Last week's results were better but still not the 5-0 week I have been seeking. FSU's choke job at NC State was especially painful to watch since it has happened before (Miracle on North Ave). Here are the picks for Week 10:
TCU at Utah- It is a testament to how far college football really has come that a Mountain West conference game is also a showdown between two Top 5 teams. The winner of this game will actually have the inside track to the National Championship Game, ahead of Boise State. That is because they both own signature non-conference wins in addition to their domination of the MWC schedule. TCU beat Oregon State 30-21 and Baylor 45-10. Utah beat Pittsburgh 27-24 and Iowa State 68-27. Both teams look very similar on paper. Utah is third in the nation in scoring offense while TCU is tenth. TCU is first in scoring defense while Utah in sixth. However, Utah cannot match TCU's overwhelming athleticism and depth. This game will be a classic, but the Horned Frogs will prevail. TCU 28, Utah 27
Alabama at LSU- This game should truly reveal if Les Miles has sold his soul to the devil. If he can luck his team to victory against a locked-in Alabama team, then maybe we should all stop mocking him for fear of ending up dead. Alabama is a well-rounded team with a strong defense, a solid passing game, and a dominate running game. LSU has a good defense, a gifted kick returner, a semblance of a running game, and zero passing game. The Tigers are 113th in the nation is passing, out of only 120 teams. Since this game is in Tiger Stadium, LSU does have a puncher's chance. Unless Beelzebub has something to do with it. Alabama 24, LSU 10
Arkansas at South Carolina- This game is one of the more difficult ones to pick this year. Arkansas has been all but eliminated in the SEC West race and South Carolina will play Florida for the SEC East regardless of this week's outcome. However, this matchup will go along way towards deciding the SEC's pecking order. The winner will be perceived as an up-tier team while the loser will be a mid-tier team. The Razorbacks matchup well with the Gamecocks. Arkansas has the SEC's strongest passing attack while South Carolina has the conference's worst pass defense. However, the Gamecocks have a strong pass rush and they should be able to get enough pressure on Ryan Mallet to contain him. If they use Marcus Lattimore to control the clock and the game, they should be able to win. South Carolina 34, Arkansas 32
North Carolina at Florida State- At the beginning of year, this game was picked out as one that could help decide both ACC divisions. However, after the Tar Heels' suspensions, only the Seminoles still have a lot to lose. By losing to NC State, FSU lost control of their own destiny in the Atlantic Division. However, if they win out and inconsistent NC State loses again, they will win the division. The Tar Heels season has gone a very different way. After playing extremely well the first month of the season, they seem to have lost their us-against-the-world mentality and have gotten worse as the season has gone along. Last week, they needed 14 fourth quarter points in order to beat FCS team William and Mary. If this game was in Chapel Hill, the Heels would have a shot. In Tallahassee, they have none. Florida State 34, North Carolina 21
Upset Special: Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech- Their is no real reason to pick the Yellow Jackets to win this game. The weather is supposed to be awful, making the ball slippery and the triple option harder to run. Virginia Tech is at home in one of the most difficult places to play in the country. The Hokies are a team out for revenge after being upset in Atlanta last year. And they are the hotter team after winning six straight, while Georgia Tech has had a very up and down season. However, Paul Johnson is a master at getting his team ready for games like this one. The triple option hasn't looked great this year except for brief stretches, but tonight in Blacksburg, it will all click. Georgia Tech 27, Virginia Tech 24
Week 8 Record: 3-2
Overall Record: 30-15
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