Calls and Predictions not Just Sure to go Wrong, but go the Complete Opposite Way
Barometer on the Fly
More confessions – I posted a quick-hitter on Scoreboard’s Facebook page Saturday morning, simply asking our followers to call an upset in college football. I decided to post one myself, just to help break the ice. I chose Maryland. It was an innocent little move, just a knee-jerk selection on the fly. Heck, I hadn’t even seen one snap of Maryland football this season yet.
Fear the Turtle? More like, Fear the Barometer. Florida State 63, Maryland 0. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Nothing. The big goose egg.
I think my picks might actually swing Vegas lines after I post. The calls will continue. Even on the fly, the Barometer will get ya.
The Week that Was
Holy cow – the Barometer went 6-0 (save that little knee-jerk upset call for Maryland). That actually should be 5-1, since Iowa State was robbed (come on, Horns, you know it’s true). And how hard is it to pick wins over Kansas these days? I should add the Vegas line to those picks. There weren’t many upsets in college football, in general, as Nos. 4, 5 and 6 all came close to being on the wrong side of the score.
I will say this – Ohio State is a fraud to the highest degree. They would get rolled by about 12 teams (from my count), and have no business being in the national title picture. And the Uniform Czar still says your jersey numbers are way too big.
And I predicted that Peyton Manning would do a little carving of the Cowboys’ D. He did, but Tony Romo did a little surgery of his own and then he turned the knife on his own team. Romo will be remembered for the last pass he attempted from the game, rather than the 506 yards and five touchdowns he threw. It’s a shame but that’s the life of a quarterback. By the way, Denver entered he game averaging 44.75 points. The Cowboys managed to help them improve that mark. Nice D.
Coming up this Week
Redskins at Cowboys: After two weeks of getting carved up by AFC West quarterbacks, the Cowboys will be relieved to face… the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner. RGIII was tremendous at Dallas last Thanksgiving but injury (and most notably recovery) has slowed him and the Redskins thus far. Dallas takes advantage and gets back to .500. Cowboys 27, Redskins 20.
Texas A&M at Ole Miss: If you’re looking for a great game next Saturday night, tune into ESPN for this one. Bottom line: an aggressive Ole Miss defense vs. Johnny Manziel and the potent Aggie offense. Last year, A&M turned the ball over six times, yet pulled out a win in Oxford. Manziel will put on a show in this one. Aggies 49, Rebels 33.
Kansas (+25) at TCU: What’s the perfect tonic for the week after losing a close one at OU? Jayhawk (it’s what’s for dinner). The Frogs get back in the win column (and cover) with a solid win over Kansas. Frogs 37, Jayhawks 10.
Texas vs. OU: Paul Rhodes is going to enjoy this one. Because no referee nor replay official can save the Horns from the Sooners’ wrath. Many Texas fans have a tradition – buy a corny dog on the way into the game for lunch. My advice – stay at the Fletcher’s stand and have a few. Maybe Big Tex will catch on fire again. It will be prettier than what’s going to happen to the Texas defense. Sooners 55, Horns 13
Iowa State at Texas Tech: What happens with you mix a Cyclone with West Texas? Dust. And a lot of it. Iowa State will be eating some dust as the Red Raider offense scores a few points. At least the fox is gone. Red Raiders 38, Cyclones 20.
Baylor at Kansas State: The parade to November (and real competition) continues, as the Bears look to improve to 5-0. They will. But at least this one is a little closer. And Baylor’s not scoring 70 (for once). It ain’t easy to win at the Little Apple, so Baylor will have to earn this one. Bears 45, Wildcats 27.
No. 8 Florida St. at No. 3 Clemson: This will be a great game. Barometer goes back and forth on who to pick. In the end, I gotta go with the better coach (Sweeney), the experienced quarterback (Boyd) and the home team (Death Valley). Clemson 38, Florida St. 31 in overtime.
Upset Pick of the Week: Missouri over Georgia in Athens. A&M was the surprise team of the SEC last season. Is Mizzou this year’s?
