Thursday, October 23rd, 2014:
Connecticut (-12.16) at #18 East Carolina (24.89) (3.55), 6:00 pm ESPNU, Yeah like many of hte Marshall games the real intrigue will be if they cover the spread, and not much else. ECU big here. Poor UCONN. Power Pick: East Carolina by 40.59 My Pick: East Carolina 56-13 Line: East Carolina -28
Friday, October 24th, 2014:
BYU (20.41) at Boise State (27.36) (3.42), 8:00 pm ESPN, BYU heads to Boise State in a game that would have been a barn burner two years ago, or at least better three weeks ago before the Taysom Hill injury. I think Boise State wins here but BYU hasn't looked as bad as expected without Hill and should be able to put up enough points to keep it close. Power Pick: Boise State by 10.38 My Pick: Boise State 27-24 Line: Boise State -7
#6 Oregon (78.07) at California (17.84) (3.36), 9:00 pm FOX Sports 1, Cal is better this season but the defense is still suspect and holding everything back. The first half will be close but that third quarter will be a barn burner and after the outburst is the time to turn it off. Power Pick: Oregon by 56.87 My Pick: Oregon 59-45 Line: Oregon -18
Saturday, October 25th, 2014:
Texas (30.41) at #11 Kansas State (36.14) (4.02), 11;00 am ESPN, Texas is having a rough season like many expected and the cure for that isn't a road trip against a very good Bill Snyder team in Manhattan. A slugfest but Kansas State is just too much for the Longhorns late. Power Pick: Kansas State by 9.74 My Pick: Kansas State 20-13 Line: Kansas State -10
Rutgers (33.51) at #16 Nebraska (37.84) (5.12), 11:00 am ESPN2, Nebraska is in the drivers seat in the Big Ten West with Wisconsin's loss to Northwestern a few weeks back. With Rutgers comign to town the defense needs to continue to impress but the offense should be too much for the Scarlet Knights. Power Pick: Nebraska by 9.45 My Pick: Nebraska 38-23 Line: Nebraska -20
#25 UCLA (70.19) at Colorado (20.97) (3.12), 1:00 pm Pac-12 Network, UCLA isn't what many thought but this isn't the year this upset happens. Power Pick: UCLA by 46.11 My Pick: UCLA 48-38 Line: UCLA -13.5
#1 Mississippi State (60.15) at Kentucky (30.43) (3.70), 2:30 pm CBS, CBS has Kentucky in the 2:30 slot hosting Miss State but unless someone can tell me where the points are coming from for the Cats, I just can't pick 'em to win. Power Pick: Mississippi State by 26.02 My Pick: Mississippi State 41-20 Line: Mississippi State -14
Michigan (30.93) at #8 Michigan State (54.26) (4.53), 2:30 pm ABC, Michigan heads to little brother's house as the underdog and in turmoil. Amidst speculation that both coach and AD could be gone, Mark Dantonio and Michigan State will look to put the final nail in the coffin with a big victory over the Wolverines. Power Pick: Michigan State by 27.85 My Pick: Michigan State 45-17 Line: Michigan State -17
Texas Tech (24.78) at #10 TCU (30.36) (3.69), 2:30 pm FOX, This game seemed like it might be a lot of fun preseason, but now, TCU has an offense and the defense is as stingy as always. Kingsburry and company are a year or two out right now. Power Pick: TCU by 9.28 My Pick: TCU 48-24 Line: TCU -23
#22 West Virginia (26.00) at Oklahoma State (36.48) (4.04), 2:30 pm ESPN, This could be the game of the day, Oklahoma State has gotten better since week one but showed more of their true self in the TCU game last week. WVU is coming off a great home win over Baylor but are now in a really tricky letdown spot. Power Pick: Oklahoma State by 14.52 My Pick: Oklahoma State 48-45 Line: Oklahoma State -1
FAU (6.42) at #23 Marshall (34.49) (2.25), 2:30 pm, Marshall BIG!! Power Pick: Marshall by 30.32 My Pick: Marshall 48-10 Line: Marshall -28
#15 Arizona (54.97) at Washington State (28.52) (2.96), 4:00 pm Pac-12 Network, Arizona heads to Wazzou and into a tricky situation for any team. Oregon struggled here early in the year and i expect a shootout with the last eam with the ball to win. Power Pick: Arizona by 23.49 My Pick: Arizona 38-31 Line: Arizona -2.5
Syracuse (37.26) at #21 Clemson (46.56) (4.72), 6:00 pm ESPNU, Don't watch any Syracuse game this year. Clemson wins in a sloppy, very meh game. Power Pick: Clemson by 14.03 My Pick: Clemson 27-13 Line: Clemson -14.5
#3 Ole Miss (62.68) at #24 LSU (48.33) (5.10), 6:15 pm ESPN, The first of a couple of really fun matchups in the evening slots on Saturday gives us an improving LSU team versus an Ole Miss squad that is pretty darn good on both sides of the ball. If the LSU offense has truly grown up it should give Nkemdiche and crew a lot of problems but until I seem them do it against someone other than Florida I'm gonna ride with the Rebs. Power Pick: Ole Miss by 9.24 My Pick: Ole Miss 35-31 Line: Ole Miss -3.5
#4 Alabama (50.73) at Tennessee (20.47) (4.99), 6:30 pm ESPN2, Yeah maybe next year Vols. Power Pick: Alabama by 25.27 My Pick: Alabama 38-17 Line: Alabama -17
South Carolina (61.79) at #5 Auburn (74.36) (4.84), 6:30 pm SEC Network, Spurrier gonna be real foul in the presser after the game and next week but it will be fun to watch. Auburn big. Power Pick: Auburn by 17.40 My Pick: Auburn 45-20 Line: Auburn -19
#13 Ohio State (48.79) at Penn State (27.87) (5.09), 7:00 pm ABC, Yeah, Penn State doesn't have an offensive line but the defense is tingy and should keep it close into the second half but Ohio State will be just too much. Power Pick: Ohio State by 15.84 My Pick: Ohio State 38-24 Line: Ohio State -14
#20 USC (64.92) at #19 Utah (41.88) (3.76), 9:00 pm FOX Sports 1, USC heads to Utah in a matchup of surprise significance. Utah is at home in a matchup of even teams and gets my pick. Power Pick: USC by 19.28 My Pick: Utah 31-28 Line: Utah Pk
#14 Arizona State (57.33) at Washingotn (50.83) (4.08), 9:45 pm ESPN, Underrated late game and Washington has a legitimate chance at the upset and to turn the south on it's head. Power Pick: Arizona State by 2.41 My Pick: Washington 31-28 Line: Arizona State -3
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
2014 Rambling Sports Week 8 CFB Preview
Haven't updated win loss in a while and that won't be this week but it is coming without the recap column I kind of forgot to update but it is coming. Enjoy week 8 it probably won't live up to the last couple but there are some good games out there.
Thursday, October 16th, 2014:
#20 Utah (37.10) at Oregon State (44.20) (3.54), 9:00 pm Pac-12 Network, Utah heads to Oregon State on a Thursday night for some weirdness and a football game. Utah has shown a propensity through the years to have a letdown after a big win. Guess what? You take a letdown spot, post UCLA win, add in some look ahead with USC and four more ranked teams in a row on the schedule and you get a whole lot of shame eatin' in Corvallis. Power Pick: Oregon State by 10.63 My Pick: Oreogn State 24-21 Line: Utah -2.5
Saturday, October 17th, 2014:
#4 Baylor (52.85) at West Virginia (23.33) (3.78), 11:00 am FOX Sports 1, Baylor heads to Morgantown for a nooner that is sure to have all the daytime fireworks any redneck would want. Baylor is coming off a come from behind win over a very good TCU team and, despite giving up 58 points, a pretty good defensive performance on the road. West Virginia for their part hung with Alabama in the opener and a closer than the final score loss to Oklahoma means that some funky things might happen for a second straight baylor game before the Bears pull out a win. Power Pick: Baylor by 25.74 My Pick: Baylor 59-52 Line: Baylor -8
#14 Kansas State (30.37) at #11 Oklahoma (61.97) (4.99), 11:00 am ESPN, This game has all the looks a good game, starting with the rankings but Kansas State is getting too much love for a close loss to Auburn and not enough question for a close win against Iowa State. Oklahoma for their part lost on the road to a very good TCU team on some poor turnover luck in just a weird ass game and is still one of the three or four best teams in the conference. Power Pick: Oklahoma by 36.59 My Pick: Oklahoma 35-24 Line: Oklahoma -7
#21 Texas A&M (58.25) at #7 Alabama (47.94) (5.45), 2:30 pm CBS, A&M heads to Alabama after a drubbing at the hands of the Ole Miss Rebels and need to regroup. Alabama for it's part is coming off a road win against Arkansas that probably should have been a loss but they pulled out the victory. If Saban allows Kiffin and the offense to open it up a bit more and can keep tabs on Myles Garrett they should be able to rattle Kenny Hill a bit and pull out a shootout victory over the Aggies. Power Pick: Texas A&M by 4.86 My Pick: Alabama 38-35 Line: Alabama -14
#8 Michigan State (49.38) at Indiana (44.52) (3.29), 2:30 pm ESPN, The Spartans head to Bloomington to take on one of the more schizophrenic teams in the country with a win over Mizzou on the road and a loss to Bowling Green. The Hoosiers head home after a loss in Iowa City that saw them lose Nate Sudfeld for a while. Michigan State needs to account for Tevin Coleman but the rest of the offense isn't too scary. This would have been much more fun with everyone healthy but now it's looking like a romp. Power Pick: Michigan State by 1.57 My Pick: Michigan State 31-13 Line: Michigan State -15.5
Rutgers (33.98) at #13 Ohio State (46.70) (5.55), 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Rutgers heads to Ohio State to take on new division big brothers Ohio State who seems to be coming together nicely after losing Braxton Miller shortly before the season. Rutgers has been better than many of us thought they would be but Gary Nova is going to have to play a perfect game and their needs to be more defense than the Knights have shown so far if they are gonna pull the upset in trip #1 to the 'Shoe. Power Pick: Ohio State by 18.28 My Pick: Ohio State 35-24 Line: Ohio State -21
#24 Clemson (44.35) at Boston College (14.89) (2.85), 2:30 pm ESPNU, Clemson heads to Upset City (best I could do, sorry) to take on the Golden Eagles in a place where upsets seem to be in teh water the last couple of years. BC already has there upset (USC) but I don't think this precludes this from being a fun game of opposing styles that wouldn't have been nearly as close with Deshaun Watson out with a broken hand. Power Pick: Clemson by 26.62 My Pick: Clemson 24-21 Line: Clemson -5
UCLA (67.80) at California (17.98) (3.36), 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, I put this one on here because my numbers and my mind think that Cal is really overrated right now,but I was down on UCLA versus my ranks and others preseason and they seem to have played down to that, which combined with the line, gives me pause on my steadfast prediction for what is sure to be a shootout. Power Pick: UCLA by 46.46 My Pick: UCLA 45-35 Line: UCLA -6.5
#10 Georgia (52.82) at Arkansas (32.13) (4.05), 3:00 pm SEC Network, Georgia heads to Arkansas off a pretty nice win over a Missouri team that matches Indiana in being all over the place. Georgia didn't drop off too much with the loss Todd Gurley on offense. For Arkansas, they took Alabama to the brink but lost in the end because of a lack of scoring prowess. This should be a slugfest but a very good chance to see Bert's first SEC win. Power Pick: Georgia by 16.64 My Pick: Arkansas 24-20 Line: Georgia -3.5
#15 Oklahoma State (37.72) at #12 TCU (28.07) (3.69), 3:00 pm FOX Sports 1, TCU heads back home from Waco after a bad beat late at the hands of Baylor but they still showed well and proved that that Oklahoma result wasn't purely a fluke. Oklahoma State has stayed off radar since the oppening weekend loss to Florida State but they look to have gelled on defense well but the offense still has soe work to do. As Ty and Dan say on the Solid Verbal, "Take the points in a shootout." and enjory the show. Power Pick: Oklahoma State by 5.96 My Pick: TCU 49-42 Line: TCU -10
Colorado (21.06) at #22 USC (63.59) (4.32), 5:00 pm Pac-12 Network, Colorado heads to USC who squeaked past Arizona but Colorado should be a much easier test at home. On a related note Colorado is progressing under Mike McIntyre and that is a wonderful process to watch after years of drudgery recently. Power Pick: USC by 46.84 My Pick: USC 35-17 Line: USC -20.5
#25 Marshall (34.07) at FIU (-8.47) (1.98), 5:00 pm, The Marshall undefeated watch starts in earnerst as they finally cracked the top 25. They should absolutely roll over FIU and most of the remaining schedule but undefeated runs are always fun. Power Pick: Marshall by 40.57 My Pick: Marshall 48-20 Line: Marshall -22
Tennessee (20.63) at #3 Ole Miss (61.36) (4.04), 6:00 pm ESPN, Nkemdiche gon' fuck 'em up as Dr. Bo cuts 'em up. Power Pick: Ole Miss by 44.77 My Pick: Ole Miss 38-14 Line: Ole Miss -16.5
#19 Nebraska (34.14) at Northwestern (29.79) (2.98), 6:30 pm BTN, Nebraska heads to Northwestern who started the year off poorly, then rebounded for upsets of Penn State and Wisconsin and now welcomes Nebraska to Evanston in a game that is sure to just be a major disappoinment for the Wildcat faithful because why wouldn't it be. Ameer Abdullah will reprise Melvin Gordon's performance and despite his many flaws Tommy Armstrong Jr. is better than Stave or McEvoy and should be able to pick up the divisional road win. Power Pick: Nebraska by 1.36 My Pick: Nebraska 28-21 Line: Nebraska -6.5
#5 Notre Dame (51.73) at #2 Florida State (70.95) (4.46), 7:00 pm ABC, Florida State welcomes Notre Dame to Tallahassee in the midst of yet another Winston scandal (contrived or otherwise). Assuming Winston plays I think Florida State wins with a little breathing room. Wihtout him I think they win a pretty ugly slogfest. So go ahead #BlameJameis for the Seminoles win. Power Pick: Florida State by 23.69 My Pick: Florida State 34-23 Line: Florida State -9.5
Washington (50.83) at #9 Oregon (75.47) (4.31), 7:00 pm FOX Sports 1, Washington heads to Oregon to take on a Ducks team that got their mojo back against UCLA and is back at home in stride. Washington has got a bad rap this year as they have had starting problems but they are playing better early as of late and should give Oregon a challenge based around Shaq Thompson. Power Pick: Oregon by 28.94 My Pick: Oregon 38-30 Line: Oregon -20.5
#23 Stanford (53.83) at #17 Arizona State (54.63) (3.80), 9:30 pm ESPN, Stanford heads to Arizona State to take on an Arizona State squad minus QB Kelly but plus a suprise by freshman Mike Bercovici who has performed really well under the tutelage of Todd Graham and staff. If Stanford contiues to have problems in the redzone this game poses a lot of troubles for the Cardinal in a game where Arizona State will get points even in a good defensive performance. Stanford in a squeaker against an ahead of schedule Sun Devil squad. Power Pick: Arizona State (Note: Was posted wrong and corrected originally said Stanford) by 4.61 My Pick: Stanford 24-21 Line: Stanford -3
Thursday, October 16th, 2014:
#20 Utah (37.10) at Oregon State (44.20) (3.54), 9:00 pm Pac-12 Network, Utah heads to Oregon State on a Thursday night for some weirdness and a football game. Utah has shown a propensity through the years to have a letdown after a big win. Guess what? You take a letdown spot, post UCLA win, add in some look ahead with USC and four more ranked teams in a row on the schedule and you get a whole lot of shame eatin' in Corvallis. Power Pick: Oregon State by 10.63 My Pick: Oreogn State 24-21 Line: Utah -2.5
Saturday, October 17th, 2014:
#4 Baylor (52.85) at West Virginia (23.33) (3.78), 11:00 am FOX Sports 1, Baylor heads to Morgantown for a nooner that is sure to have all the daytime fireworks any redneck would want. Baylor is coming off a come from behind win over a very good TCU team and, despite giving up 58 points, a pretty good defensive performance on the road. West Virginia for their part hung with Alabama in the opener and a closer than the final score loss to Oklahoma means that some funky things might happen for a second straight baylor game before the Bears pull out a win. Power Pick: Baylor by 25.74 My Pick: Baylor 59-52 Line: Baylor -8
#14 Kansas State (30.37) at #11 Oklahoma (61.97) (4.99), 11:00 am ESPN, This game has all the looks a good game, starting with the rankings but Kansas State is getting too much love for a close loss to Auburn and not enough question for a close win against Iowa State. Oklahoma for their part lost on the road to a very good TCU team on some poor turnover luck in just a weird ass game and is still one of the three or four best teams in the conference. Power Pick: Oklahoma by 36.59 My Pick: Oklahoma 35-24 Line: Oklahoma -7
#21 Texas A&M (58.25) at #7 Alabama (47.94) (5.45), 2:30 pm CBS, A&M heads to Alabama after a drubbing at the hands of the Ole Miss Rebels and need to regroup. Alabama for it's part is coming off a road win against Arkansas that probably should have been a loss but they pulled out the victory. If Saban allows Kiffin and the offense to open it up a bit more and can keep tabs on Myles Garrett they should be able to rattle Kenny Hill a bit and pull out a shootout victory over the Aggies. Power Pick: Texas A&M by 4.86 My Pick: Alabama 38-35 Line: Alabama -14
#8 Michigan State (49.38) at Indiana (44.52) (3.29), 2:30 pm ESPN, The Spartans head to Bloomington to take on one of the more schizophrenic teams in the country with a win over Mizzou on the road and a loss to Bowling Green. The Hoosiers head home after a loss in Iowa City that saw them lose Nate Sudfeld for a while. Michigan State needs to account for Tevin Coleman but the rest of the offense isn't too scary. This would have been much more fun with everyone healthy but now it's looking like a romp. Power Pick: Michigan State by 1.57 My Pick: Michigan State 31-13 Line: Michigan State -15.5
Rutgers (33.98) at #13 Ohio State (46.70) (5.55), 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Rutgers heads to Ohio State to take on new division big brothers Ohio State who seems to be coming together nicely after losing Braxton Miller shortly before the season. Rutgers has been better than many of us thought they would be but Gary Nova is going to have to play a perfect game and their needs to be more defense than the Knights have shown so far if they are gonna pull the upset in trip #1 to the 'Shoe. Power Pick: Ohio State by 18.28 My Pick: Ohio State 35-24 Line: Ohio State -21
#24 Clemson (44.35) at Boston College (14.89) (2.85), 2:30 pm ESPNU, Clemson heads to Upset City (best I could do, sorry) to take on the Golden Eagles in a place where upsets seem to be in teh water the last couple of years. BC already has there upset (USC) but I don't think this precludes this from being a fun game of opposing styles that wouldn't have been nearly as close with Deshaun Watson out with a broken hand. Power Pick: Clemson by 26.62 My Pick: Clemson 24-21 Line: Clemson -5
UCLA (67.80) at California (17.98) (3.36), 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, I put this one on here because my numbers and my mind think that Cal is really overrated right now,but I was down on UCLA versus my ranks and others preseason and they seem to have played down to that, which combined with the line, gives me pause on my steadfast prediction for what is sure to be a shootout. Power Pick: UCLA by 46.46 My Pick: UCLA 45-35 Line: UCLA -6.5
#10 Georgia (52.82) at Arkansas (32.13) (4.05), 3:00 pm SEC Network, Georgia heads to Arkansas off a pretty nice win over a Missouri team that matches Indiana in being all over the place. Georgia didn't drop off too much with the loss Todd Gurley on offense. For Arkansas, they took Alabama to the brink but lost in the end because of a lack of scoring prowess. This should be a slugfest but a very good chance to see Bert's first SEC win. Power Pick: Georgia by 16.64 My Pick: Arkansas 24-20 Line: Georgia -3.5
#15 Oklahoma State (37.72) at #12 TCU (28.07) (3.69), 3:00 pm FOX Sports 1, TCU heads back home from Waco after a bad beat late at the hands of Baylor but they still showed well and proved that that Oklahoma result wasn't purely a fluke. Oklahoma State has stayed off radar since the oppening weekend loss to Florida State but they look to have gelled on defense well but the offense still has soe work to do. As Ty and Dan say on the Solid Verbal, "Take the points in a shootout." and enjory the show. Power Pick: Oklahoma State by 5.96 My Pick: TCU 49-42 Line: TCU -10
Colorado (21.06) at #22 USC (63.59) (4.32), 5:00 pm Pac-12 Network, Colorado heads to USC who squeaked past Arizona but Colorado should be a much easier test at home. On a related note Colorado is progressing under Mike McIntyre and that is a wonderful process to watch after years of drudgery recently. Power Pick: USC by 46.84 My Pick: USC 35-17 Line: USC -20.5
#25 Marshall (34.07) at FIU (-8.47) (1.98), 5:00 pm, The Marshall undefeated watch starts in earnerst as they finally cracked the top 25. They should absolutely roll over FIU and most of the remaining schedule but undefeated runs are always fun. Power Pick: Marshall by 40.57 My Pick: Marshall 48-20 Line: Marshall -22
Tennessee (20.63) at #3 Ole Miss (61.36) (4.04), 6:00 pm ESPN, Nkemdiche gon' fuck 'em up as Dr. Bo cuts 'em up. Power Pick: Ole Miss by 44.77 My Pick: Ole Miss 38-14 Line: Ole Miss -16.5
#19 Nebraska (34.14) at Northwestern (29.79) (2.98), 6:30 pm BTN, Nebraska heads to Northwestern who started the year off poorly, then rebounded for upsets of Penn State and Wisconsin and now welcomes Nebraska to Evanston in a game that is sure to just be a major disappoinment for the Wildcat faithful because why wouldn't it be. Ameer Abdullah will reprise Melvin Gordon's performance and despite his many flaws Tommy Armstrong Jr. is better than Stave or McEvoy and should be able to pick up the divisional road win. Power Pick: Nebraska by 1.36 My Pick: Nebraska 28-21 Line: Nebraska -6.5
#5 Notre Dame (51.73) at #2 Florida State (70.95) (4.46), 7:00 pm ABC, Florida State welcomes Notre Dame to Tallahassee in the midst of yet another Winston scandal (contrived or otherwise). Assuming Winston plays I think Florida State wins with a little breathing room. Wihtout him I think they win a pretty ugly slogfest. So go ahead #BlameJameis for the Seminoles win. Power Pick: Florida State by 23.69 My Pick: Florida State 34-23 Line: Florida State -9.5
Washington (50.83) at #9 Oregon (75.47) (4.31), 7:00 pm FOX Sports 1, Washington heads to Oregon to take on a Ducks team that got their mojo back against UCLA and is back at home in stride. Washington has got a bad rap this year as they have had starting problems but they are playing better early as of late and should give Oregon a challenge based around Shaq Thompson. Power Pick: Oregon by 28.94 My Pick: Oregon 38-30 Line: Oregon -20.5
#23 Stanford (53.83) at #17 Arizona State (54.63) (3.80), 9:30 pm ESPN, Stanford heads to Arizona State to take on an Arizona State squad minus QB Kelly but plus a suprise by freshman Mike Bercovici who has performed really well under the tutelage of Todd Graham and staff. If Stanford contiues to have problems in the redzone this game poses a lot of troubles for the Cardinal in a game where Arizona State will get points even in a good defensive performance. Stanford in a squeaker against an ahead of schedule Sun Devil squad. Power Pick: Arizona State (Note: Was posted wrong and corrected originally said Stanford) by 4.61 My Pick: Stanford 24-21 Line: Stanford -3
Thursday, October 9, 2014
2014 Rambling Sports Week 7 CFB Preview
Thursday, October 9th, 2014:
BYU (24.39) at UCF (29.25) (3.19), 6:30 pm ESPN, I included this game because it intrigues me. BYU lost Taysom Hill to a broken leg last week in the loss to Utah State and looked lost without him. UCF for their part are a good team, but aren't anywhere near as special as last season's AAC champs. This may be a sloppy and poorly played game but it will tell us a lot about who the best mid major team is. Power Pick: UCF by 8.05 My Pick: UCF 23-13 Line: UCF -3
Friday, October 10th, 2014:
Washington State (28.83) at #25 Stanford (52.05) (3.78), 8:00 pm ESPN, Wazzou heads to Stanford to face off against a Cardinal squad that lost at Notre Dame last week in a heart breaker. Wazzou for their part is coming off an epic shootout loss against Cal, in which Connor Halliday threw for 734 yards, 6 tds and 0 ints in a losing effort. Wazzou isn't gonna put up those numbers on Stanford but the Coogs don't need to as the Stanford offense has been about as efficient as a 1920's jalopy. I think Stanford squeaks one out against a porous Wazzou defense. Power Pick: Stanford by 26.99 My Pick: Stanford 27-24 Line: Stanford -17
Saturday, October 11th, 2014:
#1 Florida State (66.50) at Syracuse (35.85) (2.96), 11:00 am ESPN, With Notre Dame on deck and Syracuse being less than a high level opponent this looks like a classic look ahead spot for a Seminole team that has absolutely played down to their competition at times this season. Syracuse for it's part almost lost to Villanova at home in there opener and have now lost three in a row to Maryland, Notre Dame and Louisville. I think Florida State wins, but by a more modest amount as they look forward to Notre Dame. Power Pick: Florida State by 27.69 My Pick: Florida State 38-17 Line: Florida State -24
Texas (29.21) vs #11 Oklahoma (59.50) (Cotton Bowl), 11:00 ABC, Oklahoma heads to the Texas State Fair Grounds with revenge on their mind. Texas sprung the upset last season 36-20, despite being universally loathed as the worse team in the matchup. Oklahoma is the better team once again and the first year of Charlie Strong's tenure is on the rocks but this is one of those matchups where anything is possible. Power Pick: Oklahoma by 30.29 My Pick: Oklahoma 41-17 Line: Oklahoma -14.5
#13 Georgia (47.24) at #23 Missouri (56.20) (4.12), 11:00 am CBS, Battle for SEC LEast switches to the further inland Columbia for a matchup between the Bulldogs who lost at South Carolina dn the Tigers who lost at home to Indiana. Todd Gurley should have lots of room to run on this Missouri defense and unless Mizzou can get stops and put this game in Hunter Mason's hands this one could be pretty ugly for Mizzou. Power Pick: Missouri by 13.09 My Pick: Georgia 31-28 Line: Georgia -3
Northwestern (30.33) at Minnesota (43.03) (3.66), 11:00 am BTN, Northwetsern heads to the Twin Cities to take on the Gophers off an upset of Wisconsin in Evanston. Neither one of these teams is great, or even all that good, but this would set up the winner with the pole position in the stretch run for the Big Ten West. Power Pick: Minnesota by 16.36 My Pick: Minnesota 17-14 Line: Minnesota -4
Thursday deadline---
Duke (41.67) at #22 Georgia Tech (32.11) (3.47), 11:30 am ESPN3, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#2 Auburn (74.55) at #3 Mississippi State (57.15) (4.09), 2:30 pm CBS, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#9 TCU (28.39) at #5 Baylor (51.13) (3.40), 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
North Carolina (30.80) at #6 Notre Dame (49.74) (4.79), 2:30 pm NBC, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#8 Michigan State (47.69) at Purdue (10.82) (3.18), 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#12 Oregon (69.56) at #18 UCLA (67.85) (3.83), 2:30 pm FOX, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#16 Oklahoma State (35.56) at Kansas (14.15) (2.97), 3:00 pm FOX Sports 1, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#7 Alabama (43.81) at Arkansas (33.16) (4.05), 5:00 pm ESPN, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#19 East Carolina (23.48) at USF (7.65) (2.83), 6:00 pm ESPNU, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
LSU (41.77) at Florida (38.29) (4.97), 6:30 pm SEC Network, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#3 Ole Miss (55.64) at #14 Texas A&M (58.72) (5.10), 8:00 pm ESPN, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
USC (58.10) at #10 Arizona (55.30) (3.44), 9:30 pm ESPN2, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
BYU (24.39) at UCF (29.25) (3.19), 6:30 pm ESPN, I included this game because it intrigues me. BYU lost Taysom Hill to a broken leg last week in the loss to Utah State and looked lost without him. UCF for their part are a good team, but aren't anywhere near as special as last season's AAC champs. This may be a sloppy and poorly played game but it will tell us a lot about who the best mid major team is. Power Pick: UCF by 8.05 My Pick: UCF 23-13 Line: UCF -3
Friday, October 10th, 2014:
Washington State (28.83) at #25 Stanford (52.05) (3.78), 8:00 pm ESPN, Wazzou heads to Stanford to face off against a Cardinal squad that lost at Notre Dame last week in a heart breaker. Wazzou for their part is coming off an epic shootout loss against Cal, in which Connor Halliday threw for 734 yards, 6 tds and 0 ints in a losing effort. Wazzou isn't gonna put up those numbers on Stanford but the Coogs don't need to as the Stanford offense has been about as efficient as a 1920's jalopy. I think Stanford squeaks one out against a porous Wazzou defense. Power Pick: Stanford by 26.99 My Pick: Stanford 27-24 Line: Stanford -17
Saturday, October 11th, 2014:
#1 Florida State (66.50) at Syracuse (35.85) (2.96), 11:00 am ESPN, With Notre Dame on deck and Syracuse being less than a high level opponent this looks like a classic look ahead spot for a Seminole team that has absolutely played down to their competition at times this season. Syracuse for it's part almost lost to Villanova at home in there opener and have now lost three in a row to Maryland, Notre Dame and Louisville. I think Florida State wins, but by a more modest amount as they look forward to Notre Dame. Power Pick: Florida State by 27.69 My Pick: Florida State 38-17 Line: Florida State -24
Texas (29.21) vs #11 Oklahoma (59.50) (Cotton Bowl), 11:00 ABC, Oklahoma heads to the Texas State Fair Grounds with revenge on their mind. Texas sprung the upset last season 36-20, despite being universally loathed as the worse team in the matchup. Oklahoma is the better team once again and the first year of Charlie Strong's tenure is on the rocks but this is one of those matchups where anything is possible. Power Pick: Oklahoma by 30.29 My Pick: Oklahoma 41-17 Line: Oklahoma -14.5
#13 Georgia (47.24) at #23 Missouri (56.20) (4.12), 11:00 am CBS, Battle for SEC LEast switches to the further inland Columbia for a matchup between the Bulldogs who lost at South Carolina dn the Tigers who lost at home to Indiana. Todd Gurley should have lots of room to run on this Missouri defense and unless Mizzou can get stops and put this game in Hunter Mason's hands this one could be pretty ugly for Mizzou. Power Pick: Missouri by 13.09 My Pick: Georgia 31-28 Line: Georgia -3
Northwestern (30.33) at Minnesota (43.03) (3.66), 11:00 am BTN, Northwetsern heads to the Twin Cities to take on the Gophers off an upset of Wisconsin in Evanston. Neither one of these teams is great, or even all that good, but this would set up the winner with the pole position in the stretch run for the Big Ten West. Power Pick: Minnesota by 16.36 My Pick: Minnesota 17-14 Line: Minnesota -4
Thursday deadline---
Duke (41.67) at #22 Georgia Tech (32.11) (3.47), 11:30 am ESPN3, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#2 Auburn (74.55) at #3 Mississippi State (57.15) (4.09), 2:30 pm CBS, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#9 TCU (28.39) at #5 Baylor (51.13) (3.40), 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
North Carolina (30.80) at #6 Notre Dame (49.74) (4.79), 2:30 pm NBC, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#8 Michigan State (47.69) at Purdue (10.82) (3.18), 2:30 pm ABC/ESPN2, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#12 Oregon (69.56) at #18 UCLA (67.85) (3.83), 2:30 pm FOX, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#16 Oklahoma State (35.56) at Kansas (14.15) (2.97), 3:00 pm FOX Sports 1, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#7 Alabama (43.81) at Arkansas (33.16) (4.05), 5:00 pm ESPN, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#19 East Carolina (23.48) at USF (7.65) (2.83), 6:00 pm ESPNU, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
LSU (41.77) at Florida (38.29) (4.97), 6:30 pm SEC Network, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
#3 Ole Miss (55.64) at #14 Texas A&M (58.72) (5.10), 8:00 pm ESPN, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
USC (58.10) at #10 Arizona (55.30) (3.44), 9:30 pm ESPN2, Power Pick: My Pick: Line:
Thursday, October 2, 2014
2014 Rambling Sports Week 6 CFB Preview
Thursday, October 2nd, 2014:
Arizona (49.34) at #2 Oregon (70.12) (4.31), 9:30 pm ESPN, Arizona visits Autzen Stadium to attempt to repeat their performance from 2013 in which they beat Oregon down at home. It should be a heack of a game but Arizona has shown a propensity to play very uneven football. If Arizona can expose o-line weaknesses that have burst onto the sceen for Oregon and make this a true shootout then you wanna watch this one even if it makes you stay up way too late tonight. Power Pick: Oregon by 25.09 My Pick: Oregon 59-46 Line: Oregon -23.5
Friday, October 3rd, 2014:
Utah State (15.49) at #18 BYU (28.23) (4.11), 9:15 pm ESPN, Utah State travels to BYU in a game that would have been a much better test with Chuckie Keeton on the field but this is still one of the last true tests on the BYU schedule and a good enough game to keep me from going to watch high school football on Friday. It also gives us one more time to try and figure out Taysom Hill and watch that BYU defense wreak havoc. Power Pick: BYU by 16.85 My Pick: BYU 34-17 Line: BYU -21
Saturday, October 4th, 2014:
#6 Texas A&M (58.93) at #12 Mississippi State (54.29) (4.09), 11:00 am ESPN, This should be one of the absolute best 11:00 games we see all season. Mississippi State is the upstart at home but two things worry me. First, how good is LSU? WE think they are good, they beat Wisconsin at home week one but how good is Wisconsin and LSU hasn't really shown anything else that would make them elite this season just yet. Second, weird shit happens in this first set of games every week and with a shootout looming between two very good offenses how will CLANGA perform in a hyped matchup. Power Pick: Texas A&M by .55 My Pick: Texas A&M 59-56 Line: Miss State -2.5
#20 Ohio State (41.92) at Maryland (41.26) (2.91), 11:00 ABC, Ohio State heads to a Maryland team that is an enigma, inside a mystery, inside a forturne cookie. A packed house should provide a great atmosphere but I don't think Maryland is quite talented enough to beat the Buckeyes but the OSU faithful are gonna sweat this one out. Power Pick: Maryland by 2.24 My Pick: Ohio State 31-28 Line: Ohio State -8.5
Iowa State (21.04) at #21 Oklahoma State (34.20) (4.04), 11:00 am Fox Sports1, Iowa State heads to OK State for a beatdown and not much more. Power Pick: Oklahoma State by My Pick: 41-13 Line: Oklahoma State -17
SMU (.66) at #22 East Carolina (23.06) (3.55), 11:00 am ESPNU, If you like football murderball this is your game. ECU whooped both Va Tech and North Carolina and SMU is at best in the worst five if not the worst team in FBS. I suggest watching A&M-Miss State but this one will have a total close to that put up entirely by one side of this contest. Power Pick: East Carolina by 25.95 My Pick: East Carolina 69-13 Line: East Carolina -41
Wake Forest (6.00) at #1 Florida State (65.94) (4.46), 2:30 pm ABC, The most exciting part of this game will be the horse retirement at half time. Power Pick: Florida State by 64.40 My Pick: Florida State 66-13 Line: Florida State -37.5
#3 Alabama (44.05) at #11 Ole Miss (53.11) (4.04), 2:30 pm CBS, Alabama heads to the Grove to take on a Ole Miss squad that is showing why you can't discount recruiting ranks and new blood can greatly effect a program. Alabama is showing an offense that can differentiate it from former Tide teams and from other teams in conference, but this will be Kiffin and co. biggest test to date and should tell us a lot about the depth, development and talent of this offensive line. For Ole Miss, the qutestion is which Dr. Bo is gonna show up this week. Power Pick: Mississippi by 13.11 My Pick: Alabama 34-31 Line: Alabama -6
#4 Oklahoma (60.89) at #25 TCU (25.51) (3.69), 2:30 pm FOX, Oklahoma heads to TCU for what is the last major road test on their schedule. TCU presents one of the best defenses in the country once more and an offense that has looked good so far this season but hasn't really been tested all that much so far this season. Oklahoma has looked really good on defense, perfectly fine on offense witha few hiccups but altogether they me be the most well rounded performing team in the country. I think Oklahoma pulls away late and five is just too low a spread considering the talent. Power Pick: Oklahoma by 31.68 My Pick: Oklahoma 38-27 Line: Oklahoma -5
#7 Baylor (47.38) at Texas (29.91) (5.33), 2:30 pm ABC, Baylor heads to Texas in a battle for state in-conference supremacy but unlike years past Baylor is the known commodity and Texas is the great unknown. I don't think this one ends up close as Baylor is Power Pick: Baylor by 12.14 My Pick: Baylor 52-24 Line: Bayler -15
#14 Stanford (52.42) at #9 Notre Dame (47.00) (4.79), 2;30 pm NBC, Stanford heads to South Bend to take on a Notre Dame team that has shown flashess but hasn't really had a test to prove just how good they are with Everett Golson back at the helm. I think Stanford is too good and strong up front for Notre Dame and Power Pick: Stanford by .63 My Pick: Stanford 24-21 Line: Stanford -2.5
#17 Wisconsin (31.77) at Northwestern (28.31) (2.98), 2:30 pm ESPN2, Wisconsin has started slow this year despite a stong run game and road graders up front. Northwestern however doesn't have a team that has shown the ability to pounce and rack up points while the Badgers spin their wheels. Power Pick: Wisconsin by 2.98 My Pick: Wisconsin 31-28 Line: Wisconsin -9
Thursday night cutoff --- (the remaining I forgot until Friday night, but at least I got the picks on record.)
NC State (13.96) at Clemson (41.00) (4.72), 2:30 pm ESPNU, Power Pick: Clemson by 31.77 My Pick: Clemson 34-28 Line: Clemson -14
Vanderbilt (24.67) at #13 Georgia (45.72) (5.13), 3:00 pm SEC Network, Power Pick: Georgia by 26.19 My Pick: Georgia 45-13 Line: Georgia -33
#15 LSU (41.77) at #5 Auburn (72.09) (4.84), 6:00 pm ESPN, Power Pick: Auburn by 35.15 My Pick: Auburn 38-27 Line: Auburn -7.5
Texas Tech (28.46) at #23 Kansas State (28.61) (4.02), 6:00 pm ESPNU, Power Pick: Kansas State by 4.17 My Pick: Kansas State 31-20 Line: Kansas State -14
Arizona State (48.96) at #16 USC (58.71) (4.32), 6:30 pm FOX, Power Pick: USC by 14.07 My Pick: USC 24-21 Line: USC -12
#19 Nebraska (34.56) at #10 Michigan State (45.51) (4.53), 7:00 pm ABC, Power Pick: Michigan State by 15.48 My Pick: Michigan State 24-17 Line: Michigan State -7
Utah (31.20) at #8 UCLA (69.91) (3.83), 9:30 pm ESPN, Power Pick: UCLA by 42.54 My Pick: UCLA 45-24 Line: UCLA -13
Arizona (49.34) at #2 Oregon (70.12) (4.31), 9:30 pm ESPN, Arizona visits Autzen Stadium to attempt to repeat their performance from 2013 in which they beat Oregon down at home. It should be a heack of a game but Arizona has shown a propensity to play very uneven football. If Arizona can expose o-line weaknesses that have burst onto the sceen for Oregon and make this a true shootout then you wanna watch this one even if it makes you stay up way too late tonight. Power Pick: Oregon by 25.09 My Pick: Oregon 59-46 Line: Oregon -23.5
Friday, October 3rd, 2014:
Utah State (15.49) at #18 BYU (28.23) (4.11), 9:15 pm ESPN, Utah State travels to BYU in a game that would have been a much better test with Chuckie Keeton on the field but this is still one of the last true tests on the BYU schedule and a good enough game to keep me from going to watch high school football on Friday. It also gives us one more time to try and figure out Taysom Hill and watch that BYU defense wreak havoc. Power Pick: BYU by 16.85 My Pick: BYU 34-17 Line: BYU -21
Saturday, October 4th, 2014:
#6 Texas A&M (58.93) at #12 Mississippi State (54.29) (4.09), 11:00 am ESPN, This should be one of the absolute best 11:00 games we see all season. Mississippi State is the upstart at home but two things worry me. First, how good is LSU? WE think they are good, they beat Wisconsin at home week one but how good is Wisconsin and LSU hasn't really shown anything else that would make them elite this season just yet. Second, weird shit happens in this first set of games every week and with a shootout looming between two very good offenses how will CLANGA perform in a hyped matchup. Power Pick: Texas A&M by .55 My Pick: Texas A&M 59-56 Line: Miss State -2.5
#20 Ohio State (41.92) at Maryland (41.26) (2.91), 11:00 ABC, Ohio State heads to a Maryland team that is an enigma, inside a mystery, inside a forturne cookie. A packed house should provide a great atmosphere but I don't think Maryland is quite talented enough to beat the Buckeyes but the OSU faithful are gonna sweat this one out. Power Pick: Maryland by 2.24 My Pick: Ohio State 31-28 Line: Ohio State -8.5
Iowa State (21.04) at #21 Oklahoma State (34.20) (4.04), 11:00 am Fox Sports1, Iowa State heads to OK State for a beatdown and not much more. Power Pick: Oklahoma State by My Pick: 41-13 Line: Oklahoma State -17
SMU (.66) at #22 East Carolina (23.06) (3.55), 11:00 am ESPNU, If you like football murderball this is your game. ECU whooped both Va Tech and North Carolina and SMU is at best in the worst five if not the worst team in FBS. I suggest watching A&M-Miss State but this one will have a total close to that put up entirely by one side of this contest. Power Pick: East Carolina by 25.95 My Pick: East Carolina 69-13 Line: East Carolina -41
Wake Forest (6.00) at #1 Florida State (65.94) (4.46), 2:30 pm ABC, The most exciting part of this game will be the horse retirement at half time. Power Pick: Florida State by 64.40 My Pick: Florida State 66-13 Line: Florida State -37.5
#3 Alabama (44.05) at #11 Ole Miss (53.11) (4.04), 2:30 pm CBS, Alabama heads to the Grove to take on a Ole Miss squad that is showing why you can't discount recruiting ranks and new blood can greatly effect a program. Alabama is showing an offense that can differentiate it from former Tide teams and from other teams in conference, but this will be Kiffin and co. biggest test to date and should tell us a lot about the depth, development and talent of this offensive line. For Ole Miss, the qutestion is which Dr. Bo is gonna show up this week. Power Pick: Mississippi by 13.11 My Pick: Alabama 34-31 Line: Alabama -6
#4 Oklahoma (60.89) at #25 TCU (25.51) (3.69), 2:30 pm FOX, Oklahoma heads to TCU for what is the last major road test on their schedule. TCU presents one of the best defenses in the country once more and an offense that has looked good so far this season but hasn't really been tested all that much so far this season. Oklahoma has looked really good on defense, perfectly fine on offense witha few hiccups but altogether they me be the most well rounded performing team in the country. I think Oklahoma pulls away late and five is just too low a spread considering the talent. Power Pick: Oklahoma by 31.68 My Pick: Oklahoma 38-27 Line: Oklahoma -5
#7 Baylor (47.38) at Texas (29.91) (5.33), 2:30 pm ABC, Baylor heads to Texas in a battle for state in-conference supremacy but unlike years past Baylor is the known commodity and Texas is the great unknown. I don't think this one ends up close as Baylor is Power Pick: Baylor by 12.14 My Pick: Baylor 52-24 Line: Bayler -15
#14 Stanford (52.42) at #9 Notre Dame (47.00) (4.79), 2;30 pm NBC, Stanford heads to South Bend to take on a Notre Dame team that has shown flashess but hasn't really had a test to prove just how good they are with Everett Golson back at the helm. I think Stanford is too good and strong up front for Notre Dame and Power Pick: Stanford by .63 My Pick: Stanford 24-21 Line: Stanford -2.5
#17 Wisconsin (31.77) at Northwestern (28.31) (2.98), 2:30 pm ESPN2, Wisconsin has started slow this year despite a stong run game and road graders up front. Northwestern however doesn't have a team that has shown the ability to pounce and rack up points while the Badgers spin their wheels. Power Pick: Wisconsin by 2.98 My Pick: Wisconsin 31-28 Line: Wisconsin -9
Thursday night cutoff --- (the remaining I forgot until Friday night, but at least I got the picks on record.)
NC State (13.96) at Clemson (41.00) (4.72), 2:30 pm ESPNU, Power Pick: Clemson by 31.77 My Pick: Clemson 34-28 Line: Clemson -14
Vanderbilt (24.67) at #13 Georgia (45.72) (5.13), 3:00 pm SEC Network, Power Pick: Georgia by 26.19 My Pick: Georgia 45-13 Line: Georgia -33
#15 LSU (41.77) at #5 Auburn (72.09) (4.84), 6:00 pm ESPN, Power Pick: Auburn by 35.15 My Pick: Auburn 38-27 Line: Auburn -7.5
Texas Tech (28.46) at #23 Kansas State (28.61) (4.02), 6:00 pm ESPNU, Power Pick: Kansas State by 4.17 My Pick: Kansas State 31-20 Line: Kansas State -14
Arizona State (48.96) at #16 USC (58.71) (4.32), 6:30 pm FOX, Power Pick: USC by 14.07 My Pick: USC 24-21 Line: USC -12
#19 Nebraska (34.56) at #10 Michigan State (45.51) (4.53), 7:00 pm ABC, Power Pick: Michigan State by 15.48 My Pick: Michigan State 24-17 Line: Michigan State -7
Utah (31.20) at #8 UCLA (69.91) (3.83), 9:30 pm ESPN, Power Pick: UCLA by 42.54 My Pick: UCLA 45-24 Line: UCLA -13
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