Week 6: We're pickin' and a grinnin'

The picks are in, The picks are in...

We're getting ready for a big weekend of conference matchups here at The Nitty Griddy. We've had some requests for changes to the site, so let us know what you think, and if there's anything you'd like to see, or anything you'd like to see presented differently. On to the picks!

Marcus says...

Northwestern +7.5 vs. Michigan
Northwestern had a big lead at Illinois last week, only to let it slip away. Michigan’s offense is more explosive than the Illini’s and the defense has been playing well. Dan Persa and the ‘Cats will score some points, but in the end Michigan covers.

Nebraska -11 vs. Ohio St
Taylor Martinez and the Huskers have something to prove after their dismantling at the hands of Wisconsin last week. Ohio State gets 3 starters back, but still needs to shake out their QB situation. I want to make my OSU talent argument here, but just can’t do it. Nebraska wins by 2 TDs and covers.

Western Michigan -10 vs. Bowling Green
The money is coming in on Bowling Green as the line has moved to 10. It’s important game for the Broncos and their quest for their first MAC title since ‘88. Kalamazoo will be jacked for the game and their should be a good Homecoming crowd at Waldo. WMU covers in the win.

Georgia Tech -14 vs. Maryland
The Georgia Tech offense has been the talk of the town, while Maryland has become an afterthought since they knocked off Miami in Week 1. The Tech offense will try to run and gun, while Davey O’Brien and Maryland will try to slow the pace. I like Georgia Tech to win here, but take Maryland and the points.


Kyle says...

Oklahoma -10.5 vs. Texas

The Horns and Oklahoma get together in Dallas for the Red River Rivalry as the second biggest game in town tomorrow (Thanks Tigers!) But, that doesn't mean the game won't provide some fireworks. Texas' slows it down and controls the ball with its running game, maybe not enough to win, but enough to beat the spread.

Florida @ LSU -13

The Gators have picked a bad week and a very bad year to head to the Bayou a week after getting pummeled by 'Bama in the Swamp. LSU continues to assault opposing defenses with a balanced attack and Florida is going to have a hard time keeping its D off the field. Look for LSU to cover.

Iowa St. @ Baylor -15.5

The bad breaks keep coming for the Cyclones as RGIII lines up across from them this week. Iowa St. QB Steel Jantz may keep them in the game early, but look for Baylor to come on strong in the second and cover easily.

Georgia -2 @ Tennessee

Are you sold on Georgia? Me neither. Facing the prolific Volunteers offense isn't going to be easy for an inconsistent Bulldog defense. Tyler Bray does what he likes against the UGA defensive backfield, and Tennessee beats the spread.

Season Standings:

Marcus - 11-9-0
Kyle - 10-9-1

Week 6: Hitting the Links

Former high school national player of the year Garrett Gilbert is transferring from Texas.  This is definitely not the way Longhorn fan saw this going.

ND defense is no longer porous says Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Brady Hoke looking for improved play on Special Teams says Mark Snyder of the Freep.

Rivalry week in Nevada.  UNLV: where they are developing 'winners'?  Chris Murray has some thoughts on that from Reno.

Love to see WMU beat writer Graham Couch paying attention to the lines.  Maybe he'll start to follow TNG.

Can Clemson keep up their torrid pace on offense?

College Gameday will be in Dallas for the Red River Rivalry.  UT may be young, but they have talent.

Will Shelton of Rocky Top Talk says Georgia-Tennessee is at DEFCON 3.

Georgia Tech's #1 recruit will not take a visit to Georgia says Michael Carvell of the AJC.

Annual LSU-Florida game may become a casualty of conference realignment.

Ohio State is getting 3 suspended players back for this weeks game in Lincoln, but as Rusty Miller puts it, too bad none of them play QB.

Picks will be up tomorrow, enjoy Cal-Oregon tonight!

P.S. - Go Detroit Tigers! (we follow other sports too)

Week 6: Pac 12, Big 12, SEC, WAC, MWC

Hello Nitty Griddy readers. Sorry for the delay—moving to Nevada has been distracting to this half of TNG's staff—but we're back. This week we're breaking down the Red River Rivalry, the Battle in the Bayou, and Nevada's battle over which state school has the loosest... slots. On to the picks!

Pac 12
Cal @ Oregon -24
Arizona -2 @ Oregon St.
Arizona St. -4 @ Utah
Colo. @ Stanford -29.5
WSU @ UCLA -3.5

Big 12
Oklahoma -9.5 vs. Texas (Dallas)
Kansas @ Oklahoma St. -29.5
Mizzou -3 @ KSU
Iowa St. @ Baylor -15.5
Texas A&M -9 @ Texas Tech

SEC
Miss St. -17 @ UAB
Kentucky @ South Carolina -21
Florida @ LSU -14
Auburn @ Arkansas -10
Vanderbilt @ Alabama -29.5
UGA -1 @ Tenn.

Mountain West
Boise St. -21 @ Fresno St.
UNLV @ Nevada -21
La. Tech -4 @ Idaho
Wyoming @ Utah St. -11
SJSU @ BYU -12.5

WAC
Air Force @ Notre Dame -14.5
TCU -4 @ SDSU

Kyle says...

UNLV @ Nevada -21
Boy did the Rebels pick the wrong year to come north. Nevada is coming off a few ugly losses to much better competition than UNLV can muster in Texas Tech and Boise State. And, despite just plain stinking on defense, the Pack rolls out a top-15 rushing attack led by Junior RB Mike Ball, who is going to roll through a Reb's defense ranked nearly dead last in D1 play. There's no way Rebs RB Tim Cornett, no slouch in his own right, gets enough touches to make a difference. Look for the Pack running game to buy whoever is quarterbacking the air attack enough time to pick apart UNLV's porous secondary for at least a few scores. Nevada takes out its frustration on the boys from down south and covers at home.

Georgia -1 @ Tennessee
The Bulldogs have looked good in their last three games—including a beating of Mississippi State—which may be lending Vegas an edge in confidence in this line. But, do not underestimate these young Vols, led by QB Tyler Bray and his monster year so far. Bray has more weapons, and the homefield advantage on Georgia's Aaron Murray, who hasn't had any problem finding the end zone this year. Look for Tennessee to beat the spread in a shootout.

Florida @ LSU -14
If Alabama exposed Florida last week, LSU is going in for the kill this week. With starting QB John Brantley out, the Gators turn to one of a trio of freshman to lead them against one of the top defenses in the country in LSU. LSU is giving up the ninth fewest points in the country, and manhandled a senior-laden offense in Oregon in week 1. The Tigers will continue to hammer away on defense and maximize their big play potential on offense. Look for an easy win and LSU to cover in the Bayou.

Oklahoma -9.5 vs. Texas
When has there ever been less hype going into this game with both teams undefeated? Oklahoma is getting no love, partly as a function of a soft schedule that's really only featured a drooping Florida State squad, and partly because Alabama and LSU are on freaking fire. Coach Bob Stoops knows he'll have to make a statement in this Texas game to fend off the haters (and maybe Boise St. in the rankings.) That makes me scared for the Horns, BUT, UT is having almost no problem scoring points despite a pathetic QB situation, which tells me Fozzy Whittacker and Malcolm Brown are holding Texas in games. Look for UT to keep it on the ground and keep it tight. Oklahoma will win, but the Horns beat the spread.

Week 6: Big Ten, Big East, ACC MAC, and Sun Belt. Conference play heats up. Homecoming in Kalamazoo. Can the Huskers bounce back? How good is Georgia Tech?

We're back TNG Nation! It's been a busy week but here's the first installment of our Week 6 Previews. Conference play heats up as teams are jockeying for position in the conference standings. Michigan coach Brady Hoke doesn't think his team is as good as their ranking at #12, but the Wolverines have a chance to pick up a W in their first road game. The Nebraska Corn Huskers open their home Big Ten schedule with the spiraling Ohio State Buckeyes. Western Michigan is feeling pretty good about themselves after knocking off last years Big East Champion and does this year's Georgia Tech team remind of the 1990 squad? Yeah we don't remember that team either. Onto the Previews...

B1G-

Purdue -10.5 vs. Minnesota
Indiana +15 vs. Illinois
Penn St -3.5 vs. Iowa
Northwestern +7.5 vs. Michigan
Nebraska -11 vs. Ohio St


BIG EAST-

West Virginia -20 vs. UConn
Rutgers +7 vs. Pitt
Syracuse -10 @ Tulane

MAC-

Miami (OH) +2 vs. Army
Western Michigan -11 vs. Bowling Green
Ball St +8.5 vs. Temple
Toledo -21 vs. Eastern Michigan
Central Michigan +10.5 @ NC State
Buffalo +8.5 vs. Ohio
Northern Illinois -17 vs. Kent St

SUN BELT-

Middle Tennessee St -11.5 vs. Western Kentucky
FIU -19 @ Akron
LA-Lafayette +6.5 vs. Troy
LA-Monroe +2 vs. Arkansas St
North Texas -4 vs. Florida Atlantic

ACC-

Georgia Tech -14 vs. Maryland
North Carolina -14 vs. Louisville
Wake Forest +10.5 vs. Florida St
Clemson -21 vs. Boston College
Virginia Tech -7.5 vs. Miami (FL)

Marcus says...

Northwestern +7.5 vs. Michigan
The Wolverines enter the game Saturday night at Ryan Field at 5-0 and rapidly climbing in the polls after an absolute dismantling of Minnesota last week.  Northwestern hosts Michigan trying to shake off a tough loss at Illinois last week.  The Wildcats led by 4 with 1:15 to play, only to watch Illinois march down the filed and win the game.  Michigan’s Denard Robinson continues to pile up the stats with 14 total TDs and leading the Big Ten in rushing with 603 yards.  The Wolverine defense continues to be the most improved part of the team.  Northwestern got their Senior QB Dan Persa back last week and he threw 4 TDs in his first game back from an achilles injury suffered last year.  However, Persa wasn’t able to run on the Illini defense and I imagine he’ll have the same troubles against the Wolverines.  Early feeling is Michigan covers.

Nebraska -11 vs. Ohio St
How different does this game feel after last weeks results?  Nebraska was embarrassed by Russell Wilson and the Badgers in Madison while the Buckeyes couldn’t get anything going against the Michigan State defense.  Ohio State QB Braxton Miller was pulled for the 37 year old Joe Bauserman after he couldn’t move the ball and turned it over.  The word is Coach Fickell is going back to Miller for this game, which shows how desperate they are for him to be the future.  Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez, who was hyped by TNG last week, threw 3 picks while the “Blackshirts” are still giving up yards to Wiscy’s offense.   Both teams need to bounce back and the Huskers appear to be more poised to do that, especially at home.  Leaning Nebraska covering.

Western Michigan -11 vs. Bowling Green
This game has ‘trap’ written all over it for the Broncos.  WMU is 3-2 after getting a big road win at UConn last week.  TNG’s favorite dynamic duo of Carder and White were unstoppable as White had 173 yds and 2 scores.  Alex Carder placed himself in the national spotlight as one of the country’s best QBs with a 479 yard, 5 TD and 0 INT performance.  WMU’s defense got the job done, forcing a fumble late that sealed the victory.  Bowling Green is also 3-2 and is coming off a beat down at the hands of West Virginia.  BG’s defense couldn’t stop the high powered Mountaineer attack and QB Schilz threw 3 INTs.  The Falcons will regroup and Coach Clawson hopes to have RB Samuel and WR Cooper back for the game.  It’s homecoming in Kalamazoo and expect there to be a good crowd at Waldo Stadium. 11 is a big number, but I like WMU to focus and beat BG by 2 TDs.  

Georgia Tech -14 vs. Maryland
The Yellow Jackets are 5-0 for the first time in 1990, when they shared the National Title with Colorado under the direction of Coach Bobby Ross.  The Georgia Tech rushing attack is #1 in the country averaging 378.2 yards per game, led by Junior RB Orwin Smith.  QB Tevin Washington has been efficient with 10 TDs against only 1 INT.  Maryland comes into the game at 2-2 and no one cares anymore about their uniforms.  The Terps face a tall task in Atlanta, as their defense is giving up 412.5 yards per game, a conference worst.  I see GT covering in a big win.

Week 5: The Picks are In! Clemson not getting any respect? Is Boise that good?

The picks are in, The picks are in...

It's been a busy week outside of TNG for the staff. One has been traveling all over the country, while the other has been preparing for a new job and new place of residence. At any rate, here are our picks against the spread for Week 5. Marcus is really into the underdog and Kyle is into the chalk. Best of luck at the window and now on to the picks...



Marcus says...



Wisconsin -10 vs. Nebraska
The money continue to come in on the Badgers at home as the line moves to 10.  Wiscy has been impressive so far, but Nebraska has QB Taylor Martinez and an option attack.  Expect a good game in Madison and take Nebraska and the points.



Western Michigan +2.5 @ Connecticut
The line moved in favor of the Broncos from the initial posting.  This is not a surprise given the national respect given to Carder and White.  The Bronco defense must find a way to stop the UConn running attack in order to win this game.  I like WMU to win the game outright.



Ohio St -3.5 vs. Michigan St
This game will define the season for Sparty as a loss will hurt their chances of the B1G title.  The MSU offense can control the ball with Bell, Caper and Baker.  Look for Captain Kirk to bounce back and the defense to contain Braxton Miller.  I’m taking MSU and the points.



Virginia Tech -7 vs. Clemson
The line has stayed put on Va Tech and Clemson has the Hokies are getting respect at home.  Clemson comes in with all of the momentum as Tajh Boyd has been the real deal.  The Va Tech defense has been tough, but they haven’t seen an offense like the Tigers.  I’m taking Clemson and the points.



Kyle says...



‘Bama -4.5 @ Florida
Defense and ball control will rule the day in the Swamp Saturday. ‘Bama continues to march toward a national title appearance on the back of the best defense in the nation. Florida may keep it somewhat interesting, but the Tide showed last week that it has no problem squashing a flashy offensive attack. ‘Bama covers.



Texas A&M -3 vs. Arkansas
The Aggies and Hogs are coming off of tough losses in gut check games last weekend. The Arkansas defense, though, isn’t ready for the Aggs offensive attack in Arlington. A&M covers.



Washington @ Utah -7.5
The Huskies take their high octane attack (how many descriptions are there?) into Utah to face the Utes’ defense, which has been stingy in Pac 12 play. Look for the Utes to cover on the strength of their D.



Nevada @ Boise State -27.5
Boise State hasn’t missed a beat in the passing game despite the loss of two major receivers to the NFL last year. Nevada is rebuilding on both sides of the ball, and cruising for a bruising after ruining the Broncos’ BCS title hopes after the miracle in Reno last season. It’s a big number to cover, but Boise will get all of it.




Season Standings:



Kyle - 9-6-1
Marcus - 8-8-0

Week 5: SEC/ ACC, TNG previews a heavyweight battle in Blacksburg and a Showdown in the Swamp

Happy Friday and welcome to our Week 5 previews for the SEC and ACC games. Next week we'll be back to a regular posting schedule, but things have been crazy with a move to Nevada this weekend for half of our staff. Here's to great coaches:

ACC-

Boston College +2.5 vs. Wake Forest
Maryland OFF vs. Towson
NC State +9.5 vs. Georgia Tech
Virginia -16.5 vs. Idaho
Miami (FL) OFF vs. Bethune-Cookman
Virginia Tech -7 vs. Clemson
East Carolina +6 vs. North Carolina

Marcus Says...

Virginia Tech -7 vs. Clemson
Two ACC heavyweights collide in Blacksburg, VA on Saturday night. Both teams enter the game 4-0 and Clemson is riding high coming off wins against Auburn and Florida State. Clemson QB Tajh Boyd has been impressive, having thrown 13 TD passes and rushed for 2 more while only throwing 1 interception. The Hokies have put in work on the ground led by RB David Wilson and his 516 rushing yards, but the Virginia Tech defense is the strength of the team allowing only 10 points per game (albeit against weaker competition). The Tigers are trying to avoid a repeat of 2006 when Clemson came to Blacksburg on a winning streak just to get embarrassed by the Hokies. Virginia Tech is tough at home and will be ready to step up against Clemson. However 7 points seems like a big number, my early feeling is Clemson and the points in an overall Va Tech W.


SEC-

Miss. St. @ Georgia -7
Texas A&M -3 @ Arkansas
Kentucky @ LSU -30.5
Buffalo @ Tennessee -28.5
Auburn @ S. Carolina -10
Alabama -4.5 @ Florida
Ole Miss @ Fresno State -4


Kyle Says...

Auburn @ S. Carolina -10
The line seems steep at first glance. Auburn has had no problem putting points on the board this season, and despite his youth, first year QB Barrett Trotter has looked solid for the Tigers. It’s their defense that’s the trouble, and you’d better believe the ole’ ball coach knows it. Look for a heaping helping of Marcus Lattimore, enough even to allow a confirmed idiot like Stephen Garcia enough easy shots down the field. The ‘Cocks are rushing for 214 yards per game, and the Tigers are near the bottom of the D1 defense barrel. Look for S. Carolina to cover.

Alabama -4.5 @ Florida
A lot of people are looking at this as a statement game for the Gators. They are a finely tuned machine on offense and have quietly amassed one of the more effective defenses- giving up the fourth-fewest points in D1 football- in the SEC. There’s a big but here though, and not Charlie Weis’. ‘Bama does it in big games. They stomped out in Happy Valley and dismantled a high-flying Arkansas attack last week. The Tide’s defense is probably the best in the nation, giving up just 8 points per game. Add in an effective, two-headed running game, and the Tide covers easily in the Swamp.

Week 5: Big 12 hosts the showdown in Arlington, Boise looks for revenge on the SmurfTurf

Good morning Nitty Griddy readers and welcome to Week 5 in the Big 12, Pac 12, WAC, MWAC and Independents. Sorry for the lack of a Tuesday post- half of our blogging contingent is gearing up for a big move to Nevada, where life is a little more friendly to a blog like this. Onto the picks!

BIG12
Texas A&M -3 vs. Arkansas
Texas -9.5 @ Iowa St.
Baylor -4 @ Kansas State
Texas Tech -7 @ Kansas
Ball St. @ Oklahoma -37.5

PAC12
Arizona @ USC -14
Wash. St. @ Colorado -3
Wash. @ Utah -7.5
OSU @ Arizona State -18
UCLA @ Stanford -20.5

WAC
Utah St. @ BYU -8
Nevada @ Boise St. -27.5
Idaho @ UVA -17
San Jose State @ Colo. St. -3
Hawaii @ La. Tech. -3.5
NMSU -2.5 @ New Mexico
Ole Miss @ Fresno State -3.5

MWAC
Air Force @ Navy -3
SMU @ TCU -11.5

Independents
Notre Dame -13 @ Purdue

Kyle says...

Texas A&M -3 vs. Arkansas (Neutral site: Arlington, Texas)
The Aggies and Hogs are both smarting from poor play in losses that went incredibly badly for the future SEC West foes. Arkansas looked hapless in Tuscaloosa against a very solid Alabama squad, while A&M's nightmare of a loss to Oklahoma State was a study in how very different two halves can be. Look for Ryan Tannehill to pick on Arkansas' secondary, which gave up a lot in the intermediate passing game last week against the Tide. The Aggies defense gets back to the top-flight performance they showed in the first half last week, and A&M covers.

Texas -9.5 @ Iowa St.
Texas is a superpower still trying to find its groove. Iowa State is an exciting young upstart led by a transfer quarterback in Steele Jantz (from Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley, Calif.) who has been one of the Big 12's most exciting athletes this season. Watch for the Horns balanced rushing game and defense to come out big and help to avenge last season's loss in Austin. The Cyclones haven't been able to muster much a rushing game (at 145.3 ypg, they're among the worst in the conference) and will have a hard time keeping Texas off the field. I'm picking UT to cover, but barely. Expect some of that Cyclone magic to keep this game around two scores.

Arizona @ USC -14
I would have picked this game a lot differently a month ago, before the evidence of a brutal schedule smacked Arizona in the face. The Cats look to be a team in disarray, losing their last four by a combined 130 points. QB Nick Foles just does not have the pieces around him to be successful, and the defense has looked horrid against three consecutive top-10 foes. USC has looked wildly inconsistent, and downright bad in a loss last week at Arizona State. Look for USC QB Matt Barkley to cut down on his turnovers and Marc Tyler to get a few more carries in a Trojans win, but I don't like them with the points. Arizona beats the spread.

Washington @ Utah -7.5
U-Dub takes its high-flying scoring attack, led by QB Kevin Price, who hung three TDs on Cal in a win last week, into Rice Eccles Stadium in Utah to face a Utes team that has been relatively stingy on defense. Utah handled BYU in a Week 3 54-10 romp, and is 15th in the nation in yards allowed. For all their offensive charm, the Huskies have had a tough time of it in the defensive backfield this year, and that's where Utah will do its damage. Look for the Utes to cover.

Nevada @ Boise State -27.5
WTF is The Nitty Griddy doing previewing this game, you might ask? The answer is that this is all about context. Last year the Wolfpack, led by senior QB Colin Kaepernick, ripped Boise's heart out of its fancy Nike jersey in a barn-burner in Reno. Nevada put a stop to Boise's national title hopes in the program's biggest-ever win. Things will turn out differently this season. Nevada, despite a still-effective rushing game, is a shell of itself in the passing game, averaging less than 200 yards and about a touchdown in its first three games. Boise, led by QB Kellen Moore, will pick apart the Pack and the Broncos' defense will give UNR fits all day. This game is going to be about revenge and Boise's quest to win and wait for Oklahoma, LSU or Alabama to slip up on their way to the BCS title game. Look for an ugly score on the Smurf Turf, with Boise covering.