10/14-15 Weekend Football Picks

There are few things better than good football on crisp fall afternoons...with the sweltering heat of summer gone but the frost not yet on the tundra, it's good times indeed. The Vols can sure use the bye week banged up and tired with the Tide coming to town in a big revenge game, so...on with this weekend's NCAA and NFL picks.

NCAA

Florida at Auburn- Auburn got spanked by the Hogs at home last week...I mean, they got seriously pantsed and taken to the woodshed like I have never seen with them. They won't play that badly again at home with this much on the line, but I think Florida's offense is a little better and the defenses are basically a wash. If the Gators run the ball at all, they win a close defensive slugfest. I've picked against the Gators two big games in a row and have been wrong, no shame on me the third time...Gators win in a mild road upset, 17-13.

Vandy at Georgia- The Dawgs will rebound this week, getting better against a sub-par Vandy offense in a hurry. Georgia still has no answers at QB, but their special teams and defense are two grades better than Vandy, and that plus 3 good tailbacks will grind out a 24-7, closer than it looks win for UGA.

Rutgers vs. Navy- Two pretty good teams with great rushing attacks face off in a feel good game...Rutgers' RB Ray Rice and Navy's option attack are good enough to generate some points, but Rutgers has the slightly better defense and more momentum, and will punch its first bowl ticket in a long time...Scarlet Knights 34, Midshipmen 28.

NFL

Carolina vs. Baltimore- Carolina is a team on the rebound, finding its identity again now that WR Steve Smith is back. I think Baltimore was exposed Monday night at Denver. A great D might have won them a Super Bowl a few years ago, but the AFC is stacked and that isn't good enough in 2006. Steve McNair won't outright lose any games for the Ravens, but he won't win them either, and Panthers' QB Jake Delhomme is better than him anyway. The Panthers will stack the box and contain Jamal Lewis, and Steve Smith and clutch kicking by John Kasay give the Panthers a close win, Carolina takes it, 19-13.

Steelers vs. Chiefs- Pittsburgh is in serious trouble and the Chiefs are playing well. Chiefs QB Damon Huard is filling in well for Trent Green and Big Ben hasn't looked right for the Steelers all year. The Chiefs have more playmakers on offense and better QB play, and should beat Pittsburgh in a low scoring game, 17-13.

Philly vs. New Orleans- Two better than everyone thought in the preseason teams do battle here. I love what Sean Payton is doing with the Saints, and Reggie Bush is every bit the multi-purpose threat we knew he was. Both defenses are soft up the middle and can be scored on, but Philly is just a little better than the Saints right now, but not by much. This could be a playoff preview if both teams keep it up, but this week, the Eagles win a shootout, 44-35.