This week it is back to Illinois to see Toledo take on NIU. It should be a good game with both teams coming in with identical 4-2 records. However, when I saw that number 24 Michigan was also visiting number 22 Illinois, I wondered what the odds were that the two games would be at times different enough to make the 2.5-hour drive between them manageable, creating a daily double Saturday. Turns out, there’s no chance as both games have 3:30 kickoffs. Such is life. No worries, the weather looks great and a visit to Chicago is always a good time.
Last Week: Temperance Tuesday
Last week was a Tuesday visit to Lynchburg, Va. to watch Liberty host Florida International. Liberty was founded by evangelical Christian pastor, Jerry Falwell, Sr. Whether it was the Tuesday night game or its religious roots and no alcohol policy, the tailgating was less popular than a Jerry Falwell, Jr. pool party. The game, however, did not disappoint – going to overtime before the Flames pulled out the win. The full review will be out in a week or two but suffice it to say that a Liberty game is an acquired taste.
Notes from last week.
- The Maryland Terps were an 11 point favorite when Northwestern visited College Park Friday night. The Wildcats rolled over the Terps, 37-10. It could be a rough second half for Maryland with USC, Oregon, Iowa and PSU still on the schedule.
- Tough loss for South Carolina against Alabama. They had lots of chances and that fantastic onside kick was wasted.
- Some exciting OT games last weekend. It made for some very entertaining watching. However, I think Florida should have gone for the two-point conversion and the win at the end of their game against Tennessee.
- It was also nice to see a big game live up to the hype. The Ohio State – Oregon game did not disappoint. The Ducks are in the driver seat for the playoffs.
The Picks
Week 7 Results
Unable to wager on Virginia games, I couldn’t bet on the Liberty game (which may also save me from eternal damnation – I am not sure what the Baptist stance is on gambling). My results were slightly better this week, with another 2-2 record.
- Arizona is better than I thought. They are certainly better than the Utes.
- While I applaud UMass for forcing Missouri into a home and away series, having the 4-1 Tigers steamroll into Hadley, Mass to play the 1-5 Minutemen was a recipe for disaster. Mizzou easily covered.
- Cal really should have won the game against Pitt. It was odd to find myself cheering for the Bears to hit the go-ahead field goal with under two minutes left. Forcing the Panthers into one more drive was the only path I could see for the Panthers to be able to cover the three-point spread. The kick failed and while the Panthers won, I lost.
- The LSU game was a dandy. Once it went to OT, I knew I was safely in with a win.
Week 8 Picks
Given how poorly I am doing, these picks are not exactly what I would call locks. However for sake of consistency and sheer laughs, here they are.
- No logic on the NIU pick other than they are at home and I will be there.
- The Georgia Tech line was just too juicy at 13.5 points. Notre Dame is getting better but I still feel they are shaky.
- I am riding Texas until they lose. They, hard to believe, just look a cut above the normal SEC’s elite
- Florida is much improved and Kentucky is erratic, so I am going with the Gators.
As for the other games, some nice ones to pick out include Bama vs Tennessee, Michigan at Illinois and (gasp) even Nebraska at Indiana. Really, this is the heart of the season and there are good games all over the place. Case in point, I squeezed in the Boston College – Virginia Tech game last night. It was a very entertaining affair where the Hokies stormed out to a big lead only to almost give it away before righting the ship with a 21 point win.
Tree
