FOOTBALL FRIDAY: Week 9 - Thoughts, Picks, and Other Stuff

Helloooo Friday!  I sure did miss ya.  How's everybody doing?  Hopefully, all is well.  As you may have noticed, I made a few changes around here.  I think it looks better, but how about you?  I am pretty sure that it's not the appearance that is most important, but being easy on the eyes never hurt nothing.  


As for the football picks, I'm happy to say that I improved a little in week 8, but this prognostication stuff is tricky business.  I'm beginning to feel more love for the experts.  Imagine that.  Now let's get to it.








Last week: 3-2
Against the Spread:   1-3-1 (Houston pushed!!)

For The Season
Straight Up: 5-4
Against the Spread: 1-7-1 (ouch - it's early though)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) vs. (-81/2) New Orleans Saints (5-3)

This is a great matchup!  Tampa Bay has a great young team that is going to be a power in the NFC South long-term.  But New Orleans is still the top dawg in these parts.  After a surprising upset to lowly St. Louis last week, I expect to see some fireworks in the game.  Tampa surprised New Orleans in the first one, so on top of this being a huge midseason test, this also turns out to be a revenge game.  I like New Orleans in this one, but the Bucs fight 'em till the end & beat the spread. 

Denver Broncos (2-5) vs. (-71/2) Oakland Raiders (4-3)

The Tebow circus shows up in Northern California for a road division game against the hated Raiders.  If he pulls this one off, I'm sure Broncos fans would start talking about erecting a statue in the guy's honor.  Not gonna happen.  Yes, Oakland has trouble at Quarterback, but they've still got McFadden running wild out of their backfield.  And I just don't believe the Broncos are good enough to beat any decent quality teams this year.  I'll take Oakland to cover the spread.  

New York Giants (5-2) vs. (-9) New England Patriots (5-2)

In what could be an inter-conference clash between division champions, this game has the makings of a potential Super Bowl preview.  The G-men represent the always rugged NFC East, while the Patriots still hold the mantle of the AFC East, respectively.  I have no doubt that the P-men want a little payback after that upset for the title a few years back: sure there's been roster turnover in both locker rooms, but you better believe Brady and those vets emphasized how important it is to settle the score on the field.  Now here's the shocker -- I don't think they get it!  Yup, I'm taking New York in another upset.  I got a funny feeling Eli Manning wants to prove something about his own legacy.  Either way, the Giants beat the spread.

Baltimore Ravens (5-2) vs. (-31/2) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

I don't even have a dog in this race, but I sure do love this matchup!  Living in Maryland, I can tell you that these two teams really do hate each other; that's not just for the cameras guys.  When the Ravens meet the Steelers, the streets go quiet around here.  Not only is it the most physical game in football, but their matchups almost always decide the division championship.  Sorry B-more, but I got the Steelers by a field goal this time.  Nothing against the Ravens, but it is incredibly difficult to sweep a top quality opponent.  Sure Pittsburgh ain't what they used to be, but they are good enough to hold serve at home.  Now the real question is who Wins the rubber game???

BONUS TIME!!

College Game Of The Year:

#1 LSU Tigers (8-0) vs. (-5) #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0)

I have been looking forward to this football game for a month!  (sidebar: how good is the SEC? This isn't even the only Top 10 matchup in conference tomorrow! Damn, cuz.)  Not only did neither team spoil the quality of the contest by losing to an inferior opponent, they've both beat the crap out of some pretty high quality competition.  Head Coach Nick Saban appears to be the reincarnation of Bear Bryant, by the way the Tide steamrolls people.  But I have been awfully impressed with LSU's unrivaled dominance of their opponents.  They beat THREE ranked teams on the road, and some of those games weren't even close!  That's the most impressive feat I've seen in college ball in a few years.  Based largely on that feat, I got LSU in the 'upset' in Tuscaloosa.  No disrespect to Alabama, but Louisiana State University's football team appears to be on a mission.  I don't see anyone stopping the juggernaut this year.  But if 'Bama runs the table otherwise, they deserve a rematch.  It should be fun.

There it is folks.  Print it out, put it up on the wall & shoot spitballs at it.  Those are the picks for week 9.  AND I gave ya the NCAA Football National Champion.  No Charge...but I do accept tips.  ;-)

Comments are always welcome.