Thursday, November 28, 2013

Week 14 2013 College Football Predictions

This week is "rivalry week" and there are always some good games on tap. They say one can throw talent level and the w/l records out the window this weekend. Don't know so much about that but there will be some surprises none the less. Mark that. Last week I went an inauspicious 5-5 for a total of 86-39 thus far this season.........


1. Texas vs TTU: This one could be good. Both teams have shown that they can, at times, play top 20 ball. Both have also shown that they can be beaten by just about anyone on any given day. This game is a complete toss up and I will go with the Longhorns here.

2. Ole Miss vs Miss State: The Rebs are the better team and will find a way to win.

3. Grambling vs Southern: This game, believe it or not, has a huge following. The Grambling program is in shambles and Southern will win this. It is true, and for good reason, that many people tune in just to watch the respective bands prance about.

4. Oregon State vs Oregon: The "civil war" does not really mean much this year from a national perspective. The bloom is long off the rose for OSU and Oregon has been exposed. That being said, OU is the vastly better team and should win. They must guard against the let down though of not being considered a team of note from a national standpoint.

5. Kansas State vs KU: KSU is better and will win. The Jayhawks are probably missing Mangino right about now.

6. Auburn vs Alabama: The "big one" they say. Bama may, or may not, be the best team in the land at this point but will find a way to win this one. It will be close and War Eagle will have their chances....One can only hope....


7. Louisiana vs ULM: The Cajuns are nationally ranked in the AP Poll. I am not sure I would quite yet go there but they are, hands down, the best team in the Sun Belt. There is a legitimate argument that they are the best college ball team in Louisiana this season. Now that would be an interesting game sure. Oh well. Go with the Cajuns here although it may be closer than some think.

8. Florida vs FSU: This one should be a no brainer but I have a premonition that it will be closer than expected. Go with FSU in a hard fought, tough game. The Gators will play above their talent level and make it close before ultimate defeat.

9. Ohio State vs Michigan: OK. Despite the Big Ten being rather weak - Ohio State has proven to be a team of note. There are those that say this is the best squad in the land. They may be correct. While the Big Ten competition is not so great, and therefore the Buckeyes have not seriously been challenged (except oddly enough by Northwestern), there has not been a UT Chattanooga or Georgia State on the schedule as there has been down Tuscaloosa way. With all that being said it is almost a no brainer here to go with Ohio State. Hoke may find himself out of a job quicker than most expected.

10. Temple vs Memphis: The Tigers are actually a better team than their record reflects. Not to say they are a good team of course, but they will find a way to edge the Owls here. Go with Memphis.


Have a good week and enjoy the games.



Monday, November 18, 2013

Week 13 2013 College Football Predictions

Another 6-4 week last week for a total of 81-39 thus far straight up. We will see where we are after this upcoming week. .......Oh, as usual some of the "power" teams in the SEC are playing FCS competition. One can only hope someone gets embarrassed. Could it be the Gators?.......



1. Northern Illinois vs Toledo: The BCS honks are certainly hoping that the Rockets knock off the Huskies. Toledo is a very good MAC team but the Huskies may well be under ranked. It could certainly be argued that NIU, if in the Big Ten, would be the 2nd best team in that conference. I would go with NIU here in what could be a good close game.

2. Rutgers vs UCF: UCF certainly dodged a bullet last week in their tilt with one win Temple. Rutgers is a step up from the Owls and UCF likely just had an "off" day Saturday last. Go with the Knights here.

3. Duke vs Wake Forest: The Blue Devils are the surprise of the season likely. Wake Forest is not a good team. That being said I am suspecting that Wake Forest will pull off the upset here. The folks at Duke may be feeling just a bit over confident right about now.

4. Wisconsin vs Minnesota: Evenly matched. The Gophers have likely been playing a bit above their talent level and Wisconsin is Wisconsin. That is to say they are a good team that just can't quite get over the top. This is a toss up and I will go with the Badgers.

5. TAMU vs LSU: This is, some say, the "big one" this week. That is ridiculous but if the Tigers can find a way to stop that silly ass "Johnny Football" then they might have a decent shot. They won't though. Go with the Aggies in what has the potential to be an ugly game.

6. Vanderbilt vs Tennessee: A good match up. I would go with the Commodores here in a close one.

7. BYU vs Notre Dame: This could be a good one. Both of these squads are on the cusp of making it into the Bartender Cabbie (the real BCS) top 25. Here and there as it might be (kind of a week to week thing). BYU is probably the better club and will find some way to win. In reality this one is a probably a toss up.

8. Baylor vs Oklahoma State: Yes I know that many SEC honks think that LSU/TAMU is the big game but that is, of course, asinine. This particular game has possible "national championship" implications and Baylor must win to be considered to be in standing with the Crimson Tide and FSU. (Oh and Ohio State I suppose)  It helps that both the Seminoles and the Tide face inferior competition this week. If Baylor can win then they could very well be considered for at least number two team in the land. I will go with the Bears in a close one.

9. Boise State vs SDSU: The Broncos are having an off year. SDSU seems to have improved as the season progressed but are in no way a good team. I would go with the Broncos here.

10.. Missouri vs Ole Miss: This will be a good one. The Rebs are a dangerous football team that could beat anyone in the top 10 on a great day (providing of course the top 10 squad has an off performance). That being said I will go with the Tigers in a close one.


Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Week 12 2013 College Football Predictions

Last week went 6-4 with a season total thus far of 75-35. There are some good games this week so without further adieu....


1. Ball State vs Northern Illinois: The two best teams in conference square off in the Wednesday night tilt. Go with the Huskies in a very close game.

2. Ohio State vs Illinois: A Buckeye victory here would not mean much  nationally. Just too many teams playing tougher competition to seriously consider the Buckeyes for the big game at the end. I  have said before that the 2nd best team in the Big Ten is likely not as good as the 1st and perhaps 2nd best teams in the MAC. That being said this should be a cake walk for the Ohio team. One can hope otherwise.....

3. Houston vs Louisville: Both good teams with exceptional coaching staff and field generals. The Cougars have a good bit less experience behind center and will fall here. Go with the team from Kentucky.

4. Buffalo vs Toledo: UB is a pleasant surprise. They should win here.

5. Miami vs Duke: Miami is the better team but their confidence could be shattered. Duke has been playing some good ball of late. Upset in the making? Probably not. Go with the Canes to get back on track.

6. San Diego State vs Hawaii: Aztecs are the better team. I doubt that Norm will be working in the islands much longer. Go with SDSU.

7. Memphis vs South Florida: Evenly matched? Maybe not. The Tigers are the better team and will prevail.

8. Oklahoma State vs Texas: The Cowboys are a little bit over rated. The Longhorns can be good and can be horrible. If the good Texas team comes out they will win. I will toss a coin and go with Texas here.

9. Georgia vs Auburn: Georgia is not playing to expectations and Auburn has come back surprisingly fast from a horrific season last year. I will go with Auburn here.

10. Idaho State vs BYU: Can I throw in a ringer? Why not? What on earth is BYU doing playing this level of competition as the season winds down? Are they trying out for the SEC? Go with the Cougars. Wouldn't it be nice if though?.........

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Week 11 2013 College Football Predictions

There are big games coming up with national championship implications and, interestingly enough, this week, some are not played on Saturday. Last week I went 7-3 with a 69-31 record to date. On to the predictions......



1. Central Michigan vs Ball State: Ball State is one of the better teams in the oft overlooked (and under rated) MAC. CMU has struggled some this year and will likely not be able to stay with the Cardinals.

2. Oklahoma vs Baylor: The Sooners are starting to show they can play a bit of ball and have some power. They will likely have trouble with the quickness the Bears bring to the table but Baylor will have to man up on D to take this one. They will. I go with the Bears in a rather close one.

3. Oregon vs Stanford: Upset? Not this time. Go with the Ducks.

4. Hawaii vs Navy: The Warriors are dismal. Navy is not much above that but should have enough to keep Hawaii out of the win column. Do you think they miss Jones in the islands? Perhaps. I 'm pretty sure they have had enough of Norm by now though. Go with the Midshipmen here.

5. Nebraska vs Michigan: Both teams will be out to prove that they still matter in big college ball. They don't. Toss up game and I will go with the Wolverines to get back on track somewhat with a win.

6. Houston vs UCF: A big game for both teams. Toss up and I will go with the Coogs for the upset.

7. LSU vs Alabama: Is Alabama ripe for an upset. If so the Tigers are about the only team left that could keep them out of the big game at the end. Miles and CO. would like nothing more than to do just that. Won't happen. Bama will relegate the Bayou Bengals to some "who cares" bowl.

8. KSU vs TTU: The Raiders have been exposed. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Still, they are a dangerous team to any but the top squads in the land. KSU has improved greatly after a disastrous start. This one is a toss up and I will go with KSU for the win.

9. SDSU vs SJSU: Evenly matched clubs. I literally toss a coin and go with the Spartans.

10. Southern Miss vs Louisiana Tech: Remember when both of these clubs were feared by all but the top teams in country? No more. That being said, Tech is the better team and will win here.

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Week 10 2013 College Football Predictions

Last week I went 6-4 for a total of 62-28 for the season thus far straight up. A friend of mine placed some bets for me over the weekend (he was in Vegas) and I can close to winning a pot full of money. Damn Fresno State didn't cover. Anyway......this week has some decent games on tap but really the only thing that remains to be seen is who will be in the big game at the end and be crowned the BCS "National Champion." Conventional wisdom says it will be a Bama/Oregon match up (which would end in predictable fashion), but neither Ohio State nor FSU can be counted out and how 'bout those Bears of Texas.....Still a lot of football left to be played..



1. Cincinnati vs Memphis: Two even teams here. I will go with the Tigers for the win. I like them better.

2. South Florida vs Houston: The Coogs are in the Bartender Cabbie Top 25 and deserve to be so. They should have little problem here. Coach Willie I bet wishes he had stayed at WKU. He will find himself jobless before long I wager.

3. Rice vs North Texas: A good CUSA team will prevail here. Go with the Owls.

4. Ohio State vs Purdue: Again the Buckeyes face inferior competition. They will win and still be considered in the BCS conversation.

5. Michigan vs Michigan State: An interesting game. Neither team  amounts to near what some thought they would this season but this rivalry game will be fun. It is a toss up and I will just guess that the Spartans will pull this one out.

6. Iowa State vs KSU: A down year for both but KSU seems to be pulling out of the tailspin somewhat. I go with the Wildcats for the win.

7. Georgia vs Florida: The "Worlds Largest Cocktail Party" is a fizzle this season. Still could be a fun game though. Georgia has played well below their talent level and Florida is just not good. The Bulldogs will win here.

8. Miami vs FSU: A big one with national championship implications here. Miami has been living very dangerously and is not as good a team as the Seminoles but anything can happen in this one. I go with FSU to pull it out of the hat although it has the potential to be very close.

9. New Mexico State vs Louisiana: Last week these Aggies scored their first win of the season over a, get this, Division II squad. To my knowledge this is the first match up of this nature in quite some time. NMSU had some trouble and was lucky to pull out the W. The Cajuns may well be a borderline top 25 squad at this point in the season and will have little trouble here.

10. Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech: In reality, these two teams are probably about even. I will go with the Raiders to win. It is a toss up and it could be close.

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

College Football Predictions Week 9 2013

Week 8 is in the books and it was one of the better weekends for the game that I have seen in a long time. I went a less than stellar 5-5 straight up for a total thus far of 56-24. Wonder what the upcoming week will bring......


1. Louisiana vs Arkansas State: The Cajuns appear to be in the driver seat in the Sun Belt but ASU can not yet be ruled out. The Red Wolves are not the team they have been in the last few years but still a dangerous opponent for any SBC squad. The Cajuns must guard against a let down after last week's win at WKU. They will do so and squeak by with a victory. It will be close.

2. Kentucky vs Miss State: Two  bottom of the barrel SEC squads face off in what could be a good game. I will go with the Bulldogs in a close one.

3. Wake Forest vs Miami: Wake Forest had a good win last week and further exposed a Maryland team for what they really are. Miami is a good, but far from great, team. They should have enough in the tank to beat the Deacons though. Go with the Canes.

4. Boise State vs BYU: Both of these teams are on the cusp of being included in the Bartender Cabbie Top 25. I will go out on a limb here and predict a Bronco "upset."

5. Houston vs Rutgers: Two other teams right on the verge of inclusion in the BC Top 25. Both are probably about even and I will go with Rutgers in a close one. They have just faced better competition this season.

6. UTEP vs Rice: Rice is turning out to be a pretty good CUSA team and will win here. It may be rather close.

7. Fresno State vs SDSU: Could it be that the Aztecs are turning things around a bit? Perhaps. Will they have enough to roll to victory over the Bulldogs? No. Go with Fresno State.

8. Texas Tech vs Oklahoma: This will be a real test for the Red Raiders. Look for the Sooners to upset the cart a bit a squash any (rather ridiculous) talk of TTU being included as a legitimate "national championship" contender. Of course on always hopes for a Sooner loss. Not much is sweeter..........

9. Oregon vs UCLA: This is allegedly the big game of the week. Oregon will roll. As usual.

10. Stanford vs Oregon State: OSU had one hiccup against a (very good) FCS opponent but that is still hard to come back from. That being said, they are a pretty good football team that has an outside shot at a PAC 12 Championship. Stanford is perhaps a bit over rated and this game should be a toss up. I am going with OSU for the upset here.

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Week 8 College Football Predictions 2013

There were a lot of close games last week and some of the big dogs found themselves in the losers column. Other top schools had one heck of a time with lower level competition and thus it is hard to say really just who are the top teams. Well, with a couple of notable exceptions........Last week I went 7-3 straight up with a total thus far this season of 51-19. That being said, on to the predictions for week 8.



1. Louisiana vs WKU: The winner of this game is in the driver seat in the Sun Belt race. It is likely that one of these two will be the SBC winner before all is told, although no one is talking about an upstart South Alabama squad. Why should they? This is the Sun Belt after all. At any rate, this one could be close, both teams are pretty even and I will go with the Cajuns in what some would consider a minor upset.

2. Miami vs NC: The Canes are the better overall team hands down but they have to be better on any given day. This will be closer than expected but look for Miami to come away with the victory.

3. Louisville vs UCF: Louisville had a great deal of trouble with a better than many think Rutgers team. If anything the Knights of Florida are a step above the Knights of New Jersey. It could be another close one if the Cardinals again come out flat. Go with Louisville.

4. Florida vs Mizzou: Mizzou showed the SEC crowd that they are a team that just might need to be taken seriously this season. We will see. I go with the Bears to edge the Gators here and remain unbeaten. Let us be honest. Florida is just not that good.

5. Maryland vs Wake Forest: The Terps are still out to prove that they are a better team than the one that was pounded by FSU a couple weeks back. They should win this one. Go with Maryland.

6. UMASS vs Buffalo: A surprisingly good MAC team this Buffalo team is this season. The Minutemen are among the bottom of the D1 pile. I would go with Buffalo here.

7. TAMU vs Auburn: Is this the big one this week? We will see. Auburn is vastly improved and there are some chinks (defensive mainly, after all Sumlin is in command), in the Aggie armor. I will go with the Aggies to win this one although it may be rather close.

8. BYU vs Houston: This non conference bout will tell us a whole lot about the Houston Cougar squad this year. They are undefeated sure but the competition level has been dubious at best. I am going to go way out on a limb here and predict a Cougar (Houston) victory.

9. FSU vs Clemson: Some say this is the big one. Could be. Clemson struggled last week against vastly inferior competition and that certainly sends up some red flags. They will get back on track this week and edge the Seminoles.

10. UCLA vs Stanford: Another big one here. Stanford was embarrassed last week but should get back on track here. UCLA is good but they are just not quite top 10 material. The Stanford team needs to show that they belong in the national conversation still. They don't but should have enough to edge UCLA in a good game.