Week 9 - The Home Stretch

Friday Night Special

West Virginia vs. South Florida:

GOMER: Unlike my counterpart, I have not completely given up on the Bulls of South Florida. Yes they were beaten up by the Bearcats, but they are still a good team in the Big East. BJ Daniels of the Bulls and Noel Devin of the Mountaineers are the top talents to watch this game, and it should be a shootout. WVU: 28--USF: 34

CHIEF: I've been big on USF all year, but I think it's time to leave...which of course means I'm wrong. While Selvie is an absolute beast at DE, B.J. Daniels is too erratic at QB. Noel Devine will break contain enough times to cause serious problems for the Bulls. The Mountaineers role and continue to be a factor in the Big East. WVU: 24--USF: 10

Saturday Games

Texas vs. Oklahoma State

GOMER: Texas really has not looked that strong to me this season. They beat a banged up Oklahoma team in the Red River Rivalry, Colt McCoy has not necessarily been something special, but hasn't been terrible either. The teams they've really beat down are not that good, and Oklahoma State without Bryant is in that category. Zac Robinson is good, but I don't think good enough to carry his team to a victory. And by the way, even if Texas is down by 20-30 at half, don't worry because they always make a 2nd half comeback against the Cowboys. UT: 38--OSU: 20

CHIEF: This was a preseason upset of mine, but without Dez Bryant, I just don't know. It seems Kendall Hunter will return to balance the Pokes attack, but Texas should be able to score on a questionable defense. Stillwater will be rocking however, and the Cowboys definitely circle the wagons. This would be the marquee win of the Mike Gundy era, but I believe they come just short of the upset. Colt McCoy has a flawless 2nd half and keeps the Longhorns alive for the Title. (Still...GO POKES!!) UT: 41--OSU:40

USC vs. Oregon

GOMER: Last Saturday the Trojans jumped out to a sizable lead, but relinquished and almost lost the game in the 4th quarter. The USC juggernaut has been slow to wake up this season, but I think against suspect Pac-10 defenses the running game and passing attack will get rolling in what will be a very physical tough match-up for both teams. USC: 41--UO: 30

CHIEF: On this one, I will stay with my preseason pick. Quack Attack for the win. The Pac 10 title game is in the Autzen Zoo and I think Masoli and Lamichael James put on a rushing clinic. More importantly, the Ducks actually will hit some crucial throws downfield to seal the win. The thing about Oregon is everyone knows they're running the ball, but they do it successfully anyway. The Trojans are solid defensively for 2-3 quarters but tend to slip up in one quarter. The Ducks will pounce then. Barkley has won nailbiters on the road in two very tough venues, but the third times the charm for hairgel boy. quack..quack....Quack...Quack...QUACK..QUACK!!! USC: 30--UO: 31

New Mexico State vs. Ohio State

GOMER: A closer than expected game mostly for the look-ahead and let-down factors. I think playing this game is a terrible terrible mistake because it gets the team out of the mentality of playing tough competition and outside of needed to perform at their best to win. Yes it will be nice to beat a bad team, but will do nothing to gain back respect lost with the Purdue loss, and in my opinion SEVERELY inhibit the Buckeyes momentum generated by the Minnesota victory. Penn State awaits... NMSU: 10--OSU: 37

CHIEF: It's our game so we have to talk about it. I don't see a Purdue-esque let down against the hapless Aggies. Pryor will look like Troy Smith for the 3 quarters he's in the game, and the defense will be a stonewall all day against the worst offense in the country. The highlight of the game will be undoubtedly the halftime show that I assisted in designing. Come out and enjoy. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! NMSU: 0--OSU: 48

The Leftovers:

Mississippi vs. Auburn: Gomer: AU Chief: Ole Miss

Georgia vs. Florida: Gomer: UF Chief: Florida

Michigan vs. Illinois: Gomer: UM Chief: UM

Penn State vs. Northwestern: Gomer: PSU Chief: PSU (close in a look ahead game)

Indiana vs. Iowa: Gomer: Iowa Chief: Iowa

Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt: Gomer: GT Chief: GT

South Carolina vs. Tennessee: Gomer: UT Chief: USC

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: