So I've been AWOL for like a week and I apologize dear readers. I was super busy with work at the end of the week. Then my house turned into a hotel for Tennessee weekend, although it was obviously not a Holliday Inn Express based on my picks for this week. Now I've been hit with the Flu which I'm hoping is my body punishing me for a weekend of debauchery, and not Swine Flu. The Gators didn't do so well this week, and neither did I. Lets get straight to it.

Super belated weekend recap

Tennessee @ Florida -29.5: no need to beat a dead horse here, although if Tebow doesn't fumble and this game hits 30-6 I think UF wouldv'e scored again to get it done. Begin to notice a trend of exactly the opposite of what I thought happens.

West Virginia @ Auburn -6.5: If you just glanced at the final score, you missed one hell of a story. This was a very entertaining game to watch. WVU scored 14 points almost immediately to post a 14-0 lead, then proceeded to throw 5 interceptions (including 4 possessions in a row at one point late) and lose a fumble in a 41-30 loss. Basically the Mountaineers came apart at the seams in a game they probably should've won, but the ball isn't round and sometimes the bounces go against you. I'll give myself half credit because I was right with the pick even if Auburn arrived there in a different way than I thought. I'll chalk it up to SEC homefield advantage.

Louisana Lafayette @ LSU -26: Scary the whole way through as far as a cover is concerned, the Tigers take care of business in a ho hum game and cover by 2 31-3.

Louisville @ Kentucky -13: another game that was quite entertaining as the bluegrass rivals had 4 lead changes in the 4th quarter, but Kentucky held the last score and wins 31-27, well short of the posted -13. Trend continues as I thought the Cats win by more, but the Gators will tell you how rivalry games go sometimes.

Georgia @ Arkansas -1: Arkansas posted an early lead, but Georgia rallied back in this shootout and won outright. Both these teams look strong on offense and very average on defense. Arkansas was hit or miss as they scored 3 times in both the 1st and 4th quarter, while only posting 3 points in the 2nd and 4th. The Dawgs were more balanced, scoring at least 10 points in every quarter on the way to the 52-41 victory. I was right that Arkansas was game, but Georgia looks to have quite a potent offense and kept up where they left off the week before against South Carolina. UGA is gonna play NCAA videogame style shootouts all year long with that defense.

FAU @ South Carolina -21: Another half credit for me even if I did let this game slide. The Cocks moped around for a half and lead 17-16 at the break. Stephen Orr let em have it at halftime as they scored 21 unanswered in the 3rd to cover the spread by a razor thin 1 point.

Mississippi State @ Vanderbilt -8.5: completely wrong about this snooze fest's style, as Vanderbilt forgets how to play with the ball and loses to the other Bulldogs to give Dan MUllen his first SEC victory. I did pick Mississippi State though.

SE Louisiana @ Mississippi and North Texas @ Alabama: Combined these two because of their similar 52-6 and 53-7 victories respectively. Both easily took care of business against overmatched opponents.

BEST OF THE REST

Cincinnati @ Oregon State -1: YAY got one right! Bearcats win by more than one score like I thought, 28-18. Cincy looks to be the best team in the Big East, although Pitt and USF could make statements this week by winning at UNC and FSU.

Virginia @ Southern Miss -15: apparently the Golden Eagles read all the press about how terrible Virginia is and came out totally unprepared as Virginia stormed to a 27-10 halftime lead. Then they lived the reality of how terrible Virginia is and outscored UVA 27-7 in the second half to win but nowhere near cover 37-34. It seems no matter how I pick the ACC games, it goes the other way. Of course, it isn't limited to the ACC this week.

FSU @ BYU -7: Apparently spending two weeks for someone does make a big difference after all, and BYU is definitely not for real. FSU rolls into Provo and smacks the BCS hopefuls in a style reminicent of the Noles of the 80s rolling into places and whipping the home team as Bobby's Boys win in a runaway 54-28. Of course I pick against two ACC teams this week and they both turn in the performance of the season (sighs, pours scotch, and scratches head).

Boise State -7 @ Fresno State: One of the few bright spots of the weekend, Boise made this one scary as they kept allowing big plays by Fresno to keep the Bulldogs in the game. In the end, Boise takes care of business in the conference opener and gets a cover.

Cal -14 @ Minnesota: Cal let the Gophers get back into the game before pulling away late to get a super annoying cover. At least it's not a loss like so many other picks this week.

Temple @ Penn State -29.5: For all the stats I threw out last week, the one I forgot is the Nittany Lions have yet to cover this season. They don't again only winning 31-6. Theme is raging at this point.

Northern Illinois @ Purdue -12: The upset of the week, as the Huskies go in and beat a Big Ten team for the first time in 2 decades. Once again, I'm the kiss of death.

Ohio State -22 @ Toledo: wrong again, Buckeyes in a runaway 38-0.

This week started horrible on Monday Night Football and rode all the way through Sunday (won't even get into my NFL picks, skips glass, drinks straight from bottle). After further review, of the games I actually made a pick I went 4-7 this week. Still OUCH. Brings our season total to 17-18. Weeks like this are why that 53% margin is so hard to achieve. Tough stuff. Lets hope for better this week.


WEEK 4

SEC

Florida -21.5 @ Kentucky: Ok so the Gators will rebound in a big way and win in blow out fashion...right...right?? I currently have the non-stop sneezing and running nose going around right now, so I know how some of these guys are feeling, even if I'm not rocking a 104 temperature. Hopefully Meyer will open up the playbook a little bit this weekend since the team accross the field is trying to win the game and actually has someone capable of throwing downfield without throwing picks. Since I was the kiss of death last week, I'm picking the Wildcats in a huge upset (wink wink nod nod 3x bet).

Mississippi -4.5 @ South Carolina: Thursday night matchup is a game that will have big implications on the rest of these two teams seasons. If Mississippi wants to justify that lofty ranking and prove they are running with the big boys, this is a game they win. If Spurrier and his Gamecocks want to prove they are making a move and not just the same old meh, they need to spring the upset. Houston Nutt routinely has a few games a year he should win easily be way too close wins or losses. Desperation is a reeky colgne, and South Carolina needs this more, as they could easily be 3-0, but 2-2 means they would have to beat Florida and hope for a UF loss somewhere else to have a chance at the SEC East. Not as big an upset as everyone thinks, because if Soco had beaten Georgia, they would be top 15-20. Cocks come up huge on Thursday night (sorry couldn't resist).

LSU -13 @ Mississippi State: Still not completely sold on the Tigers, but I think they are still more than talented enough to get it done on the road in Starkeville.

Arkansas @ Alabama 17.5: This spread seems high since Arkansas looks to have enough offensive punch to make every defense on their schedule get worried. However, Alabama's defense is much better than Georgia's wet paper bag masquerading as a defensive unit. I think this is interesting for 3 quarters before Bama puts them away in the 4th. Not sure about the Tide covering. Could easily see this being the dreaded half point loss with a 17 point win.

Arizona State @ Georgia -12: Georgia seems to have found their rythm on offense after their week one debacle at Oklahoma State. Twelve points seems like a lot for a team that can't stop anybody. Something has to give. I think home field plays here, and Dawgs get it done by 14.

Ball State @ Auburn -33: Ball State is terrible and Auburn is on a roll. Even though it's a lot of points, I like Auburn.

Ohio @ Tennessee -22.5: Tennessee's offense still sucks (Crompton has only thrown more picks than every TEAM but one), but their defense will be more than enough to get it done in this one. Vols cover.

Vanderbilt -7 @ Rice: Vandy really looked awful last week, leave this alone. They should win, but I wouldn't put any money on it.


BEST OF THE REST

Missouri -7.5 @ Nevada: It's the only game on Friday, so this line might move a bit between now and then. I think Missouri covers, but if it magically jumps to 10 or so, look for a middle.

Wake Forrest @ BC -1.5: BC had less than 54 yards of offense last week to the Vaunted Orange Crush Clemson Defense. I like Wake to win straight up (but this is an ACC game, so flip a coin, then pick accordingly).

Cal -6 @ Oregon: Cal suddenly looks to be the cream of the PAC10 this season. They can prove it by winning at Autzen. I think they do it.

Miami -3 @ VT: Virginia Tech is always a tough out at home. If this was the Canes first road game, I'd pick the Hokies in a heartbeat. Since Miami has already gone on the road and beaten what looks to be a decent FSU team, I'm leaning towards them as they are the more balanced team. Also, I took my own advice about the ACC and George Washington says go with the Canes.

Rutgers -2 @ Maryland: Maryland is terrible. They have been blown out by Cal, lost to Middle Tennessee for the second year in a row, and needed over time to complete a comeback win over James Madison. Rutgers meanwhile has been blown out by Cincinnati, blew out FCS Howard, and barely beat FIU. This is a cripple fight, but the Scarlet Knights are the guy with a cane, while the Terps are full blown retard.

TCU @ Clemson -3: If TCU wants to be a BCS buster, they have to win this game. With BYU and Utah losing, TCU can't make a late surge by beating other undefeated teams from the MWC. A win here, and they will most likely be favored in every game the rest of the year except at BYU. In a year that is shaping up a lot like 2007 with the upsets and whatnot, I think Clemson holds serve and ends another BCS dream in what I call a mild upset since TCU is the higher ranked team.

Arizona @ Oregon State -2.5: I think the Beavers rebound here from losing to Cincinnati last week. That will be a good loss (if there is such a thing) by the end of the year as the Bearcats contend for the Big East title. Arizona just can't quite seem to get over the hump, and lost to an average Iowa team last week. Think it's lather, rinse, repeat this week for 'Zona, and OSU(NW) gets it done at home. One and two point victories are rare, so if you think Beavers get it done like I do, points are no concern here.

Iowa @ Penn State -10: Penn State hasn't covered all year. This is a revenge game for the Nittany Lions, as a loss to the Hawkeyes kept them out of the BCS title game last year. Everybody knows how those revenge games have gone this year. Average Iowa keeps it close.

Notre Dame -7 @ Purdue: Purdue has had a little hard luck early this year. The Boilermakers lost to Oregon because of two defensive TD's and outplayed the Ducks. Then they come back home and look right past Northern Illinois to this game and lose to the Huskies. Notre Dame's offense has been pretty good, their defense not so much. Purdue has a decent offense. Look for this to be similar to the Golden Domer's last two games with the Michigan schools. Which means Purdue either wins or loses in heartbreaking fashion, and covers in the process.

Texas Tech @ Houston Pick em: Is Houston for real? There will be no sneaking up on the Red Raiders after the Cougars upset Oklahoma State. These two run a similar offense and this game should be one of the most entertaining of the weekend, as they will most likely put up a Big Ten basketball score. First to 50 wins this one. I'll take Houston just to keep the BCS buster talk alive for another weekend.

Washington State @ USC -45: Sooooooooo tempted to take Cougars since the Trojans are obviously struggling on offense, but WSU is really bad. Last year USC won 63-0 without a lot of effort, and that was in Washington. Maybe they are inspired by their cross state rivals. I'll put a small punt on WSU just cause I hate the Trojans.

Ok guys I'll do a super quick recap Friday since this just came out today in which I'll include the Better Bettor section, and then look for the return of Monday/Friday post next week.

Al D