Diner Football Picks, Week 6

Well, we went 5-5 last week...nothing to really write home about in an ordinary year, but this stops 4 straight losing weeks:

3-7.
3-6-1.
3-7.
3-6-1.
5-5.

So, for the year, 17-31-2. Lot of ground to make up, but maybe we turned the corner last week and stopped the bleeding. So, on to this week's picks:

Auburn at Arkansas (+2): Anybody that knows Auburn football knows that the team plays better when they're underdogs under-the-radar. Well, their little 5-0 secret is out after taking care of Tennessee on the road better than Florida did at home. Now, former AU coach Tommy Tuberville is on local radio stations telling folks that Auburn will win this one by three touchdowns. Oh, brother. But, a little publicity doesn't change the fact that Auburn is the better team...even if a fired up Razorback team (Tuberville said their defense couldn't stop a cold) that can score points is at home. Lots of scoring in this 11am kickoff (where Auburn has traditionally been miserable), but the road team has one the last four in this one, and Auburn has won three in a row in Fayetteville. Both of those streaks will continue. Diner Prediction: Auburn 35, Arkansas 31.

Alabama at Ole Miss (+4.5): Will somebody please tell me how a team that struggled to score points at South Carolina and everybody who knows anything about college football says was incredibly overrated is less than a touchdown underdog? I must be missing something. Ole Miss always loses to Alabama even if traditionally it's a close one, it won't be this time around. Everybody, repeat after me: Alabama is playing as consistently well as anyone in the country right now. Besides that, McElroy is indeed getting Heisman talk even if it's because no one else is claiming it. Diner Prediction: Alabama 27, Ole Miss 13.

Florida at L.S.U. (+8): L.S.U. at night at home with a bunch of wild fans who've been partying all day and they get 8 points? And this is with Tebow being a gametime decision. And that's the "x" factor here. If Tebow plays, Florida is a great football team. If he doesn't they're a very good football team. But people overlook the Florida defense which returned every starter off a national championship team. My biggest problem is watching the L.S.U. offense be inconsistent...largely because Jefferson is. I'm of the opinion that Tebow won't play, but the Gators will cover because of their defense. Diner Prediction: Florida 28, L.S.U. 17.

Georgia (+2) at Tennessee: Simply put, the Vols are playing for their season. A pretty tough early schedule that includes UCLA, Florida and Auburn, with Alabama and South Carolina on the horizon, well, the Vols need this one. The only thing that keeps them in games is their defense, which kept the Gators in check and bent but didn't break against Auburn. Georgia is starting to come around on offense, but Joe Cox is no Matthew Stafford, and there is no replacement for Moreno either. But the Vols offense is really bad, and Crompton missed a LOT of open receivers against AU. This will be close, but Richt is tough on the road and the Vols haven't found a way to win close ones. Diner Prediction: Georgia 21, Tennessee 17.

Houston (+1.5) at Mississippi State:I think Houston has a great coach and Case Keenum is an excellent quarterback. They have skilled receivers. But, it's going to be rainy in Starkville. The Bulldogs put 26 on L.S.U., 24 on Auburn, and 31 on Georgia Tech. They've got a little something beginning there and a new attitude, and somebody please tell me how a team that gave up 58 to UTEP is going to score enough against even a weaker SEC defense when I don't think they'll have the ball enough with the points the Bulldogs will put up. Diner Prediction: Mississippi State 42, Houston 31.

Arizona at Washington (+3): Arizona hasn't played anybody except Iowa and they lost by 10 to them. Washington, however, has beaten U.S.C., took Notre Dame to OT on the road, and played L.S.U. close. The biggest thing is that loss to Stanford on the road led me to believe that they aren't a good road team...but then they gave the Irish all they wanted. I think the Stanford game was an aberration and I'm a big fan of Locker and getting points at home, even if I don't think U-Dub'll need 'em. Diner Prediction: Washington 24, Arizona 21.

Georgia Tech (+3) at Florida State: Florida State officially is in trouble. The school president came out and said Bowden's job is safe through the season. That loss at Boston College in the rain may have done them in. Georgia Tech is better than B.C., and the 'Noles are now playing for nothing but pride and to send Saint Bobby out with some degree of ability to hold his head high. That's lousy motivation for a team that's used to playing for championships. Diner Prediction: Georgia Tech 23, Florida State 13.

Oregon at U.C.L.A. (+3.5):Oregon is looking to win their fifth straight after Boise (um, 4th ranked Boise State) won in week 1. U.C.L.A. is coming off a loss to Stanford (who is sending notice to the Pac-10 this year, eh?). Oregon traditionally scores a lot and actually is close to scoring 2 points for every 1 U.C.L.A. scores this season. I think Oregon has righted the ship and will put it on the Bruins, even on the road. Diner Prediction: Oregon 31, U.C.L.A. 20.

Wisconsin (+16) at Ohio State:Something has to give. Wisconsin is a great running team while OSU is a big-time run stuffing defense. Wisconsin scores a bunch, but pads stats against teams like Wofford and Northern Illinois. But then again, Ohio State hasn't really gotten to the meat of their schedule, either. They folded in their only big game against U.S.C. and had trouble scoring in that one. I'm not too sure about Wisconsin's defense, and while I'm sure Ohio State will win, I don't know that the Badger D will give up enough for them to cover. I'll take the Buckeye's to win, but give me the points. Diner Prediction: Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 23.

Boston College (+13.5) at Virginia Tech:If you're asking me, a 7 point win at home in the rain against a weak Florida State team is not really a match for a Virginia Tech team whose only loss was to an Alabama team by 10...a loss that looks more and more impressive as the weeks go by. The Hokies are tough in Blacksburg, and watching them dismantle the Hurricanes there, well, I'm not sure the Golden Eagles will even cover. Diner Prediction: Virginia Tech 34, Boston College 17.

Here's hoping to something better than 5-5! What do you think, patrons?