Picks, Previews and Prognostications-Week 8

It has been a few weeks since time was available for not only a full picks, previews, and prognostications post, but its been two weeks since I even posted score predictions!

Who's a slacker? This guy is.

Nonetheless, I kept up with the CW picks at least, and I can say that it has been extremely ugly. Since the last post of PPnP, I've gone 7-14 in those games, so I am now 23-26 in CW picks. Ouch.

Overall, I am 61-38 on the year, at least finding some success in the games I pick on Rock n Jock each Wednesday night on 90.7 FM from 10-Midnight. Yes, that was a shameless plug.

So with time on my hands for the (4th) Saturday in October, here's what will hopefully happen this week and get me back in the the swing of things.

Clemson @ Miami

The Tigers seem no better or worse this season under Dabo Swinney, but the talent level is not what it was last season. CJ Spiller is still on campus, but the defense doesn't seem as up to snuff as it was last season. Meanwhile, Miami is right in the think of the ACC Coastal race with Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech after all three teams went 1-1 against each other. None of those teams have faced Virginia yet, the team who leads the division at 2-0, but let's be real here. Virginia WILL go 0-3 vs. all those teams. The Hurricanes know what is at stake, and only having one loss, they feel they have a chance for more than just the ACC title. Miami 35, Clemson 17

*Penn State @ Michigan

It has been over 10 years since Joe Pa beat Michigan in the Big House, and the Nittany Lions have only won one of the past four games against the Big Blue. Both teams will be running a version of the spread offense, so there should be no surprises on offense by either team for the opposing defense. The difference in the game should be Daryll Clark, the Penn State quarterback. He has not let Penn State have a letdown so far this season in games they shouldn't have (Iowa is starting to look like the better team), and I don't expect this week to be any different. Tate Forcier has been consistent for Michigan, but he needs to go above and beyond that to keep the streak alive in Ann Arbor. Not happening. Penn State 24, Michigan 20

Iowa @ Michigan State

Iowa has just continued to get behind just to give their fans panic attacks as the game continues. In back to back weeks, the Hawkeyes have come back from 10-point deficits, not to mention a 9-point comeback in Happy Valley. Sparty almost had a huge letdown against Michigan, but won out in overtime. Iowa seems to be a much better team than Michigan so far, especially on defense, but one of these days, getting behind is going to bite them. Michigan State is too good for Iowa to look over them. Road team wins for the first time in ten meetings. Iowa 23, Michigan State 17

Oregon @ Washington

The Ducks have been on a tear since their opening night loss, going 5-0 over those games. They now travel to face Jake Locker and the sea of purple in Seattle where one Pac-10 power has already fallen this season. Coach Sark has turned the Huskies around in less than a year, but Jeremiah Masoli, even at half strength, will give the guys in purple fits. Oregon won't overlook Washington in preparation for a huge showdown with USC, potentially for the Pac-10 title, next week in Eugene. Oregon 27, Washington 14

*South Florida @ Pittsburgh

The Bulls gave Cincinnati a scare last Thursday, but the Bearcats took care of business despite Tony Pike coming out of the game. Now, South Florida is travelling up to Pittsburgh to play the Panthers in a pivotal Big East showdown for both teams. Pitt has yet to lose in conference this season and won't play Cincinnati until December 5th. South Florida is playing for bowl position in this game since they lost to Cinci. Winner of this game will be in great shape for a New Years Day bowl. Congrats, Pitt. Pittsburgh 21, USF 15

Texas @ Missouri

Missouri is on a two-game skid after choking away a lead against Nebraska in the matter of five minutes and then losing to Oklahoma State in Stillwater. There is still confidence in Missouri's offense to move the ball, but the past two games would not support that. Meanwhile, Texas is still rolling along despite no running game and a defense that has been doing well to keep opponent's to roughly 15 points a game, but the Big XII isn't what it used to be on offense this season. Anyway, Texas has a much better passing game than Nebraska, and the 'Huskers tore up the Mizzou secondary once things dried up in Columbia. Clear skies expected today in Tiger country. Texas 35, Missouri 14

*Oklahoma @ Kansas

The Sooners travel to Lawrence with Sam Bradford out yet again with a shoulder injury. Sure, Landry Jones has done well for OU, but the best QB in the game this afternoon will be Todd Reesing. The Sooners have only played a Robert Griffin-less in conference so far, so the Jayhawks are obviously a lot better than the Bears without their star. Oklahoma's season is already down the drain, and they will be unranked for the first time since 2005 after this week. Kansas 31, Oklahoma 27

Boston College @ Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish this season are still looking for their first win over a team with a winning record at the time they played. Boston College, being from the ACC, is as bi-polar as they come in college football. I talked about both of these teams earlier this week, and there is no clue how either of them will respond this Saturday. Jimmy Clausen is still looking for a high caliber win for his Heisman campaign. This game is far from it, and there is no game on their schedule until the final weekend against Stanford that could really act as a high profile game. Today, this game will come down to how Boston College plays, because Notre Dame has been consistent most of the season, playing each game within seven points outside of Nevada. That streak won't end today, but the inability to beat a team with a winning record will. Notre Dame 27, Boston College 24

*TCU @ BYU

The battle in Provo between the Cougars and Horned Frogs means a lot more in the Mountain West than it does nationally. If BYU wins, no matter what their fans think, voters will not forget the fact that the Cougars lost to a hapless Florida State team. TCU needs this win if they want to have a chance of passing Boise State in the BCS standings to gain that guaranteed automatic bid. Both of these teams should coast after this game, so winning today is even more important. TCU is known for strong defense, and BYU QB Max Hall will need to have a great day to lead the Cougs to victory. Too bad TCU will win this game and put themselves in position to pass the Broncos. TCU 24, BYU 14

Florida @ Mississippi State

The key stat of the week is obvious: Florida hasn't won in Starkville since 1986. Sure, its only been four times in that span of 23 years, but the fact still remains there seems to be a hex in Davis Wade Stadium. The Gators are 2-4 all-time there, and will be facing off against their former offensive coordinator Dan Mullen. Mullen has been with Meyer since the Bowling Green days, and Tebow has struggled without him this season. Florida is also without three defensive starters today on a defense that returned everyone on the two-deep depth chart but hasn't shown the same tenacity this season. No on knows Tebow better than Mullen, and sticking with my Rock n Jock pick, it will show up on Saturday. Mississippi State 28, Florida 27

*Arkansas @ Ole Miss

The Hogs have played well the past few weeks against Florida and Auburn, and should have won both of those games. Ole Miss has a great defense, and this is the game for Jevan Snead to get back on track for the Hogs. The problem with this may be that Arkansas' defense has become a strong point these past few weeks as well. Ryan Mallett should also have a field day IF Michael Smith can get things going on the ground for the boys from Fayetteville. The Rebels' season will continue downward as Arkansas will take a huge step in fulfilling my prediction of finishing in the top half of the SEC West this season. Arkansas 35, Ole Miss 24

*Auburn @ LSU

The battle of the Tigers in Baton Rouge is going to come down to when LSU is on offense and Auburn is on defense. Auburn's strong point used to be defense, but now those Tigers are 11th in the SEC this season. LSU is dead last in the SEC on offense and 112th in the nation with the football. Auburn is still hoping that Eltoro Freeman can get back on the field this week and need Antonio Coleman to get in the LSU backfield. The Bayou Bengals need Jordan Jefferson to step up in this game and hit his talented receivers to make plays against a suspect secondary. Once it is all said and done, LSU will begin their new streak of night games won at Tiger Stadium. LSU 24, Auburn 21

*Tennessee @ Alabama

In a battle of defenses, either team is going to need their respective team to score on that side of the ball. Mark Ingram should still have a big day, even against a very good Tennessee defense. Monte Kiffin should have plenty of surprises ready for Greg McElroy and continue his struggles. Special teams will be big for both teams as well, as neither team is over the hundred line in kickoff coverage, and talking to UT beat writer Wes Rucker earlier this week, he predicts an Alabama special teams touchdown. Paul Finebaum told me that Jonathan Crompton will spend more time on his back than a porn star (and he has the 'stache to match), and Alabama's defense should be the difference in this game. Alabama 24, Tennessee 6