Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 14
Technically, this year's PTNTS is still in doubt, although The Skinny's lead currently looks almost insurmountable.
WEEK FOURTEEN--The Skinny
(Last Week: 1-4; Overall: 41-34-2)
I apologize for the abbreviated picks. It has been a busy couple weeks.
It has been a disappointing season for OU. Saturday's bedlam game may not be the national semifinal contest we imagined just two weeks ago, but it still holds a ton of significance for the OU football season. Win, and OU continues its domination of the Big 12 and gets a month to heal for a winnable BCS game. A win that will garner more respect than last year's Fiesta Bowl victory over UConn. Lose, and it looks like the Sooners are destined for the Alamo Bowl against UCLA.
San Antonio in December is tough to swallow for a national championship-caliber team at the beginning of the season. Unfortunately, the football gods weren't shining on Norman this season, as injuries and attrition have killed this team. I am not saying OU is/was better than LSU or Alabama, but in one game, a healthy Sooners squad could beat either.
OU fans are a fickle bunch, but I don't understand the anger from my fellow Sooner brethren at Bob Stoops and his coaching staff. Admittedly, I am the ultimate Stoops apologist, but it ridiculous to blame Stoops or his coaches for this season. Would I be opposed to Stoops tweaking the coaching staff? No, in fact, I actually think new blood on the defensive side of the ball would be a good thing. (I hear John Blake is available.) But, win or lose Saturday night, Sooner fans should be grateful for Stoops AND his staff.
Virginia Tech (-7) vs. Clemson
*Charlotte
Clemson is consistently the most inconsistent program in the country. Right now, the Tigers blow.
Skinny says: I like the Hokies by two TDs.
UCLA at Oregon (-31.5)
I love the new championship weekend that has been created out of conference realignment, but the inaugural Pac-12 Championship match-up blows! Assuming Neuhesial has an incentive in his contract for these things, will he still get his bonus, even though UCLA didn't really win the Pac 12 South?
The Skinny says: Quackers.
Texas at Baylor (-3)
Could Baylor really finish the season 9-3 wins over OU and Texas? I think it will happen.
Skinny says: The three points make me nervous, but I'll take the Bears to cover.
Michigan State (+9.5) vs. Wisconsin
*Indianapolis
Thank God Fox picked up this game and Bedlam will be the primetime game on ABC! This is a revenge game for Wisky on a neutral field. Other than that, I am not sure why the public values Wisconsin more than Michigan St.
The Skin says: Wisky wins but Sparty covers!
Iowa State (+11) at Kansas State
I don't like picking against Bill Snyder, but Iowa State's defense is good against the run, which could give the Wildcats trouble.
Skin says: Call it a hunch, but ISU covers.
Idaho at Nevada (-20)
Slim pickings this week with a small slate of games, so I will take Nevada.
The Skin says: Ow-woo!
WEEK FOURTEEN--Blatant Homerism
(Last Week: 2-3; Overall: 38-37-2)
Honestly, I have never proclaimed myself to be some kind of expert at this stuff, but this the kind of year that has me questioning everything.
I'm disgusted. Let's just get to the picks.
Texas at Baylor (-3)
The Texas D has really come on recently. It can't make up for a downright putrid offensive attack, however, that will likely be without its three best running backs. How did it come to this in Austin?
RG3 won't work over the Longhorns secondary the way he did OU's, bet he'll have enough success to win pretty comfortably.
BH says: Baylor by double digits.
Iowa State (+11) at Kansas State
The Cyclones have really shown me something lately, especially on defense. Paul Rhoads will draw something up to slow down KSU's ground game. Hell, I think ISU is actually a little bit of a live dog.
BH says: Wildcats by not enough.
Virginia Tech (-7) vs. Clemson
*Charlotte
We've got two teams going in completely opposite directions in this case. Tech is finally putting everything together, while Clemson is just doing its annual swoon.
The last time these two went at it, Clemson thumped the Hokies in their own house. No one puts Beamer in the corner.
BH says: Hokies all day long and then some.
Syracuse at Pittsburgh (-10)
Don't look now, but Todd Graham's Panthers are playing some solid football as of late. They've finally got the new schemes down and have covered four stright games since a disappointing loss to Utah.
The 'Cuse, in contrast, is oh-fer in its last four. The Orange just peaked versus West Virginia and have simply stunk since then.
BH says: The ghosts of Wanny have been exorcised. Possibly.
Michigan State (+9.5) vs. Wisconsin
*Indianapolis
When this game opened at Wisky -7, I loved the Badgers. Now that it's almost 10, I think this should go the other way.
BH says: Sparty has enough defense to keep this close, but the Badgers get revenge.
UConn (+9) at Cincinnati
I consulted some Big East experts, and there's a ton to love about the Huskies here. They need a win for bowl eligibility and are quarterbacked by the trick shot kid.
Case closed.
BH says: Why not?