ENTER CODE: CANBT, AT CHECKOUT TO RECEIVE 25% OFF STYLES IN THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND'S PICK OF THE WEEK SECTION. TEAMS FEATURED FROM OUR GAMES OF THE WEEK, UTAH, TCU, CINCINNATI, & WEST VIRGINIA ALL AVAILABLE!!
No, I'm not crazy. I've been padding my once atrocious win-loss record by picking upsets like Alabama's Mark Ingram picks up yards - lots. A mere 3 weeks ago, my win-loss record stood at 7-12. I've managed to add 9 victories and only 2 losses, and am finally over the .500 mark for the first time this season (16-14). I must admit I really believed Oregon could beat USC when they did so a few weeks ago, but Navy over Notre Dame in South Bend? That was more hope than belief, but hope was kept alive! I truly believe there is more than hope for both teams facing unbeaten's this weekend, thus our Games/Picks of the week....
MOUNTAIN CLIMBER BROWN
The # 25 West Virginia Mountaineers travel to Nippert Stadium this Friday night to face the undefeated # 5 Cincinnati Bearcats. A very interesting scenario is taking form in the Big East, and it starts with this game. If the Mountaineers can beat the Bearcats (which I believe they will), they will be just one game behind # 12 ranked Pittsburgh when they face them next week at home. I believe Pitt will be coming off a home loss versus Notre Dame where coach Charlie Weiss's job is definitely on the line, and thus a bit deflated when they roll into Mountaineer Field where West Virginia will hand them their second loss in a row. The Mountaineers would find themselves alone atop the Big East, being in a three-way conference tie for first place, but having dumped Cincinnati and Pitt consecutively. Easier said than done, but Cincinnati struggled with a fairly weak Connecticut team last week, and I'm just feeling the passing - rushing combo of Jarret Brown and Noel Devine is too formidable for Cincy. Former Heisman hopeful Tony Pike coming off the bench won't cut it for the Bearcats. West Virginia 28, Cincinnati 21.
The experts have been singing the praises of #4 TCU all year, and deservedly so, but the # 16 Utah Utes have quietly put together an impressive 8-1 record, and are tied for first place in the Mountain West Conference with the Horned Frogs, going into this crucial match-up. Running back Eddie Wide (pictured lower right) has gone under the Heisman radar despite 6 consecutive 100 yard games. Both teams match up fairly evenly on offense, but TCU ranks # 1 in total defense in the conference, and that has been the difference for them to date....BUT Utah ranks 3rd. Even with home field advantage this week, I believe the unbeaten run ends. Too many undefeated teams means just that, and therefore the Utes will come out on top. Utah 27, TCU 18.
WIDE AWAKENING
And a few more....As mentioned above, I believe Notre Dame will bounce back and beat a very good Pitt team. Fighting Irish 35, Panthers 28 .....Missouri has been a major disappointment after a 4-0 start this year, while Kansas State is in the driver's seat in the Big 12. What better scenario for a Tiger victory? Missouri 24, Kansas State 21.... Illinois has won two big games in a row, and Northwestern dumped previously unbeaten Iowa. Illinois continues to roll at home. Fighing Illini 35, Wildcats 20. Lastly, Iowa won't beat an Ohio State team coming home to the Shoe, after crushing Penn State in Happy Valley. Iowa drops second straight. Ohio State 24, Iowa Hawkeyes 10.
