Picks of the Week: No. 13

Seriously, could I pick one upset this season? I'm telling you, 0-12 is humbling. Even my overall picks sucked last week. Thanks Rutgers. You couldn't handle Syracuse? Here's another attempt at perfection.

Connecticut (-13.5) over Syracuse
Both teams are coming off much-needed victories last week--UConn a 33-30 OT win at Notre Dame and Syracuse rolled Rutgers 31-13. The Huskies can still become bowl eligible and even close the season on a three game winning streak with a win Saturday and next week against South Florida. The Orange are playing for next season and if Doug Marrone can finish 5-7 and with two conference wins that will be a huge improvement over the Greg Robinson years. It's also the final game in Greg Paulus' one-year stint with the Cuse.
Pick: Connecticut 31, Syracuse 12

Arizona (-3.0) over Arizona State
The Sun Devils could really catch the Wildcats off guard in this one after that emotional 44-41 double OT loss at home to Oregon last week. Dennis Erickson's ASU team could erase some of the misery of the season with an upset, as well as end a five-game losing skid. A look at starting QBs is why I favor Zona. The Wildcats are going with veteran Nick Foles, while ASU is giving sophomore Samson Szakacsy his second start.
Pick: Arizona 27, Arizona State 17

Boston College (-6.0) over Maryland
Eagles RB Montel Harris will be tough to stop as he is averaging more than 110 yards a game, including an impressive 132 on 23 carries against a staunch North Carolina defense last week.
QB Dave Shinskie needs to rebound from a four INT game, though. The Terps are enduring their worst season under Ralph Friedgen and are fresh off a tough 29-26 loss to Florida State. Even a win here won't save Maryland's season, and possibly their coach's job.
Pick: Boston College 33, Maryland 19

Central Florida (-3.0) over Alabama-Birmingham
With a win UAB becomes bowl eligible. Both teams are still in the hunt for a title in Conference USA. UAB's best shot at winning is relying on versatile QB Joe Webb, who has rushed for 1,290 yards, and passed for 18 TDs. What scares me about UAB is its defense, which ranks as one of the worst in the nation. That opens the door for QB Brett Hodges and the running attack of Brynn Harvey and Jonathan Davis.
Pick: Central Florida 27, UAB 18

Upset of the Week
Ohio (+2.5) over Temple
The Bobcats are looking to reach its second Mid-American Conference championship game in school history, while it would be Temple's first. The Bobcats will pull off the upset at home in Peden Stadium because of a tough defense. Temple, which has won nine-straight, will need to find a way to replace starting RB Bernard Pierce, who was injured in last week's win over Kent State. This is arguably one of the biggest games played in Athens in a decade.
Pick: Ohio 30, Temple 28

Last Week: 1-4
Season Record: 30-30

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

Picks of the Week: No. 7

Don't ask me why, but the 'Eer has decided to venture back to the ACC to pick games. That can't be good. The 'Eer also had another winning week, but he still wants that perfect week. Maybe this is it.

Connecticut (-13.0) over Louisville
UConn is so close to being 5-0 right now. The Huskies outplayed Pitt last week, but fell 24-21 at Heinz Field. Nothing helps you avoid a losing skid than seeing Louisville on the schedule. The Cardinals did pull out a 25-23 win over Southern Miss last week, but the Steve Kragthorpe watch is such a distraction and UConn's defense is stingy, so Louisville will struggle in the cold at Rentschler Field.
Pick: Connecticut 28, Louisville 13

Miami (-14.5) over Central Florida
There's always a concern the Hurricanes will let up a bit after that treacherous four-game stretch to start the season. Last week, Miami handled Florida A&M 48-16. This week Randy Shannon is putting his players on charter buses and traveling four hours up the Florida Turnpike to face UCF. Jacory Harris will remain is cool self and lead Miami to an easy win in Orlando.
Pick: Miami 36, Central Florida 10

Ohio State (-13.5) over Purdue
Only 13.5 points? Sure the game is at Ross-Ade Stadium, but the Boilermakers are no match for Ohio State. There are a lot of concerns about the Buckeyes offense, especially the lack of consistency and improvement by sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor. But this is a perfect opportunity to let Pryor work out of his rut, plus the Ohio State defense should pitch another shut out.
Pick: Ohio State 34, Purdue 3

Temple (-9.5) over Army
I couldn't pass up this game. When's the last time Temple and Army were both .500 or better this late in the season? The Owls are 3-2, but lead the Mid-American Conference East Division at 3-0. Temple is also riding a three-game winning streak after falling to FCS-opponent Villanova in the opener and then it was thumped by Penn State. Freshman RB Bernard Pierce is the offensive catalyst. The Black Knights are coming off a huge 16-13 overtime victory against Vanderbilt. Expect QB Brent Steelman to run the ball about three more times than he passes.
Pick: Temple 31, Army 21

Upset of the Week
Wake Forest (+7.0) over Clemson
This pick is based strictly on the two coaches. Wake's Jim Grobe is among the nation's best, while Clemson's Dabo Swinney hasn't impressed many with his preparation (he sure does run around yelling and does a good job of playing a cheerleader). What scares me about this pick? The Tigers are more talented and the game is at Clemson. RB C.J. Spiller is the best player on the field. But don't pick against Grobe in this one.
Pick: Wake Forest 22, Clemson 21

Last Week: 3-2
Season Record: 16-14

Show Temple some respect

After winning five games last season Temple may be ready to make a run in the Mid-American Conference in 2009. The Owls, who got booted from the Big East, needs to improve on defense to be taken seriously.

Temple should open with a win against Villanova, but then the Owls travel to Penn State. The Nittany Lions should be just fine.

Wait a second. Am I writing about Temple? I guess I just got excited because there's actually video of Temple and that anyone would care. Anyone know where I can get video of Arkansas State?