| FTBL PJ's Picks - Week 13

[psychojoe]

With three weeks to go until the big selections, you would think that there would be some momentous games this week. Yet there are no epic clashes between playoff contenders, with the winner moves on, loser is done. the best we can do is a playoff contender lining up against someone they should beat, with little to gain, a lot to lose. The SEC features three conference games, five cupcakes. The national scene has some games that are of interest for conference standings, but not really nationally important. On to the picks.

Kansas State at West Virginia

West Virginia has been a tough place for Big 12 contenders, with Baylor going down and TCU needing a late field goal to survive. The forgotten Kansas State Wildcats show up in Morgantown on Thursday night, still hanging on. They need to win this one, and then against Baylor, and hope that Texas can take down TCU. It is a long shot, but it is partly in their control. West Virginia let the TCU game slip away late, then got bushwhacked in Austin to take themselves out of the conference race. K State has something at stake, but the couch burners have the home field advantage. Advantage to the team with something at stake.

PJ's Pick: Kansas State 27 West Virginia 24

 

[psychojoe]

Minnesota at Nebraska

The last time a Nebraska defense got humiliated like this, Bill Callahan was the coach, and he was soon relieved of his duties. I am sure the pride of the Husker nation was stung, and the legions of fans who once took great pride in the Black Shirt defense are very unhappy. This week they take on the best Minnesota team in years, and a loss would heat up Bo Pellini's chair considerably. I think it happens.

PJ's Pick: Minnesota 34 Nebraska 24

 

[psychojoe]

Arizona at Utah

The Utes have quietly become a pretty good team, especially tough at home. But for a mishap that was seen all over Sports Center they might have taken down Oregon. These teams probably won't win their division, but this looks like an interesting game. I like the Utes defense to take down the Wildcats here.

PJ's Pick: Utah 33 Arizona 27

 

[psychojoe]

Louisville at Notre Dame

Perhaps the biggest meltdown of the weekend, even bigger than those of the Huskers and the Boogs. The Irish, demoralized by their loss against Arizona State, forgot to beat an inferior Northwestern team. The fighting Petrinos head into South Bend intent on giving the Irish a three game losing streak. I think Kelly pulls it together just enough to get a win this weekend, but it will not be easy.

PJ's Pick: Notre Dame 35 Louisville 31

 

[psychojoe]

USC at UCLA

It is the battle of Los Angeles, with two of the more erratic teams in the league going at it. If both teams play their 'A' game, I think the UCLANs bring it off.

PJ's Pick: UCLA 37 USC 28

 

[psychojoe]

Our favorite conference has several flavors of cupcakes on the menu this year. This weekend the schedule is such that Vern and Gary will be doing Arkansas /Ole Miss.

Samford at Auburn

Were Pat Sullivan not an Auburn man and former Heisman winner, no doubt the Boogs would take out their frustrations on this lesser breed of Bulldog. It is a payday for Samford, though they are heavily outclassed in talent.

PJ's Pick : Auburn 42 Samford 10

 

[psychojoe]

Charleston Southern at Georgia

Having completed their SEC schedule, the Dawgs have two main objectives for the rest of the season. One is to win in state supremacy, which will have to wait until next weekend when they take on Georgia Tech. The other is to pull for Missouri to lose one of its last two games so that they can play for the SEC championship, and a minutely possible berth in the playoffs. This week the objective is to take control early, rest their regulars from bumps and bruises. There are probably more than a few Dawgs wondering how they managed to lose to the likes of Florida and South Carolina, and thinking about how different things would be for them now, had they won just one of those two games.

PJ's Pick: Georgia 51 Charleston Southern 7

 

[psychojoe]

Eastern Kentucky at Florida

It is a sad time for some Gator fans, as Will Muschamp winds down his tenure in Gainesville. He is a class guy, and has handled his dismissal well, understanding the nature of the business requires him to win big, which ne did not do. With this win the Gators become bowl eligible.

PJ's Pick : Florida 38 Eastern Kentucky 3

 

[psychojoe]

South Alabama at South Carolina

The HBC is winding down what has been a disappointing season for him, and for the Gamecock faithful. They should have little trouble taking down the JAGUARS.
PJ's Pick : South Carolina 45 South Alabama 17

 

[psychojoe]

Vanderbilt at Mississippi State

The cowbellers depression from last Saturday turned to jubilation Tuesdat night, when they found that their beloved Bullies were still in the top four in playoff contention. Vanderbilt comes to Stark Vegas bringing its miserable offense and a season that is reminiscent of a stack of old tires burning. State will revive and make short work of the 'Dores in the run up to the Egg Bowl next weekend.

PJ's Pick: Mississippi State 44 Vanderbilt 10

 

[psychojoe]

Missouri at Tennessee

To show how lightly regarded Missouri is, with a conference record of 5-1 in the East, they were underdogs to a Texas A&M and now are dogs again visiting the 5-5 Volunteers. There is turmoil in Knoxville (certainly not a novelty) as two key defensive players have been charged with sexual assault from an incident that occurred just after the Vols returned home from the thrashing of Kentucky. Missouri, meanwhile, came from behind to defeat the Aggies last Saturday. They lead the East, but must win their last two or Georgia will be in the SEC CG instead of Zou.

Missouri is one of those teams that has found a way to win all year, unless they are playing Indiana or Georgia.. Will that trend continue. The resurgent Viles don't think so.

PJ's Pick: Tennessee 27 Missouri 21

 

[psychojoe]

Ole Miss at Arkansas

Like Tennessee, Arkansas has shown a lot of improvement in the second half of the season. The Bielma led resurgence hhas shown a lot of progress from this time a year ago, and the Razorbacks will have to be considered as a solid contender come next year. Ole Miss has to battle back from their loss of their star receiver, Treadwell. They still have a shot at the SEC CG, provided they win their next two and the Boogs can take down the Tide next Saturday. This game will be a doozy. Arkansas will not try to fool you, as they would rather run over you. Ole Miss still has one of the best defenses in the land. The Hogs, with a win, become bowl eligible. The Akbars, should they prevail, keep their championship hopes alive. I like Ole Miss to win, but thre will not be a lot of points scored in this one.

PJ's Pick: Ole Miss 21 Arkansas 17

 

[psychojoe]

West Carolina at Alabama

The Catamounts are a force at their level of play (FCS), and their hoops team gave our boys a good test on Monday night. It is unlikely that their footballers will be able to do that.

After two very physical games in a row, our guys are pretty bruised up, and as we know there are some injury issues. This game comes at a good time. I look for our starters to play maybe one series in the second half, and the reserves to play after that, with walk-ons getting to see the field late. Homecoming will be a happy time, as we recuperate, and get ready for the Iron Bowl.

PJ's Pick: Alabama 54 Western Carolina 3

 

[Bamabww]

Good job. Always enjoy your comments.

 

[TerryP]

South Alabama at South Carolina

The HBC is winding down what has been a disappointing season for him, and for the Gamecock faithful. They should have little trouble taking down the JAGUARS.
PJ's Pick : South Carolina 45 South Alabama 17

I'd love to see USA pull an upset here...it would make the UofSC vs Clemson game actually interesting due to forcing a Gamecock win to make a bowl game.

 

[rick4bama]

I'd love to see USA pull an upset here...it would make the UofSC vs Clemson game actually interesting due to forcing a Gamecock win to make a bowl game.

I too would love to see that, just to see the Coach tossing his sun visor.

 

[252BAMA]

Missouri at Tennessee

To show how lightly regarded Missouri is, with a conference record of 5-1 in the East, they were underdogs to a Texas A&M and now are dogs again visiting the 5-5 Volunteers. There is turmoil in Knoxville (certainly not a novelty) as two key defensive players have been charged with sexual assault from an incident that occurred just after the Vols returned home from the thrashing of Kentucky. Missouri, meanwhile, came from behind to defeat the Aggies last Saturday. They lead the East, but must win their last two or Georgia will be in the SEC CG instead of Zou.

Missouri is one of those teams that has found a way to win all year, unless they are playing Indiana or Georgia.. Will that trend continue. The resurgent Viles don't think so.

PJ's Pick: Tennessee 27 Missouri 21

Vols will also be missing a defensive starter in the first half. Called for targeting in the second half against UK.

 

[rick4bama]

So you think the Vols will put it on the Tiggers2?

 

[252BAMA]

They need to take that rifle, or shotgun, or whatever it is, away from the Mountaineers. They keep shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[rick4bama]

They need to take that rifle, or shotgun, or whatever it is, away from the Mountaineers. They keep shooting themselves in the foot.

:rolf: Now that funny!!! Shoot themselves in the foot!!:rolf: