Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 6
With the brothers going a combined 8-2 against the spread last week, consider yourselves adequately warned.
BLATANT HOMERISM--Week 6
(Last week: 4-1; Overall: 17-8)
Oklahoma State at West Virginia (-7)
Keeping this one simple. My impression is that WVU is just a much better team, and the ‘Eers generally play well in Morgantown. The loss of Karl Joseph worries me, but OSU not having linebacker Ryan Simmons kinda evens that out.
The pick: WVU downs the Cowboys by 10.
Florida at Missouri (+5)
You could interpret undefeated Florida’s big win over Ole Miss last week as the underrated Gators hitting their stride under a dynamic new coach. The win ran UF’s record against the spread to 4-1, which also should have the gambling public taking notice.
I’m not going overboard just yet. UF is probably a little overrated now, and Mizzou may have found a spark with the move to Drew Lock at quarterback.
The pick: Take the five.
Akron (-7.5) at Eastern Michigan
I don’t love the idea of backing the Zips as favorites in light of their sketchy offense. EMU kinda stinks, though, and the body blow theory applies here after the Eagles took on LSU last week.
The pick: Let Terry Bowden cook.
Georgia Tech (+7) at Clemson
Clemson scored a huge win last week against Notre Dame, but I'm going to hold off on jumping on the Dabo train just yet. The Tigers had a long break before facing the Irish and home-field advantage in awful conditions, but they still needed some very fortuitous bounces to seal the victory. Bringing your own guts only gets a team so far. (By the way, if a Clemson player brought someone else's guts to the game, we're talking about a serious issue, no?)
Frankly, I can't imagine a worse follow-up game after an emotional win than Georgia Tech. Clemson has talent by the bushel on D; yet, the majority of those young bucks haven't seen Paul Johnson's option attack.
Last week was a perfect storm at Howard's Rock. Sounds like ideal conditions for a Clemsoning on Saturday.
The pick: Yellow Jackets outright.
Georgia at Tennessee (+3)
I'm going to keep banging the Volunteers. Tennessee is much better than its record would indicate. Furthermore, what Greyson Lambert showed last week suggests the Dawgs have their work cut out for them against the better defenses on their schedule.
I do worry about the toxicity floating around Knoxville right now. If that has seeped into the UT locker room, it would mean trouble for the Vols. Let's give them one more shot before checking out.
The pick: Last chance on Rocky Top.
THE SKINNY--Week 6
(Last week: 4-1; Overall: 13-11-1)
California at Utah (-7)
Oklahoma St. at WVU (-7)
Georgia at Tennessee (+3)
Illinois (+11) at Iowa
Northwestern (+7.5) at Michigan