Week 5 College Football Picks

Week 1: 8-4
Week 2: 3-6
Week 3: 5-7
Week 4: 5-3-1

Nice little bounceback week....Temple played well last week...pretty happy

Temple +6 -- This is it....This is the week they will win. Army is so unimpressive it's ridiculous. I like that the line is moving my way as well. I'd be concerned with the support of the Owls and the line moving higher. I'd even feel comfortable taking the ML as well. The offense should move on them and keep Army around 17 points. I can see a 28-17 Owl win.

Indiana +10.5 -- The Hoosiers can keep this game close. Beat Iowa last year with about the same cast and the Hawkeyes are losing offensive weapons left and right. Indiana just needs a few stops to make this happen.

Tulane +42 -- All I need is for them to score one touchdown. LSU wants to get out of this game healthy and while their backups are probably better then Tulane's first team, i just have a feeling the foot will be off the pedal.

Notre Dame +22 -- God I hate backing the Irish but last time I checked Purdue's defense isn't that good. The Irish are due for an offensive explosion at some point (three offensive td's!!!) I can see a double digit loss for the Irish but they'll hang in there.

Michigan State +7.5 -- Boy i'm hesitant with this one...That Spartan Slide could come at anytime. I like how these teams mirror each other. A play of the under is probably better but Wisky has impressed me much.

Maryland +19 -- First test for Rutgers...Maryland's D can keep them in this one. I just have this feeling that Maryland hangs around long enough with the Scarlet Knights.

Under 43 Bama/FSU -- Two solid defenses and less then spectacular offenses.

TCU -10 -- Andre Brown returning is huge for the Frogs. CSU just can't play well away from Fort Collins.

UVA -6 -- Man i hate backing the hoos. Don't like Al Groh...don't like their pansy fans but I see this as a blowout. Pitt can't find a QB and should have trouble moving against that stout UVA defense. Man, I hate this pick but it seems too good.

Washington +21 -- I know the talent disparity in the matchup and i know it's the frosh against the great Trojan D but I love getting that many points against a team with a pulse in front of a raucous crowd.

I knew I was right!!!!

This is from an article in the Inquirer today....

"According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Mid-American Conference yesterday admitted that its officials blew the call when a touchdown reception by Owls wide receiver Bruce Francis was disallowed with 40 seconds remaining in the team's 22-17 loss to host Connecticut on Sept. 15.

Francis was ruled out of bounds on the original call, which was upheld by a replay official. Television replays, though, showed Francis with one foot down in the back of the end zone, which would have made the catch a touchdown.

"All official reviews are internal, and not for public comment," said Gary Richter, media relations director for the MAC.

Temple's director of sports media relations, Larry Dougherty, said Owls coach Al Golden would have no further comment. Immediately after the Connecticut game, Golden expressed his disagreement with the ruling.

Under MAC bylaws, programs are allowed to send a play that involves a questionable call to the league office, where the director of officials will review it and reply with an interpretation."

Weekend Fast Hits

• First off, i want to address Derbybill's assertions that i'm not a good gambler. I went 5-3-1 this weekend with those picks. That's pretty good for someone who doesn't tout the lock of the century ever.
  
• The Eagles scored more points then i'd ever thought they would. I'd still deal McNabb. The Bears, Vikings, Chiefs are among the teams who would definately deal nicely for him. I can't see Donovan in an Eagles uniform much longer past a year or two.
  
• Those Eagle jerseys are freakin awesome...I'm looking into getting one for myself.
  
• With regards to the Skins, it's a shame how it ended and i can't help to wonder why in those situations they don't let their big QB sneak it in from one yard out. You get behind the biggest hog and follow him to freedom. Their still in better shape then predicted they would so that's a good thing.
  
• Syracuse was a huge surprise. No truth to the rumor that they played well because I tried to stop tuition payments. They havent scored that much since i went there.
  
• Temple is getting so close....i can taste that first win and after the first one, i smell a 2nd, 3rd and 4th ones as well. Their coming....The Golden Era is upon us.
  
• Hockey exhibition season is here....Hallejuyah!!! Ducks-Flyers stanley cup this year.
  
• Colt Brennan DNP'd this weekend vs. Charleston Southern. Unfortunately this probably hurts his heisman campaign when clearly it should help illustrate how much of a team player he is. He sacrificed a big half of stats to save his health for the team and their chances at a BCS bowl. I'm not jumping off his bandwagon but i'm attaching it to the Andre Woodson campaign. He fits it perfectly as he will not succeed in the pros but can be the Heisman. Just don't give it to John David Booty.
  
• Finally....HA HA Notre Dame fans....you deserve this winless start...pompous blowhards...take your independent status and NBC and enjoy.....Somehow you'll find your way to a bowl you don't belong at though.
  

Friday Quick Hits...

• It truly is the highlight of my week when the hooters girls come in. Those girls are so beautiful and smart. I'd love to date one if it was possible.
• This UVA game is so interesting. UVA is home and plays better at home but Ga Tech was embarrassed last week. I agree with Steve Merill's pick of the under though. Neither offense is that impressive.
  
• Don't you just hate internet poker sometimes. It seems that these sites reward idiocy. I will never play any internet poker tournaments for money because these idiots seem to win. No skill is allowed.
  
• It's terrible the position i'm in with regards to baseball. I hate the Phillies and the Mets...if the Marlins beat the Mets it helps the Phillies...if they lose it helps the Mets...This is just another reason as a Fish fan i don't like Atlanta because i wouldn't mind them winning the division.
  
• Scott Van Pelt is an outstanding addition to the Mike Tirico show. Can't believe he was broadcasting from Syracuse although he shouldn't have been at WAER. It was WERW's weak signal that gave me my start in this business. WAER's kids are just a bunch of snobs.
  

Week 4 College Football Picks

Week 1: 8-4
Week 2: 3-6
Week 3: 5-7

I don't know what pissed me off more last weekend...the fact that i fell for the chic upset picks or that scumbag Mike Tranghese screwing over my Owls from their rightful win. Right into the picks:

Temple +21 -- Vegas got modestly smarter and didn't make this 28 or above. The Owls are for real....or as for real as a winless team can get. This is the only team on their schedule looking for revenge but BG is very one dimensional. Owls hang in there and potentially win.

Wake Forest -3.5 -- Headscratcher of a line as I see the Deacs being head and shoulders above the Terps...especially if Skinner plays. I like their defense against the a Maryland team that can't pass.

Louisville -35 -- Lucky to get in this early but Syracuse won't score while Louisville will put up about 60. Sure they will not be happy about losing to UK but who better to take it out on then Syracuse. Can i stop tuition checks to them until they win?

Indiana +3 -- Clearly Vegas hasn't been watching this team. Kellen Lewis may be one of the top qb's in the big 10. His versatility will shine in a game that should be spread the other direction.

Duke +14 -- Never underestimate the value of picking up that first win. The Blue Devils have the offense to keep up with Navy if they let Thaddeus Lewis throw and throw some more.

Ohio State -23 -- Northwestern lost to above Duke at home. It's close for a quarter before the Buckeyes break away.

CSU +7 -- Gotta win a close game soon enough right? They've got some solid talent and should be able to hang around with Houston.

Cincy -24 -- Marshall will not score in this game. The Bearcats are on a roll and should continue it against a subpar Marshall team.

Oregon State +12 -- This pick changes with Torain's status. I like the ball control that OSU can have with Bernard mixed in with some Stroughter. Not impressed with ASU.

Lookin at Air Force and North Carolina as well. Have at it folks!

Wednesday's Quick Hits

• Do you think the Nats wished the season started over? They have been one of the hottest teams in baseball as of late and are playing real well.
  
• Anyone else annoyed with people who drive too slow because they are on their cell phone? I'm sick of the people in this city who are on the phone and drive slow and dumb and think that the phone is an excuse.
• Anyone else enjoying the collapse of the Red Sox? I think the Yankees best acquisition before the trade deadline was Gagne to the Red Sox.
  
• Still fuming at the Big East for hosing Temple. Love the Owls this week plus 21 points. Vegas always inflates Temple's lines when their really not as bad as they seem.
  
• Thanks to all of the callers on Tuesday who called into my show. I appreciate it and greatly will take your calls anytime...even Cowboy James and Carolina Rodney.
  
• The hockey exhibition season has begun. I know none of you care but I look for a great season from the Flyers. Can't be much worse then last year.
  
• Colt Brennan is hurt and may sit out a game. I hope this doesn't ruin his chances at the Heisman. I won't rest until he is at least invited to NY.
  

I'm glad to have heard all the "horror" stories from Skins fans and Larry Michael from their trip to Philly this past Monday. Guess what folks, it happens everywhere. Skins fans werent exactly nice to Eagles fans in DC when i went to those games for three of the past four years. A couple of friends and I went to Cleveland for an Eagles game and I had a man grab me and threaten death upon me. Only a certain usher saved me from who-knows-what...I had homeless people yell at me and I was told not to park in a certain lot because of what they do to opponent fans cars. It happens everywhere. Sure there are some bad eggs in Philly, but don't lump as all in there.

Honestly, this kid could be my hero...