Sunday, September 20, 2009

Week 4 - Big Ten Football

Ole Miss vs. South Carolina

GOMER: The Gamecocks seem to be the year in, year out, team that always disappoints. With Spurrier as the coach everyone's expectations were extremely high, and they haven't gotten much of they expected. Tonight I think they do. Ole Miss has 16 returning starters but looked shaky in a blowout of Memphis, yes that sounds funny, but they struggled to pull away from a bad team. Jevan Snead is good, but not great, the SC defense is all around outstanding and should be able to take care of business at home and at night. Ole Miss: 17--USC: 21

CHIEF: Ole Miss was the sexy pick in the SEC this year as the return a sizeable portion of the only team to defeat UF last year. The Rebels have been revived by Houston Nutt and Jevon Snead is one of the best pro prospects in the league. Their schedule is spongy soft as all the tough teams in the SEC West come to Oxford and they miss the Gators this year. This is why this is a perfect reason why they'll drop this one to the Gamecocks. I thought I'd be the only one picking this upset, but apparently it's rampant. The Cocks are tough at home and have shown that they can score (against UGA) and play defense (against NCState). Tonight, they put it together and stun the number 4 team in the country. OleMiss: 24--USC: 34


California vs. Oregon

Gomer: Frankly I don't think Oregon is very good, the same reasoning could be said for arguing against the Cal Bears. Oregon was looked at to me a high-flying offense with lots of power, and they've come out of the rut after the clunker against the Smurf Turf Boys. Cal's offense has been nearly unstoppable, considering they have the most talented RB in the land (Jahvid Best) they better be unstoppable. The underrated aspect of Cal is their defense, while they allowed 21 points at Minnesota last weekend, they have come up big when necessary. The Bears will win this surprisingly good game. Cal: 31--UO: 27

Chief: I believed this would be a telling game for the Pac 10 that would determine a likely champion. Oregon may have lost Blount and been embarassed in week one, but they'll bounce back. Going to Autzen is a tall order for any team, but the loss of Blount is going to be just enough for Riley to overcome the Ducks. UO will load the box to slow Jahvid Best, and even though he'll get his yards, he won't win the game. The game rides on the Bear's QB. Tedford's QBs are always solid once they mature and this will be his defining moment (before the SC game). Big road win by a hair to keep the Best Heisman candidacy alive. Cal: 38--UO:31


Miami vs. Virginia Tech

Gomer: So far Miami has proven themselves on the road at FSU and against the triple option attack of GT. Jacory Harris has been the pleasant surprise of the season thus far helping to lead the Hurricanes when they need it most. Virginia Tech was controlled and subdued against the Crimson Tide and needed last second heroics to come out on top against Nebraska. Really, I'm not impressed with VT, Tyrod Taylor has not been the QB the Hokies have needed. I think this is when Miami asserts its control over the ACC Coastal division and takes another big step towards the BCS Championship Game. UM: 19--VT: 13

Chief: Miami has rocketed to the top of many polls with their electric 2-0 start. I expected them explode out of the gate, but they're very quickly being blown into the next great thing. While VT has been unimpressive to say the least, I think they bring the Canes down to earth. Let's not forget that the Canes are one dropped pass from being 1-1 and an also-ran. The Cane defense will hold a mediocre Hokie squad under wraps, but Jacory Harris shows some chinks and his youth by committing a few key turnovers. I just can't bring myself to pick the Canes. F-the U. UM: 17--VT: 20

Illinois vs. Ohio State

Gomer: We looked good last week, without a doubt. There are still some serious lingering issues though. When is TP going to become the QB we all have expected and looked for the last year? His bone-headed picks blow my mind, but the Silver Bullets have done an outstanding job helping the turnover's not destroy the Bucks chances each game. If you think I'm just going after Pryor, he's thrown 4 TD's and 4 INT's this season (at least 1 per game) whereas last season he threw 4 INT's ALL SEASON. I believe in the Buckeye D, and if they are successful stopping Juice Williams and Daniel Dufrene this year, I will officially be sold on them. I expect to be investing in the OSU Defense this week. UI: 18--OSU: 33

Chief: Not a lot to say here. The Buckeyes exploded last week as I expected. No carryover from the painful loss. Time to move forward and they did in a big way. I don't take a lot of information out of the offense as Toledo's defense is atrocious, but the Bullets completely shackled the number 1 offense in the nation and pitched the shutout. Because the Illini don't have their main guys healthy (like Benn), I don't think they can score enough on this defense to make a difference. Time for Pryor to continue to mature and learn that running is OK. The line can't block for the backs, but Pryor can still run. A few questionable throws last week, but the defense wins this one. Hey, Jimmy T realized the QB sneak is legal last week!! So we got that going for us. UI: 10--OSU: 31


Missouri vs. Nevada: Gomer: Mizzou Chief: Mizzou
North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech: Gomer: GT Chief: GT
Indiana vs. Michigan: Gomer: UM Chief: UM
TCU vs. Clemson Gomer: Clem Chief: Clem
Pittsburgh vs. NC State Gomer: Pitt Chief:Pitt
Arizona State vs. Georgia Gomer: UGA Chief: UGA
Iowa vs. Penn State Gomer: PSU Chief: PSU (close)
Notre Dame vs. Purdue Gomer: ND Chief: ND
Texas Tech vs. Houston Gomer: TT Chief: TT(by a hair--could be the best game of the weekend)