Eventual 2019-2020 National ChampionMichigan State University 24, the Pennsylvania State 16
For the record, we remain the only defense to hold THE to under 40 points in a game. Which along with a nickel gets you... nothing. 5 cents doesn’t buy fuck all these days. Anyway, I do think our defense rebounds from the embarrassment at Wisky, and we manage just enough offense to get by at home. Besides, it is a trap game; the PSU is coming off their win over Methchicken and looking forward to the epic battle with the unbeaten Gophers, and will be looking past us. Besides, as I have noted before, now is the time for optimism; reality can be dealt with later.
Houston 27, S&MU 21
After Boise’s loss, SMU is next up in the Gang of Five barrel. The Ponies are unbeaten against a fairly soft schedule, while Houston gave Oklahoma a pretty good game. Right now, it looks like Cinci is the best bet for the Non-Power 5 team in the Big Six.
THE 35, Wisconsin 13
Weird things happen in CFB. Wisky loses to a bad Illinois team – one appreciably worse than several teams it handled easily, UNC comes within a bad no call of beating ClemSIN, Maryland looks like good team for a couple weeks. It would not surprise me if this game was closer than this. But it is in the Shoe, and THE has a talent and speed advantage pretty much everywhere – well, Wisky’s D Line may be a match for THE’s O Line – and when they execute it is hard to see anyone stopping them. Execution is a question of preparation, and Wisky will not be catching THE napping.
Oklahoma 45, the Kansas State 13
Like THE, only one team has held Oklahoma to under 40 – Texas. But in addition to the offense, Oklahoma has shown a relatively pretty good defense – relative to the Pure Prairie League, that is. KSU is not a bad team, but that is a limited at best bit of praise.
the Louisiana State 35, Auburn 21
LSU, like THE and Oklahoma, has also been held under 40 points once, like THE, it was MSU that limited them. Auburn put 50 + up on MSU, so fans of the transitive properties of football wins can figure out that math, and factor in Florida. I do not have great confidence in Auburn’s offense and QB play, despite the occasional explosion.
Minnesota 27, Maryland 17
Really, the Gophers have yet to lose. Granted, they will wind up with at least three losses, but not this game. Syracuse must be AWFUL.
Alabama 35, Arkansas 3
Tua’s absence may eventually derail Alabama, but not this week. I picture Mac Jones singing country songs while driving a pick up truck drunk on his ass on Southern Comfort. So, perfect for Alabama. If he was also sleeping with his sister, perfect for ClemSIN. So – I have said before that the Committee will not take a non-champ over a one loss conference champ. But what if that one loss team is Alabama? And the loss is to an LSU team, with out, or with a limited, Tua? Would they get in over a one loss ClemSIN, Oklahoma or THE? Granted, I do not see either of those teams losing right now, but CFB is weird.
Boston College 35, ClemSIN 31
Calling the upset.* Karma! Suck it jbott!
University of California (Southern) 27, Colorado10
The Men of Troy are on a mission to see if 8 – 4 can save Clay Helton’s job (No.). Colorado has had one really good half of football this year.
Methchicken 24, Our Lady of the Perpetual Tie 17
Fuck this game. Just fuck it. Methchicken has its second loss in conference and is officially irrelevant. Time to take out the Golden Bedpans.
Oregon 31, the Washington State 28
Oregon played with a second loss last week against UDub. This one is at Oregon, so I will go with the home team. The PAWCP is not dead yet, but unless Oregon or Utah win out – far from certain – they are out of the playoffs again. Really, I think they also need either the Big Whatever or Pure Prairie League champ to have lost twice anyway.
Utah 27, University of California ( ) 7
Last of the real playoff possibilities. I think we tend to forget about Utah, but they do have only one loss and running the table at least keeps them in the picture. The difference between Cal and Minnesota is after winning the first four games, Cal started playing teams that do not suck. Well, and Oregon State.
Pittsburgh 35, Miami 13
Is Pitt the class of the South Atlantic League Coastal? Maybe. Is it anywhere near being “Coastal”? The fuck. Manny Diaz should have taken the Temple job.
Iowa 12, Northwestern 9
Because this is beyond all hope the single most boring game involving a Top 25 team on the board and I want to see if I can induce narcolepsy in cap when he thinks about his picks.
Iowa State 28, Oklahoma State 24
ISU has righted the ship a bit after a sputtering start. According to my preview article, Oklahoma
State is “7th in the Big 12”, which is deceiving.
* No I’m not. ClemSIN 45, Boston College 14.
Because they are just better, and Jennifer Lawrence’s struggles are mostly relative to last year.
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