Here are some picks of my favorate games, the number of stars = my confidence. I'll check back to this thread the 1st week of January. ***Stanford 2 1/2 Georgia Tech -The Cardinal can and will score often, they roll. ***Georgia 4 1/2 Boston College -Georg wins by multiple touchdowns ***Texas 12 Washington -Simms gets to play the whole 4th quater in a game over before halftime. Wash gets totally rolled for the 3rd time this year. Texas Tech 1 **Iowa -High scoring game (but 61 as an over is too much), I like Iowa to take it. Kansas St. 5 1/2 *Syracuse -KSU is better, but I'll take the points here (and the under-47**). *Washington St. 8 1/2 Purdue -WSU better in all phases of the game, but the spread does largely reflect this. Still think they will cover. Fresno St. 6 *Michigan St. -I like Fresno to win, but I'll take almost a touchdown. ***Louisville 2 BYU -Another high scoring game (I think I'll take a very high over-69*) North Carolina 1 1/2 Auburn -No opinion at all Oklahoma 13 1/2 ***Arkansas -OU offense is struggling but they will win. But, they might shut out Ark and still not cover 2 touchdowns (take the 47 under***). South Carolina 3 *Ohio St. -Unpredictable game between teams with much better defenses than offenses, take the field goal (and the under at 43**). Virginia Tech 2 **Florida St. -I like FSU to win outright. **Tennessee 4 Michigan -Tenn is much better than 4 points better than Michigan. Could be a let down game for them though so I took 1 star off. Colorado 2 *Oregon -Very tough game to call, Oregon plays well in close ones so I take them. I like the over-57*** much better than predicting a winner because both offenses will only stop themselves in this one. LSU 3 ***Illinois -I rarely take a Big 10 team over an SEC team (or Pac 10) in a Bowl because the former is usually overrated and former underated, but honestly LSU should be the underdog here. When you get a field goal with Ill, got to like that. ***Florida 16 Maryland -Florida tries to wash away could-shoudas, Maryland gets murdered. Miami 10 ***Nebraska -Hands down the best opponent Miami has faced and a completely different type of opponent to further complicate matters. Over the last 3 years Nebraska has been in more big games against good teams, they might win this outright. With 10 points this game is a nobrainer to call. Call it a hunch, but I also think both teams will be tight and defenses will control most of the game, take the under of 56***.
I'll just star my picks for the spread along with the final score. *Stanford 34, Georgia Tech 17 Georgia 21, *Boston College 17 *Texas 44, Washington 14 *Texas Tech 27, Iowa 21 *Kansas St. 24, Syracuse 13 *Washington St. 21, Purdue 6 *Michigan St. 21, Fresno St. 20 *BYU 45, Louisville 35 *North Carolina 16, Auburn 10 Bigger games: *Arkansas 24, Oklahoma 17 One of my upsets of the season. I don't care how good this OU defense is, the offense really can't score points. Arkansas can pass the ball well, and may be able to put up enough to keep OU from winning. *South Carolina 19, Ohio St. 13 Don't bet against Lou Holtz in big games. Ohio St. has been inconsistent, but Lou is usually money in these situations. *Florida St. 17, Virginia Tech 10 Virginia Tech's passing offense reminded me of Texas A&M when they played Miami. It was that ugly. They may have a good defense, but like Oklahoma, that offense can be horrid. *Tennessee 27, Michigan 16 Tennessee is better than Michigan, and angry with the loss in the SEC Championship. Bad combination. *Colorado 35, Oregon 31 Lot of points scored, but in the end CU's offensive line wears down the Ducks defense. * LSU 28, Illinois 18 I will be in attendance in this game, and you know the crowd will be absolutely rocking. Combining how poorly Illinois travels with the fact that the game is in New Orleans, and you might see about a 90/10 split in fans. LSU may have a weak pass defense, but they found a way to get it done against Tennesee, and definitely can with the crowd behind them against Illinois. *Florida 45, Maryland 14 This game is a complete joke. *Nebraska 38, Miami 35 You know, at first I thought this game would be a complete blowout for Miami. Now, I think it's a tossup. While Nebraska's defense looked absolutely horrid against Colorado, Miami looked equally inept against the option when they played Virginia Tech. Both defenses could be in for long nights. I could see this game going either way, but because I think Colorado would've beaten Miami, I hope NU wins so that CU gets the split.
Dec. 13, 2001, 10:26PM Applewhite returns to UT starting QB role By JEROME SOLOMON Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle AUSTIN -- The roles have been reversed. After a season of playing second fiddle with the second team and playing in games only when the outcome was no longer in doubt, Major Applewhite took the reins as starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns at practice Thursday. "It was just like the roles have been flipped," Applewhite said after the team's evening workout. "I'm going to embrace this opportunity; it's a privilege, it's an honor." It was the first time Applewhite has worked out with the first team since November 2000, when he was hurt against Texas Tech. Chris Simms took over for that season's final three games and started all 12 Texas games this season. That was until a horrid first half against Colorado in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 1. In that half, Simms had by far his worst game this season as he threw three interceptions and turned the ball over with a fumble. Three days after Applewhite came up short in a bid to lead the Longhorns to a comeback victory, UT coach Mack Brown told Simms he would not start in the Holiday Bowl against Washington on Dec 28. Simms said the week following the Colorado loss was "without question" the most difficult one as a player. "I was extremely depressed," Simms said. "I was crying constantly, couldn't stop thinking about it. It was horrible." Applewhite tried lightening Simms' burden by reminding him of one of his worst days -- a six-turnover day against Kansas State in 1999. "I told him until you reach six, don't even hang your head," Applewhite said. But there is little Applewhite or anyone can say to erase Simms' memory of the loud boos he heard in Texas Stadium. "It's one of those things that makes you wonder who's behind you and who's not," Simms said. "You always want your fans to be behind you, but that's the situation I'm in right now." Applewhite had harsh words for the jeering fans. "If your life is that sappy that you have to live vicariously through a 21-year-old kid and then you're going to boo him when he doesn't live up to your expectations, then shame on you," he said. "I think that's ridiculous." Brown and Simms said the latter will not play against Washington, barring an injury to Applewhite. "Part of being an athlete is you want to prove people wrong and bounce back from adversity," Simms said. "I'm not going to be able to do that. "My last thing for the season to remember is that one quarter. It kind of stinks, but I'm strong enough (to deal with it) and I'll move on." Freshman running back Cedric Benson, who was injured in a collision with offensive lineman Mike Williams against Colorado, did not practice Thursday but participated in individual running drills. Williams suffered a less severe stinger on that play as well, but practiced with no ill effects. Brown said he hopes Benson will be able to practice by the team's final workout next Wednesday. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/fb/fbc/1172494
*Stanford 24, Georgia Tech 20 Georgia 28, *Boston College 13 *Texas 31, Washington 10 *Texas Tech 27, Iowa 21 *Syracuse 17, KSU 13 *Washington St. 27, Purdue 7 *Michigan St. 34, Fresno St. 17 *BYU 41, Louisville 38 Auburn 24, UNC 20 OU 13 ARk. 3 Carolina 24 ohio st. 10 FSU 27 Tech 13 FSU starts early run for mnc next year. Tennessee 19 UM 14 Oregon 27 CU 24 Illinois 20 LSU 17 Florida 31 Maryland 3 Mismatch city. Nebraska 24 Miami 23 Power running. Colorado would not have beaten Miami, I think they were playing above their heads against UT and NU. Manny is on a self imposed hiatus. We're gonna have to beg him for his picks, to show how much we miss him.
whoa..... You really have that much confidence in Major? I think we should make some kind of wager here... If OU wins, and UT does not win by 30, you give me francis for payton
Okay Scar and gr8-1, you have appealed to me by talking about one of my favorite things: college football. Here are my fearless predictions (I don't get into the point spread - only picking the winners and losers) Who Cares Bowl Games: Colorado State 38, North Texas 14 - This is a joke that North Texas at 5-6 is playing in what is a joke of a bowl game. Marshall 35, East Carolina 21 - Thundering Herd too powerful for the Pirates. NC State 33, Pitt 20 - Pitt lucky to be playing in a bowl game...Phillip Rivers should have a big game. USC 17, Utah 7 - Defensive struggle here...pretty boring game. Stanford 35, Georgia Tech 20 - I should make this my "lock" of the bowl season. Tech has lost every big and meaningful game & after the O'Leary fiasco, is there anyone who really thinks they can win this game? Alabama 17, Iowa State 16 - One of the closest games...I'm going with Bama because the game is in the South and there should be more Bama fans than Cyclone fans. Texas A&M 21, TCU 3 - This may bring back memories of a rivalry, but TCU is lucky to be playing a bowl game like Pitt and North Texas and others. Georgia 24, Boston College 20 - A good match-up and closer than you would think, but Mark Richt really has the Dawgs going in the right direction. Texas 35, Washington 17 - Because Major is starting is why I'm picking the Horns in this one....have to wonder how "scarred" the Huskies are after the woodshed beating that Miami put on them. Toledo 27, Cincinnati 17 - Toledo is a damn good team...that's all I'm saying about this game. Texas Tech 23, Iowa 16 - Another "who cares" game featuring a 6-5 team (why isn't Ole Miss in any of these games? They are 7-4, you know). Syracuse 24, Kansas State 21 - I just can't pick KSU because of their Jeckyll and Hyde season this year. Washington State 38, Purdue 20 - *sigh* - another who cares game featuring a 6-5 team...who comes up with these match-ups? Clemson 28, Louisiana Tech 20 - An entertaining game that no one will care about. Fresno State 42, Michigan State 30 - Meet Michigan State - our 12th bowl team with a record of 6-5 or worse. Why isn't Ole Miss or Hawaii playing in any of these games? Louisville 45, BYU 42 - the best bowl game of the season featuring no defense. North Carolina 31, Auburn 17 - The end of the season can't come any faster for the Tigers of Auburn. Important Bowl Games Oklahoma 17, Arkansas 0 - Yes, OU's offense is anemic, but there's no way in hell that the Razorbacks can score points, if any, on that defense. South Carolina 10, Ohio State 7 - Lou Holtz does it again to his former team. Virginia Tech 21, Florida State 17 - A good bowl game....Tech is lucky that they catch FSU on a down year. Michigan 28, Tennessee 27 - I could go either way on this one, but I just think that Tennessee could care less about this game compared to what they could have had. Colorado 37, Oregon 31 - The hottest team in the country finds a way to get it done. LSU 39, Illinois 22 - LSU in the Sugar Bowl? This is probably a no-brainer here. Florida 45, Maryland 21 - This could get ugly....the only ones who would want to watch the entire game are Gator fans. Miami 28, Nebraska 24 - The last game is the best game. Miami jumps out to a big lead and then holds on to win their first national championship since 1991. So, there they are. BTW - Cat and others that feel that Miami is going to lose: how about a friendly little BBS wager on that? You-all decide...could have the losers change their handles or put something in the sig like Puedlfor did.
<B>Stanford</B> 2 1/2 Georgia Tech Georgia 4 1/2 <B>Boston College</B> <B>Texas</B> 12 Washington <B>Texas Tech</B> 1 Iowa <B>Kansas St.</B> 5 1/2 Syracuse Washington St. 8 1/2 <B>Purdue</B> Fresno St. 6 <B>Michigan St.</B> Louisville 2 <B>BYU</B> <B>North Carolina</B> 1 1/2 Auburn Oklahoma 13 1/2 <B>Arkansas</B> South Carolina 3 <B>Ohio St.</B> <B>Virginia Tech</B> 2 Florida St. Tennessee 4 <B>Michigan</B> <B>Colorado</B> 2 Oregon LSU 3 <B>Illinois</B> <B>Florida</B> 16 Maryland Miami 10 <B>Nebraska</B> Of the underdogs I picked, besides covering, I think BC, MichSt, BYU, Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois, and Nebraska will all win. Where is the A&M/TCU game? And the North Texas game??! <B>Miami jumps out to a big lead and then holds on to win their first national championship since 1991. </B> Manny, don't say things like this! It's sad that other schools think a decade is a long time since they won a national title, while UT is looking bad 3 decades!
Fresno St. -6 over MSU looks like an easy one. Also KSU is 6-5, not sure they should be favored over anyone.
<B>Also KSU is 6-5, not sure they should be favored over anyone.</B> A&M, Tech and KSU are still kind of "unknowns" -- I think their records are deceiving. A&M had 4 losses -- OU, Texas, Colorado, and Tech. Tech had 4 losses -- OU, Texas, and Nebraska, along with a Kansas upset. KSU's losses included OU, Nebraska, Colorado, @Tech, with an "upset" by A&M at home. Basically, a combined 13 losses, but 9 were to Top 10 teams and 2 more were to each other (KSU & A&M losing to Tech). All of these teams are clearly not in the "top tier" of schools, but they really don't lose much to anyone outside the top tier -- then again, they haven't played too many "middle level" teams either. They could be very good (but not great) or fairly mediocre and only able to beat up on the crappy teams. I think the bowl games will be their chances to "prove themselves" in a way (except for A&M, for whom a win doesn't really show much).
