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Jeepers H. Christmas!!!

Did y'all see that fake field goal? That was awesome! I was wrong in my pick, but I'm happy for Rutgers. I'd love to see them break back into the top 25 now.

The buzz around Rutgers in the Northeast is as real as it gets. Very, very happy for them!

PS - I said 'y'all'. Tee hee

Argh!!! Some of the calls I question. The taunting call? That ref was ready to pull the flag for anything. The out of bounds hit? That was a close one and the it wasn't a QB either that got hit. The offensive interference? Eh, I mean...yeah...i guess...slightly.

But USF still had various chances to win the game. What was Grothe doing? It's like he would run 30 yds behind the line of scrimmage and wait to get tackled. Grothe...throw it away!

The penalties against USF and the sacks really did us in. I was impressed with the Rutgers defense, RICE is a stud! and the trickery! damn them.

Cobie, I would think Rutgers and UCONN were big rivals.

'grats Cobie! UConn holds Louisville and wins an impressive victory on national television. Even though I picked Louisville, I was rooting for the Huskies and was thrilled to see them come back from a 10 point deficit to take the lead and hold it.

PS: I'm going to stop making picks and start flipping a coin each week on these games. I'm already 0-2 this week and it's not even Saturday!

Damn! Wouldn't ya know...BB's the only one who's 2-0 after the first two games!

I'm just tickled that my 17-point defensive prognostication for UConn held up. Maybe I'm fighting back!!

Like Vee, I'm thrilled UCONN won even though I didn't pick them. Its really just what they needed! A few wins like that each year and yes, they will be on the map!

Plus, they're pretty damn good in the Big East right now! West Virginia and South Florida--look out!

Feeling's mutual, babe.

Actually, after a week of hearing sportscasters, etc. hyping the game, I sort of hate the whole thing.

Oh, well-- 'Bama sure deserved their win this week. Can't defend the Vols at all.

<span style="font-size: 50px;">ROLL TIDE, ROLL!!!</span>

UF needed TN to lose so I'm happy.

I, for one, feel quite fortunate to have gone 5-5 this week. If not for Virginia and LSU's late heroics, I'd be 3-7!

Man! Have LSU's games been exciting the last three weeks or what?

And congrats to Kippers for going 7-3 on yet another wild week--look out, BB!

This week's results!

Kid Prime: 7-3 (.700)
Cobalt Kid: 6-4 (.600)
Ultra Jorge: 6-4 (.600)
Blockade Boy: 5-5 (.500)
Lard Lad: 5-5 (.500)
Vee: 5-5 (.500)

And here are the overall results thus far:

Blockade Boy: 39-21 (.650)
Kid Prime: 35-25 (.583)
Lard Lad: 33-27 (.550)
Cobalt Kid: 33-27 (.550)
Ultra Jorge: 27-23 (.540)
Vee: 32-28 (.533)

Week 9 polls are out...

AP Top 25
1. Ohio State (57)
2. Boston College (2)
3. LSU (5)
4. Oklahoma
5. Oregon
6. West Virginia
7. Arizona State (1)
8. Virginia Tech
9. Florida
9. USC
11. South Florida
12. Kansas
13. Missouri
14. Kentucky
15. South Carolina
16. Hawaii
17. Texas
18. California
19. Michigan
20. Georgia
21. Virginia
22. Alabama
23. Auburn
24. Penn State
25. Rutgers


USA Today
1. Ohio State (58)
2. Boston College (2)
3. LSU
4. Oklahoma
5. Oregon
6. West Virginia
7. Arizona State
8. USC
9. Virginia Tech
10. Kansas
11. Florida
12. South Florida
13. Missouri
14. Hawaii
15. Kentucky
16. Texas
17. South Carolina
18. Virginia
19. Georgia
20. California
21. Michigan
22. Penn State
23. Auburn
24. Alabama
25. Wisconsin

Kid Prime's week-end conference-by-conference recap:


ACC Atlantic

In the lead: Boston College (3-0)
Still strong: Wake Forest (3-1)
Barely in contention: Clemson (2-2)

Maryland moves totally out of contention this week with their ACC loss to Virginia. They would have to count on Wake getting 2 more losses and BC getting 3 losses, while not losing any more ACC games themselves. Clemson is still barely in it, having not played BC or Wake yet. Wake has already lost to BC, meaning that BC will have to lose twice to drop. BC is getting very close to a sure thing for the ACC title game at this point.

Predicted winner: Boston College

ACC Coastal

In the lead: Virginia (4-0), Virginia Tech (3-0)
Barely in contention: Miami (2-2)

Miami moves into barely in contention status this week by virtue of the win over FSU and the fact that they have yet to play either of the co-leaders yet. It's very extremely unlikely.

Predicted winner: Virginia Tech

Big 12 North

In the lead: Kansas (3-0)
Still strong: Missouri (2-1)

Kansas State and Colorado drop out of contention this week because of their in-conference losses, coupled with the fact that since they have both lost previously in the season to Kansas, they would now need Kansas to lose 3 Big 12 games to move ahead. This is a two-way race now, but Missouri could still beat Kansas for the win if they don't stumble before the last game of the season.

Predicted winner: Missouri

Big 12 South

In the lead: Oklahoma (3-1)
Still strong: Oklahoma State (3-1), Texas A&M (3-1)
Barely in contention: Texas Tech (2-2)

Texas Tech drops to barely-in-contention status since they added another Big 12 loss this week. They could still make huge strides by beating Oklahoma, but they will need Oklahoma State to stumble twice now.

Predicted winner: Oklahoma

Big East

In the lead: Connecticut (2-0)
Still strong: South Florida (1-1), West Virginia (1-1), Rutgers (2-1)
Barely in contention: Cincinatti (1-2)

UConn takes sole posession of the Big East lead this week with their win over Louisville, which in turn boots Louisville effectively out of the race. Louisville's fall from last season's success has been both startling and sad. I'm thinking Petrino saw the writing on the wall when he jumped ship. Cincinatti remains barely in contention because neither of their losses have come to teams above them. The Big East is still highly competitive at this point.

Predicted winner: South Florida

Big Ten

In the lead: Ohio State (4-0), Michigan (4-0)
Barely in contention: Illinois (3-2), Penn State (3-2), Wisconsin (2-2, Northwestern (2-2), Purdue (2-2)

Even though I have several teams lasted as barely in contention here, every week that Ohio State and Michigan continue winning is cementing the likelihood of a Michigan-OSU championship game in Ann Arbor on 11/17. Which, honestly, is as it should be in the Big Ten.

Predicted winner: Michigan

Conference USA East

In the lead: Southern Miss (2-1)
Still strong: East Carolina (3-1), Central Florida (2-1)
Barely in contention: Memphis (2-1), UAB (1-2)

No real changes for this conference division this week. This one is actually going to be interesting, though.

Predicted winner: East Carolina

Conference USA West

In the lead: UTEP (2-1), Houston (3-1)
Barely in contention: Tulsa (2-2)

Tulsa loses this week and will need serious help at this point.

Predicted winner: Houston

Mid-American East

In the lead: Miami(OH) (3-1), Buffalo (3-1), Akron (2-1)
Still strong: Bowling Green (2-1)
Barely in contention: Temple (3-2)

Temple puts themselves into contention by beating Miami(OH) this week, along with a previous win over Akron. This one is also quite engaging and a race to watch.

Predicted winner: Buffalo

Mid-American West

In the lead: Central Michigan (3-0)

Central Michigan is 2 or 3 games above everyone else in the division. Possibly premature, but I think they have this one locked.

Predicted winner: Central Michigan

Mountain West

In the lead: Brigham Young (3-0)
Barely in contention: Air Force (5-1), New Mexico (2-1)

Both Air Force and New Mexico are playing some good football right now, but unfortunately they've both already lost to BYU.

Predicted winner: Brigham Young

PAC-10

In the lead: Arizona State (4-0), UCLA (4-0)
Still strong: USC (2-1), Oregon (3-1)
Barely in contention: Oregon State (2-2), California (2-2)

Not much change in the Pac-10 this week, except Cal drops to barely in contention because of their loss to UCLA. Oh, and my conference prediction, of course.

Predicted winner: Oregon

Sun Belt

In the lead: Troy (4-0), Florida Atlantic (3-0)

Arkansas State drops off the map here.

Predicted winner: Troy

WAC

In the lead: Hawaii (4-0), Fresno State (4-0), Boise State (3-0)

3-way race, no change.

Predicted winner: Hawaii

SEC East

In the lead: South Carolina (3-2), Florida (3-2)
Still strong: Tennessee (2-2)
Barely in contention: Georgia (3-2), Kentucky (2-2)

This is one hell of a race. Anyone could win this, but Georgia and Kentucky are both in the barely in contention spot because they have lost to two teams ahead of them (Georgia to Tennessee and South Carolina, and Kentucky to South Carolina and Florida.) I have no idea how this is going to pan out, but Florida really looks strongest at the moment.

Predicted winner: Florida

SEC West

In the lead: LSU (4-1), Alabama (4-1)
Barely in contention: Auburn (3-2)

Auburn will need LSU to lose twice to get back in this. They will have to be in the very unlikely and awkward position of being Alabama fans when Bama plays host to LSU in 2 weeks. I can't believe it, but this upcoming showdown is actually going to live up to its billing. Wow. Roll Tide.

Predicted winner: <span style="font-size: 50px;">ALABAMA</span>

BC: the new Notre Dame.

Former Toledo coaches eating up the competition. Pinkel at Mizzou and Spencer as OC at Clemson.

As for Toledo, 8 turnovers by Ohio U helped overcome the complete stupidity that is our present OC.

Okay, let me ask you. If your RB/returner beings the opening kick-of to the 9 and in three plays it is 4th with one yard for a TD, do you:

Go for it with a run (the same guy that got 240yds in the game)?

QB draw (recruited for running ability)?

Kick the field goal?

Hint: do the stupidest.

Question 2
On first down playing from behind, do you.
Mix the run and pass to keep the D off balance?
Run off-tackles and draws with the talented back-field combo?
One up the middle nine times in a row?


If you are behind a TD and the drive stalls on the 40 on 4th and 9 just outside FG range, do you
high punt from your conference leading punter to pin the foe on the goal line, worse case they end up on the 20?
Run a fake punt knowing your punter will have to make 15 yards to get the first or give the opponent excellent field position?

Blah: The team is young with a lot of injuries. 3 true freshman starting in the secondary, one only a walk-on. No one cares. It' the stupidity from those earning the pay-checks that's getting people annoyed.

On the plus side, only one personal foul penalty and that was an inadvertant face-mask that was held just a bit long.

On the plus side, there are few places as beautiful to watch a college game as Toledo's Glassbowl.

Here are my picks for possible games this week. As always, let me know if there are any games other than these you would rather see.

#2 Boston College at #8 Virginia Tech (THURSDAY)
Air Force at New Mexico (THURSDAY)
#16 South Carolina at Tennessee
#7 West Virginia at Rutgers
Clemson at Maryland
#12 USC at #5 Oregon
#11 Florida at #18 Georgia
#1 Ohio State at #25 Penn State
#12 California at #4 Arizona State
#9 Kansas at Texas A&M

This is a great week upcoming.

Okay, we're going with these games for this week:

#2 Boston College at #8 Virginia Tech (THURSDAY)
Air Force at New Mexico (THURSDAY)
#16 South Carolina at Tennessee
#7 West Virginia at Rutgers
Clemson at Maryland
#12 USC at #5 Oregon
#11 Florida at #18 Georgia
#1 Ohio State at #25 Penn State
#12 California at #4 Arizona State
#9 Kansas at Texas A&M

Everyone please try to have your predictions in before the Thursday night games! Should be quite a week upcoming.

Ok I'm going with my gut here. Not being objective at all. I am going to Portugal tommorrow so I might not be able to do next week's picks but I will try.

VT
NM
SC
Rutgers
Clemson
USC
FL
Ohio St
Cal
KS

Virginia Tech
Air Force
South Carolina
Rutgers
Maryland
USC
Florida
Ohio State
California
Kansas

#2 Boston College at #8 Virginia Tech (THURSDAY): Okay, so this is the biggest game of the regular season for Boston College, no doubt about that. VT, even with the humiliating loss week 2 against LSU, is one of the most dangerous teams in the country on defense and special teams. BC brings an elite quarterback and a great offense to the table. Both teams have played similar seasons. So, is Boston College for real? I think they are, but I also think that there are a lot of intangibles in this game that will go VT's way.

Winner - Virginia Tech

Air Force at New Mexico (THURSDAY): These teams look just about identical on paper. Tough choice.

Winner - Air Force

#16 South Carolina at Tennessee: I've been thinking about this one a lot. There are rumors that things just really, really, really aren't right up in Knoxville this week. Players skipping practice, etc. So I don't know exactly how demoralized the Vols are after last week's loss (heh), but I know beating Fulmer is just about as much fun to Spurrier as 18 holes of golf.

Winner - South Carolina

#7 West Virginia at Rutgers: Rutgers is good this year, but not great.

Winner - West Virginia

Clemson at Maryland: Pretty devastating injuries the Terps have racked up in the last couple of weeks. I'm not sure how they'll pull this one out.

Winner - Clemson

#12 USC at #5 Oregon: So many questions to be answered in this game. USC's defense is ranked third in the country, but they haven't really played any good offenses yet. Oregon have a truly elite offense, but they haven't faced a defense like USC's yet. Oregon's defense is so-so. Sanchez is throwing well in place of Booty for USC. Both teams have racked up some significant injuries. I smell upset.

Winner - USC

#11 Florida at #18 Georgia: So, Tebow got hurt last week and Georgia has got to be thinking this gives them a good chance. Unlikely. This is the team that needed a last-minute field goal to win over Vanderbilt, after all. And while I do admit Vandy is significantly better this year... no. Just no.

Winner - Florida

#1 Ohio State at #25 Penn State: I could almost see picking this one as an upset, but Penn State ain't that good this year. OSU's defensive production thus far this year has been stunning, and Penn State's offense isn't THAT great.

Winner - Ohio State

#12 California at #4 Arizona State: How good is Arizona State really? I think they're alright.

Winner - Arizona State

#9 Kansas at Texas A&M: I remember Dennis Franchione's last Alabama game against Auburn. It was a big secret, but he had already signed up with Texas A&M in his head and in the head of the A&M AD. We had a 9-1 record at that time and were heavily favored against Auburn. Our players came out listless and poorly coached, and Auburn killed us. Now we all know Fran is going to be catching the first bus out of College Station the second the season ends. Do you think he's putting all his (admittedly small and shriveled) heart into coaching these last few games?

Winner - Kansas

Hang on, let me get out my coin...'k, ready for my picks now.

#2 Boston College at #8 Virginia Tech (THURSDAY) ~ Tough game. This one should be a great one. Two terrific teams. The coin says....Boston College

Air Force at New Mexico (THURSDAY) ~ As Kippers says, these two teams are almost carbon copies of each other. Most pundits think Air Force will squeak out a win. The coin says....Air Force

#16 South Carolina at Tennessee ~ Tennessee has gotten much better since the start of the season but...The coin says....South Carolina

#7 West Virginia at Rutgers ~ Rutgers has disappointed me twice this year but played a spectacular game against South Florida. WVU has gotten better and better with each passing week. This should be another great game at Piscataway. The coin says....Rutgers

Clemson at Maryland ~ Both these teams have had their ups and down this year. The most telling point for me is that Maryland beat Georgia Tech while Clemson lost to the Yellowjackets. The coin says....Maryland

#12 USC at #5 Oregon ~ Ouch! Tough one to call but Oregon is at home and USC didn't impress against lowly ND last week. The coin says....Oregon

#11 Florida at #18 Georgia ~ This one is a no brainer in my book. The coin says....Florida

#1 Ohio State at #25 Penn State ~ I'd love to see JoePa take OSU to the woodshed but I don't think they can. The coin says....Ohio State

#12 California at #4 Arizona State ~ Arizona State is one of the last unbeatens, currently at 7-0. Can they avoid the Upset Jinx? The coin says....Arizona State

#9 Kansas at Texas A&M ~ The Aggies have one of the most challenging scedules remaining. They play Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas as their last 4 games. I suspect they'll be looking past the upstart Jayhawks to the Sooners, which are their next opponent. If they do, it will be a big mistake. The coin says....Kansas

By the way, the coin was wrong on at least 5 of those picks!

Somebody needs a hug.

Vee, it doesn't matter if you win or lose each week. You're one of the most knowledgable college football guys I've ever met. I'm blown away by your knowledge!

And just like all things Legion World, don't think for one second I don't take notes from all your guys posts and impress my friends like crazy on the weekends

Virginia Tech
New Mexico
South Carolina
Rutgers
Clemson
Oregon
Florida
Penn State
Arizona State
Texas A&M