Quick Phils Obituary, Football Picks

So sad, so typical. The Phils are dead. Down 2 with three to play, there chances are slim and none, and slim is in a rain delay. I would insert the usual Philly whining and complaining here, but you all already know what that looks like, so I will spare you. Besides, we were all told by the GM on July 31st that this team was doomed not only for this year but next year as well. At least they have, for the first time in memory, GREAT, not good, young players in Utley, Hamels, Howard and even Brett Myers and Jimmy Rollins, to build around. With good guidance by Gillick (i.e., make some good moves in the offseason for a change) and a managerial change, this team can contend to win it all soon. It just sucks that it won’t be this year!!! 91 straight non-championships, and counting!!!

Onto football. Time for my picks….

NCAA (Last week 2-3; overall 10-10-1, 50%):

How about the old ball coach nearly beating the #2 team in the country last night. It looks like Blake Mitchell, who had a great year last year as a Freshman, may not leave the sidelines for a long time.

I really want to pick Rutgers tonight as I think they are a solid team with a good coach and great running game and only giving 4 to South Florida on the Bulls turf. But the skeptic in me says that is a trap, trap, trap so I just cannot pull the trigger. Let’s see what we can find on Saturday instead…

Virginia (-5) at DUKE. In a battle of my two alma maters, my heart of course says Blue Devils. My head, however, says that any time a team is giving less than a touchdown to Duke, no matter how bad they are and no matter where the game is, lay the points immediately!

SYRACUSE (-5) vs. Wyoming. The Orange are better this year than in year’s past. And in a non-conference cross country trip for the Cowboys, take the Orange and make some juice!

IOWA (+7) vs. Ohio St. The Hawkeyes will be fired up for this one at night in Iowa City. The Buckeyes are going to be in for a 60 minute battle in this one as they face one of the best coaches and one of the toughest quarterbacks in the country. Look for this one to be a field goal game, and do not be surprised if Iowa pulls the outright upset.

MINNESOTA (+10) vs. Michigan. Watch the Gophers use their ground attack to shorten the game. Michigan will struggle in the battle for the Little Brown Jug.

MEMPHIS (+13) vs. Tennessee. Rivalry game. Still not sold on the Vols. Take the points.

ARIZONA (-3) vs. Washington. Wahsington is getting too much love after a great win against UCLA last week. Look for the other Stoops to get a big win in Tucson.
ARIZONA AT (-1) vs. Oregon. Oregon not the same team away from Outzen Stadium, no matter what unis they choose for the game. Look for Carpenter to have a big day throwing the ball for the Sun Devils in a win over the Quack Attack.

NFL (Last Week 5-0, that’s right, 5-0; Overall 9-5, 64.3%):

BUFFALO (-1) vs. Minnesota. The Vikings go on the road in a non conference game after a demoralizing loss last week to face a team that is ni almost a must win game. Bad spot for Childress and company, look for Buffalo to get it done in front of the home folks.

TENNESSEE (+9) vs. Dallas. Distractions, distractions, distractions. Is Dallas good enough to win on the orad by double figures with all the stuff they have going on? I don’t think so? Take the points, remember the Titans.

Arizona (+7.5) at Atlanta. Look, I did not buy into the Atlanta hype before the New Orleans game. Now I think they are what they have always been. A good running team with a quarterback who is less accurate than some of the political media. Kurt Warner will be extra careful not to fumble; therefore, a close game is in the Cards.

HOUSTON (+4) vs. Miami. Did nobody else see Miami barely win at home against Tennessee? How are they giving points on the road?

Detroit (+6) at St. Louis. Why not?

Yes, I realize that the combined record of the teams I have selected is 2-13. This is why they pay me the big bucks to do this stuff. You will be thanking me on Monday morning…

I will be back Sunday to post Win or Die picks, and Monday with a preview of Monday Night Football.