Last week was a tough one for your boy Big Country, going 2-4 against the spread, putting me back under .500 for the season.  But don't let the record for last week fool you.  If it wasn't for a Taylor Kelly injury I go 3-3, and that includes Penn State only winning by 3 when the spread was 3.5.  All that matters is the final score , but the point is your boy isn't off by much and could be back over .500 by Sunday.  This week I got 7 games for you.   That's right, 7!!! So buckle up and enjoy the ride.  As always the home team is in caps.

Maryland (+1) over SYRACUSE

There is no question in my mind that Maryland is the better team in this matchup, so the fact that they are getting points (granted just 1) makes this a no brainer for me.  This is a Maryland team that just gave West Virginia a serious run for their money.  People seem to think this Syracuse defense is good, but I'd like to see them do it against a power 5 conference opponent rather than Central

Michigan and Villanova before I take them serious.

Central Michigan (+4) over KANSAS

Yes, Central Michigan just got their asses whooped by Syracuse, so I get why people might not be in love with this pick, but there are two things I keep coming back to.  First is that Central Michigan went on the road to Purdue and beat them by 3 touchdowns the second week of the season, making me feel confident they can beat Kansas.  The second thing is I can't think of a single reason why I would ever be comfortable giving points with Kansas.  This team got trounced by Duke last week, and went 3-9 last year.  I like Central Michigan straight up.

Virginia (+14) over BYU

Ever since BYU beat Texas (without QB David Ash) there has been a lot of hype surrounding the Cougars.  There has even been talks of them running the table this season.  I am willing to concede they are a good team, but they are running into a very good Cavaliers defense that were able to slow down Cal's offense, and beat a top 25 program in Louisville.  I think the defense can give Taysom Hill some headaches and make this a close game.

MISSOURI (-14) over Indiana

Two weeks ago I told you all how I was all in on Maty Mauk and the Mizzou Tigers.  Last week I tried getting cute, predicting Missouri to win but thinking with an extra week of study time UCF would keep it close.  Not this time, Mizzou in a blow out.  The Missouri defensive front completely dominated UCF last week, and I expect the same against Indiana.  The Hoosiers just lost to Bowling Green, and their QB Nate Sudfield doesn't have the mobility to get away from the Tigers pass rush.  It's going to be a loooong day for Indiana.

LSU (-10) over Mississippi State

Don't be fooled by the 3-0 record being carried around by Mississippi State, they didn't play anybody of note.  This week they run into a legitimate football team in LSU, and if UAB from Conference USA was able to put up 34 points on the Bulldogs, I don't see them stopping the Tigers.  This LSU defense is for real, and I think they expose Dak Prescott in a big win.

SOUTH CAROLINA (-22) over Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt is NOT a good football team.  They just allowed 34 points AT HOME to Umass.  You read that right.  They lost at home to Temple by 30.  They went to Ole Miss and lost by 38.  Give me one reason to believe they can go into South Carolina and keep this within 22 points.  NOT HAPPENING.  Put the women and children to bed, this is going to be ugly.

Oregon (-24) over WASHINGTON ST

I want to pick Washington State here.  I really do.  I like Mike Leach a lot, and in my heart I think he is going to have some tricks up his sleeves.  But then I use my head and don't see how Washington State keeps up.  They let up 38 points in a loss to Rutgers, and couldn't even get to 14 against Nevada.  Then I look at Oregon and see a team that put up 46 points on a very good Michigan State defense, beating them by 19.  That is a team many were predicting to be in the 4 team playoff.  Give the points.

Last Week 2-4

Overall 8-9 


Big Country

Friday, September 19, 2014