Thursday, October 18, 2012

Week 7 NFL/Week 8 College 10 Best Football games!

First, some of you may be wondering this thought "Hey, P.J. hasn't posted anything since June, what has happened to him?" Well, here is your answer, I've been working plenty. But, that's not really an excuse, as there are others who work and can raise a child or children and still write a blog. Well, truthfully, I'm lazy as all get out, which is the real reason why I haven't done anything since June. That should change starting this week. Thanks to my girlfriend basically calling me out on my laziness. I hope to post my 10 best football games each week ranging anywhere from Tuesday-Thursday by noon. So, here is the first of what I hope will be many new posts. And, to give you an idea of what I hope to post within the next month would be the following: a World Series preview, an NBA preview, and either an NHL rant or preview depending on what happens with their labor situation. Now, for the previews!

As a side note, all previews will begin with the college game, and rankings will be based on the BCS standings. Plus, all games on Saturday unless otherwise noted.

No. 3 Oregon at Arizona State, Thursday, 9, ESPN

While Arizona State may be unranked, do not be fooled, they do have a 5-1 record, and lead a pretty good PAC-12 south division. Arizona State will also be looking to defeat Oregon for the first time in what would be the 8th time on Thursday. Oregon is also playing in its first true road test of the season, as they did play Washington State in Seattle, but that game was closer to Eugene than Pullman, so not really a road game. While Oregon still has the fastest running back in the PAC-12 as well as a dynamic kick returner in De'Anthony Thomas, I'mm going to go with the upset.

Pick: Arizona State 45, Oregon 42

No. 6 LSU at No. 18 Texas A&M, noon, ESPN

This is a contrast of two very different styles, as LSU features a great defense, ranking second in all of Division 1-A only allowing 222 yards per game. Now, that is what keeps them in games, as they can't get into the endzone, as an example last week against South Carolina they got to the red zone four times, but could not convert into a touchdown. Plus, LSU's quarterback, Zack Mettenberger is completing less than 50 percent of his passes, which will not get the job done. As for Texas A&M, they are the epitome of an offensive team. They score nearly 50 points per game, and with true freshman Johnny Manizel at quarterback, who leads the team in both passing and rushing, he is performing right into new coach Kevin Sumlin's style, which is of course the spread offense. A&M is at home, and also on a 5 game winning streak, so go with the Aggies.

Pick: Texas A&M 37, LSU 30

No. 7 South Carolina at No. 2 Florida, 3:;30, CBS

This is  for top billing in the SEC East, and the winner controls their own destiny to the National semifinal game, AKA the SEC title game in Atlanta. Florida is coming off a hard fought victory at believe it or not Vandy. Florida has had the billing throughout the season to keep the game close in the first half, and then pull away in the second half. South Carolina is coming off a very tough road loss at LSU by two points in a very hard fought battle. South Carolina may be without their best player in Marcus Lattimore, who suffered a bruised hip in the loss to LSU. That, I think will be the key in the game, how Lattimore performs against a stout Gator defense. If he can go back to his normal 100 yard a game performance, then go with the Cocks.
If not, obviously go with the Gators. And, since the game is at home for the Gators, they'll pull it out.

Pick: Florida 21, South Carolina 17

No. 17 Texas Tech at No. 23 TCU, 3:30, ABC/ESPN2 (check local listings)

Texas Tech is coming off a huge victory, and blowout victory I might add against then No. 5 West Virginia which slowed down Heisman candidate Geno Smith to only one touchdown and nearly 300 yards passing. Tech is also ranked in the top four in total defense which is a complete surprise to many, including this blogger. When you normally think of Texas Tech, you normally think of a prolific passing attack, but they are proving to be stout on defense as well. Tech also does have that prolific passing game as well, ranking 4th in the nation with Seth Doege, averaging 369 yards per game. TCU, on the other hand, runs a very balanced attack and tries to win playing solid defense. TCU is also adjusting to life after starting quarterback Casey Pachall withdrew from school due to drug and alcohol addiction. That will be tough, and Pachall's replacement, Trevone Boykin didn't fare too badly last week against Baylor, going for 267 yards and 4 touchdowns. Tech is also looking to beat another ranked opponent, which it hasn't accomplished in a while. So, with that, go with the home team.

Pick: TCU 27, Tech 23

No. 4 Kansas State at No. 13 West Virginia, 7, Fox

West Virginia is coming off the aforementioned blowout at Texas Tech, which had no idea what was coming, seeing as how it was blowing up the scoreboard in each of its first five games, scoring at least 31 points in each of those until Tech stopped them in their tracks, only putting up 14 points last Saturday. West Virginia is led by Heisman candidate Geno Smith, who already has over 2200 yards passing and 25 touchdowns as well as amazingly enough, zero interceptions. K-State meanwhile is led by its own Heisman candidate Colin Klein, who is a dual threat, as he has over 1500 yards combined rushing and passing, and is second on his team in rushing. K-State also doesn't beat themselves, only turning the ball over four times this season. Expect a lot of offense in this game, as evidenced by the over/under line of 73. Also expect West Virginia to bounce back from a tough loss.

Pick: West Virginia 45, K-State 41

NFL Picks

All games are on Sunday unless otherwise noted.

Seattle at San Francisco, 8:20, Thursday, NFL Network

Both teams are tied for the lead in the NFC West, once perceived as the league's weakest division, now very well could be perceived as it's strongest, with each team at .500 or above, no other division in the NFL can say that. The AFC East has all four teams at .500. Both of these teams also feature strong defenses and stout running games. But,San Francisco is coming off a blowout loss at home to defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. And, San Francisco bounced back nicely with a blowout victory against the Jets in their only other loss of the season. Seattle meanwhile got a come from behind victory against the other Super Bowl team last year, in the Patriots. And, rookie quarterback Russell Wilson is looking to prove himself, being one of the shortest quarterbacks in the league, at 5'11" is poised and is very capable of running the offense, and just being careful. But, I think that San Francisco, being at home will prevail.

Pick: San Francisco 21, Seattle 13

Baltimore at Houston, 1, CBS

Houston is coming off a blowout loss at home, which it hasn't suffered in a while. But, that loss was probably an aberration, as they were the most dominant team in all of the NFL prior too the loss against Green Bay.  Using a great defense and a solid running game with Arian Foster and ranking 7th in all of the NFL in total defense, and a defensive Player of the Year candidate in defensive end J.J. Watt destroying opposing quarterbacks. Now, Baltimore may be coming off a win against Dallas, but in all reality, they are looking at a horrible loss with the losses of LaDarius Webb, their best cornerback and Ray Lewis, the heart and soul of the defense. So, those are huge losses for a team which relies on defense.

Pick: Houston 35, Baltimore 24

Green Bay at St. Louis, 1, Fox

This is a very intriguing match up of two 3-3 teams. St. Louis is much improved after a coaching change in the offseason, bringing in a refreshed Jeff Fisher, who was fired from Tennessee after 16 seasons in Houston/Memphis/Nashville. His style has forced the defense to become much better and the offense is much more balanced. However, the team is simply over matched against a seasoned quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay defense will force Sam Bradford into interceptions and sacks.

Pick: Green Bay 40, St. Louis 23

Arizona at Minnesota, 1, Fox

Another intriguing matchup, two teams which weren't expected to be in first place at this juncture in the season, but here they are, two 4-2 teams which have looked pretty good thus far. Minnesota is riding the back of Adrian Peterson, who is coming back stronger than ever from his torn ACL. Then, second year quarterback Christian Ponder is performing above expectations, throwing for 8 touchdowns compared to only 4 interceptions. Then, Arizona has shuffled between two quarterbacks throughout the season, John Skelton and Kevin Kolb thanks to injury. But, they are performing well under the circumstances. Minnesota is looking to improve to 4-0 at home, and should be able to continue that with their defense pressuring the other quarterback with Jared Allen leading the way.

Pick: Minny 27, Arizona 21

New York Jets at New England, 4:25, CBS

New England coming off a loss is pretty much unbeatable, and they just got shellshocked in Seattle. Plus, New York has been a team of ups and downs throughout the season. Many downs, a few ups. and can only beat bad teams. New York has beaten Miami and Buffalo, who despite their 3-3 records are still pretty bad, as well as the Colts who also completely suck, even though they did beat Green Bay in a spirited effort. So, go with the Patriots in a complete blowout.

Pick: New England 38, NY Jets 10.

Hope to see many comments!

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