10/7-8 Weekend Football Picks

Good weekend of pro and college football ahead, here are my picks below, enjoy!

NCAA

Louisville vs. MTSU- My boys from the 'boro are better than people think, and they get their props for demolishing their nemesis North Texas last week. That said, Louisville is one of the better teams in America, even without Michael Bush and Brian Brohm, and MTSU is still a Sun Belt team. In Nashville, the Blue Raiders will play them tough, but Louisville will get their points, yards, and big wins in the end, 49-20 Cards.

Florida vs. LSU- Huge game in the Swamp, could put Florida in the Top 3 if they win and could keep/get LSU back in the SEC and national title hunts if they can pull it out. JaMarcus Russell is a stud playmaker, but Chris Leak has the experience and isn't making many mistakes. With super freshman QB Tim Tebow spelling Leak and the defenses being about a wash on speed and hitting ability, whoever makes the game changing, back breaking mistake loses here...I think it will be the Gators...their kicking game is just terrible and LSU is hungry, the Tigers get the upset in The Swamp,19-17.

Tennessee vs. Georgia- Two years ago, Erik Ainge led the Vols to a big upset of then No.3 Georgia in Athens...this year, it won't be such an upset. Ainge is leaps and bounds better this year thanks to David Cutcliffe, and the 'Dawgs are unsettled at QB this year. Add to that Tennessee's speed, especially at receiver, Georgia's kicker missing this game with an injury, and UGA's inability to score or pass the ball against five of the worst defenses in America, I give this one big to the Vols on the road, and not as close as the pundits think...Vols win, 30-13.

NFL

Jets vs. Jaguars- Should be a close game with the Jets a much improved team and the Jags looking to rebound from being outscored by the Redskins. The very good young coaches are a wash, but give a slight edge to QB Chad Pennington over fellow Marshall alum Byron Leftwich, especially with several key injuries on for the Jags. The Jaguars should rebound here because they have slightly more talent and speed on both sides of the ball, but take the Jets in a squeaker of a quasi-upset on the road, 20-17.

Dallas vs. Philly- The game pundits have been drooling over for a year, the return of Terrell Owens to Philadelphia, whose fans one booed Santa Claus and once threw batteries during a game. I'm giddy about this, nothing might happen and then again, T.O. might get gunned down like JFK...there's no ceiling and I wouldn't be surprised either way. The Eagles looked good the other night against the Packers, but it was the Packers. The Cowboys are the better team here, and if they cand protect Drew Bedsoe, they should win by two scores, Dallas 27, Eagles 14.

Chargers vs. Steelers- If there's a such thing as a must win game in Week 5, the Steelers are in one. They are 1-2, down 3 games in their own division, and haven't looked much like the defending champs since Week 1. If Ben Roethlisberger doesn't wake up soon, even five wins in a row this year might not get them to the playoffs. Both defenses are good, the Chargers are the younger and faster of the two teams, and LT is better than Willie Parker, so I'm taking the Chargers here, Bolts win, 16-10.

Baltimore vs. Denver- This might be a preview of the AFC Championship game...the Broncos finally have a consistent RB in Tatum Bell, Javon Walker looks great, Jake Plummer isn't killing them with picks for the time being (Cutler still starts at QB in 2007 unless Denver wins a title this year), and the defense is very good as usual. The Ravens D is back in a big way, and is probably second only to the Bears in talent and production. They have a better QB in Steve McNair (who is old and plays like it, but who also doesn't take anything off the table or lose the games like Kyle Boller did), and their confidence is back. A real defensive slugfest is in the works on Monday night in Denver, and I'm taking the Broncos b/c Baltimore didn't look that good barely beating a mediocre Browns team last week, Denver takes it, 22-12.