5

Kansas State (-14) at Iowa State - Versus - 11:30 am
If Texas, about the least physical team in the conference can go to Ames and pound on ISU, then KSU will do that and then some. KSU is a tough team and is made to play on the road. Roll.
Pick - Kansas State -14

Navy at Notre Dame (-3.5) - NBC - 1:30 pm
Notre Dame could have the worst offense of any team in the past 15 years. They are historically bad. Navy can run the ball and control the clock. They make history by beating ND. I have no clue about their series history, but I'm guessing it's been a while since Navy has beaten ND. They get it done.
Pick - Navy +3

Texas (-3) at Oklahoma State - ABC - 2:30 pm
Texas is just begging to lose a game. Oklahoma State has rebounded nicely since some early season disappointments. Texas usually struggles in Stillwater, but they always seem to pull themselves out of it. Not this time. OSU's too hot and they're at home. OSU gives Texas their 3rd conference loss.
Pick - OSU +3

Michigan (-4) at Michigan State - ESPN - 2:30 pm
Michigan keeps winning in conference and is setting themselves up for a Big 10 title game against Ohio State. Michigan State is one of those teams that can score on anyone and can beat anyone. It's just that they're more likely to tank than rise up. Michigan's defense is still not very good and is due for someone to score some major points on them. I'm betting MSU puts 30+ up this Saturday.
Pick - Michigan State +4

LSU (-7) at Alabama - CBS - 4:00 pm
Could be the game of the day if Alabama can upset or keep it close with LSU. Saban vs. LSU. LSU on the road trying to keep title hopes alive. I've been impressed most of the year with Alabama. They're not a bad team and should give LSU a game. If Kentucky and Auburn can, so can Bama. In a highly emotional game, I have to go with a hungry team at home.
Pick - Alabama +7

Missouri (-3.5) at Colorado - FSNSW - 5:30 pm
Missouri goes on the road against a very dangerous Colorado team. They're well coached, play well against good teams, and aren't intimidated. Missouri, in my opinion, is the team to beat in the Big 12. Missouri wins, but wins in final minute.
Pick - Colorado +3.5

Arizona State at Oregon (-7) - ESPN - 5:40 pm
The guaranteed game of the day if Rudy Carpenter plays. If Carpenter is out, expect Oregon to roll through ASU. With their top RB already out, losing Carpenter as well will doom this team. Oregon is playing as well as anyone in the country right now. They're scoring points in bunches and beating everyone. ASU's run ends now.
Pick - Oregon -7

Rutgers at UConn (-2) - ESPNU - 6:15 pm
UConn could be the most surprising top 15 team in the nation right now. 7-1 and fresh off of a win against South Florida. I have to take them at home against an average Rutgers team.
Pick - UConn -2

Texas A&M at Oklahoma (-21) - ABC - 7:00 pm
The ABC primetime game will be over after 1 quarter. A&M historically has not played well in Norman. Stoops intimidates, Fran gets knocked over by a feather duster. Oklahoma's offense is diverse and A&M's only works against Nebraska. Oklahoma's defense is fast and nasty. Oklahoma rolls.
Pick - Oklahoma -21

South Carolina at Arkansas (-4.5) - ESPN2 - 7:00 pm
The SEC nighter. Not a bad matchup. Spurrier on the sidelines. McFadden on the field. There's some definite intrigue. South Carolina plays teams tough on the road. Arkansas is just simply not that good.
Pick - South Carolina +4.5


CROWN GAME



Washington State at Cal (-14.5) - FSNSW - 9:15 pm
Washington State is pretty bad. Cal has lost 3 games in a row and is due for a load-releasing blowout. Washington State is just the team to provide that.
Pick - Cal -14.5


Sunday

Green Bay at KC (-2) - FOX - 12:00 pm
Green Bay has mastered the art of winning close, ugly games. That's the name of KC's game. Whether winning or losing, they're ugly. Give me the home team in Arrowhead by only 2 points. GB is due, they're not as good as their record indicates.
Pick - KC -2

San Diego (-7) at Minnesota - CBS - 12:00 pm
Minnesota has AP. San Diego has LT. I'd love to see a shootout between these 2. I can see a close game with 2 great RB's going against 2 good run defenses. If only Minnesota had a QB who could start at the high school level.
Pick - Minnesota +7

New England (-5) at Indy - CBS - 3:00 pm
The game of the day. I'm pretty sick of the Boston fan right now. Can't stand them as it is, but when all of their teams are good, it makes it even more sickening. I have to take Indy with the points at home. I want Manning to shove it up Bill Simmons and every other Northeasterner's ass. Give me Indy.
Pick - Indy +5

Dallas (-3) at Philly - NBC - 7:15 pm
Dallas must win this game. With New York on the road looming next week, they must split these 2 games. It's going to be easier to win at Philly than New York, especially with the way they're playing right now. So I see an urgent Dallas team winning on the road.
Pick - Dallas -3

Austin, TX

- What a city. I've said it before, and it always proves true when I go back, you can't overrate Austin. For everything - Food, drinks, bars, nightlife, women, entertainment, etc. Austin recruits itself. It would be the hardest place to say no to.

- Pretty decent tailgating scene outside the stadium. It's definitely a big-time street/city scene. Since the campus and stadium are just north of downtown, everything happens on the streets and in the bars, not as much RV'ing and big open grass field tailgating. But this doesn't slow down or hurt the scene at all.

- People were surprisingly polite and welcoming. Didn't have one bad experience with a Texas fan, and we were Huskered out.

- Open container laws go out the window on Gameday. Just hung out among the masses on the streets drinking and socializing.

- The stadium is huge, wide open, and is maybe even laid out too much. Too wide open. Hinders the noise level, which isn't a good thing considering the docile nature of the Texas fan. I've definitely been in louder stadiums. But they are adding 2 upper decks in either end zone, so this should help.

- Pre game very cool. Huge Texas flag in end zone, lots of traditional/historic band songs from the Texas Band. You can dislike Texas the University, but you have to love the respect they give to the state in their pre-game presentation.

- That place was dead quiet for 3 quarters. Nebraska was blitzing, putting McCoy on his ass the whole time, and was up 14 points.

- But Colt got hurt, Chiles came in, they started running the Vince Young zone read, and it was church.

- The NFL conservative play calling was in full force with the score 17-3. Note to Callahan, 17 points will not win a game on the road against a top 15 opponent. Keep attacking idiot.

- The seams/middle of the field have been wide open all year. Keller hit it twice for TD's in the 1st half. And then Callahan went into a shell and didn't attack it the rest of the game. He thought he could win 17-3.

- The most emotion I've seen from the Nebraska team all year. Lots of yelling and jumping around celebrating after good plays. Inspired play on defense, tough, never give up running from Marlon Lucky, and perhaps the best game all year from Sam Keller.

- Nebraska gets an interception in the 4th quarter with 8 minutes to go, and leading 17-15 with the ball at midfield. Instead of going for the kill, they run 2 un-imaginative run plays and throw deep on 3rd and long. 3 and out and the game was over. Typical BS from Callahan. There is absolutely no killer instinct in that man.

- They finally adjusted their defense and showed Texas some different looks, and what do you know? They had success and held them to 3 points through 3 quarters. But Texas adjusted in the 2nd half. I guess a counter-adjustment is just too much to ask from this coaching staff. Hell, the 1 time adjustment to blitzing the crap out of McCoy was a miracle enough.

- Many thanks go out to Keller for putting up with this crap this year. He's now hurt and gone for the rest of the year. I don't believe he was able to fully use his talents. Callahan's NASA offense had him thinking too much, throwing too many swing and screen passes, and just not fully utilizing his talent by attacking downfield and improvising passing plays. A talent like Keller needs less restrictions. He definitely has the support from every Nebraska person, there's no one out there with a bad thing to say about Sam Keller.

- All in all, a great trip. Great seats, great food, great tailgating, great atmosphere, great game, and great nightlife. Austin should be on everyone's schedule of road trips in college football.


- The banner we "found" at a Nebraska gathering at Scholtz's Beer Garden.


- No doubt the creepiest dude we saw in a city of weirdos. Full length long john's with a gold grill in his mouth.


- Pre-game presentation.


- Scholtz's Beer Garden, pre-game.


- 6th Street Saturday night. Halloween night on 6th Street. Tons of weirdos.





- Biggest scoreboard I've ever seen.











- Tailgating in the street.


- The whole group.




- Big 12 Rankings

1) Oklahoma
2) Missouri - Struggled against Iowa State, but this is a good team.
3) Kansas - Refuse to put them any higher, they'll have a few more losses before year is done.
4) Oklahoma State - Quietly putting together a nice run, 3-1 in conference with a huge game Saturday at home vs. Texas. Take the points.
5) Texas - There were major rumblings from the Texas fans around us about Mack Brown and Colt McCoy. The offense with the zone read and Chiles at QB was 10 times more effective.
6) Colorado - A tough, tough team.
7) Kansas State - Another tough team that can play with anyone.
8) Texas A&M - That offense and coaching staff needs a major overhaul.
9) Texas Tech - Tech will always be Tech.
10) Nebraska - Finally showed some fight, some toughness. One of their better games all year, but as has been the case all year, coaching let them down and threw the reins on the offense.
11) Iowa State - Playing some teams tough lately.
12) Baylor - Give it up.


National Rankings

1) LSU - I don't care what anyone says, this is the best team in the country. Very big game at Alabama this Saturday.
2) Ohio State - Showed me a little more by beating/dominating Penn State.
3) Arizona State - Great win at home. Tougher games await, including Oregon this weekend.
4) Boston College - Lucky as hell Thursday night.
5) Oklahoma - Rematch with Missouri looming.
6) Oregon - I think this is the #2 team in the nation, and if they beat Arizona State, they should jump.
7) West Virginia - Keeps winning, but no shot to make it to title game.
8) Missouri - Struggled vs. Iowa State, but has a chance to make up some major ground with wins over Kansas and Oklahoma.
9) Kansas - Here barely.
10) Georgia - Wins ugly, but wins.

On Cusp
- Michigan - Ripping through the Big 10.
- UConn - Surprise team of year.
- Va. Tech - Overrated.
- Auburn - Has lost some tough games.
- Hawaii