Thursday, September 11, 2008

Week 3 of Gomer & Chiefs Picks

More surprises than expected as ECU continues to impress! Last weeks records: Gomer (14-11) Chief (15-10)

Kansas Jayhawks vs. South Florida Bulls
Gomer: I like the Bulls in this BCS Caliber show down on what should be an exciting Friday night. USF seems to be a hornets nest when a big name (err Kansas, big name?) opponent comes to town, even if the visitor has almost every plausible advantage, the crowd seems to truly be an inspiration for the home team. Todd Reesing should be spot on but look for a late turnover to seal the deal for the Big East banner carriers, the USF Bulls. Kansas: 28 – USF: 34

Chief: This is a very interesting matchup. These are two programs that emerged onto the scene last year from relative obscurity. Kansas has been great this year, but their opponents have been the same level as last year’s---awful. USF struggled mightily last week, but they are capable of exploding against anyone. The Jayhawks are coldly efficient but I believe USF was looking ahead last week. Look for George Selvie to get to Reesing early and often to shake the unshakeable QB. The home crowd is the X factor KU: 31—USF: 34

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Fresno State Bulldogs
Gomer: Despite averaging 45 points per game so far this season most “experts” are not giving another “slow” Big Ten team a chance. PJ Hill went nuts in the first week against lowly Akron but was held to only 57 yards this week against Marshall. This week the Badgers get back All-American Tight End Travis Beckum and leading tackler Linebacker Garrett Graham. Both stars return just in time as the Fresno State offense could give them fits with sophomore running back Ryan Matthews running the ball. This game should be a classic or a Badger Blowout. Wisconsin: 45 – Fresno State: 34

Chief: Any other week, this would be the matchup I’d be most interested in. The Bulldogs are looking to be considered among the elite while the Badgers are trying to show they can win on the road. Wisconsin has bigger players, but Fresno plays with a chip on their shoulders. This will be a very physical game that goes down to the wire, but I believe P.J. Hill will be the difference and lead the Badgers to a very close win. Take nothing away from the Bulldogs as the mantra of ‘anyone, anywhere, anytime’ puts fear into the Wisconsin faithful. UW: 24—Fres: 21

Oregon Ducks vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Gomer: I really don’t like Purdue in this game. The Boilers are led through the air by senior QB Curtis Painter and on the ground by RB Kory Sheets but are “starless” on defense. Oregon lost all the big names from last years potent attack, Jonathan Stewart and Dennis Dixon, but still the attack has been potent against below average opponents. This will be a shootout that could really go either way if the defenses are able to generate pressure and make the quarterbacks make mistakes. Oregon: 41 – Purdue: 31

Chief: I’d love to see a Big Ten win for Wilford Brimley…I mean Joe Tiller, but I don’t think they can hang with the second best team in the Pac 10. The Oregon secondary will be the story as I think they will slow down Curtis Painter and the Boiler offense enough for the W. This would be a huge upset win for the big 10, but I don’t see it this time. OU: 31—PU: 17

Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Irish
Gomer: If you enjoy straight up BAD football, then this game is for you. Of course since the Irish are playing any little thing they do will be looked at as the best, mostly because it’s on NBC and they are stuck with the Irish until something like 2075. Michigan’s defense should dominate this game giving the conservative offense a short field a few times during the afternoon. Total first downs between the two teams? 22 Michigan: 19 – Notre Dame: 7

Chief: Oh how the mighty hath fallen. This epic battle between the 2 most winningest programs in the sport has been relegated to relative obscurity. The Wolverines have shown little for the Big Blue to get excited about. When Michigan has to ‘escape’ Miami of Ohio, there are problems in Ann Arbor. On the other side, Jabba the Weis really needs this win to avoid another horrible season in which his job is in jeopardy. Too bad the Irish have even more to be worried about on both sides of the ball. I think this will indeed be another pillow fight that will really determine which historic program becomes the laughing stock of college football for 2008. I think Notre Dame will maintain that title again—the echoes will remain asleep. UM: 20—ND—10

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Southern Cal Trojans

The Clash at the Coliseum

Gomer:
Will he or won’t he? So much hangs on the status of Beanie Wells, and it rightfully should. Beanie provides the dynamic backfield the Buckeyes need, specifically Todd Boeckman needs. I believe that the true “key to the game” is the play of the defense. I want to see a defense circa 2002/03 that blitzes and mans up, and zones, and you name it, I want to see it. If the Silver Bullets can pressure Sanchez the Bucks could potentially command this game and they really should. USC is inexperienced in many positions, but without getting pressure and preventing the “home run” play, it could be a long night for the Buckeyes. Ohio State: 27 – USC: 21

Chief: This is the matchup for the ages. The two most dominant programs (by far) of the last 7 years meet on the battlefield in SoCal reminiscent of the Rose Bowls of old. Anyone who says they aren’t excited is not a true college football fan. I wish Beanie was healthy for the Buckeyes, but regardless, this will be a game of epic proportions. This game could be a blowout (either way) or a nailbiter and I wouldn’t be surprised. Mark Sanchez looked stellar against UVA, but let’s not forget that the Silver Bullets are a whole different story. Coming into the game, the focus has been on the unstoppable nature of the Trojans offense and the gloom and doom without Beanie for the Bucks, but this game will be a defensive struggle. These teams exhibit the best defenses in the country and it will be a slugfest. I think there will be more NFL caliber talent on this field than the 2002 National Championship. You can call me a homer and I don’t care. I truly believe that even a Beanie-less Buckeye squad is capable of a W. Last week was an aberration; this week will be all that you can ask for. Bring on the Trojans! OSU: 20—USC: 17

Other Games:

NC State @ Clemson Gomer: Clemson Chief: Clemson
Central Michigan @ Ohio Gomer: CMU Chief: Ohio
East Carolina @ Tulane Gomer: ECU Chief: ECU
Stanford @ TCU Gomer: TCU Chief: TCU
Oklahoma @ Washington Gomer: OU Chief: OU
Bowling Green @ Boise State Gomer: BSU Chief: BSU
Iowa State @ Iowa Gomer: Iowa Chief: Iowa
Georgia @ South Carolina Gomer: UGA Chief: UGA
Georgia Tech @ Virginia Tech Gomer: GT Chief: