Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION The Anywhere Machine LegionWorld College Game Week 2009

I'm literally running a million miles a minute at work, so I'll have to be brief:

Kentucky

Boston College (sorry Lardy)

ND - you did this to me on purpose Vee . The Spartans have never EVER let me down when I pick them. But if ND wins and I didn't pick them, I'd be a traitor *and* a loser; can't have that. Lets see it Irish.

Utah

Virginia Tech - Nebraska is one of those teams always given credit than they deserve every year out of nostalgia for the past; hopefully that will change--but not this year.

BYU - I think we're all hoping something special happens with Brigham Young this year.

Auburn

Georgia

Texas - I also wish Texas Tech would upset them but they lost so many players from last year that it probably won't happen now. But I expect the Red Raiders to be dangerous again within a season or two.

Yay! I'm 7-3 again, but I'm especially stoked about my Tigers taking down BC! In your face, fellas!!!

One lesson learned for all of us, however: Don't fall in love with the Cinderella teams of Utah--that carriage has officially turned into a pumpkin!

And regarding the NCAA's marquee upset this week, let us be reminded of some sage words we heard last week:

Yuh-HUH!

Yea, that USC loss was a plesant surprise.

How 'bout that ND game? What a great game! What a great win! A hard fought victory, indeed. Bring on USC in a few weeks

After three weeks here are the standings:

Cobie 70% (14/20)
Lardy 70% (14/20)
Vee 60% (18/30)

Damn ND screws with me again!

Grats Cobie and Lardy with another 7-3 week each!

And here are the newest rankings...

AP Top 25

* 1.Florida (55)
* 2.Texas (2)
* 3.Alabama (3)
* 4.Mississippi
* 5.Penn St.
* 6.California
* 7.LSU
* 8.Boise St.
* 9.Miami (FL)
* 10.Oklahoma
* 11.Virginia Tech
* 12.USC
* 13.Ohio St.
* 14.Cincinnati
* 15.TCU
* 16.Oklahoma St.
* 17.Houston
* 18.Florida St.
* 19.BYU
* 20.Kansas
* 21.Georgia
* 22.North Carolina
* 23.Michigan
* 24.Washington
* 25.Nebraska

Miami moved up to 9th after defeating FSU and Georgia Tech in the first two games but now must face Virginia Tech (11) and then Oklahoma (10 in the next two weeks. Talk about a tough schedule to open the season!

Sure seems like Washington should have been ranked higher that 24 after taking out USC.

USC fell all the way to 12th.

South Florida QB Matt Grothe, a terrific player that's led that team to extraordinary success over the past two seasons, including a #2 ranking at one point last year, suffered a sever ACL tear in his left knee and will be out for the rest of the year. This was his senior year and sadly the injury came in the second quarter of a meaningless game against Charleston Southern. Sad news.

I'll post this weeks ten games later.

And here are the ten games for this week...

1. Mississippi @ South Carolina ~ THURSDAY
2. Michigan State @ Wisconsin
3. LSU @ Miss State
4. North Carolina @ Georgia Tech
5. UCF @ East Carolina
6. Miami @ Virginia Tech
7. Cal @ Oregon
8. Arkansas @ Alabama
9. Iowa @ Penn State
10. Washington @ Stanford

I hope everyone who's viewed this topic knows that they can jump in, make picks and comment all they want to. This thread's open to everyone!

Yep, the more the merrier!

Here are my picks for this week. Don't forget to post your picks before the start of the game on Thursday!

1. Mississippi @ South Carolina - THURSDAY ~ All the odds I've seen show Mississippi losing to South Carolina by about 3 points which makes some sense sine it is on the Gamecocks' home turf. And yet, I think Ole Miss is a much better team than SC, so I'm picking the Rebels.

2. Michigan State @ Wisconsin ~ Michigan State is coming off two tough losses, first against Central Michigan in a week 2 shocker and then a close one last week against Notre Dame. Wisconsin has yet to face a top notch team but they are playing at home. I'll go with a the Spartans looking for redemption.

3. LSU @ Miss State ~ I'm not a big fan of LSU but I think they should be able to handle this road game aginst Miss State.

4. North Carolina @ Georgia Tech ~ After the loss to Miami on national TV, the Yellow Jackets should be loaded for bear. Although the Tar Heels beat East Carolina last Saturday, they struggled for a big part of the game against what should have been an easy opponent for them. With the game in Atlanta, I'll give the edge to Georgia Tech.

5. UCF @ East Carolina ~ UCF has yet to face an opponent of the Pirates' caliber. Both teams open up their Conf USA schedule with this game and ECU has something to prove after the disappointing loss to UNC last weekend. I'll be rooting for UCF but betting on the Pirates to win.

6. Miami @ Virginia Tech ~ Game 3 of a 4 game gauntlet like no one else has faced this season. Miami is looking to keep it's win streak and Top 20 ranking alive but must do it against ACC rival Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, never friendly territory for the Canes. Of the first four games, this is the one that worried me miost before the start of the season when I said I would be happy to go 2-2 in this stretch. Gotta take Miami though. Go Canes!

7. Cal @ Oregon ~ The Bears are coming off fairly easy win at Minnesota while the Ducks found redemption last week by beating a highly ranked Utah team. Although I believe Cal has the better talent, they could very well be looking ahead to their next game against USC and may be caught flatfooted against Oregon. I'll take the Ducks to pull out a close one at home.

8. Arkansas @ Alabama ~ Although the razorbacks have been impressive, Alabama is as tough as they come and this game is at home for the Tide. I'll take 'Bama.

9. Iowa @ Penn State ~ Although I think the Nittany Lions will win, I think Iowa will give them a real battle. Penn State at home for the win.

10. Washington @ Stanford ~ The Huskies showed that they can play in the big leagues last week by upsetting USC. Now they have to play an equally dangerous team that's been flying under the radar. Whoever wins this game takes sole possiession of the top spot in the Pac 10 and I'm afraid Washington may still be enjoying their win against the Trojans instead of worrying about the Cardinal. I'll tale Stanford at home.

1. <strike>Mississippi</strike> @ South Carolina
Last year, the Gamecocks spoiled Ole Miss's afterglow the week after the Rebs had beaten Florida. I think they'll have an even tougher time at Williams-Brice despite the high ranking.

2. <strike>Michigan State</strike> @ Wisconsin
Is Mich. State really that bad this year? Here's where we find out. I think the home team takes it.

3. LSU @ <strike>Miss State</strike>
LSU's on the way back up. I think they take it to Miss State.

4. <strike>North Carolina</strike> @ Georgia Tech
BIG matchup in the ACC, for sure. I like the Ramblin' Wreck at home.

5. <strike>UCF</strike> @ East Carolina
No clear preference here, so the home team gets the nod.

6. Miami @ <strike>Virginia Tech</strike>
Here's where Miami proves it's really back.

7. <strike>Cal</strike> @ Oregon
Should be a good game, but home field will give the Ducks the intangibles they need to pull another upset.

8. <strike>Arkansas</strike> @ Alabama
The Tide will drown the Razorbacks. It won't even be close.

9. <strike>Iowa</strike> @ Penn State
Home field's too big of an advantage for PSU here.

10. Washington @ <strike>Stanford</strike>
Washington will prove it wasn't a one-week wonder.

This week could really put me in the toilet! The only pick I feel really solid on is Alabama. We'll see how the Gamecocks will set the tone for me Thursday...

This week looks like the one that'll knock me for a loop. Here I go:

1. Ole Miss over South Carolina - this is one I think can go 50/50. I love Old Miss and their traditions so I'm going with them, though I'm not sure they deserve that high ranking. But I'm not sure South Carolina is good enough to prove it otherwise.

2. Michigan State over Wisconsin – The Spartans are a tough team and way better than how they look on paper right now. After a tough loss last week, its time to remind everyone that.

3. LSU over Miss State – LSU should win this one, and I’m predicting they do so big.

4. Georgia Tech over North Carolina – I think GT is just the better team here and they’re playing in their house, but this should be a good game.

5. East Carolina over UCF – This is another one with teams I’m not all that knowledgeable this year, so go with home team.

6. Miami over Virginia Tech – I’m buying into the Hurricanes gravy train, and am excited they might make a run for it. VT won’t be a pushover though, so I actually hope I can find this one on television.

7. Oregon over Cal – Cal is one of those teams that has all the talent but I think just gets more credit they deserve. On the other hand, the Ducks have to fight for every single inch of respect they get, and I like that about them. I’d like to see them continue from last week.

8. Alabama over Arkansas – ROLL TIDE!!! (for you, Kippers!)

9. Penn State over Iowa – not only do I have my good friends who work for Penn State, I have my old roommate and her boyfriend going to be there this weekend for College Gameday. Should be awesome, and I expect Penn State to beat them and beat them hard, after last year’s upset. Trust me, they have not forgot it and won’t shut up about it for the last year.

10. Stanford over Washington – Yet another I could easily be wrong about, but I’m gong with Stanford. I like Washington’s victory over USC last week—actually was cheering for them—but I feel they won’t be riding high much longer.

Carolina beat #4 at home. OH HELL YEAH WITH A SUGAR COATED LOLLIPOP!

GO COCKS!

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BABYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

Well that's a poor start to my selections this week. Oh well, 1 down, 9 to go.

Grats to Lardy for picking the Gamecocks and to rickshaw for a fun win for his team. I'll bet that was a nerve racking 4th quarter to watch. Almost as if a completely different Rebel team came out onto the field for the last 15 minutes.

Yeah, I put my neck out their for the Cocks, and they didn't let me down! They finally nearly played up to their potential on both sides of the ball, especially defensively.

I went to Clemson, and they're number one with me. But I always root for the Cocks unless the two teams are playing each other. This goes back to high school when I struggled over which school to attend. It was a close decision then, and I have never forgotten that.

That said, I didn't pick Carolina just as a homer call at all. I knew they could beat Ole Miss (as they did last year) if they played as well as they could. Plus, I felt the Rebs were definitely ranked to high for what they've proven so far, which was nothing!

Now, I'm hoping the same plays out with Clemson and TCU Saturday. Though Vee didn't pick this matchup, I feel it should be a good one. I feel like Clemson should win this one just as Carolina should have won (and did win) tonight.

Yeah, it did seem like a different team showed up in the fourth, but I have to say that even though that little fellow for Ole Miss was fast, our defense got their second wind at exactly the right time.

Lardy, Yeah, Sweeney should have Clemson ready for TCU. But they should be a pretty tough team none the less.

Sorry bout Clemson, Lardy. I pull for them when they aren't playing USC. I thought they had a chance against TCU but they really stalled out at the end.

After three weeks here are the standings:

Cobie 67% (20/30)
Lardy 70% (21/30)
Vee 60% (24/40)

And here are the newest rankings...

AP Top 25

* 1.Florida (55)
* 2.Texas (1)
* 3.Alabama (3)
* 4.LSU
* 5.Boise St.
* 6.Virginia Tech
* 7.USC
* 8.Oklahoma
* 9.Ohio St.
* 10.Cincinnati
* 11.TCU
* 12.Houston
* 13.Iowa
* 14.Oklahoma St.
* 15.Penn St.
* 16.Oregon
* 17.Miami (FL)
* 18.Kansas
* 18.Georgia
* 20.BYU
* 21.Mississippi
* 22.Michigan
* 23.Nebraska
* 24.California
* 25.Georgia Tech

I know Carolina isn't in the top 25, but I can't find a ranking for them anywhere.

Rick, South Carolina comes in at 28th in the AP poll (Missouri & Auburn are 26 & 27) and they are 29th in the USA Today Poll (behind Georgia Tech, South Florida, and Auburn)

The ten games for Week 5 are as follows:

Clemson @ Maryland
East Carolina @ Marshall
Michigan @ Michigan State
UCLA @ Stanford
NC State @ Wake Forest
LSU @ Georgia
Penn State @ Illinois
Auburn @ Tennessee
Oklahoma @ Miami
USC @ California

Please be sure to get your picks in before the start of the first game on Saturday.

Thanks Vee. 'preciate it. Couldn't find it anywhere. Not as bad as I thought, not as good as I hoped. Watching panthers lose right now, unfortunately.

Clemson @ Maryland- clemson over terps
East Carolina @ Marshall- Marshall over pirates
Michigan @ Michigan State- Michigan
UCLA @ Stanford- UCLA
NC State @ Wake Forest- NC state
LSU @ Georgia- LSU
Penn State @ Illinois- Penn
Auburn @ Tennessee- Auburn
Oklahoma @ Miami- Oklahoma
USC @ California- Gonna go with Cal

Welcome to the game rickshaw! Good luck

Clemson @ Maryland ~ I'll take Clemson even though the game is in College Park. Maryland has been disappointing this year and Clemson is the tougher squad.

East Carolina @ Marshall ~ I've been a fan of Marshall for some time. They are one of those teams that fly under the radar. Marshall at home for the win over the Pirates.

Michigan @ Michigan State ~ I wish I knew which version of both of these teams will be playing this Saturday. That being said, I'll take Michigan State at home and cross my fingers.

UCLA @ Stanford ~ The Bruins have had an off week to preapre and the Cardinal are coming off their big victory against Washington. Tough call but I'll take UCLA.

NC State @ Wake Forest ~ Highest rank ACC offense (WF) against best ACC defense (NCState) plus two great QBs should make for a fun game to watch. I'll take Riley Skinner & the Deamon Deacons at home to barely outlast the Wolfpack attack.

LSU @ Georgia ~ The Bulldogs been very very good to me I'll stick with them against the Bengal Tigers.

Penn State @ Illinois ~ The Fightin Illini are a tough, tough team but I can't see Paterno's boys lossing two in a row to Iowa and Illinois. I'll take PSU.

Auburn @ Tennessee ~ Auburn comes into the game 4-0 while Tennessee is an average 2-2. I believe Auburn is the better team but you have to be alot better to survive playing in Knoxville. I'll take the Vols at home.

Oklahoma @ Miami ~ Bradford will not play the say but the backup QB at Oklahome may be just as good. Still, I believe my Hurricanes will prevail against the Sooners.

USC @ California ~ Tough call. Both suffered surprising losses while ranked in the top 5. Who will handle it better? Your guess is as good as mine. I'll take USC to win.