🏈 PJ's Picks- Week 5

[psychojoe]

There are four conference games this week. Three SEC schools take on lackluster out of conference foes, and three schools have off weeks, including our favorite team. Just when I decide that Missouri was a contender, they lost to a mediocre Indiana team, and have returned to pretender status. South Carolina escaped at Vanderbilt. Auburn had a tough scrap but finally prevailed at the Little Apple. The Tide mashed Florida, Mississippi State proved they were for real. Some questions were answered, others remain.

On to the picks.

UCLA at Arizona State

The Bruins had an off week after their late game win against Texas. They haven't said officially, but reports are that Brett Hundley is practicing and will likely play. Their defense is pretty healthy now and features a very good front. Just when they thought that Myles Jack could play just defense this year, he answered the call and picked up some key late yards in the Texas game. Arizona State is also ranked, but untested to this point. They do feature a Rich Rodriguez offense which should test the Bruins D. The Bruins have struggled in pass protection this year, with even Memphis getting four QB sacks. I like UCLA in this one, but they will once again need a stout performance from their defense.

PJ's Pick: UCLA 28 Arizona State 24

 

[psychojoe]

Cincinnati at Ohio State

Ohio State, even with no Braxton Miller, is a lot better physically than Cincy. Still, as they showed in their shocking loss to Virginia Tech, the Buckeyes can play down to, or even lower than, the level of their opponent. I expect that Wingnut has had a sparkle in his eyes this week, getting ready for this game. The Bearcats are not at the same level as the legumes, but they are a good bit better than your typical non conference in state opponent. Urban has, I am sure, been warning his troops of the wiles that Tuberville brings in as a coach. Even so, it will be tough for them to avoid looking ahead to their conference schedule. It will be closer than many think.

PJ's Pick: Ohio State 34 Cincinnati 24

 

[psychojoe]

Duke at Miami

Duke is on a winning streak, and is favored in a game at Miami. Basketball season is starting earlier than I thought. Actually, no. Cutcliff and his Blue Devils are still among the ranks of the unbeaten, while Miami has fallen off the cliff when compared with their great teams of the nineties and early 2000s. Duke continues its early season run.

PJ's Pick- Duke 34 Miami 20.

 

[psychojoe]

Oregon State at Southern Cal

The Trojans are an enigma this year. They played tough enough to defeat Stanford at Palo Alto, but then lost their road mojo at Boston College. After an off week they should be refocused. Oregon State brings a typically clever, finesse oriented offense to this game. The Trojans have way too much talent on both sides of the ball for this one to slip away.

PJ's Pick- Southern CAL 44 Oregon State 21

 

[psychojoe]

Memphis at Ole Miss

The usually woeful Memphis Tigers gave UCLA a most uncomfortable afternoon before falling to them two weeks ago. I have a feeling that the Ole Miss Rebel/Bears are a much tougher species than the UCLA Bruins. The Tiger defense got hit for 49 points against the UCLAns. While the Reb attack is not that explosive, the defense is an elite unit. The fighting Akbars will be holding back a bit in anticipation of their big game against Alabama Saturday week. They should have a relatively easy day Saturday.

PJ's Pick- Ole Miss 31 Memphis 7

 

[psychojoe]

New Mexico State at LSU

The Bayou Bengals are still smarting from their 34-29mloss to Mississippi State last Saturday that truly was not as close as the final score indicated. A quarterback situation that was thought settled has become unsettled, as starter Jenkins had a tough evening, and backup Harris led the furious comeback that fell short. LSU's running game, behind what was thought to be a very good offensive line, was stuffed for the most part. The Tigers should get through this weekend with relative ease, but unless the questions on offense are answered, come November they will be a spoiler instead of a contender.

PJ's Pick: LSU 37 New Mexico State 14

 

[psychojoe]

Louisiana Tech at Auburn

The Aubies had a new experience in their recent trip to the Little Apple. Their feared running game was stymied, and their HUNH slowed down to the speed of more stodgy offenses. Is this something coming foes will tune in on, forcing the Tigers to go to the air more often, or was it some genius scheme that Bill Snyder cooked up that would only work for him. Auburn will prevail over an inferior foe this week, but it is a sure thing that Miles and Chavis are intently studying how Kansas State schemed against Malzahn's offense.

PJ's Pick: Auburn 41 Louisiana Tech 10

 

[psychojoe]

Vanderbilt at Kentucky

In spite of what happened to Florida in Tuscaloosa this past weekend, Kentucky's heartbreaking loss at Gainesville two weeks ago did show that this is a rejuvenated cat at Kentucky. Vandy, aided by two touchdowns off kickoff returns, gave South Carolina a very tough time last week before succumbing. My feeling at this point in the season, however, is that Vanderbilt is the weak sister of the SEC this season, and that Kentucky has made a step forward. This Saturday will be a test of my theory.

PJ's Pick:

Kentucky 31 Vanderbilt 10

 

[psychojoe]

Tennessee at Georgia

This is an interesting game from two perspectives. Tennessee played credibly against Oklahoma before losing two weeks ago. Georgia's supposedly good defense was shredded by Dylan Thompson and the Gamecocks. Tennessee would love a win to signify they are headed up in the SEC scheme of things, while another conference loss would be disastrous for Georgia playoff hopes, and put them in trouble in trying to win the SEC East. The young Vol offense is not as potent as South Carolina's, so the Dawg defense will not be as stressed. Georgia's high powered offense will roll this weekend.

PJ's Pick: Georgia 37 Tennessee 27

 

[psychojoe]

Arkansas at Texas A&M

This is another interesting matchup. Arguably the best passing offense in the country on one side, an ultra powerful running game on the other. A suspect run defense against a defense suspect on both air and ground. Is the Aggie team as good as it looked in the opener against South Carolina? Are the Razorbacks as potent on the ground as they appeared to be against Texas Tech. This one promises to be a shootout, and whoever can come up with the most defensive stops will win. Being an old fogey, I love the running game, but the Hogs aren't ready to win a game like this.

PJ's Pick: Texas A&M 49 Arkansas 41

 

[psychojoe]

Missouri at South Carolina

Before the season I thought that South Carolina was a very good team. Until last weekend I was beginning to believe Missouri was a very good team. This is a game that is hard to figure. Maty Mauk may be the best QB in the SEC, and Dylan Thompson would be in that conversation as well. The Gamecocks are tough at home, and I find it hard to believe that a Lorenzo Ward defense will continue to be as porous as it has been. This will be quite a struggle.

PJ's Pick: South Carolina 37 Missouri 31

 

[252BAMA]

Stanford at Washington?

 

[252BAMA]

Why was my post moved from the Sportsbook thread? I would be All In on Washington if it was listed.

 

[psychojoe]

Speaking for myself, 252BAMA, I have not looked at the Stanford at Washington game. As you no doubt have observed, my picks are SEC centered, with a few national games of interest thrown in, with no special criteria for which national games other than those I think our members would be most interested in. Terry loads the Sportsbook from the games I have in my picks. I select the non SEC games on Monday, or sometimes Tuesday. If you have non conference games that you have a special interest in, shoot me a PM early in the week, and I will try to accommodate you.

 

[252BAMA]

Speaking for myself, 252BAMA, I have not looked at the Stanford at Washington game. As you no doubt have observed, my picks are SEC centered, with a few national games of interest thrown in, with no special criteria for which national games other than those I think our members would be most interested in. Terry loads the Sportsbook from the games I have in my picks. I select the non SEC games on Monday, or sometimes Tuesday. If you have non conference games that you have a special interest in, shoot me a PM early in the week, and I will try to accommodate you.

OK. Thanks.

 

[TerryP]

@252BAMA Or you could post a thread Sunday's about the national games that draw your attention...or perhaps, spreads you think are just wrong.

 

[planomateo]

I'm not gonna be surprised if Memphis keeps it close with Ole Miss.