This week, we are really starting to get into the meat of the NFL and college. as with the NFL, you can pretty much gauge where a team is at after about 4-5 weeks While in college, conference play just got started last week full force, so this is starting to get really good. The month of October should be great.
College
No. 16 Michigan State at No. 17 Michigan
While this is a rivalry game, both teams are very evenly matched and it is pretty much a toss up. Michigan State should have their coach back this week, unless another health problem comes up and he misses it again. Denard Robinson is facing his toughest defense yet, but still manages to gain over 400 yards by himself.
Pick: Michigan 38, Michigan State 37
No. 9 LSU at No. 12 Florida
The mad hatter and the Tigers barely got away last week against a mediocre Tennessee team at home. The Tigers and Les Miles game mismanagement is nothing short of astonishing and how LSU is still undefeated after last week is shocking. LSU comes into the swamp stumbling and Florida will look to rectify itself after they got destroyed last week in Tuscaloosa.
Pick: Florida 42, LSU 20
No. 24 Florida State at No. 14 Miami
Another rivalry game, this one with both teams gaining traction from their losses in the first "monster" Saturday. Miami lost badly to Ohio State in the horseshoe and Florida St. did not show up against Oklahoma in Norman. But, both have come back from those losses and proceeded to wipe the floor with their next few opponents. This game also could be a preview of the ACC title game, as they are in separate divisions and have gone undefeated thus far in the conference. Jacory Harris will lead this Miami team on to victory.
Pick: Miami 28, Florida St. 17
No. 11 Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (at Arlington, Texas)
While A&M lost last week's shootout in Stillwater to the continued unbeaten Cowboys, they travel to Cowboys stadium this week to take on one of the SEC's best in Arkansas. Arkansas nearly beat Alabama if they had not beaten themselves, as they played the game not to lose more so than win. While Jerrod Johnson and the Aggies may be a great offensive team, they possess barely any defense, which Ryan Mallett and the Arkansas offense will carve up easily.
Pick: Arkansas 45, Texas A&M 28
USC at No. 18 Stanford
Both of these teams are coming off of losses, so both are motivated to win. Stanford let go of an 18 point lead in Eugene, and now are looking to knock off SC for the third time in four years. USC is motivated because they got humiliated last season by Stanford on its on home turf and since it is not going to a bowl game, they want to prove how good they can be. Stanford has also gone 13-2 dating back to 2007, when they came out of the woodwork and started looking like a very good team. The only two losses came to Cal, and SC. So, Stanford also has something of a revenge factor going for it. I believe Andrew Luck will come back home and continue to impress NFL scouts.
Pick: Stanford 24, USC 20
NFL
Kansas City at Indianapolis
While looking at this game for its face value, you may not think that this is a good game, just based on the team names and what they have done of late. But, when looking at the records, you'd be shocked that Kansas City is the undefeated team and Indianapolis is coming in at .500 on the year. Indianapolis has not stopped any running team thus far, as when they went on the road, they lost to two running teams and gave up over 30 points in each game. Peyton Manning has been very good, and is continuing to have the best statistical season of his career, but his defense has let him down thus far. Kansas City on the other hand, is getting by on their running game of Jamaal Chalres and Thomas Jones and producing big time numbers. The defense is also doing its job and keep teams to just a few points. But, since this game is at home, I'll go with the Colts.
Pick: Colts 24, Chiefs 13
Green Bay at Washington
Washington sure proved this prognosticator wrong last week, running all over the Eagles in Philadelphia with Ryan Torain. Ryan Torain ran for 70 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins victory. The Redskins did just enough to hold the Eagles at bay in the final quarter to win the game. Torain will also need to play well again this week, as Clinton Portis is out for a few weeks with an injured groin. Green Bay didn't fare too well either in their win against Detroit. Detroit put up a really fine battle against them last week, only losing by two points. If Green Bay wants to win a Super Bowl, they will have to get their defense in order, and they should start that this week.
Pick: Green Bay 27, Washington 10
New York Giants at Houston
New York absolutely destroyed the Chicago Bears last week with their suffocating defense, as they had nine sacks in the first half last week, and only allowed six first downs the entire game. That is a good sign, as the Texans tend to be a pass happy team. They should be, as they have arguably the best wide receiver in the game along with a very good tight end in Owen Daniels. But, I look for Arian Foster to run the ball a lot, much like the Texans did in their week one victory versus the Colts.
Pick: Houston 27, New York Giants 13
Tennessee at Dallas
Dallas tends to be a very good team after its bye week, as most teams are. Dallas also looked very impressive in Houston before their bye week to improve to 1-2 on the season. Dallas improved its passing and running games there and didn't make too many big mistakes. Tennessee on the other hand has not looked all that good, as they haven't really gotten Chris Johnson going, as Denver and Pittsburgh both held him to under 70 yards rushing. Look for that trend to continue unless the Cowboys go back to how they played against Washington, which was not very good.
Pick: Dallas 31, Tennessee 13
Minnesota at New York Jets
Both teams just got significantly better in the wide receiving department this week. Minnesota just picked up Randy Moss for chump change from the Patriots and the Jets have Santonio Holmes back from suspension. New York has looked very good in its past three games after losing by one to the Ravens in week one. New York and LaDainian Tomlinson have been a very good marriage as well, with Tomlinson running for over 5 yards per carry as well in a limited role. Minnesota on the other hand has not looked all that good, especially Brett Favre, as he has not looked to be in to the game at all, as evidenced by his six interceptions thus far, and the Jets will look to continue that trend. Minnesota has not given up many points though, and the defense has kept them in games and will look to rattle sophomore quarterback Mark Sanchez and for him to throw his first interception of the season. It should be a dandy of a game.
Pick: New York Jets 20, Minnesota 14
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