Week 10 Picks--Bye Bye

TCU Horned Frogs @ Utah Utes

Gomer: I'm not going to sit here and act like I know much about either team. The Horned Frogs dominated Utah last year, but this year the game is in Salt Lake... even ESPN Gameday will be in attendance. I have a bit of an affinity for TCU (probably all the hot chicks they show on TV), but also for a team that emphasizes defense. The loser of this game is COMPLETELY out of the BCS Championship picture, while the winner could be vaulted to the coveted top 2. TCU: 48--Utah: 26

Chief: Sad week when this is the premier game. The Horned Frogs are entering Salt Lake on a high but Utah boasts the nations longest active home winning streak. Problem for the Utes is that this TCU team is much better than the competition they've faced thus far. Utah has one good win against Pitt but it was at home, in overtime. I expect the Frogs to make a 'statement' and bury Boise State's hopes with a big win. TCU: 38--Utah: 17

Baylor Bears @ Oklahoma State Cowboys

Gomer: Never have I ever written a game preview involving the Baylor Bears. This is definitely bizarro world, as my comrade points out, but this won't be bizarre as the OSU Cowboys make things somewhat normal and have not problems with Bears. Bay: 23--OSU: 45

Chief: Baylor is one of the two ranked teams in Texas--let me say that again: Baylor is ranked and Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M are not. Now Baylor has finally defeated the 500 lb gorilla in room in the Longhorns under Robert Griffin, but the Pokes are chugging like always on offense. Look for a shootout with another solid Orange Power victory. Bay: 31--OkSt: 51

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Louisiana State Tigers

Gomer: LSU will once again remind everyone that Les Miles is lucky to have a job (for now) as they embarrass themselves against the Crimson Tide. Alabama will surely get back to the run game after a week off. With the talent in the Bama backfield, it's an embarrassment of riches that Nick Saban should be criticized for not using more effectively. Bama: 20--LSU: 6

Chief: Look out, it's another 'marquee' SEC matchup. LSU finally took one on the chin vs. Auburn but looked bad against UF and a horrible Volunteer team. I think this is where Bama makes a BIG national statement by pounding a perceived power in a truly difficult environment. More bad news for Boise (and TCU) as the Tide starts to Roll back to the top 3. Bama: 27--LSU: 13

Arkansas Razorbacks @ South Carolina Gamecocks

Gomer: Gotta go with the better coached team in this one. Arkansas hasn't been impressive to me, and this is the SEC, where Steve Spurrier is (kinda) king. Ryan Mallet has been a bit of a disappointment this year and Arkansas didn't do much under his leadership through the years. Ark: 13--SCAR: 20

Chief: Quick, name something Arkansas has done this year worth talking about. Beat UGA--so has everyone...Lose close to Bama--whoop de doo...Lose a shootout to Auburn--giving up 60???? This Razorback team may be the most overrated in the country because all the pro people are drooling over Mallet. South Carolina is inconsistent but very good when on (ask Alabama). I think Mallet is out but either way, Columbia is a tough environment in which to go. I like the Cocks to land another blow on the Hogs. Maybe someone will realize that they aren't that good... Ark: 14--SoCar: 24

Illinois Fighting Illini @ Michigan Wolverines

Gomer: Well, Michigan's defense is still bad, and Illinois is a pretty solid team. This game should be a blowout for the Illini but I'm starting to feel that somehow, someway, Michigan might pull it out. This is legitimately their last chance to clinch a bowl bid, especially in the Big House, but this should be a much closer game than it has been in recent years. Ill: 41--UM: 40

Chief: Another roadbump in the quest for the Maize and Blue to attempt to become bowl eligible. Rich Rod has just been given a third year of probation for the extra practice (wouldn't know it from the results) and I think it just keeps getting worse. Purdue next week is the best opportunity to win, but this is the second best chance. I still think Mike LeShore will get it done in the Big House. The defense is putrid in Ann Arbor. Rich Rod will still be searching for the bowl eligibility after Sat. Ill: 34--UM: 24

Arizona Wildcats @ Stanford Cardinal

Gomer: For the Pac-10, this should be a pretty good game. Andrew Luck is a great QB and has a chance to make a big statement against a typically stingy Arizona defense. Zona: 17--Stanford: 28

Chief: I still believe that Stanford may be the best team in the Pac 10. I know, I know, Oregon beat them, but it was in Autzen at night. I give credit to the Ducks for fighting back from a huge deficit, but Stanford choked. Arizona is the only team in the Pac 10 that plays defense so Stoops might make this interesting. I believe Nick Foles is still out so Andrew Luck won't have to score much to tip the scales. Cardinal win at home in a close one (Arizona is a good team and might give the Ducks a scare). Zona: 13--Stanford: 17

Other Games to pick

Wisc @ Pur: Gomer: Wisc Chief: Wisc

Minn @ MSU: Gomer: MSU Chief: MSU

Iowa @ Ind: Gomer: Iowa Chief: Iowa

NCSt @ Clem: Gomer: Clem Chief: Clem

Haw @ Boise: Gomer: Boise Chief: Boise

UNC @ FSU: Gomer: FSU Chief: FSU

NW @ PSU: Gomer: NW Chief: PSU

Texas @ KSU: Gomer: Texas Chief: KSU

First Release of the Draper index 2010

Here are my computer ranking for the 2010 season after the games of Week 9. Before you go crazy, please realize that this is a work in progress. Things will adjust. I also realize that I must adjust the normalizer because Alabama had such a HUGE lead last year, they maintained a large lead (even under normalization). This will be fixed...although it may not be that crazy to have Bama where they are. Here we go! Enjoy!

Draper Index Top 25 11/2/10
1) Alabama
2) TCU
3) Oregon
4) Auburn
5) Boise State
6) Oklahoma
7) Ohio State
8) Utah
9) Nebraska
10) LSU
11) Iowa
12) Oklahoma State
13) Florida
14) Michigan State
15) Wisconsin
16) Missouri
17) Stanford
18) Arizona
19) Virginia Tech
20) Florida State
21) Texas
22) Arkansas
23) South Carolina
24) Mississippi State
25) Nevada

Here's how I would have voted:
1) Auburn
2) Oregon
3) Alabama
4) Boise State
5) TCU
6) Utah
7) Wisconsin
8) Ohio State
9) Nebraska
10) Stanford
11) Oklahoma
12) Iowa
13) Arizona
14) LSU
15) Michigan State
16) Missouri
17) Virginia Tech
18) South Carolina
19) Oklahoma State
20) Mississippi State
21) Baylor
22) NC State
23) Florida State
24) Arkansas
25) Nevada

Grading the Bucks Week 9--Minnesota

Another snoozer...but anything less would have been a problem.

Offense: B+
52 points and scoring so many ways...always good, but that interception at the goalline was inexcusable, even against Minn. I LOVE the new Offensive line and the spectacular running of Boom Herron that we've been seeing. I know it's against 2 terrible defenses, but Herron looks better than he ever has. When I say "new" offensive line, I refer to the new mentality of attacking that wasn't there early in the year (or vs. Wisconsin). The energy and push is more than just poor defenses. The O-line looks like they've finally got it going and look forward to punch people in the mouth. Pryor was pretty good passing and running, but the interception at the goalline was horrid. Boren broke open immediately and Pryor had him (I was screaming for him to throw right away) but he waited....and waited....and waited...then threw to the breaking safety. I can't reward that decision with an A.

Defense: A-
The first drive was a disaster. Wide open throwing lanes down the middle was a huge problem. Good news for the Buckeyes is they shored up after that drive and shut down the hapless Gophers. Brian Rolle was killing people left and right and completely trucked Weber. Going forward will be scary for the Buckeyes as the secondary is completely mauled by injury. This isn't too big a deal against Minn or PSU but we need these guys back for Iowa. Without the first drive, this was a solid A. Let's not forget the Jon Simon scoop and score.

Special Teams: B
Another solid outing ruined by one major blemish. A beautiful blocked punt for a score (great effort by Domicone on the recovery), spectacular punt return by Hall (ruined by Pryor's mental mistake), a missed FG by Minn (not blocked but still a victory), and ok kick return and kick coverage (not great--still need to shore that up). Can't comment on the punting because I honestly don't remember if we punted. The black mark this week came via Devin Barclay and a gag from 23 yards out. Tressel made the safe (and correct) call to kick a chip shot FG with a 21 point lead and Barclay whiffed. This is unacceptable at any school let alone tOSU. I can't punish the very nice performances in the punt block/return team for Barclay's gaffe...too much.

Coaching: A- -->B+
Not a whole lot of coaching needed in this one, but it was a well called game. Only one play was really questionable--why do you let Pryor throw at the goalline when Herron was gashing them on the ground? In fact, because it was Minn and this was the only real call, I'm downgrading them to a B+. I was right, then wrong about the running game. I said early on that the coaches needed to 'practice' the run game in a live situation early on because it would be a problem in the future. The coaches didn't listen. When Big Ten play started, I thought it was too late to 'learn' to run and we paid for it against Wisconsin. So far, I pat myself on the back, but then the coaches started 'practicing' the run and the O-line stepped it up. I was wrong that it was too late to learn because Boom is a serious threat as of now. Perhaps we can control the clock more when needed in Kinnick.