Picks of the Week: No. 12

Here we go again. Not too many more weeks to improve the overall record. So let’s see if we can find a little magic in this week’s picks.

Rutgers (-9.5) over Syracuse
Syracuse is looking to avoid going winless in the Big East, but the Orange won’t pick it up a against a revitalized Rutgers team that is led by freshman QB Tom Savage, who has thrown 10 TD passes and only two interceptions. If the Scarlet Knights win out they’ll finish third in the league and own a 10-2 mark. The ‘Cuse have been ravaged by injuries and the defection of WR Mike Williams. First-year coach Doug Marrone has not given up on QB Greg Paulus, who has thrown 14 interceptions.
Pick: Rutgers 31, Syracuse 9

Temple (-10.5) over Kent State
The Owls are riding an eight-game winning streak and need a win here to remain on top of the East Division heading into a key showdown with Ohio. RB Bernard Pierce leads the Owls with a freshman record 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns on 223 carries. The Golden Flashes are 5-5 and still have a chance to become bowl eligible. But it’s Senior Week at Lincoln Financial Field so the Owls will win and cover.
Pick: Temple 38, Kent State 20

Air Force (+10.0) over BYU
Air Force’s defense must be ready to stop the BYU passing attack to have a chance in this one. Stopping senior QB Max Hall (2,857 yards, 23 TDs) has not been easy this season. But the Falcons have held TCU (20 points) and Utah (16 in regulation) in close losses. That’s why this game should be closer than the spread. BYU’s defenses under Bronco Mendenhall haven’t fared well and this season is no different (ranked 78th nationally).
Pick: BYU 38, Air Force 35

Georgia (-8.5) over Kentucky
It’s not often these two enter this game at 6-4, but the Bulldogs have struggled on defense all season and Kentucky has been unpredictable. Both teams can secure a winning season with a win, but Georgia looks to honor the fallen UGA VII, who died this week. Another factor playing in Georgia’s favor is the improved running game the past four weeks. Let’s not forget this simple fact: Kentucky has not won in Athens since 1977.
Pick: Georgia 34, Kentucky 21

Upset of the Week
LSU (+4.0) over Mississippi
This is a tough pick because we still don’t know if LSU QB Jordan Jefferson will play or not. I don’t like LSU’s chances if it has to start Jarrett Lee. But let’s go out on a limb anyway. The Tigers can’t win the SEC, but there is still plenty to play for this season. Win out and LSU is probably a Top 8 team and will be favored to win the SEC next year. Then there is Ole Miss, who entered the season with astronomical expectations and it was easy to see a massive failure on the horizon. Jevan Snead has been mediocre this season and he’ll need a big game to win at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Pick: LSU 24, Mississippi 21

Last Week: 3-2
Season Record: 29-26

Bowl Preview: Cotton Bowl

AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic
Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
Date: Jan. 2
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: FOX
Line: Texas Tech -4

About Texas Tech: Coach Mike Leach is a genius. We know this because game announcers tell us all about how he has a law degree. (OMG! a LAW degree? He's SO SMART! Nobody has one of those!) Unfortunately, he tends to coach like an idiot. Tech throws the ball all over hell's half-acre and looks pretty doing it, but Leach tends to make dumb decisions at key junctures. Anyway, as usual, Tech can score and move the ball. They were in the national title running until everyone realized they're Texas Tech.

Intangibles:
Leach pirate fetish: -1
Lubbock: -4
Red Raider guy on horse: +4

About Ole Miss: Good-ole boy wunderkind Houston Nutt looks like some kind of genius after taking to the Rebels to the Cotton Bowl thanks to Ed Orgeron's recruits. Nutt, is most certainly NOT a genius though, especially when it comes to text messaging. Anyway, the Rebels are a decent team and Nutt does get some credit. Jevan Snead is a decent QB and that Michael Oher dude on the OL is a total freak.

Intangibles:
Firing David Cutcliffe: -3
Firing Ed Orgeron: +3
more John Grisham novels: -2
Biloxi: -1
Gambling in Biloxi: +2

Impact player: While I was tempted to pick the defensive guy from Tech who gets all gussied up with crazy hair and makeup, I'll go with Snead who needs to play well for Ole Miss to hang around.

Bowl Slogan: "We used to be somebody!"

Little known fact: This is the final year the Cotton Bowl will be played in the traditional Fair Park location. Next year it will be played in the new Cowboys monolith. That sucks.

Watchability (1-5): 3

The Pick: Texas Tech 27, Ole Miss 24