Rough week last week going 1-3 and now down to 38-29-3 on the year. I'm still up 10 units on the year but just short of 1 unit per week profit which is the goal. What a weird, weird season. This is the time of year when I typically kick into high year, though, so no worries.
I went 4-1 on this very week last year and I was over 70% on my bowl picks in 2006. No time for in-depth writeups, South Park humor, or boobs for that matter. Here are the picks for the two of you that read this. I'll have in depth write-ups on all my favorite bowl plays, atleast a couple of hours in advance of the actual bowl game.
**Virginia Tech -4 vs. BC. 2 units** I love this spot. After thoroughly dominating the Eagles, the Techsters choked away a two score lead in the last 5 minutes of what was, atleast at that part of the season, well, their season. Beamer told his kids if they win out they'd get another shot, and low and behold they're here. They get the mobile QB threat Tyrod Taylor back and he'll add another dimension alongside Sean Glennon who's playing the best football of his career. Tech also will be ultra-healthy on defense for this game. Their speed gave BC fits in the first game. Give me the better football team with more motivation and I'll gladly lay the short 4 every time. Va Tech big, 35 to 10.
Florida Atlantic +16 vs. Troy. Florida Atlantic should be able to move the football and score on an athletic Troy defense. The strength for FL ATL is found in its offensive line and they should be able to handle Troy's athletic front 7 enough to score some points. On defense, look for FL ATL to be patient and opportunistic forcing a mistake prone QB in Haugabook to make mistakes. He'll make enough to keep this game inside the number. 31 to 24 Troy.
Oregon State pick at Oregon. Oregon State is playing at a top 25 level and are going to be the healthiest they've been since the start of the season. Oregon is not. They've been decimated by injuries and have lost their offensive identity and fire power which has hidden their porous defense all year. Oregon State's talented front will get after Leaf in a big way here. I expect two or three turnovers out of Oregon's QB position here. On offense, Oregon State will be able to stay conservative and move the ball. They've had a hard time against good to elite defenses like Cincy and USC, but this Oregon defense is average at best and certainly not elite. The Beavers get it done 28 to 17.
Mizzu +3.5 vs. OklahomaOklahoma is an pedestrian 3-2 away from Norman with losses at Colorado and Tech, and close escapes at Iowa State and vs. Texas. They'll be playing a team they've already beaten rather handily but did so at home and at full strength. Well the injury bug has bitten OU and Mizzu will be healthier than they were in the first meeting with the return of Tony Temple. Look for the Tigers to take advantage of OU's young defensive end Beal and backup defensive end Dotson with a variety of formations as they move their talented TE's Coffman and Rucker around. These two along with Jeremy Macklin should be able to find space against a slow OU linebacking unit.
On defense, Sam Bradford has yet to be hit since the concussion that knocked him out of the Tech game. He threw 15 passes vs. OK State last week, but most of those were max protect playaction passes that were the beneficiaries of a sledgehammer rushing attack. They won't be able hammer the Tigers like that. I expect an outright win here by Mizzu. Remember the led the Sooners in Norman late in the 3rd quarter. Mizzu wins 35 to 31.
Sorry for the delay. Good luck to both of you.