Stubbed my toe a bit last week on my college sides, only going 3-4, bringing the season tally to 39-30. Went 3-2 on my "Total Package" plays, bringing the season mark to 31-13. The following are my plays for this week....
ILLINOIS -4 against NORTHWESTERN
The Illini are starting to play pretty well. I realize it's not saying much but....they may be the best 3-6 team in the country (lol). They catch this Wildcat team still smelling of champagne and cigar smoke after last week's cherry-popping of Iowa. Illinois is balanced on offense and has actually been better since their bigshot QB Juice Williams got injured. They'll win their third in a row this week and shouldn't have a problem with this small impost.
OHIO STATE -17 against IOWA
Two teams going in different directions. Everybody sort of felt that the Hawkeyes were getting it done with smoke and mirrors. Last week's injury to QB Stanzi is huge. Now they're forced to send a freshman into the Horseshoe against a team with a lot of momentum and its sights set squarely on a Rose Bowl bid. The Buckeyes are only giving up 85 ypg on the ground. The freshman is going to have to try and air it out. I'm not optimisitic. All Buckeyes here!
VANDERBILT +3 against KENTUCKY
Two lower-level SEC teams. Kentucky still has a puncher's chance of making it into a bowl game. Vandy meanwhile, standing at 2-8....this is their bowl game. It's the last home game of this disappointing season and I would expect a spirited effort. Don't see any reason why the Commodores can't outrush 'em, outpass 'em, and outscore 'em in this spot. Take the dog.
NOTRE DAME +6- at PITT
Love 'em or hate 'em, you gotta give the Fighting Irish credit for keeping it interesting each week. Today they face a Panther team that has been scoring 35 ppg this year. They'll move the ball against this generous Notre Dame defense. But the Fighting Irish have been averaging over 30 ppg themselves, and against some pretty good teams. I look for them to give an inspired effort today and will gladly take the points.
ALABAMA -12- at MISSISSIPPI STATE
The big game for the Crimson Tide, of course, will be the SEC showdown in a few weeks against Florida. Every game until then, including this one, is a tune up. Bama really doesn't have many concerns about their defense. Their offense though needs work. I look for them to open up their attack (slightly) against these Bulldogs. They're going to score at least 30 points and will cover this spread with ease.
GEORGIA -4 against AUBURN
It's been a disappointing season for these Bulldogs. They've impressed absolutely no one. But they can salvage a lot of respect by putting a little win streak together right now. They need this game to stay alive for bowl considerations. Auburn has already over-achieved this season. They want this one, but they don't NEED it. The Bulldogs do....and they'll get it. Lay it.
HAWAII -19- against NEW MEXICO STATE
The Rainbow Warriors started off this season with some nice efforts, then faded into mediocrity, but now they're really starting to hit on all cylinders. Last week they put up nearly 700 yards of offense against Utah State. It's a bad spot for these Aggies, who are allowing 5.5 ypc and are only scoring 12 ppg. Hawaii rolls it up again.
The "Total Package" plays will soon follow.
As always, best of luck.
Harry
2009 college football sides (39-30)
2009 college football totals (31-13)
ILLINOIS -4 against NORTHWESTERN
The Illini are starting to play pretty well. I realize it's not saying much but....they may be the best 3-6 team in the country (lol). They catch this Wildcat team still smelling of champagne and cigar smoke after last week's cherry-popping of Iowa. Illinois is balanced on offense and has actually been better since their bigshot QB Juice Williams got injured. They'll win their third in a row this week and shouldn't have a problem with this small impost.
OHIO STATE -17 against IOWA
Two teams going in different directions. Everybody sort of felt that the Hawkeyes were getting it done with smoke and mirrors. Last week's injury to QB Stanzi is huge. Now they're forced to send a freshman into the Horseshoe against a team with a lot of momentum and its sights set squarely on a Rose Bowl bid. The Buckeyes are only giving up 85 ypg on the ground. The freshman is going to have to try and air it out. I'm not optimisitic. All Buckeyes here!
VANDERBILT +3 against KENTUCKY
Two lower-level SEC teams. Kentucky still has a puncher's chance of making it into a bowl game. Vandy meanwhile, standing at 2-8....this is their bowl game. It's the last home game of this disappointing season and I would expect a spirited effort. Don't see any reason why the Commodores can't outrush 'em, outpass 'em, and outscore 'em in this spot. Take the dog.
NOTRE DAME +6- at PITT
Love 'em or hate 'em, you gotta give the Fighting Irish credit for keeping it interesting each week. Today they face a Panther team that has been scoring 35 ppg this year. They'll move the ball against this generous Notre Dame defense. But the Fighting Irish have been averaging over 30 ppg themselves, and against some pretty good teams. I look for them to give an inspired effort today and will gladly take the points.
ALABAMA -12- at MISSISSIPPI STATE
The big game for the Crimson Tide, of course, will be the SEC showdown in a few weeks against Florida. Every game until then, including this one, is a tune up. Bama really doesn't have many concerns about their defense. Their offense though needs work. I look for them to open up their attack (slightly) against these Bulldogs. They're going to score at least 30 points and will cover this spread with ease.
GEORGIA -4 against AUBURN
It's been a disappointing season for these Bulldogs. They've impressed absolutely no one. But they can salvage a lot of respect by putting a little win streak together right now. They need this game to stay alive for bowl considerations. Auburn has already over-achieved this season. They want this one, but they don't NEED it. The Bulldogs do....and they'll get it. Lay it.
HAWAII -19- against NEW MEXICO STATE
The Rainbow Warriors started off this season with some nice efforts, then faded into mediocrity, but now they're really starting to hit on all cylinders. Last week they put up nearly 700 yards of offense against Utah State. It's a bad spot for these Aggies, who are allowing 5.5 ypc and are only scoring 12 ppg. Hawaii rolls it up again.
The "Total Package" plays will soon follow.
As always, best of luck.
Harry
2009 college football sides (39-30)
2009 college football totals (31-13)