Friday Football Picks, Week 9

Well, last week I ended the 4-week losing streak, but just barely. I went 4-4, taking my season record to 27-36-1. And, I actually missed the big game in our area, watching Marcus win like they've been winning all season--with defense, taking my high school picks to 10-2.

But, things are starting to shake out in the college football world, looking like an overrated Ohio State team will get throttled by L.S.U., which will throw the BCS into all sorts of controversy. Big 12 and Pac 10 schools will raise all sorts of cain, but those of us who watched Auburn get ripped off in 2004 will just empathize and shrug and say, "Get over it. We had to."

But, all of that is for another blog down the road. On to today's picks:

Georgia (+9) vs. Florida (at Jacksonville, FL): Apparently in the age of political correctness you can't call this annual rivalry The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party like in the old days. Florida manned up last week and went into Kentucky and beat a team L.S.U. didn't. And Georgia looks surprisingly suspect with Alabama beating Tennessee as badly as they did. So, I think that the Gators will win, and barely cover. Diner Prediction: Florida 28, Georgia 17

California (+3) at Arizona State: I really have trouble thinking Arizona State is for real. They've been quietly out there beating everybody they've played. And they were pretty impressive in beating Washington...but when Washington's your best quality win then maybe you haven't beat anybody yet. Well, you get somebody this week, and while I think Cal is better than Arizona State, the Sun Devils will win this one but lose a couple down the stretch. Diner Prediction: Arizona State 24, California 20.

Ole Miss (+17) at Auburn: Auburn has this nasty habit of playing down to the level of their competition and these are those games that Tubberville's Tigers manage to take a half off. With a four-week stretch where they played Florida, LSU, and Arkansas on the road (and beating a better than average Vandy team) they come home. They'll be weary and disheartened in the first half, but they're good enough to win against the Rebels playing only the 2nd half. Diner Prediction: Auburn 31, Ole Miss 13

Ohio State at Penn State (+4.5): Every fiber of my being wants Penn State to win this thing...if for no other reason than the Buckeyes haven't played anyone and they're ranked high for the mere fact that they were four touchdowns worse than the Gators last year. But, trying not to let emotion get the best of me, the Buckeyes are better than the Nittany Lions. Diner Prediction: Ohio State 28, Penn State 20

U.S.C. (+3) at Oregon: I simply don't have very good vibes about U.S.C. this year, and neither does Vegas. The Trojans look shaky, and I think the Ducks are going to watch that TD they almost had against Cal this year with a lot of regrets. I like them big at home with their speed. Diner Prediction: Oregon 31, U.S.C. 21

Kansas at Texas A&M (+2.5): Being unbeaten in the Big 12 North is like being unbeaten in District 6-5A here in Texas. The problem is that they keep finding ways to win and the Jayhawks, no matter how you slice it, are unbeaten. The Aggies are in all sorts of turmoil...and beating Nebraska doesn't mean what it used to. They're one of the few teams that didn't score 40 against 'em. Kyle Field is always tough, though, and I think the pressure gets to the Jayhawks. Diner Prediction: Texas A&M 24, Kansas 21.

South Florida at Connecticut (+4.5): The Bulls have surprised everyone and want to prove they can win on the road after losing to Rutgers. I think that Leavitt is a great coach (Alabama wanted him desperately before they hired Shula and he turned them down) and my guess is that they'll have a little fire to play a big game and win against a ranked opponent. Diner Prediction: South Florida 29, UConn 21.

Colorado (+13.5) at Texas Tech: I have this image of Texas Tech throwing the ball all over the field and scoring points like it's Arena League Football. I have this image of Colorado shutting down Oklahoma. But then I see Texas Tech getting drubbed like they did last week, and then I remember that even Iowa State shut down Oklahoma. I just don't think that the Buffs defense can do to Tech what Missouri did, and two touchdowns seems about right. Diner Prediction: Texas Tech 31, Colorado 17.

And, the high school games this week:

Carrollton Creekview at Flower Mound: Flower Mound is on a little bit of a roll, winning three of their last four and certainly seem to be getting better each week. Creekview can run and they might be able to shorten the game if the can keep the ball, but I think the Jags will get up on them early and force them to throw. At that point, FMHS pulls away. Diner Prediction: Flower Mound 27, Creekview 17.

Carrollton R.L. Turner at Lewisville: Turner is simply awful. They've scored 30 points ALL season long. They've given up nearly 10 times that much. The Fighting Farmers will have little trouble against an inferior team. Diner Prediction: Lewisville 33, Turner 7.

Marcus at Carrollton Newman-Smith: Newman-Smith isn't much better than Turner, but they play better defense by about a touchdown per game. It won't be near enough to compete with a Marcus team that has a sophomore running back that already has a back that's run for 1,000 yards in 7 games. Marcus will produce a workmanlike effort after two rivalry games (one for Homecoming), but it will be easy. Diner Prediction: Marcus 35, Newman-Smith 14

Well, folks, what do YOU think?