The swine flu has affected teams all across the country, but the Rebels are blaming their slow start on pigs more than any other team.
Thursday
#4 Ole Miss @ South Carolina
Line: Rebels favored by 4
6:30 CDT on ESPN
Ole Miss is a paper tiger if I’ve ever seen one. Blame it on the flu if you like, but the Rebels looked very poor against a terrible Memphis team before they ran it up in the 4th quarter. South Carolina played good D and bad O against N.C. State and then turned around and played good O and bad D against Georgia. Can they get both sides to play well in the same game? I think so, wrong team favored. Gamecocks win, 24-20
Friday
Mizzou @ Nevada
Line: Mizzou favored by 7.5
8 CDT on ESPN
Need a nap after a long week? ESPN has just the thing for you! Both of these teams are surprises to me. Nevada has been a great disappointment this year after returning a veteran team that I thought could beat Notre Dame and contend with Boise State in the WAC, but all those veterans have fallen flat on their faces in an 0-2 start. Missouri, on the other hand, has been impressive thus far. I thought they would finish 5th in the Big 12 North, and they have made me look like an idiot so far by starting 3-0 and dominating a decent Illinois team. I say Nevada puts up a fight at home and loses a close one, 37-35.
Saturday
Unlike last week, the morning could be interesting if you can get the right regional coverage games.
#22 North Carolina @ Georgia Tech
Line: GT a 2.5-point favorite, down from 3.5
11 CDT on Charter Channel 6 here in God’s Country
North Carolina is a good team but has come out sluggish. Georgia Tech can be dominant if they get their option game going and if Jonathan Dwyer is healthy. I am really looking forward to this one because the Ramblin’ Wreck’s offense is fun to watch. I like UNC to contend for the ACC this year so I am going with the ‘Heels, 17-16.
#7 LSU @ Mississippi State
Line: LSU favored by 12.5, but it started at 15 so the smart money is on the Bulldogs
11:30 CDT on Fox
After the Auburn game, I would have said Miss St. loses this game by 4 touchdowns, but the Bullies went up to Nashville last weekend and smothered Vandy for a 15-3 win. LSU has yet to look dominant, and I think the spread on this game reflects that. I honestly don’t know what is going to happen in this game, but I assume LSU wins. I’ll go with the other Tigers, 33-24
Arkansas @ #3 Alabama
Line: Alabama favored by 18 at home, waaay up from the 14 it started at Monday
2:30 CDT on CBS
Bama’s only weakness in my opinion is their passing game, but they won’t need it this weekend and should be able to run over the Hogs in Tuscaloosa. But Arkansas’ quick strike offense could keep it close if they can find some holes in the Tide’s defense. I think Arkansas threatens to cover, but the Tide pulls away late in garbage time, 42-20.
#9 Miami @ #11 Virginia Tech
Line: Miami favored by 3 after VT opened as a 2-point favorite Monday
2:30 CDT on ABC
The game of the week. The only game with two ranked teams, and I think the gamblers out there know something by moving that line the way they did. This is not your typical stingy VT defense, and this is not da U offense you are used to the last few years, the ‘Canes should win comfortably, 34-17.
#15 TCU @ Clemson
Line: Clemson favored by 1.5
2:30 CDT on ESPN360.com
The Mountain West Conference’s last real hope for an undefeated team goes down on the road, 28-14.
Ball State @ Auburn
Line: Good guys favored by 33 after opening at 27
6:00 CDT on Fox Sports South
Neil Caudle looked overzealous in the first two games, throwing into double coverage and heaving the ball up when he gets in trouble. Why am I talking about Caudle? Because he will be playing most of the second half after the Tigers boat race the Cardinal in the first half. Auburn wins, 70-7.
Texas Tech @ #17 Houston
Line: Pick’em
8:15 CDT on ESPN2
If Auburn is up by 40 at the half you might end up switching to this game. But if you are a loyal Tiger fan, don’t worry. This game will be going until midnight at least. The Cougars could be the new BCS darling if they pull this one off, and I think they do it at home, 41-38.
70…yeesh
And yet, I’d believe it
I need TCU to win that game.
And yes Jonesy, Ball State is that bad (lost to New Hampshire) and Gus should keep his foot on the peddle even with the backups in.
You just got a mention on Sportscall about the Ole Miss=Paper Tiger thing.
Good pick last night Thor!
Ole Miss was 1-13 on third-down conversions. Looking at that stat, you’d think the game won’t have be as close as it turned out.
Ole Miss was lucky it was that close. 5 trips in the red zone for SC got them 1 TD, 3 FGs and they fumbled one possession away.
Ole Miss in the red zone? 0 times. They got to the 24 for their field goal and the TD was from 45 yards out on a blown coverage. They also failed on a fake kick from the 25.
[...] A little late, I know, but TWER’s Thor Burk has your weekend viewing guide up. Highlights for yours truly: the second half of this game in Starkville (how good does [...]