Well, it couldn’t last forever. Three straight solid 8-2 weeks gave way to a totally mediocre 6-4 week. Looked like it could be a total disaster after a 2-4 start, but rallied late to edge above .500. I’ll be honest with you though, I’m a bit scared to pick this week’s games…especially after watching Oregon State (OREGON STATE??!!) knock off the top ranked USC Trojans last night. OSU had given up 81 pts in its first two games, yet was shutting out USC at the half. Huh?! Oh well. On to the Week 5 picks…
WEEK 5- BUTLERS PICKS: USC JUST FELL FASTER THAN OUR ECONOMY EDITION
1- UNC @ Miami. Last year, Butch Davis took a bad UNC team and still managed to beat his former school. This year, UNC is better, but so is the “U”. And with TJ Yates out, UNC’s offense may be in the hands of Mike Paulus…yep, Greg’s brother. Trusting in people named Paulus usually is a poor decision…the kind of decision you’d make if you didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
PICK: Miami 24 UNC 17
2- Virginia @ Duke. The Blue Devils are favored to win an ACC Football game. You might want to sit back and let that information sink in, because I’m pretty sure that hasn’t happened in the past…oh, I don’t know…decade?! And the incredible thing is…they’ll probably win it! Duke’s last “W” in the ACC came 11 days after America reelected “W” as president in 2004. UVA is pathetic. I can’t believe I’m predicting Duke to win an ACC game.
PICK: Duke 35 Virginia 27
3- Colorado @ Florida St. It appears that Colorado has moved beyond the days of Gary Barnett, embarrassing parties, and “horrible” female kickers. Dan Hawkins has the Buffs 3-0, and taking on an FSU team that looked about as inept on offense against Wake as you can get. FSU QB’s Christian Ponder and D’Vontrey Richardson threw 5 picks. FSU might as well start wrestlers Christian Cage and D’Von Dudley. At least they’d bodyslam someone after throwing an INT.
PICK: Colorado 20 Florida St 17
4- Tennessee @ Auburn. A rough week for these two teams. Auburn lost in the last minutes for a 2nd straight year against LSU. Tennessee lost about 1 minute into the game against Florida. And that’s the difference in this one. Auburn lost, but is a solid team. Tennessee isn’t. Incidentally, UT coach Phillip Fulmer looks a lot like Fred Thompson, and UT’s season is goin about as well as Thompson’s campaign did.
PICK: Auburn 17 Tennessee 0
5- Navy @ Wake. Navy has a great offense. That’s the good news. Navy has a terrible defense. That’s the bad news. And frankly, a Navy without strong defense is no good in war, or on the football field. Wake can’t run the ball, which is odd for a Jim Grobe team, but Riley Skinner should find plenty of receivers. That will be plenty for the Deacs.
PICK: Wake 38 Navy 28
6- TCU @ Oklahoma. You might be wondering why I’m bothering with this one, but TCU is ranked at #24. The Horned Frogs come in having beaten their first 4 opponents by a combined score of 172-31. Granted, the opponents probably couldn’t beat a high school team. OU is set to possibly shoot to #1 with USC’s loss. The Sooners won’t let that opportunity slip away. They’ll choke later in the season.
PICK: Oklahoma 42 TCU 24
7- S Florida @ NC State. State surprised a lot of people (including me) by beating ECU last weekend. That may have had more to do with Skip Holtz’s questionable decision-making than anything else, but hey, a win’s a win. Good for State. Now they have to beat another ranked team in USF. Oh, and starting QB Russell Wilson is hurt for the Pack…again. USF is not as strong as last year, but should be able to handle the boys in Raleigh.
PICK: S Florida 27 NC State 13
8- Alabama @ Georgia. The game of the week, and maybe the game of the season to this point. Much as I despise Nick Saban, you can’t help but be impressed with how his Bama team has played so far. Georgia has looked a bit vulnerable, but this game is between the hedges, and Georgia’s fans will be rockin! This one is tough…real tough, but in this case, I have to go with the Dawgs.
PICK: Georgia 24 Alabama 23
9- VA Tech @ Nebraska. The Hokies were fortunate to escape Chapel Hill last week, and had UNC not self-destructed faster than John Edwards’ political career, VA Tech would have been toast. I haven’t seen Nebraska play yet, but coach Bo Pelini seems to have his team playing defense, which was a foreign concept to former coach Bill Callahan. Another tough one to call, but I think Tech’s luck goes “Field of Dreams” style, and disappears in the cornfield.
PICK: Nebraska 27 VA Tech 17
10- Illinois @ Penn State. All indications are that Penn State will win this game. The Nittany Lions will have 105,000 fans wearing all-white for the game. Illinois is coached by Ron Zook. Penn State dominates the run. Illinois is coached by Ron Zook. Penn State has scored 211 pts in its first 4 games. Illinois is coached by Ron Zook. Why am I picking Illinois? I have no idea…probably because I’m a moron.
PICK: Illinois 34 Penn State 28
Last week: 6-4 60%
Season to date: 30-10 75%
