Enjoy…

1. #23 Pittsburgh @ Connecticut
I am going with the Stache on the road to get a big win and finish second in the Big Least. The Panthers run defense has been solid all year long (except for that Rutgers game). The only thing that UConn does well is run the ball. These teams are actual carbon copies of one another. However, with Pitt having the better defense if they can just muster up enough emotion after another tight Backyard Brawl win last week over West Virginia, they should be just fine.
Panthers 28 Huskies 17
2. East Carolina @ Tulsa
About week 3 of college football and this game would have been a no-brainer. The Pirates were coming off back to back upsets of Top 25 teams and were firmly entrenched in the top 15 in the country. My how things have changed. Tulsa, with its once unrealistic aspirations of a BCS bowl, have come back down to earth with the gimmicky Malzhan offense. While the Pirates hit a rough patch but seemed to regroup a little. They hit their offensive stride last week against UTEP. Their QB Pinkney hit his September stride again and since the defense from Tulsa is abysmal at best, they will get plenty of points to win the CUSA Championship.
Pirates 48 Hurricanes 38
3. #17 Boston College vs #25 Virginia Tech
There probably are no two more evenly matched programs in a conference championship than these two right here. They both rely on defenses to keep them in games and be very opportunistic on offense when the time presents itself. They both have outstanding kicking games, but the edge there goes to Ginny Tech. The coaching staff at Ginny Tech most definitely gets the edge as Beamer has been there done that so many times it isn't even funny anymore. Therefore in a defensive struggle for the ages, Ginny Tech relys on its kicker and a timely defensive TD to win in the end.
Hokies 17 Eagles 13
4. #5 USC @ UCLA
Maybe some day soon this game will get backs to its storied past. With Slick Rick on the sidelines now for the Bruins, it shouldn't be too long before he has paid enough talent to get back to almost the same level as Carroll at USC. However, this is year one of the "prodigal son's return" and it won't be pretty with that highly-touted Trojan defense on the other side of the trenches. The Bruins will play hard and valiantly, however, it won't be close to enough.
Trojans 42 Bruins 10
5. Navy vs Army
Do you like teams that run the football? Do you like college football games that last 2 hours? Do you like to see the military teams line up and try to pound each other into submission? Then my friends, this is the game for you. These two teams are almost mirror copies of one another. Army is trying to be Navy by running the football and they are doing better. However, Navy just has more experience at it and is quicker and stronger. In the end it will be competitive, but the Midshipmen are just too much this year.
Navy 28 Army 17
6. #20 Missouri @ #2 Oklahoma
How bad could this be? I don't have enough time to list all of the ways this could get ugly in a hurry. The best hope teams have had against OU this year is either a) running the ball and keeping Sam Bradford on the sideline, or b) playing physical defense and putting Sam Bradford on the sideline. Guess what? Mizzou can do neither of those things. They can't run the football to save their life, and their defense is akin to that old saying from Jerry Clower "if we just lay here long enough they are sure to run back by". This one is for "style".
Tiggers 17 Sooners 52
7. Arizona State @ Arizona
That Desert Swarm defense may have found a team they can beat in their cross-state rivals the Sun Devils. The Sun Devils and Dennis Erikson came into the season has highly touted with Carpenter returning at QB. However, their season turned for the worse when UNLV came to Tempe and upended them in an improbable comeback. Look for the Wildcats to exact some revenge for their close losses this year.
Devils 17 Wildcats 35
8. #13 Cincinnati @ Hawaii
I guess Brian Kelley scheduled this game thinking, hey at least we will get to travel to Hawaii this year if we don't make a bowl game. Well, now that the Bearcats are the Big Least representative in the Orange Bowl this year, this trip might be dangerous. Oh way, no it won't because Hawaii is just downright deplorable this year. This will be a cake walk as long as Kelley can keep the Bearcats focused on the game and not on the beautifully bronzed locals prancing on the beautiful beaches.
Bearcats 49 Rainbows 10
9. Arkansas State @ Troy
This is for the automatic birth in the New Orleans bowl for the Sun Belt winner. Troy will win it outright with a victory over the Red Wolves. They have a much better defensive line and that will keep the Red Wolves air attack off target all day long. The Offense will be just good enough to get the win for Troy. In the end it will be Troy playing Southern Miss in the New Orleans bowl.
Wolves 20 Troy 28

Give the Score:
10. #1 Alabama @ #4 Florida
So, I am going with the upset here. Odd that I am saying that since I am picking the only BCS conference undefeated and ranked #1 team in the country! They just completed a run through the vaunted SEC with an unblemished record as well. Only one other school has ever done that and that was Auburn. They have done it twice by the way and neither time did they play for the National Championship or the BCS Championship. Odd don't you think? This time, if the Tide win, they will reverse that fortune. Everyone wants to talk about Florida and Touchdown Timmy, but let me remind you that Nick Saban is roaming the other sidelines, he has a VERY stout defense, and he loves being the underdog. He uses it as fuel for motivating his teams, and he can do that with the best of them. They are also the most prepared teams in the country week in and week out. Don't get me wrong, Florida on offense is just as scary as it comes this year. They have roared through the defense heavy SEC and averaged an eye-popping 42 points per game. THAT has never been done before. However, without Harvin at starting TB, their running game will be limited a little and Touchdown Timmy will be in trouble when those LB start teeing off on him and laying the wood. It will be an instant classic that comes down to a Leigh Tiffin FG to win it for the Tide. IF the Tide can keep it close going to the fourth quarter and have the lead, they can run out the clock with their unbelievable 32 minutes average of ball possession. If they are behind though, QB JPW isn't going to be able to lead them back unless Freshman Jones has a monster and I mean monster game. I think they can do it and I hate Nick Saban more than anyone. But there is one thing you don't ever do, underestimate his team and the national media has been doing that all year long.
Saban 27 Meyer 24

And to get caught up….

Ok, so this week, we had some very good numbers considering our poor performance on week 13. Overall, the average number of correct picks was right at 7 out of 10. Much much better folks. However, as is always the case, we had some that stood out during the week for a lot of the wrong reasons. And boy did this one REALLY stick out this week. Some time at the beginning of the season this probably looked like a very reasonable pick. The pick of the Fresno Bulldogs going to the "blue field" and beating the lowly Broncos, was probably a good idea….in September. However, flash forward to November, and yeah, not so much. It even looked possible after a 13 – 10 lead by Boise at half. Then all Hades broke loose and Fresno ended up on the wrong end of a 48 – 0 second half. Yikes. Therefore, with his pick of the Bulldogs over the Broncos, the BOTW this week goes to Mr. Lance "Just call me Mr. Tuque" Willams. Sorry Gator.

Well, it finally happened. And after last week, this individual is probably kicking themselves all the way to the field this week. They were an abysimal 3 – 7 last week and dropped them way back in the field. However, after the first perfect week of the year, this guy has leap-frogged all the way to within 2 games of the lead! IF only he would have done better last week. However, for the first perfect week of the 2008 College Pick-Em, the POTW goes to Mr. Gene "Just call me Mr. Perfecto" Strode. Good job bud!

And for those astute readers among us, you have probably already guess who would receive this award. For those not paying attention or reading every other line, then here we go again. The first perfect week in the 2008 College Pick-Em allows this individual to not only receive the POTW, but also makes him the COTW. Therefore, Week 14 COTW is none other than Mr. Gene "I called all those picks Chuck!" Strode. Congratulations.

Texas A&M 9
Texas 49

West Virginia 15
Pittsburgh 19

LSU 30
Arkansas 31

Fresno State 10
Boise State 61

Georgia Tech 45
Georgia 42

Maryland 21
Boston College 28

Florida 45
Florida State 15

Baylor 28
Texas Tech 35

Oregon 65
Oregon State 38

Oklahoma 61
Oklahoma State 41

10 – 0
Gene Strode
9 – 1
Ben Gilbert
8 – 2
Steven Leija
Jon McCurdy
Brian Mashburn
Damon Hill
7 – 3
Lisa Hill
April Mashburn
Carroll Walls
Jerry Tucker
Lance Williams
Tammy Tucker
Travis Stout
5 – 5
Jonathan Butcher
Jason Shirey
Jessica Leija
No Picks
Jamy Vaught
Lee Smith
Chaz Brandon
Jim Carter

97 – 43
Carroll Walls
96 – 44
Jerry Tucker
95 – 45
Gene Strode
Brian Mashburn
94 – 46
April Mashburn
Steven Leija
92 – 48
Ben Gilbert
90 – 50
Jason Shirey
Tammy Tucker
89 – 51
Lisa Hill
88 – 52
Jessica Leija
86 – 54
Damon Hill
83 – 57
Lance Williams

89 – 41
Travis Stout
85 – 45
Jon McCurdy
82 – 48
Jonathan Butcher

33 – 17
Jamey Vaught
20 – 9
Jim Carter
11 – 9
Chaz Brandon
12 – 7
Lee Smith

Trying to get caught up here…

Pick of the Week (POTW)

This week, we had several opportunities for a POTW. However, one really stood out above the rest. Only one of the individuals who picked this week actually picked the Wolfpack to invade Chapel Hill and pull of not only the upset, but to simply destroy the Tar Heels. It was just an old fashioned beat down by an sub .500 team on the road in the ACC against their bitter rival. That individual picked that Wolfpack team and for that pick, Mrs. Tammy "Please text me alot folks after Christmas" Tucker. Congratulations!!

Brick of the Week (BOTW)

This one was a little more difficult to pick this week. There were a couple of games that could have been used, but in the end I chose the game that was more of a reach than the other. These two individuals felt that "Desert Swarm" would stop the Beavers and their march to a possible Rose Bowl re-match with JoePa and the Nitny Lions. However, on a last second play, that would not happen as the Beavers rallyed to beat the Wildcats and keep that Rose Dream alive. Therefore, the BOTW goes to Mr. Jerry "I REALLY can't stand Desert Swarm" Tucker and Mr. Jason "Where have you been my friend??" Shirey. Sorry guys.

Champion of the Week (COTW)

This week was to put it bluntly, horrendous! I mean, only one person was above .500 and they were 6 – 4!!! People, what is happening to this game we all love where in a pool of 15 "college football fans" we can't have more than 6% get at over HALF the games right??? Honestly. I am ashamed and disappointed with you guys. It is time to step it up folks. We have two weeks left and let's really show what we are made of. That being said, the winner this week did go 6 – 4 and for that Mr. Carroll "Hey Hey! Late to the Party, but now #1!!!!" Walls. Congratulations bud!

Actual Game Scores

NC State 41
North Carolina 10

Tennessee 20
Vanderbilt 10

Arkansas 28
Mississippi State 31

Michigan State 18
Penn State 49

Ole Miss 31
LSU 13

BYU 24
Utah 48

Pittsburgh 21
Cincinnati 28

Oregon State 19
Arizona 17

Florida State 31
Maryland 3

Texas Tech 21
Oklahoma 65

Standings for the Week

6 – 4
Carroll Walls
5 – 5
Jessica Leija
Brian Mashburn
Travis Stout
Damon Hill
4 – 6
Lisa Hill
April Mashburn
Jonathan Butcher
Steven Leija
Ben Gilbert
Jon McCurdy
Jerry Tucker
Jason Shirey
Lance Williams
Tammy Tucker
3 – 7
Gene Strode
No Picks
Jamey Vaught
Lee Smith
Chaz Brandon
Jim Carter

Overall Standings Through Week 13

90 – 40
Carroll Walls
89 – 41
Jerry Tucker
87 – 43
April Mashburn
Brian Mashburn
86 – 44
Steven Leija
85 – 45
Gene Strode
Jason Shirey
83 – 47
Tammy Tucker
Jessica Leija
Ben Gilbert
82 – 48
Lisa Hill
78 – 52
Damon Hill
76 – 54
Lance Williams

82 – 38
Travis Stout
77 – 43
Jonathan Butcher
Jon McCurdy

33 – 17
Jamey Vaught
20 – 9
Jim Carter
11 – 9
Chaz Brandon
12 – 7
Lee Smith

Final week of regular season games. So slim pickins for games. Bowl Pick-Em is next!

Picks are due by 10:00 AM CST Saturday, December 6, 2008!

1. #23 Pittsburgh @ Connecticut (Big Least vs Big Least)
2. East Carolina @ Tulsa (C-USA vs C-USA)
3. #17 Boston College vs #25 Virginia Tech (ACC Championship Game)
4. #5 USC @ UCLA (PAC-10 vs PAC-10)
5. Navy vs Army
6. #20 Missouri @ #2 Oklahoma (Little XII Championship Game)
7. Arizona State @ Arizona (PAC-10 vs PAC-10)
8. #13 Cincinnati @ Hawaii (Big Least vs WAC)
9. Arkansas State @ Troy (Sun Belt vs Sun Belt)

Give the Score:

10. #1 Alabama @ #4 Florida (SEC Championship Game aka National Title Game Play-In)

1. Texas A&M @ #2 Texas
Aggies are just not very good this year and the Shorthorns need an impressive showing at home to impress the voters. They want to make sure they retain their #2 BCS position should #3 OU beat Okie State handily in Stillwater. The Horns want to stay above the Sooners so they get the Little XII Title game against a "average" Missoura team. So, the Shorthorns don't play conservative against their hated rival.
Aggies 17 Shorthorns 49

2. West Virginia @ #25 Pittsburgh
This game is a toss-up for me. The Big Least is just horrible again this year and no one team seems to be rising above the rest (unless you think Cincinnati is). Therefore, take the home team and hope they can hold on to win. The Stache won last year in Morgantown, so expect the Mountaineers to remember that. Hopefully it won't matter.
Mountaineers 20 Panthers 24

3. LSU @ Arkansas
While I honestly don't even expect this game to be close, I am hoping that the last "home" game for the Razorback Seniors and the horrible defensive play of the Tigers continue and the Hogs can eek out a win in Little Rock. My guess is Charles Scott sets his career high in rushing this week as lame-duck coach Willy Robinson is just playing out the string as DC. If Dixon can run for 179 yards for MSU, what on God's green earth makes you think Scott can get 200??? Hopefully they can limit the big plays and keep themselves in the game. And lets hope it doesn't come down to FG kicking.
Tigers 16 Hawgs 20 (missed PAT, not a made FG)

4. Fresno State @ #9 Boise State
Pat Hill's Bulldogs were the darling of the BCS to start the season, but an early home loss to Wisconsin (not a good team we have found out) doomed the Bulldogs. Now they get to travel to Boise and play on the blue field. The Broncos are looking to go BACK to the BCS. Can they pull it off? Broncos roll.
Bulldogs 17 Broncos 35

5. #22 Georgia Tech @ #11 Georgia
The Bulldogs haven't been stellar on defense this year. The Triple Option has really caught on in Atlanta and the ACC. Can Mark Richt and the Bulldogs hold off the Jackets in an intra-state rivalry? Richt doesn't lose much at home between the hedges. So, I expect his team to be ready to play and it will be a very entertaining and close game in Athens.
Jackets 17 Bulldogs 21

6. Maryland @ #21 Boston College
The Terps had an inside track to the ACC title, but once again, the team with the inside track stumped its toe AT HOME. The Noles just whipped the turtles last week. Now BC has the inside track, so can the Eagles achieve what the Terps could not last week? The Eagle Defense is too tough for the Terps and they hold on at home.
Terps 13 Eagles 17

7. #4 Florida @ #20 Florida State
Urban Meyer is going to style points in Tallahassee. He needs a HUGE win to impress the voters and try to somehow leap frog OU or Texas in the BCS. Should he pull that off, one could theoretically argue that the best game this year could be the SEC Championship game (assuming Bama holds serve against Auburn). I have no doubt that the Gators win this one. The biggest question is, can they score 50 again?
Gators 52 Noles 28

8. Baylor @ #7 Texas Tech
The Bears get to travel to Lubbock and take on a Red Raider team trying to rebound and prove itself. The egg the Raiders laid in Norman will have had a week to ripen and there are two ways this can go for the home team. They can come out focused and just demolish an "average" Bears team. Or they can come out flat after appearing to have "nothing" to play for and get beaten by an "average" Bears team. What happens is totally up for debate. I don't know how they rebound from a loss because they haven't had one yet this year.
Bears 28 Raiders 35

9. #23 Oregon @ #17 Oregon State
If this game was in Eugene then I would easily give the edge to the Ducks. And event though Rodgers is out for this game due to a bum shoulder, the Beavers will be at home in Corvalis playing for a trip to the Rose Bowl. Riley will have them all fired up for this Civil War game. Two very good teams will face off and the better team in the end will prevail.
Ducks 24 Beavers 38

Give the Score:
10. #3 Oklahoma @ #12 Oklahoma State
They don't call this Bedlam for nothing. In Stillwater this weekend, possibly the biggest Bedlam game in decades will be played. Can the Cowboys knock their bitter rivals out of the Little XII Title game? Can they at least give them enough of a game to keep them from leapfrogging the Shorthorns in the BCS ranking? Will the Sooners go in too confident and once again stump their toe in Stillwater? There are a lot of intriguing scenarios for this game and I can't wait to see it played out. By the time they play, everything will be decided on Saturday and they will just go out and play. Stoopes has his boys ready and they roll into Stillwater with Bradford primed for another Heisman busting performance.
Sooners 49 Cowpokes 31