Virginia (-7)
While Virginia wasn't able to slow down Georgia Tech, I still think that defense is playing well and will rebound this week against a much less talented Duke squad. While Thaddeus Lewis is playing well at QB for the Blue Devils, I don't think he can win this one by himself. Sewell and Vic Hall are 2 good play makers for the Cavs who should be able to find some weaknesses in the Blue Devil defense. However, the key as always to a Virginia game will be the defense. The Cavs haven't given up anything through the air and is really good against the run, with the exception of Georgia Tech last week who nobody seems to be able to stop on the ground. I think the Virginia defense shows up again this week and holds Duke to 10-13 points. Virginia gets it done at home.
Auburn (+4)
Hard to take anything good away from the game the Tigers played this past weekend against LSU. LSU dominated pretty much every aspect of the game while Auburn didn't do itself any favorites with all the penalties they accumulated. Ole Miss on the other hand looked good against an explosive Arkansas team. However, this will be the first away game for Ole Miss in 4 weeks and Auburn is not an easy place to play. Auburn will get the running game back in gear with Ben Tate and hopefully Chris Todd will play at a higher level against an Ole Miss secondary who gave Mallett fits. The Auburn defense will have to play better than last week but I think they will. The front line of the Rebels should get pushed around by the Tigers. I think the Tigers give the Rebels a heavy dose of the run creating a few passing lanes for Todd and Auburn gets the cover (maybe the outright win).
Georgia (+16.5)
(Feel like I need to bet this one since I will be in Jacksonville for the Cocktail Party) Florida is really lacking an identity on the offensive side of the football. Coming into the year, nobody would have guessed Florida would struggle this badly on offense. But the lost of big playmakers like Harvin and Murphy is really affecting the Gators. The lack of speed seems to have disrupted Meyer's spread attack. Georgia has been so inconsistent this year that's it hard to get on board with them but I think this is a good spot to take them. This is a huge Rivalry game that will get both teams best effort. However, Georgia is coming off a bye week which will allow everyone to be healthy and focused for the biggest game of the season for the Bulldogs. Richt is starting to feel a little heat to make changes in his defensive coordinator, Willie Martinez, and his offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo, and I think these 2 guys will pull out all the stops to try to salvage their jobs this week. While I don't think the Georgia defense has the capacity to stonewall the Gators, I think the Georgia offense does enough to get the cover.
Minnesota (+5.5)
Minnesota fell apart late in the game to Ohio St resulting in a complete blow out. However, this Minnesota team has some talent in the skill positions. Eric Decker is one the best possession wide receivers in the nation and will make plays when given the opportunity. Michigan State gave Iowa all they wanted and should have won that game last week. I think the Spartans will have a bit of a hangover from that one and come out a little uninspired after barley missing the upset. Minnesota will be at home and finally to get to face a defense that isn't lights out after playing Penn St and Ohio St the past 2 weeks. I like Minnesota to keep this game within a field goal one way or another.
Miami (-7)
I think a lot of people had the feeling that Miami was due for a clunker last week and Clemson was the beneficiary. While Miami was in a position to win the game, the defense just couldn't get it done. However, Miami has the perfect team to rebound with this week in Wake Forest. Clemson may have the most explosive running back in the country with CJ Spiller, who gave the 'Canes fits. Wake has nothing even comparable to the speed and burst that Clemson showed. Miami can score points and I think there defense steps up this week and takes advantage of a less talented Demon Decs squad. Miami wins by double digits.
Good Luck this week guys.
While Virginia wasn't able to slow down Georgia Tech, I still think that defense is playing well and will rebound this week against a much less talented Duke squad. While Thaddeus Lewis is playing well at QB for the Blue Devils, I don't think he can win this one by himself. Sewell and Vic Hall are 2 good play makers for the Cavs who should be able to find some weaknesses in the Blue Devil defense. However, the key as always to a Virginia game will be the defense. The Cavs haven't given up anything through the air and is really good against the run, with the exception of Georgia Tech last week who nobody seems to be able to stop on the ground. I think the Virginia defense shows up again this week and holds Duke to 10-13 points. Virginia gets it done at home.
Auburn (+4)
Hard to take anything good away from the game the Tigers played this past weekend against LSU. LSU dominated pretty much every aspect of the game while Auburn didn't do itself any favorites with all the penalties they accumulated. Ole Miss on the other hand looked good against an explosive Arkansas team. However, this will be the first away game for Ole Miss in 4 weeks and Auburn is not an easy place to play. Auburn will get the running game back in gear with Ben Tate and hopefully Chris Todd will play at a higher level against an Ole Miss secondary who gave Mallett fits. The Auburn defense will have to play better than last week but I think they will. The front line of the Rebels should get pushed around by the Tigers. I think the Tigers give the Rebels a heavy dose of the run creating a few passing lanes for Todd and Auburn gets the cover (maybe the outright win).
Georgia (+16.5)
(Feel like I need to bet this one since I will be in Jacksonville for the Cocktail Party) Florida is really lacking an identity on the offensive side of the football. Coming into the year, nobody would have guessed Florida would struggle this badly on offense. But the lost of big playmakers like Harvin and Murphy is really affecting the Gators. The lack of speed seems to have disrupted Meyer's spread attack. Georgia has been so inconsistent this year that's it hard to get on board with them but I think this is a good spot to take them. This is a huge Rivalry game that will get both teams best effort. However, Georgia is coming off a bye week which will allow everyone to be healthy and focused for the biggest game of the season for the Bulldogs. Richt is starting to feel a little heat to make changes in his defensive coordinator, Willie Martinez, and his offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo, and I think these 2 guys will pull out all the stops to try to salvage their jobs this week. While I don't think the Georgia defense has the capacity to stonewall the Gators, I think the Georgia offense does enough to get the cover.
Minnesota (+5.5)
Minnesota fell apart late in the game to Ohio St resulting in a complete blow out. However, this Minnesota team has some talent in the skill positions. Eric Decker is one the best possession wide receivers in the nation and will make plays when given the opportunity. Michigan State gave Iowa all they wanted and should have won that game last week. I think the Spartans will have a bit of a hangover from that one and come out a little uninspired after barley missing the upset. Minnesota will be at home and finally to get to face a defense that isn't lights out after playing Penn St and Ohio St the past 2 weeks. I like Minnesota to keep this game within a field goal one way or another.
Miami (-7)
I think a lot of people had the feeling that Miami was due for a clunker last week and Clemson was the beneficiary. While Miami was in a position to win the game, the defense just couldn't get it done. However, Miami has the perfect team to rebound with this week in Wake Forest. Clemson may have the most explosive running back in the country with CJ Spiller, who gave the 'Canes fits. Wake has nothing even comparable to the speed and burst that Clemson showed. Miami can score points and I think there defense steps up this week and takes advantage of a less talented Demon Decs squad. Miami wins by double digits.
Good Luck this week guys.