Rambling's Week 5 CFB Picks

I got some early games out tonight in time for Thursday night's game between the Cardinal and Huskies. The rest will be up tomorrow evening.

Thursday, September 27^th, 2012

#8 Stanford at Washington, 8:00 pm ESPN, Stanford visits Washington for their first road conference game of the post-Andrew Luck era, and things are definitely looking more positive than many expected. Stanford’s upset win of USC has left us wondering if the Cardinal are better than we thought or the Trojans are worse. I think most of us underrated the Cardinal a bit but this week’s contest should tell us more. Washington hasn’t really taken the leap in the Steve Sarkisian era that many were expecting, a blowout loss at LSU in week 2 quelled none of the fears in Washington. Winner: Stanford ATS: Stanford -6.5

Saturday, September 28^th, 2012,

#25 Baylor at #9 West Virginia, 11:00 am FX, I like Baylor post RGIII so far but I just don’t see the explosiveness on offense that it takes to beat West Virginia on the road. Baylor’s defense should have some success with a talented secondary, however if you can’t put up the points in bunches you’re gonna have a tough time beating West Virginia. Winner: West Virginia ATS: West Virginia -11.5

Arkansas at Texas A&M, 11:00 am SEC Network, Two teams that can comfort each other about their respective disappointments. A&M hasn’t been able to shake the stench of Mike Sherman off it’s team which in their first SEC game gave up a halftime lead to what we now realize was a pretty good Florida team. Arkansas followed up a disappointing overtime loss to ULM, with an even more disappointing showing a week later. Tyler Wilson’s return should help this team against a pretty good A&M team. Winner: Arkansas ATS: Arkansas +14

Tennessee at #5 Georgia, 2:30 pm CBS, Georgia continues to look very good this season on both sides of the ball, they welcome Tennessee this week. After a horrible second half against Florida, Tennessee doesn’t seem as far along as many thought after their thrashing of North Carolina St. Georgia is the best team the Vols have faced and I think the talent wins out at home this week. Winner: Georgia ATS: Georgia -13.5

#14 Ohio State at #20 Michigan State, 2:30 pm ABC, Ohio State travels to East Lansing for their first real test of the season and their Big Ten opener and these two teams are in similar positions heading into this game. Ohio State hasn't lost but weak showings against Cal and UAB in back to back weeks which is a bit of a concerns heading into a game against such a stout defense. Michigan State lost to Notre Dame in ugly fashion two weeks ago and a win versus Eastern Michigan that took another ridiculous effort by Le'Veon Bell. Winner: Michigan State ATS: MSU -2.5

#17 Clemson at Boston College, 2:30 pm ESPN2, This game will be closer than many think, in my opinion as BC has some talent on offense and Clemson may very well have a hangover from a tough second half loss to Florida State on the road. BC isn't a great team but we've seen some flashes and in a not so deep ACC they should have a better overall record this year. Clemson is talented but a step behind FSU already and this game becomes an interesting bounce back game. Winner: Clemson ATS: BC +9

#4 Florida State at USF, 5:00 pm ESPN, If this is typical Florida State this is a loss, if this is a slightly better FSU this is a close win and if they have turned the corner Florida State win this one sometime in the third quarter and coast to the victory. Winner: Florida State ATS: FSU -17

#24 Boise State at New Mexico, 5:00 pm, Boise is down, but not this down. Winner: Boise State ATS: New Mexico +26.5

#6 South Carolina at Kentucky, 6:00 pm ESPN2, Kentucky got kicked around by a talented but inconsistent Florida team, South Carolina should put this away early and get ready for next week. Winner: South Carolina ATS: South Carolina -21

#15 TCU at SMU, 6:00 pm, This game has been close the last couple of years and TCU comes in playing really sloppy offensive football. June Jones doesn't have his best team at SMU and could have a bit of a meh season. TCU should win this game as they have the most talent, but playing on the road for a sloppy team is always a challenge because you don't wanna give the crowd a reason to disrupt you. Winner: TCU ATS: SMU +16

#12 Texas at Oklahoma State, 6:50 pm FOX, Texas travels to Stillwater for it's first real test of the season. Texas has so far looked better than they have at any time since Colt McCoy era and has their best defense in recent memory. Oklahoma State seems to have a bit of an uncertainty at the Quarterback position but the offensive staff their is excellent and should produce a very good game plan. The defense is the worry and David Ash has been effective if not spectacular and should be able to have success moving the ball against the 'Boys. Winner: Texas ATS: Texas -2

#19 Louisville at Southern Miss, 7:00 pm CBS Sports Net, Even without Larry Fedora I thought Southern Miss would have a chance to have a good season but with the last few results that doesn't seem to be in the cards for the Golden Eagles. Speaking of Cards, Louisville comes into the game with some close wins but nothing that gives great confidence in this team to put away teams and leave no doubt as to the outcome. Winner: Louisville ATS: Southern Miss +10.5

Ole Miss at #1 Alabama, 8:15 pm ESPN, Remember when Texas romped in Mississippi? Yeah Alabama gonna roll. Winner: Alabama ATS: Alabama -30

#18 Oregon State at Arizona, 9:00 pm Pac-12 Network, Oregon State appears to be much better than just about anyone thought, but with a second year starter at QB and a front seven that has been nasty so far the Beavers have made a huge impression in their games against UCLA and Wisconsin (a deflated Wisco, but still.). Arizona looked very good against Oklahoma State earlier in the year and outmatched against Oregon this week. The 'Cats should give the Beavers defense a challenge this week but I think the defense holds and this comes down to the less thought of units. Winner: Oregon State ATS: Oregon State +2.5 

#2 Oregon at Washington State, 9:30 pm ESPN2, I really want to say that this game will be exciting because I want a classic Leach team but he doesn't have the talent yet in Pullman and that means that Wazzou has no chance to keep up with a very talented Ducks team. Winner: Oregon ATS: Oregon -29.5

Well there we have it another week of picks submitted and already a loss by the time I've finished... not sure there is an elite Pac-12 team but I think there is very nice depth out west. Enjoy week 5.