This Week's College Football Picks

Well, here we are again! Another Saturday, another tough SEC matchup between The University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the tennessee "vile: in tears". ESPN will showcase the contest of hated rivals to a national audience, and the hostile crowd and hot-seat that is phat fil phulmer's will be on display. ON display for Big Al to poop on!
Many of the so-called 'experts' have predicted a trap game or an upset, but don't look for that to be the case. Even without Terrence Cody, the defense should get to the viles quarterback early and often. Our coverage looks to be strong enough to keep whoever is under center back long enough for a sack or two.
Coach Saban has been preaching to The TIDE all week about a second-half letdown, so don't look for that to happen again. With so much now at stake, I doubt the players will let up.
As a BONUS, ESPN's Lee Corso picked tennessee, so we're a safe bet to Roll...!
ALABAMA 42, tennessee 14

Now for the rest of this week's SEC picks:

Kentucky matches up pretty good, but the Gators are just too much. And too strong. Looks like Florida 45, Kentucky 24

Houston Nutt makes his first trip back to Little Rock since bolting for Ole Miss. The Razorbacks are improving but still a little wobbly. The Rebels have looked strong against everyone so far. OLE MISS 31, Arkansas 10

Vanderbilt hosts Duke in what could turn out to be an entertaining game. The Commodores need this one badly if they want a bowl game, as they will enter a tough SEC stretch next. I say VANDERBILT 28, Duke 17

Georgia travels to LSU for a 2:30 slugfest. LSU is cocky and over-confident (even after the pasting they took from Florida), and Georgia is desperately trying to prove they aren't as bad as the first half of the BAMA game. I think patience and skill will win out over bravado and risk. GEORGIA 31, LSU 21

Nationally, I'm thinking...
TEXAS 38, Oklahoma State 28
PENN STATE 28, Ohio State 24
Oklahoma 42, Kansas State 27
Southern Cal 49, Arizona 17
Texas Tech 42, Kansas 38

The More Things Change.......

Wow! Other than Georgia and Penn State, virtually EVERY one of my college football picks was WRONG!
And now it looks like BAMA should have backed into the #1 spot IN AN OFF-WEEK! But, probably not. Texas will now be #1 after their victory over then-#1 Oklahoma, Notre Dame lost and should jump to #2, Florida won big over LSU to move to #3, Southern Cal moves to #4, and we'll probably be #5.
And auburn fires the offensive coordinator, but STILL loses. Running the same plays. Wow! Pure GENIUS!
STAY TUNED...!

BAMA's OFF-WEEK & PICKS

Well, BAMA is 6-0 and has a mid-season bye week. This is the way it's supposed to be, the way I was brought up to enjoy CRIMSON TIDE Football. We're back where we belong (ahead of schedule), everyone's jealous and hatin', and we have a breather before resuming our rise back to the top of the college football world. The posers and pretenders see the writing on the wall and hear the thunder of the mighty crimson herd rumbling ever closer.

This was stated so eloquently on the GUMP for HEISMAN Blog seen here: http://www.gump4heisman.com/my_weblog/2008/10/the-alabama-football-fans-guide-to-following-the-2008-auburn-tigers.html?cid=134236075#comments

**HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!**

(So highly, in fact, that I've added a permanent link over in the right-hand column!)

On a totally un-related note, I am compelled to comment on the sorry state of officiating that has been rampant this season. At first, I thought it was just a conspiracy directed at my beloved Crimson Tide, but as I see more and more games, I realize it is much more than that. Is it incompetence? Is it a visual disability? A failure to properly train the officiating staff on the rules and etiquette of the game? All of the above? Or is it something more sinister...?

I was still agitated about the 'no-calls' on obvious infractions during the Georgia game-- a block in the back AND a tackle of our guys during the Dawgs' return for td, for example -- I couldn't see straight. Then, during the Kentucky game, Julio Jones and the defender are running down-field, jockeying for position. The defender is grabbing Julio's jersey, and then pushes him off! Julio makes a great catch anyway, fights for more yardage, AND IS FLAGGED FOR INTERFERENCE!!! WTF...?!

I was really agitated until I saw the officials helping Missouri against Nebraska later that evening. Then a phantom call gives Michigan another chance to win. I sure hope something is done about this before some coach goes all "Woody Hayes" on a deserving referee...!

Stay tuned....!

Now to this week's picks. Pretty good slate of games on tap, beginning with the Wildcats of Kentucky hosting the South Carolina Gamecocks. Kentucky played tough defense and had a LOT of help from the officials, or ALABAMA would have beaten them by 3 touchdowns last week. (Watch the replays if you don't believe me!)The Cocks finally played like Spurrier intended last week, so this will be a good match-up. Surprisingly, the Wildcats are more talented, maybe too much for the ol' ball coach. KENTUCKY 28, South Carolina 24

Just what the Bulldogs need: GEORGIA 34, tennessee 10

Poor Tony Franklin. He can't take the blame for this one. auburn 17, Arkansas 14

The Bayou Bengals visit the Swamp (which will be a suitable name after two days of rain!) as Florida hosts LSU. The Gators want to prove they're better than they've shown. The Tigas want the same. I think LSU might be a little too strong, and if they get to Tebow a few times this could get out of hand. LSU 38, Florida 28

Nationally, Oklahoma probably holds off Texas, 35-31.

Penn State 28, Wisconson 17

Missouri 38, Oklahoma State 17

The TIDE is ROLLING IN...!

That's right, Georgia. Black makes you look sexy. Assume the position. Accept your fate. Now, go clean yourself up and fix Big Al a drink and some dinner, bitch! The SEC, as well as the rest of the nation, has been served notice.
The following photo was sent to me by Scottie Willis, fellow Tide fan and purveyor of All Fine Things Crimson:

Thank you, Scottie!

After last nights destruction of the Georgia Bulldogs, The University of Alabama Crimson Tide can no longer fly under the radar or be overlooked. After yet another dismantling of a pre-season top-10 team, folks are paying attention. And wondering just what to think.
To upcoming opponents, I offer a word of advice: Take some pain medication. At least a half hour before kickoff. Maybe it will ease the oncoming trauma.
Until, that is, YOU REALIZE 'THE PROCESS' IS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE! In other words, get used to it. All the haters and naysayers, please shut your pie-holes. You'll get your turn.
Roll Tide.

Today's S.E.C. PICKS

Now it REALLY starts. After a surprisingly easy win over Arkansas, The Crimson Tide rolls into Athens for a big game on ESPN on the national stage for the second time this season. ESPN's Gameday crew will be on hand for the Georgia game to hype/promote/report/jump on the bandwagon. (As an aside, to see some of the best ESPN Gameday signs held up behind the set go to http://www.bustedcoverage.com/?p=7340 . And yes, I suggest you look up the meaning to any words about Corso style reference!)

Last year, an under-manned heavy underdog Alabama took a young Bulldog squad to the wire, losing in overtime. The young squad of Saban recruits this year have kicked it up a notch, and are seemingly putting it together earlier than anticipated. We match up pretty well on both sides, and this looks to be a great contest with several great matchups all over. It will be exciting, but I think The Tide will be ready. The Dawgs will be unable to top Mount Cody, and I think we will see some different offensive looks from Bama. We should be able to pressure their quarterback enough to make up for the height advantage they have over our speedy defensive backs. Again, we should see something different. Tide rolls, moves into Top 5.
ALABAMA 31, Georgia 20

Okay, now to the rest of the Conference:

auburn faces tennessee in a freakish orange clash which the tigers/plainsmen/war-eagles (MAKE UP YOUR F*****G MIND!) should prevail. Another nail-biter. cow college 14, vols 7

KENTUCKY 34, Western Kentucky 10 Kentucky should break into the Top 25.

Gamecocks get much-needed practice. Spurrier may finally get to see his offense play close to what he envisions. SOUTH CAROLINA 31, UAB 14

LSU 45, Mississippi State 14 Tigers are too much for these Bulldogs.

In a make-up game from a hurricane delay, the Arkansas Razorbacks travel to take on the Texas Longhorns. I don't think the Hogs are as bad as Bama made them look last week, and some of their mistakes will be corrected. This one, surprisingly, will be closer than many people think. Texas 21, Arkansas 20

Ole Miss IS steadily improving and Nutt has a few tricks up his sleeve, but I don't think the Rebels will be able to sneak up on Florida this time. They always play the Gators tough and took them to the wire last year, but I believe it will end up Florida 45, Mississipi 17

Nationally, Penn State should top Illinois 28-10. They say Joe Paterno has one foot in the grave, but if that's the case he has the other one on somebody's throat!

On a side note, I was shocked--SHOCKED-- that once again the highly-touted 'possibly-the-greatest-team-in-college-football-history-EVER' USC Trojans were upset by the OREGON STATE BEAVERS. I was honestly surprised, but it has happened before. And it is quite satisfying after hearing the hype annually about how invincible Southern Cal is.

Tide Cooks up Hogs in Fayetteville: This Week's Picks

Normally, you could say this would be an old-fashioned, grind-it-out-up-the-middle contest, but now real life ain't that way. Sure, you'll see Ingram and Coffee and Upchurch and Grant get some carries, but look for this to be an aerial affair. Heck, if the Arkansas passing game is as good as they say, this could look like a flea circus with JP Wilson linging to Julio, BJ Scott, Stover and the gang! The guess here is that our "D", with Cody whipping their All-American center and friends all day, will keep the Razorbacks off their rhythm.
ALABAMA 28, Arkansas 17

Is the offense of the Plainsmen playing opossum...? tubby better hope not, and the chant will be "Whoa, eagle...!" If the tigers from this state aren't saving up, and the offense is as sluggish here as it was last week, this could get ugly fast. I look for it to be closer than what many expect:
LSU 24, auburn 20

The Gators ARE this much better....
Florida 48, Tennessee 14

The Bulldogs should stroll into next week undefeated and ripe for pickin'....
Georgia 28, Arizona State 17

The Jackets aren't nearly as good as auburn.....
Mississippi State 10, Georgia Tech 7

Although Spurrier will want more points, this is just what the 'Cocks need:
South Carolina 35, Wofford 7

This could be the most interesting SEC game this weekend!
Ole Miss & Vandy= Toss-up!

THIS WEEK'S PICKS (A Little Late...!)

Okay, I'm pushing for time, so I'll get right to my picks of this week's SEC football games and other contests of note or interest:

Coach Saban only had to point to last week's lackluster performance as a prime example of a let-down, and hopefully the message hit home. Look for more faces to pop up in the rotation- some new, some familiar- as more folks get game-time experience before the start of the conference slate. The Tide rolls:

ALABAMA 45, Western Kentucky 10

tennessee 35, UAB 10

Spurrier seems to be inside Richt's head, but I think this time Georgia is a touch more loaded, and the 'Cocks are playing scared: Georgia 31, S. Carolina 14

Kentucky 28, Middle Tennessee 17

Vanderbilt (On a Roll!) 27, Rice 14

Ole Miss 38, Samford 3 (Nutt is instilling confidence and everyone will get to play!)

LSU 64, North Texas 7 (Tigers feel they have something to prove with long layoff and early patsies on schedule...!)

auburn travels to Starkville to meet a confident Mississippi State, who has been successful as of late against Alabama teams. The guess here is the tigers will be ready.

auburn 34, MSU 17

Arkansas & Texas postponed due to Hurricane Ike, and Florida is idle.

In non-SEC action, look for the Trojans to shut the Buckeyes up as Southern Cal will probably roll over Ohio State. USC 41, OSU 21

Penn State 28, Syracuse 14

Clemson 21, NC State 10

Oklahoma 38, Washington 28

Michigan 14, Notre Dame 13

UCLA 21, BYU 20

This Week's College Football Picks

Okay, I had a pretty good opening weekend, with only Mississipi State and tennessee messing up my record! I didn't get to see the Bulldogs play since they were on opposite Our Guys, so hopefully they can pull it together. I had mixed emotions about the vols' trip to LA, as it's always hard to root for anything orange. I had hoped the SEC would make a strong showing, but they bellied-up and stunk up the joint. I must admit it IS satisfying to watch fulmer squirm.

On to this week's picks:

Georgia will whip Central Michigan (and they better win big or they could drop even further in the biased liberal-media polls): 45-14

Ole Miss should handle Wake Forest on the road: 21-7

Kentucky lights it up against Norfolk State: 48-17

Arkansas improves against Louisiana-Monroe: 24-14

Mississippi State edges SE Louisiana: 10-3

Florida will embarass the over-rated Miami: 44-24

auburn wins over Southern Miss: 34-10

This brings me to this week's game: We'll see how Coach Saban keeps the players grounded and focused after last week. If my guess is correct, The Tide should continue to roll, and more players will see action this week and next as Bama prepares for the brutal SEC slate starting in two weeks.

ALABAMA 45, Tulane 7

LSU's home game with Troy has been postponed until November 15

tennessee is luckily idle

First Picks of College Football Season

Well, we're here again. First week of football season. Bama on national TV.
Hurricane brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. Looks like things are back to normal.

This means picking football games. The USC Gamecocks and Vanderbilt Commodores started the SEC slate off on a positive note with decisive victories. This should continue, for the most part. Every team in the Conference has a good chance to be 1-0 before Conference play begins. Hopefully, the Tide can keep the trend alive. I'll probably be way off, but what the heck!

Without too much fluff or fanfare, here we go:
Look for Georgia to top Ga. Southern, 34-10
LSU will thump Appalachian State (no sneakin' up!) 42-17
Florida gets Hawaii (June! Come back, June!) 44-14
MSU should get by La. Tech 21-10 (we'll see if Croom's for real)
Arkansas most likely will overpower W. Illinois 29-6
auburn will pound La.-Monroe (no upset here!) 52-17
Ole Miss should to Memphis 17-14 (Nutt finds a way!)
Kentucky outplays Louisville, 27-24 (Brooks will bring consistency)
tennessee should finally win a big one over UCLA, 31-21

This brings me to Atlanta on Saturday night. ALABAMA plays Clemson on national network television Saturday night. The Tigers are ranked #9 and The TIDE is an underdog.
We match up pretty well, and we'll get a chance early to see how these highly-touted freshmen will do on a big-time, national stage. I'M DRINKIN' THE KOOL-AID! My pick: Bama's young studs out-jump, out-run, and out-muscle the Tigers.

UPSET SPECIAL!
ALABAMA 31 Clemson 21

BREAKING NEWS!

This news just in:
Wal-Mart stores across Alabama reportedly sold out of ammunition yesterday afternoon. A reliable source states that when approached, most purchasers confirmed that
"Well, Russia might have invaded Georgia , but they sure as hell ain't doin' it to Alabama ...!"

Missed a Follow-Up

Well, following the games last week, issues with either my browser or my Blogger service prevented me from giving my take on the ALABAMA-GEORGIA game. It was a fairly even match-up, as I predicted, only The Dawgs came out on top in overtime.
Quite honestly, there's not a hair's bit of difference between ALABAMA, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky, and whoever else in The SEC other than LSU and Florida.
And auburn might just surprise the Gators. (Please ask Ed O for details....!)
Bama will surely rise back to the top--eventually. We're not quite ready to assume the top of the heap just yet, but give Coach Saban a couple of years hoarding the studs and star recruits. Once we get his players assimilated into the system -along with the skeletal talent already in place- we will be dangerous. Dominant, even.
Watch out, Meyer. Move over, Spurrier. Quit crying, Miles. Everyone prepare to resume your positions. Behind Bama. It won't be this year. Maybe not even next year. But just wait.
There's a new Dark Lord in town. His Force will be strong.
And Crimson.
ROLL TIDE.

TIDE Wins SEC Opener Over Commodores

Well, The Alabama Crimson Tide beat Vanderbilt yesterday in a typical SEC struggle. We didn't look too strong, and they made more mistakes than we did, or it could have been a lot closer than the 24-10 margin.
Flashes of brilliance, near-misses, and timely Vandy penalties kept this from being a squeaker. Terry Grant looked good, Javier Arenas was flashy, and John Parker Wilson was oh-so-close a couple of times. The defense was steady, and lucky that Vandy was sloppy and penalty-prone. Still, it's a "W", we're 1-0 in SEC play.
We'll have to kick it up a notch against Arkansas (idle this week), and up again the following week against Georgia.
Ole Miss went belly-up. South Carolina beat #11 Georgia. (I kinda saw this one coming, as I felt the Dawgs MAY have been a bit overrated.) I was hoping they'd be undefeated when we played them. Florida won. Freakin' Mississippi State even pulled one out. LSU destroyed Virginia Tech. Those Tigers look STRONG. Tennessee unfortunately overpowered Southern Miss.
And The University of South Florida beat auburn.
All in all, a good SEC football weekend.
Nationally, Penn State beat Notre Dame(0-2), and Oregon pounded Michigan(0-2).