Picks: Week 5

Since not everyone picks every game every week, I’ve decided to rank based not on winning percentage, but on total number right. First numbers = record from last week, 2nd numbers = record overall.

The Leaderboard:

Chuck Visor: 7-3, 13-7
Max Power: 3-7, 10-10
Drake McHugh, Esq.: 3-7, 8-12
Dick C'est Bon: 3-5, 7-10
Brocktoon: 3-7, 7-13
Woody Widenhoefer: 6-3, 6-3
Arnold Porkzenegger: 3-4, 3-4
Carter Slade: 3-6, 3-6
Full Monte Kiffin: 2-8, 2-8

Leave your picks in the comments. My picks for the week, after the jump.


Alabama (-16) at Kentucky (SEC Network, 11:21 AM): Alabama impressively shut down Ryan Mallett’s much-hyped super-arm last week. Also, with McElroy they are a threat to both run and pass. Bama covers.

LSU (+3) at Georgia (CBS, 2:30 PM): Both of these teams have a lot to prove. UGA’s only loss came on a long trip to OK State where they barely scored, followed by shoot-outs with SC and Arky, followed by more offensive ineptitude in a close win over AZ State. Which UGA team will show up tomorrow? LSU is barely 4-0, with closer than they should have been games against Washington, Vandy and Miss State (winning by 4 inches is a close game, folks!) Flip a coin. Tails. LSU.

Ole Miss (-10) at Vanderbilt (ESPNU, 6:00 PM): This is where Ole Miss’ begins its slow, steady climb back to a good season (good now likely defined as similar to last year), or else allows a letdown upset leading to a death-spiral. Vandy found its offense last week against Rice, but they’re still Vandy. I predict the Rebs are hung over from their loss to SC and play flat. They win but don’t cover.

South Carolina (no line) vs. South Carolina State (ESPN Classic, 6:00 PM): Raise your hand if you know SC State’s mascot. LIARS! You never heard of this team. (It’s a historically black land grant institution in Orangeburg, SC founded in 1896. Mascot is the Bulldogs.) Gamecocks win big.

Arkansas (straight up) vs. Texas A&M (ESPN2, 6:30 PM): a sort of neutral site game at the new Jerry Jones-dome in Dallas. Under over on punts hitting the scoreboard: .5. If you are like me and stopped paying attention to the fact that TAMU had a team when they became really bad under Dennis Franchione, you will be surprised to learn they are undefeated so far this year. So far. Ess Eee Seeeee! Hogs win.

Mississippi State (+5.5) vs. Georgia Tech (ESPN GP / CSS, 6:30 PM): two rules collide: (1) always pick against the ACC team that had a good performance the previous week (2) never put money on MSU. However, the game is at Starkville, MSU played tough at home against LSU last week, and I picked MSU to cover against Vandy and they up and won. I’ll take MSU and the points.

Auburn (+2.5) at Tennessee (ESPN, 6:45 PM): Auburn’s offense is great, Malzahn is a rockstar. But UT held the Gators to 23 and Eric Berry is a beast. UT’s quarterback is a joke. But Ball State scored 30 on AU. All these things are true, and I understand why some are saying Hardesty and Brown will establish the run for UT, keep the Ball away from Malzahn’s squad, dominate on D, and win the game in Neyland. But, I think it’s more likely that AU sells out to stop the run, forcing Crompton to throw and, well, there will be picks. AU’s defense has 8 picks on the season, Crompton has thrown 8 picks on the season. Advantage AU. And you’re giving me 2.5 points? Thank you.

Bonus pick 1: Michigan (+3.5) at Michigan State: How is Michigan the underdog. So they’re playing in Lansing. Sparty lost to E. Mich. (or was it W.?) Yeah, yeah, Mich. Played poorly and should have lost to Indiana. I still think Mich. is the superior team, so I’m definitely taking them plus the points.

Bonus pick 2: Oklahoma (-7.5) at Miami: Never underestimate two things: (1) the inconsistency of an ACC team, and Stoops’ ability to blow a big game. Da U is back, part 2? Well, I’ll at least say they lose by less than 8.