The Picks This Week

Dave's Thoughts

Oklahoma vs Missouri - This probably won't be a popular pick given our location, but Oklahoma is poised to blowout, thats right, "BLOWOUT" Mizzou. Oklahoma is coming off their best out of conference road win under Stoops since making its Championship run in 2000. They also haven't forgotten coming into Columbia last year ranked #1, College Game Day in town and dropping one to Tigers, ending their championship hopes. Bobby Stoops will have his troops determined and focused not to look ahead and to finish off a far inferior opponent in the Missouri Tigers. The only way the Tigers cover this 21.5 spread is to hope that the Sooners staff shows mercy and puts in the reserves early. It's not the homer in me that is making this pick, with all that's at stake and the losses to Mizzou's secondary, and OU's tenacious D, the result seems like nature simply taking its course.

UPSET ALERT Arkansas @ Alabama - Bobby Petrino takes his squad into Tuscaloosa as the 8th most explosive offense and 17th best defense. Those numbers could be skewed a lil for the most part due to all the cupcakes that both squads have played so far. But opening up SEC play for both teams, the Hogs clearly have a balanced offense and a sound defense. If the can limit Alabama's big pass plays and keep things in front of them, they will be in the mix to potentially shock the Tide in Tuscaloosa. This will be Alabama's first game this year that the offense might be better then the Tide Defense. With Joe Adams, Greg Childs, Cobi Hamilton, Jarius Wright being thrown to be Tyler Wilson, it will be more difficult for Alabama to account for all these weapons. If Knile Davis doesn't go down for the season, this Arkansas team is a likely choice to win the west. They are going to need strong contributions from Adams and Wingo out of the backfield for the upset.


LSU @ West Virginia - The Mountaineers are capable of putting some points on the board and with Geno Smith playing as well as any QB in the country right now. Over 1008 yards through 3 games with 7 TDS and 1 INT and ranks 4th in the nation in passing yards. He is a smart QB that is going to put his team into a position to win because he limits his mistakes, and that's what West Virginia has to do to shock this stout LSU defense. Primetime game from Mountaineer field, the Tigers are in for a rude awakening if they think they won't have a dog fight on their hands. I could tell West Virginia has won 16 of its last 17 home games and LSU has won 35 straight non-conference regular season games. Come Saturday night, its not about streaks or stats, its going to be the environment, the crowd, one the most prolific offenses, and that thing in their chest that sets them apart, heart, that's going to potentially upset the kittens and send them back to Baton Rouge stunned.

LOCK Kansas City @ San Diego - I hate to say, but the Chiefs would be most suited for a game against the Jayhawks with all the injuries and dissarray that has taken place over the first two weeks for Todd Haley. San Diego is usually a slow starter, but the way you get your football team going is to unfortunately, play the Chiefs. Phillip Rivers should be able to pick apart the Chiefs secondary at will and should be able to win the game with ease. The 15 points are a reason to give pause, but with the loss of Jamal Charles and team's inability to hang on to the ball along with dropped balls. I think this pick is sound one. For you fantasy players out there, if you have an offense weapon or have the Chargers D, this is a definite must start along with a must wager. The only positive outlook the Chiefs can cling too is Andrew Luck.

Vince's Thoughts

Missouri @ Oklahoma -- Dave is right about that not being a popular pick, you are giving a Tigers team 21.5 points on the road to a team they beat last year. The Tigers are a missed field goal away from being ranked in the top 15, and if that kick goes in and they are ranked at 15 there is no way they are getting that many points. Josey will ride wild, he is just as quick if not quicker than any of the players OU has on D and with this will create some passing lanes and running lanes for Franklin. Do I think MU wins? NO, but I think they will cover the points. Take Mizzou and the points here, this is a huge game for the Tigers, with a win they could ensure themselves of a Big 12 title. Landry Jones and that offense will create some big plays, but I don't think there will be enough to cover this huge line.

LSU @ West Virginia -- Another game Dave and I disagree on, and simply for me it is LSU's defense. They will shut down WV and their offensive attack. Take LSU and lay the points here, LSU by 6. LSU held Oregon to 27, yes I said 27 but Oregon averaged almost 60 points a game last year and by the end of the year will be back to averaging close to the same. WV is nowhere close to the offensive team that Oregon is and will be held down by a stout LSU D.

UPSET ALERT -- Miami @ Cleveland. Cleveland is favored by 2.5 points in this game, but I like Miami getting points, and to outright win. Miami was 6-2 on the road last year and 1-7 at home. That trend seems to be continuing with their 0-2 home start. Daniel Thomas emerged last week as a bonafide back, and Henne is serviceable with a receiver as good as Brandon Marshall. I look for the Fins to outright win this game and shut down Colt McCoy. Take the points and the Fins!

LOCK -- Oregon @ Arizona Easy money here is on the Chiefs, but I will add another one. Dave is right though the Chiefs should be getting way more points, but I also like Oregon. Oregon won the game last year 48-29 with some late scores by Arizona to make the drubbing they received look much more respectable. Arizona has been handed bad losses by OSU 37-14 and Stanford 37-10 already this year with the Stanford game being at home. Arizona is also not the same team they were last year. Oregon played some scrubs the last couple weeks to get their confidence back after losing to LSU in the opener, look for Oregon to roll here 52-25.

And now the picks...

49ers +1.5
Pats -9
Texans +4 -- This is a one score game just not sure if it will be a field goal or TD
Dolphins +2.5
Titans -6.5
*Lions -3.5 Dave likes the Lions to win on the road Vince likes the Vikings and the points. Look for the Vikings to win outright!
Panthers -3.5 Look for Newton to get his first win this week!
Chargers -15
Jets -3.5
Cards -3
Packers -3.5 The Bears can't protect Cutler so won't be able to exploit the Green Bay secondary like the Saints and Panthers.
Steelers -10.5
Ravens -3.5
*Atlanta +1.5 Atlanta goes in and wins in Tamba, Bucs not good at home ATS.
Staying away from Giants/Eagles and Redskins/Cowboys until we know the status of Romo and Vick.

College Games
Arkansas +11
Dave has WV (+6) and Vince has LSU (-6)
Michigan -10
Dave has UNC (+6) Vince has G Tech (-6)
Notre Dame -7
FSU -3
OK State +3 Both kind of like OK State to win outright.
Dave has OU (-21.5) Vince has MU (+21.5)
USC -3
Oregon -15.5
Georgia -10.5
Miami -13.5 Miami will just out athlete the Wildcats.