Week 8 Picks & Predictions (October 24, 2009)

Last Week versus the spread: Wins 8-Losses 4-Ties 2
Lock of the Week: Wins 2-Losses 1
Marquee Matchup of the Week: 2-1

More than half of the season gone...we start to head down the back stretch.

THE LINE
BOISE ST..........25..........at HAWAII
EXTRA POINTS:  The Broncos come in with a number 4 BCS ranking as they take on the Rainbow Warriors.  After struggling last week to put away Tulsa on the road, it only gets more difficult, Boise St. will remain unbeaten but take the underdog in this one.
PREDICTION:  Boise St. 43-Hawaii 24

THE LINE
At MICHIGAN ST..........E..........IOWA
EXTRA POINTS:  This game is Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi's to lose.  I like the Hawkeyes to remain unbeaten and ride their defense in this one.
PREDICTION:  Iowa 23-Michigan St. 13

THE LINE
At NOTRE DAME..........8..........BOSTON COLLEGE
EXTRA POINTS:  The roller coaster season continues for the Eagles, up last week and down this week.  B.C. will need to pressure Clausen, don't bet on it !   I like the Irish outside speed.   Notre Dame will have to be weary of tailback Montel Harris, they will, take the Golden Domers and the points.
PREDICTION:  Notre Dame 31-Boston College 17

THE LINE
At OHIO ST..........18..........MINNESOTA
EXTRA POINTS:  Until Terrelle Pryor plays a RESPECTABLE game, I'm taking the Gophers and the points.  Ooops...did I say that ?  Okay, wrong, Pryor will FINALLY show his athletic ability as this is a "MUST" win for Tressel's band of Buckeyes.
PREDICTION:  Ohio St. 34-Minnesota 14

THE LINE
At ARIZONA..........8 1/2..........UCLA
EXTRA POINTS:  What has happened to the Bruins ?  Their once stout defense has shown more cracks than the New Orleans levees after Hurrican Katrina !  Nick Foles coming off career day and Grigsby to run the ball.  I like Zona' to cover.
PREDICTION:  Arizona 27-UCLA 16

THE LINE
GEORGIA TECH..........5..........at VIRGINIA
EXTRA POINTS:  How can Virginia lose to Richmond and be leading the Atlantic Division of the ACC ?  Because the ACC is THAT BAD !  After witnessing the Rambling Wreck...wreck Florida St. and Virginia Tech the past two weekends, how can you bet against the triple option attack ?
PREDICTION:  Georgia Tech 39-Virginia 24

THE LINE
At MISSISSIPPI..........6..........ARKANSAS
EXTRA POINTS:  The Rebels season is going down the drain and if they lose this, it's all over.  I think they win it but by a field goal.  Take the underdog in this one !  I like Michael Smith and the Razorback running attack in this game more than their usual aerial assault.  Can someone find the "real" Jevan Snead ?
PREDICTION:  Mississippi 31-28

LOCK OF THE WEEK






THE LINE
At USC..........20 1/2..........OREGON ST.
EXTRA POINTS:  The Trojans try to avenge last years 27-21 defeat at the hands of the Beavers.  USC should win but not by the spread.  I like Beavers tailback Jacquizz Rodgers outside speed and the Oregon St. special teams to keep this closer than the experts think.  Letdown alert for USC after last weeks big win at Notre Dame.
PREDICTION:  USC 30-Oregon St. 24

MARQUEE MATCHUP OF THE WEEK






THE LINE
T.C.U..........2 1/2..........at B.Y.U.
EXTRA POINTS:  The Mormons versus the Horned Frogs, sounds like a religious horror flick !  Okay, T.C.U. comes in undefeated and ranked in the BCS Top 10.  Great defense and playing lights out.  On the flipside, this is the Cougars biggest game of the year.  They passed against Oklahoma and failed miserably with Florida St.   I think they will pass the test and win this one outright.  At least for this week, the spotlight is showing bright on the Mountain West Conference.  Now, I love T.C.U. and I want them to win this badly, but I don't see them having an answer for Max Hall, Harvey Unga or McKay Jacobson.  The B.Y.U. defense will be the dominate one in this game, I like B.Y.U. BIG !
PREDICTION:  B.Y.U. 45-T.C.U. 20

THE LINE
At UTAH..........9..........AIR FORCE
EXTRA POINTS:  Staying in the Mountain West, the Falcons of Air Force will give Utah fits but in the end lose a tight one.  Utah has been winning games lately but not playing up to their ability or talent level.  Take Air Force to ground the Utes passing game and keep it very close.
PREDICTION:  Utah  24-Air Force 20

UPSET OF THE WEEK







THE LINE
PENN ST..........4 1/2..........at MICHIGAN
EXTRA POINTS:  The Wolverines have stumbled a bit lately losing two in a row (sorry Wayne, I can't count the Deleware St. win as an actual game !).  Forcier is healthy and Penn St. has shown a total inhability to play any kind of offense against a decent caliber Division 1 team.  Look for Nittany Lions quarterback Clark to have another "off" day and Michigan pulls off the shocker in the Big House. 
PREDICTION:  Michigan 27-Penn St. 24

THE LINE
OKLAHOMA..........8..........at KANSAS
EXTRA POINTS:  The Sooners coming off another loss to Texas and Kansas being knocked from the unbeaten ranks by the lowly Colorado Buffaloes.  What will this week bring ?  The Jayhawks can certainly move the ball through the air with Todd Reising and Dez Briscoe but will be facing a very talented defense.  Landry Jones steps up,  as for the remainder of the season, he is the Oklahoma starting quarterback.  In the end, I think Bob Stoops and Sooner pride win this one and by 10 points. 
PREDICTION:  Oklahoma 30-Kansas 20

THE LINE
At CINCINNATI..........8..........LOUISVILLE
EXTRA POINTS:  Cincinnati Head Coach Brian Kelly is my vote for "Coach of the Year".  Who else could lose ten starters on defense, three offensive lineman and a starting running back and be better the next year ?  Louisville and coach Steve Kragthorpe are sliding badly and even though Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike is still a game time decision, I like Kelly and company to whip up on the Cardinals. 
PREDICTION:  Cincinnati 34-Louisville 10

THE LINE
At L.S.U........7 1/2........AUBURN
EXTRA POINTS:  I should be AT THIS GAME..I had tickets....but imagine a one way flight from Baton Rouge to Boston for $1,020 ??? I love the Tigers, not that much !  Next year !   Back to this game, Auburn has lost two in a row and already the critics are calling for Gene Chizik's head.  The L.S.U. Tigers have already lost one Saturday night game, they will cover the points with a comfortable margin of victory.
PREDICTION:  L.S.U. 33-Auburn 23

**All Lines Set By World Features Syndicate
ALL FAVORITES SHOWN ABOVE BOLDED IN BLUE