4-6 last week. Yikes! Ok, let’s pretend last week didn’t happen. While we’re at it, can we pretend the last 2 Cubs games didn’t happen either? If I start talking about last night’s game, I’ll just start swearing uncontrollably while making facial expressions far scarier than anything you’ll see on Halloween. So let’s just focus on this week’s picks, shall we? Ok.
WEEK 6: BUTLERS PICKS- UNC AND DUKE ARE BOTH 3-1?! EDITION
1- Duke @ GA Tech. Stunningly, I picked Duke to win an ACC game last week. More stunningly, they actually won, and in a big way over UVA. The bad news for the Dookies is that they haven’t played on the road to this point. I’m not sure of the last time Duke won a road game. I think it might have been during the Nixon administration. Anyway, I expect the Blue Devils to put up a battle, but fall short in Atlanta.
PICK: GA Tech 31 Duke 23
2- BC @ NC State. State coach Tom O’Brien faces his old school once again. It didn’t go so well last year for Tommy O, and this year probably won’t go much better. Russell Wilson is supposedly back for the Pack, but for how long? He’s been about as durable as Dan Morgan. State is 2-3, but the 3 losses are by an average of 27 pts. This one won’t be that lopsided, but won’t be in State’s favor either.
PICK: BC 34 NC State 20
3- Florida St @ Miami. Remember when this was the Game of the Year in the early 90’s? Remember how the ACC expanded primarily to make this the premier game of the conference? Yes, I remember these things, but the games between these two rivals over the past 5 years have been totally forgettable. I expect a defensive battle. Tough pick, but I’ll take FSU.
PICK: Florida St 17 Miami 13
4- Maryland @ Virginia. Gotta hand it to the Terps. After inexplicably losing to Middle Tenn State, MD has rallied nicely, and had a huge win over Clemson in Death Valley last week. UVA, on the other hand, has been nothing short of pathetic. Al Groh may go from being coach of the year to the unemployment line.
PICK: Maryland 31 Virginia 10
5- UConn @ UNC. These teams are a combined 8-1. There’s only one explaination. Jim Calhoun and Roy Williams are secretly coaching these football teams. In all seriousness though, both teams are missing their QB’s, which makes this difficult to predict. Cam Sexton stunned me by looking like a legit QB for the first time ever. If he plays like that again, UNC should beat a UConn team that hasn’t played anyone good this year.
PICK: UNC 23 UConn 18
6- Illinois @ Michigan. Well, I said last week that I had no good reason for picking Illinois over Penn St. I was right. There was no good reason, and PSU lit them up. Michigan is coming off a surprising rally over Wisconsin. But the Wolverines still have issues. They turned it over 5x in the first half against the Badgers. I can’t believe I’m picking a Ron Zook coached team 2 weeks in a row, but…
PICK: Illinois 37 Michigan 27
7- Auburn @ Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt is ranked. I’ll say that again. Vanderbilt is ranked!!!!! That hasn’t happened since I was 3 months old, in 1984. And this is no joke. Vandy is a solid team, with a great coach in Bobby Johnson. I never thought I’d say that, nor did I think I’d say that ESPN’s College Gameday will be on-site. Auburn is having problems on offense, but they should win. But you know what…I’m calling upset.
PICK: Vanderbilt 16 Auburn 13
8- Missouri @ Nebraska. I had a lot of faith in Nebraska last week. They didn’t reward me, losing to VA Tech. VA Tech wasn’t anything compared to Missouri. Chase Daniel and the Tigers are averaging 54 pts per game. Unless Nebraska feeds Mizzou some tainted corn, the fans in Lincoln are in for a long night.
PICK: Missouri 49 Nebraska 27
9- Ohio St @ Wisconsin. If this was a week ago, I’d totally pick Wisconsin. Then the Badgers found a way to lose to Michigan. That normally wouldn’t be bad, but this is not the same Michigan. Ohio St has Chris Wells back, and Terrelle Pryor looks good under center. The only thing that will be “On Wisconsin” Saturday is a big “L”.
PICK: Ohio State 28 Wisconsin 24
10- Oregon @ USC. It’s been over a week now, and I still can’t figure out how USC lost to Oregon State. It defies all explaination. Now they get the other team from Oregon. USC can’t go 0-2 against the state of Oregon, can they?
PICK: USC 35 Oregon 24
Last Week: 4-6 40%
For the Year: 34-16 68%
