Picks of the Week: No. 4

Guess I'm wimping out this week. I like Bowling Green to cover against Boise State, and Iowa to cover at Penn State. Heck, I even like TCU to cover at Clemson, but I'm not taking any of those games. Forgive me, but I need to improve on my record.

Here's my shot at a better record.

Miami (-2.0) over Virginia Tech
Miami is not back yet. The Hurricanes are much better than most expected, but championship UM teams are better than this squad. However, Randy Shannon's team is oozing confidence and they are more talented than the Hokies. Force Tyrod Taylor to throw and it's an easy win for Miami.
Pick: Miami 33, Virginia Tech 22

Florida Sate (-14.0) over South Florida
A week ago I would have taken the Bulls and the points. Matt Grothe and his ACL tear changes things a bit. Now Christian Ponder will be the best quarterback in this game. Hell, E.J. Manuel may be the second-best QB in Tallahassee. The Noles are rolling into this game following last week's win at BYU. The Bulls are just reeling.
Pick: FSU 34, South Florida 14

Ohio State (-14.0) over Illinois
Been reading all week how Illinois upset OSU two years ago in The Shoe. It's not going to happen, and the Illini won't even cover. The Buckeyes are still the best team in the Big Ten and they'll prove that again this week with a stout defensive performance.
Pick: Ohio State 28, Illinois 13

Alabama (-17.5) over Arkansas
Did you see all of those points the Razorbacks scored against Georgia? Sure, but Arkansas lost. Now Bobby Petrino must get his offense ready to play a much more aggressive and speedy defense. Bama will roll easily.
Pick: Alabama 48, Arkansas 21

Upset of the Week Texas Tech (+1.0) over Houston
The Red Raiders surprised me in a close loss to Texas last week in Austin. Houston had its moment at Oklahoma State. QB Taylor Potts fits well into Mike Leach's system and he'll pick apart the Cougars defense.
Pick: Texas Tech 42, Houston 30

Last Week: 3-2
Season Record: 8-7

Podcast: Episode 41

We have a special guest this week on An 'Eye and an 'Eer: College Football Podcast. We welcome Mike Eisenberg from Eisentower30.com and big-time Miami Hurricanes' fan. Eisenberg, a former minor-league baseball player, is now a film student in Chicago. He provides us a little insight into UM's big road test in Blacksburg against Virginia Tech. The 'Eye and the 'Eer take a look at last week's interesting outcomes, as well as look into our crystal balls as we consider some of the possibilities this weekend. We also discuss Pete Carroll, Bobby Petrino, the lackluster Florida Gators, Matt Grothe and Penn State.

Big East shut out again

No Big East team is good enough to crack the AP Top 25 or the USA Today Coaches preseason polls. This once again proves how insignificant these polls are and how we should wait until the first week of October before a poll is released.

But now GQ is dissing the conference. In the magazine's America's 25 Douchiest Colleges not a single Big East team made the cut. Seriously GQ, have none of your editors or writers met anyone from UConn? And Matt Grothe alone should warrent South Florida consideration.

OK, Ohio State's inclusion is pretty funny, but how does the ACC's Virginia Tech and North Carolina not make the list?

We hardly knew ye

Robert Marve, another all-everything quarterback coming out of high school, may be done at the University Miami. It's been rumored that Marve, from Tampa, was transferring to South Florida.

On Thursday, he told the Associated Press that he won't be playing in the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 27 when the Hurricanes (7-5) play California (8-4) because he violated "team academic rules." That's a nice way of saying he didn't go to class.

Marve's career was derailed when he was seriously hurt in a car accident before his first practice. After sitting out last season, Marve earned the starting job over true freshman Jacory Harris. However, Randy Shannon may not be that upset to see Marve fade away as Harris performed better this season and he may have favored him over Marve next fall.

While Marve started the final 11 games, Harris played in all 12 games. Marve completed nearly 55 percent of his passes for 1,293 yards and nine touchdowns. Harris, who threw about 50 fewer passes, completed 61 percent for 1,001 yards and 10 scores.

While I've been a big Marve fan, he didn't show signs of improving at all this season. Harris, on the other hand, got better each week and played like a champion. This is the best scenario for Miami.

It could also work out well for Marve if he truly goes to USF, where he could sit out next season as Matt Grothe plays his final season as the Bulls quarterback. Not the storybook career Marve was looking for, but there's still time for a few good chapters.

Picks of the Week

Damn the ACC. Each week is so unpredictable. After saying on our podcast this week that I would never pick another ACC game, I'm sort of breaking that rule already. What I actually meant was I wouldn't try to pick a winner when two ACC teams play. So I am willing to take a shot on the Brain Bowl of Vandy and Duke this week. So here are my picks for this week (can I get a little luck?):

Vanderbilt (-10) over Duke
I really want to take Duke here. David Cutcliffe's heart is in the SEC and he knows Vandy should be a victory. Both of these schools are known more for basketball and brains, but each has been impressive at times this season. It's a non-conference game, but for Duke this could mean bowl eligibility. I just can't get past the talent aspect. I think Bobby Johnson's group is more talented and will win at home.
Pick: Vanderbilt 24, Duke 10

Minnesota (+1.5) over Purdue
Joe Tiller says his Boilermakers are ripping at the seams, but I don't agree. Players are sniping at each other and the Tiller's swan song has been disappointing. Purdue QB Curtis Painter is overmatched, and Minnesota's defense got healthy during a bye week. Look for Coach Tim Brewster to have the Gophers ready to play and avoid any letdown as they look to go 7-1 and end any legitimate hopes of Purdue getting to a bowl game this year.
Pick: Minnesota 30, Purdue 21

Michigan State (-4) over Michigan
This should be a safe pick, but when you look at the facts I'm not so sure. The Spartans were embarrassed last week by Ohio State and looked dejected, and they are riding a six-game losing skid against the Wolverines. The difference this time around is that Rich Rodriguez' offense is spiraling out of control and is among the worst in the nation. Javon Ringer will run wild Saturday and lead Mark Dantonio's group to an easy win at Michigan Stadium.
Pick: Michigan 38, Michigan 14

South Florida (-3.5) over Louisville
This could be one heckuva game. I don't see how there won't be a lot of points scored at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium as the Big East's top two offenses clash. Louisville is 0-1 in conference play and this game is crucial to remaining a legitimate contender. The same could be said for the Bulls, who are 1-1. This game will be decided by with QB plays the best. Will it be USF's Matt Grothe or Louisville's Hunter Cantwell? I don't really like either, but Grothe is gutsy.
Pick: South Florida 45, Louisville 40

Upset of the Week Ohio State (-1.5) over Penn State
This is a stretch for an upset, but if the oddsmakers say it is then I will too. I haven't done too well picking against the Nittany Lions this year, but I have my reasons for this one other than PSU is overrated. The big one is Beanie Wells. He's a big-game player and I think he wants to prove something in this nationally televised night game on Saturday. I also believe the crowd wills OSU to this victory. They'll be loud, inebriated and obnoxious. Somewhat similar to a PSU crowd in Beaver Stadium.
Pick: Ohio State 24, Penn State 21

Last Week: 2-3
Season: 12-13

The Stache vs. Raspy Voice Guy

VS.



Not blogging LIVE! cause I've got to pick up a friend at the airport, but this game has been interesting.

South Florida decided to show up in the second half after trailing 17-7 at halftime. Now it's 17-14. Both teams are playing to form. Pitt is running the 2000 Baltimore Ravens offense of Matt Cavanaugh and South Florida is horrifically erratic with dumb penalties and poor decisions followed by great athletes running around making plays.

Not sure what will happen the rest of the way. I'm somewhat betting on Pitt being able to pound the ball against an undersized USF front.