Six Pick: Week 12
The MADNESS is here and I'm not talking about the Creamsicles either.
The solace I was seeking, the unbeatens falling as the season comes to an end, did not soothe me. It made me want more chaos and more losses, orange & maroon withstanding. It was fun being surrounded by 3 people from Idaho last weekend as we watched Boise's kicker miss a 40-yard field goal that wouldn't have been good from 20. Then over the next 4 hours, I made sure to keep my eyes on LaMichael James as best I could (and better than Stanford) as the Tree took a mighty fall. Welcome to Week 12, those 10 unbeatens a month ago, are now two and half (sorry Houston, blame the C-USA.) Behind them is a pack of 1 losses teams that will be running up the score, in case either unbeaten bows out late. I think the next 3 weeks will more than compensate for the below average October we had to endure.
I don't have the time to do this proper with words, so lets just watch BdozerVT's preseason trailer again before Thursday night lights. I want you to come correct for the seniors, be liquored up and lacquered down.
Thursday, November 17th
North Carolina at 8 Virginia Tech -10.5 8:00 pm ESPN
Speaking of liquored up, it's going to be cold, so the bourbon really helps, you guys. Here's hoping the boys from Chapel Hill won't like the cold much. The Hokies best not be looking ahead to UVa or the ACCCG, and better remember what happened the last time the Tar Heels came into Blacksburg on a Thursday night. This game is usually hard fought, I am hoping the Miami game wasn't a one time thing and the fierceness of the Thunderdome is back!
Pick and Rationale: UNC getting points , but the Hokies winning. This is typically a close game and UNC matches up well in certain spots with the Hokies. They'll run and stop the run OK, it's the passing game where VT holds the bigger edge. If the OL and Skip continue to do work, I could be wrong by a wide margin.
Saturday, November 19th
Harvard -10 at Yale --The Game-- noon Versus
A Six Pick curveball with a BCO made spread. I don't expect you to know anything about either of these teams, other than Yale's quarterback decided a Rhodes Scholar interview was less important than trying to beat Harvard. A quick look at ESPN shows Harvard at 9-1 and Yale at 5-4 with Harvard winning the 9 of the last 10 in the series. Nothing says exciting like a bunch of Winklevoss wannabee ass-hats in this matchup of lawyer white boy speed versus hedge fund trader white boy speed. It will either mesmerize, make you laugh or both. The true highlights may be the bands performing pranks on one another.
***
Pick and Rationale: Yale, I have no reason.
16 Nebraska at 18 Michigan -3.5 noon ESPN / ESPN3
Michigan State is the likely B1G Ten Legends representative leading these two teams. So they are playing for their bowl slot and potentially a BCS bid if the chips fall right. I don't expect either to a lay an egg. I give Nebraska's coach Bo Pelini a nice ration of shit, but after last week's win over Penn State he came harder than any other football coach, telling us hisunpopular opinion.
I'll be honest with you, going into this football game, I didn't think the game should have been played–for a lot of different reasons. I look at my job as a football coach is to educate, and to prepare the kids that come into the program for life.
Props to you Bo, I think we can all respect your opinion and the fact you didn't waffle giving it.
Pick and Rationale: Michigan. Both of these flawed teams mirror each other with quarterbacks who can run their asses off, but can't throw worth shit. The defenses may lack great personnel, but are well coached and perform reasonably well. All things being equal, I'll take the home team.
***
SMU at 11 Houston -19.5 3:30 pm FSN Affiliates
Yeah, this Big East Conference USA game is a stretch, but the video game numbers Case Keenum has put up each week for the better part of 3 years deserves at least one game in the Six Pick. Houston runs the highest octane Mike Leach Air Raid offense that doesn't slow down a bit, not even when mastermind Dana Holgorsen left 2 years ago. Case Keenum holds the NCAA's record for all time passing yards and touchdowns thrown. For good measure Case decided to throw 9 touchdowns in one game a few weeks back. Damn. Keenum only has one goal left, lead his Cougars to a BCS bowl game. With Boise slipping last week, all Houston has to do is win out. Sounds easy, but the next 3 games will be some of their toughest opponents and the pressure is mounting especially with Chris, Lee and Kirk on campus.
Pick and Rationale: SMU getting the points, but not winning. This will be the best defense Houston has seen all year. The Cougar O is great, but it has feasted on cream puffs. While SMU is hardly Alabama, they'll slow Keenum down a little.
***
Virginia at 25 Florida State -17 7:30 pm ESPN2 / ESPN3
All those who thought in late November FSU would be locked into a division championship race and UVa would be eliminated ... raise your hand. Mike London put both of yours down, yours was a prayer, don't even front. In between turning down Penn State {wink, wink}, pledging to show up the VT game and disparaging Coach Cav he has done a good job coaching up the hoos. The hoos have something to play for and I expect the Noles will get their best effort. The uva offensive line, running backs, secondary and defensive line have played well this season.
Pick and Rationale: UVa getting the points and losing. Matchups don't favor UVa against FSU. UVa's good run defense is wasted on the Noles who will air out against a more susceptible wahoo secondary. The hoo offense is run first and that plays right into the hands of FSU strength. For UVa to win, their passing game has to be on point and stretch the field, nothing this year has led me to believe Rocco can pass the ball vertically on a consistent basis.
***
USC at 4 Oregon -15.5 8:00 pm ABC / ESPN-GP
First, let me get this off my chest ... Lane Kiffin has done a helluva job this year as coach of Southern Cal. Considering their depth and youth, the Trojans have played well and have gotten much better since game one. Eww, that felt dirty, but this is good for college football. The product needs the traditional programs to be good and it especially benefits when they're led by head coaches with strong personalities. Speaking of improvement and polarizing head coaches, we get to the Trojans opponent, Oregon. Seems a long time ago Les Miles was shooting Ducks in barrel. The Quack attack is now humming along like seasons past, though the passing game has to be a slight concern. What I want to see is how Oregon handles the pressure of being favorite and having their ass kissed this week after winning a big game. USC comes in with no pressure and would like nothing more than to be spoiler. That didn't work 3 weeks back vs Stanford, but now the fighting Kiffin's have one more shot to end the season middle fingers up.
Pick and Rationale: USC getting the points with a legit shot to beat Oregon. I know the Ducks play faster and better at home, but the Trojans will prove to be better balanced than Stanford. USC has better athletes across the board and an offense that can pass and run the ball effectively. I think USC attacks some cracks in the defense that Stanford didn't have the material to go after.
Thursday's Tailgater
My goal, if time allows it is to load up on some Oskar Blue Ten Fidy for the tailgate on Thursday. It's a BIG stout, strong, dark, mean ... like how I want Bud's defense when they see Carolina Blue!
Quick Recap:
Remember these pics are against the spread.
UNC at VT -10.5
Harvard -10 at Yale
Nebraska at Michigan -3.5
SMU at Houston -19.5
uva at FSU -17
SouthernCal at Oregon -15.5
Tweet, Like, Send, 1-Up and Follow
| Tweet |
|
|
Follow @BeerControl |
Comments
Man. As if it weren't hard enough to go 6-0 already.... #
Hokies - I think we come out and make a statement before we have to dink around with UVA next week. Look for Miami esque offensive production, and I think Jayron Hosley will finally come to play again.
Harvard - I think they've won like 9 of the last 10? No idea
Nebraska - They'll cover and win. Denard cant pass the ball (although neither can Martinez) but I just dont see Michigan winning this one.
Houston - Case Keenum continues his attempt at a Heisman season throwing 4 tds minimum
UVA - Pains me to say it but I think it will be a close game with Superbowl MVP EJ Manuel leading the Noles down the field on a game winnning drive. Early enough to begin next years top 10 hype once again.
USC - The boys can play offense. It's just a question of whether or not they can stop the Oregon O on a single possession.
Logan 3:16
Hokies - looks like the line #
Hokies - looks like the line came down from -13
Princeton
Michigan and then Brady Hoke feasts
SMU with the upset win, shortly after the 5 dead hookers will be found
iPledge with the points, fsu winning
USC with the points, Oregon winning
LOL #
Princeton will be beating both?
www.twitter.com/BeaunerJam
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man" - Rick Flair
H-O-K-I-E-S #
H-O-K-I-E-S Hokies!
Haaaaahvahd
Michigan.. just because
Houston by a mile
The residents of Lane Stadium North
Oregon... ugh ugh ugh Lame Kiffin
Week 12 Picks #
VT - Hell of a job gettin the Hokies fan pumped for senior night!!
Bulldogs - Battle of the bluebloods, should be a doozie
Wolverines
Houston - gonna put up a lot of points
Semenholes - no way I can pick EwVA
Ducks - because of the placement of the "O" the blond cheerleader on the left is showing
Thursday night will be a mix of bourbon for warmth and PBR. I would stick with bourbon, but I prolly wouldn't make it to the game...
LET'S GO....
It's a great day to be a Hokie!
UNC covers. I think it will #
UNC covers. I think it will be a close game.
Yale covers. Harvard wins.
Michigan
Houston
UVA covers, Free Shoes University wins
Oregon
Viva El Guapo
Ok, this is embarassing #
However, Like BC I keep struggling along for life. No bowl berth, divisional significance, etc but each W makes it hurt less.
Blue Goats -- Just for points. I dont think our team is as ready for this one as a week ago. My James Gayle tweet-o-meeter has been on E.
Harvard -- Now that #OWS is marching toward DC the trust fund babies can focus on football
Brasky -- I dont think that team last week was out for blood. This week its a matter of which D plays best.
*Houston -- No more gut picks. had to change this. DERP. CASE KEEENUM. #firecraigjames
UVGay -- Chase Minnifield may help ease that aerial attack. FSU at home though will keep em up by 2 scores though, just not 3
Oregon -- probably dumb but they look like the best 1 losser to me
BotW -- Longtrail Pale Ale from the heart of VermonT
www.twitter.com/BeaunerJam
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man" - Rick Flair
week 12 #
UNC covers but VT wins - at this point I see either the best case scenario (win out and go to OB) or worst case scenario (UVA beats FSU, we lose to UVA) playing out. I'm hoping for best case but fearful of worst case. Regardless of future events, I see us winning this game but not by more than 10.5.
Yale covers but Harvard wins - didn't mr. burns go to yale?
Nebraska - this game reeks of "blue should have won but didn't."
Houston - even if the spread was double, I would pick houston.
Virginia covering but FSU winning - I think its funny that UVA gains so much press by beating the likes of duke and a Uhurricane team that clearly played like crap. They still did lose to UNC and southern miss. I would also bring up thier OT thriller against the vandals but as paparusynhokie says "close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades." I don't think FSU is good enough to beat the spread but they are good enough to shatter UVA's "dream season." EJ Manuel will throw a couple picks though, just to make it interesting and give me (a) headache(s).
USC covers but Oregon wins - USC just isn't good. Yes, they have "athletes" but to win games you also need a coach that doesn't have the cloud of bad karma following his every step. Athletes will help USC but in the end god hating lane kiffin will prevail. Also, picking the ducks to lose at autzen is just wrong.
Dirty Dozen, Week 12 #
VT. Must avenge 2 years ago....
Haaaarrrrrrrrrrrvard. The Crimson Roll. (And the plural is Vinklevi.)
Big Red, just barely. Meeshigun is lapsing back to last years debacle of a defense that was ranked 302 of 119 teams.
Houston, all systems are go. Case Keenum is a slinger. They go undefeated, but get nopub.
V. they have Free Shoes Univ's number for some reason. Don't expect them to win, just cover the 17...
The Ducks...may be the best one loss team right now. (Not that Bama will show us anything playing their typical cupcake in November this weekend. How the heck does the $EC allow such crap????) LaMichael will put his name back in the Heisman discussion.
Nice pick on the Ten-Fiddy. You won't be disappointed. It even kicks you like liquor, sneaking up on you. This may be a good weekend for some Faithful, Pearl Jam commemorative from Dogfish. Picked up a few bottles at the brewery last week.
VT will be up two scores #
VT will be up two scores going into the 4th, but UNC will score late. Tech wins, but UNC covers
omgyouguys, how did I miss that it's already Yale-Harvard week! I ca-zzzzzzz zzzzzz (gimme Harvard)
McChicken
I'm going to assume that 19.5 is a misprint. Houston. Big.
UVA hasn't lost to anyone by 17. What is wrong with the world. Noles win, but I PLEDGE the French cover
Stanford hangover leads to USC covering, but Dux win
Follow @Hokie_Wartooh
Picks #
VT
Harvard (why are we picking this game?)
Nebraska
Houston
UVA
USC
www.twitter.com/VTColtTXRangers
Amends for last week #
Hokies - Please let the offense play like it did against Miami
Harvard - ??
Nebraska - After seeing and talking with their fans after our game against them in 2009, I respect them.
Houston - boring
FSU - UVA will be squashed like a bug.
Oregon! - They looked really sharp last week. Almost too sharp.
DANNY COALE ALL THE WAY TO THE THREE
wk 12 #
Tech wins, UNC covers
Havaaad.....but I confess, I had to flip a coin
Michigan by more than the spread
Houston by less than the spread
FSU wins, (@#$%^&*)hoos cover
USC to win outright
btw, BCO, nice recovery on the cheer talent pic this week....proving once again, it's all about the O
Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.
Crap Shoot #
UNC barely beats points
Harvard
Michigan barely
SMU points
FSU wants to be in a better bowl
Oregon
Is it Thursday yet???? #
VT - Funny if we had gotten Renner then Logan would prob be catching passes than throwing them
Harvard -eh why not
Michigan -I would love a VT vs. Michigan Orange Bowl if that could happen, too bad OB has last pick
SMU - Getting points but hoping possible win
uva - I just see it a lot closer than the experts think
USC - They have a legit shot for the upset, it's USC's bowl game
Pickaliscious #
UNC +10.5
Harvard -10
Michigan -3.5
Houston -19.5
France +17
USC +15.5
I yearn for a special teams TD.
@VTvince79
Week 12 = 12 pack on Gameday #
UNC covers, but Hokies win - UNC still matches up with us great, as evidenced by how close our games have been in the recent past. Sucks that Tweedy probably won't be back, but I have faith in our defense. It's been a while since anyone has be JAYRON'D, is this the week the streak ends? DID SOMEONE SAY THURSDAY NIGHT IN BLACKSBURG?
Harvard - Cause when in doubt, pick the 9-1 team.
Michigan - I have not been impressed with Nebraska all season. Perhaps it could be chalked up to my general distaste for B1G footbaww, but SERIOUSLY, BIG RED has slept-walked through it's last month. The win last week was painful to watch (on a football level - not even going into a discussion about the distractions at State College), and a loss at home to a Persa-Less Northwestern team that physically overwhelmed them most of the game. Overrated? Overrated.
SMU covers, but Houston wins - If any non-mainstream mid-major (re: Boise, TCU) has the offensive firepower to go tit-for-tat with Keenum's Bunch, it's SMU (and maybe Toledo, but that's another discussion). They already took down TCU earlier in the season. Every offense has a bad outing at least ONCE a season, but I don't think that will happen for Houston until the BCS. The Worldwide Leader will be present too, hyping this to be perhaps the biggest game in Houston Football history (until they inevitably meet Southern Miss in the Conference USA Championship Game).
Also, with UCLA still controlling their destiny in the PAC 12 South (WAIT. WHAT? I KNOW), that season-opening victory looks better and better for the Cougs.
UVA covers, but FSU wins...No, you know what, FSU with the win AND the points. Let's be real.
Oregon - Quack Attack loked possessed against the Tree, and I fully expect them to keep the momentum. Lane will have his boys ready - for USC, this is their bowl game - and it'll be close for 1 half. But Oregon has its sights set on THE R-WORD, and they need as many impressive shellackings on their resume if they want to jump Bama.
Photo Primer coming soon!
Bring back the Pro Rev!
WEEK 12 #
VT
YALE
MICHIGAN
HOUSTON
FSU
OREGON
AND YES, I JUST TOOK EVERY HOME TEAM. LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
VT COOP
Got to get back over .500 for a week #
Hokies - The seniors will go out with pride
Harvard - You had me at 9-1
Nebraska - Even without Crick, Black shirts' D is good enough to contain Shoelace Robinson
SMU - This one is tough, because not a single team has shown any sign of stopping Keenum, but the Mustangs are better than everyone else on Houston's schedule thus far
FSU - Can't bring myself to pick UVA to cover when FSU is playing so well. Plus they stop the run and Rocco can't beat anyone with only his arm (not that I've seen)
Quack Quack - (See last week) They ran by Stanford, and the Cardinal still don't know what happened. Oregon to keep rolling, even if this is the USC bowl game, remember Kiffin's last bowl game as a HC (2009 Chick fil A)... Thought you might
Brooks Aker
Picks #
Hokies
Harvard
Nebraska
SMU
UVA
USC
Thursday night... #
Hokies...it's Thursday night son!
Harvard, but who cares
Nebraska, coin flip
Houston puts up sick numbers
Preppy kids to cover while sipping Zima
Oregon
Virginia #
Virginia Tech
Yale
Nebraska
SMU
FSU
USC
Week 12.. #
HOKIES
Yale
Huskers
Ponies
Noles
Ducks
picky pick picks #
Hokies - and we see some David Wilson backflips
Hahvahd - my uncle taught at Yale but fuck that
Braskypants - again, just so I can type Braskypants (now twice!)
Houston - [insert joke about Craig James killing 5 hookers]
BooVA - I PLEDGE for the French this time around. Florida State sucks balls
Oregon - I had a helluva time picking this, but in the end... LaMichael is spanish for The Michael and LULZ @ KIFFYKINS. STORYTIME! The first day of my last semester of law school was the day after Lane Kiffin announced he was leaving UT and the Knoxville riots ensued. I wore a 2009 Chick-Fil-A Champions shirt and it was GLOOOOOORIOUS.
NO TWEEDY, IT'S WHIP!!!!!!!
VT Yale - Only because of #
VT
Yale - Only because of this awesome Mr. Burns video: http://vimeo.com/29438496
Michigan - Don't really care, Nebraska football is boring again, yay!!
Houston
Florida St - ipledge to subjectively root against the Hoos every Saturday
Oregon - Best 1 losser and its not close.
Bwaaahhh #
i love some Mr. Burns
Picks #
Hokies
Yale (will there even be 10 points in this game?)
Nebraska
SMU
UVA
Oregon
Week 12 #
HOKIES
Harvard
Michigan
Houston
UVA
Oregon
Week 12 picks!!! #
Virginia Tech
Harvard
Nebraska
Houston
Florida State
Oregon
weak 12 #
Hokies cover and win
awiii think mawtha picked hawvad to win so mawtha it is.
migetcan
houston nutts gone this year
Virgin ya prayas are answered
I hear ya BCo, Kiffin has coached his great talent, but winnin? F ing points, i hate the spread like one of my x girlfriends, nickname butter legs - - - - - -spreads to easy..... two pigs ina bucket DUCK-it.
My beer this week is dedicated to my brother Ray, and what Penn St wanted as a last home game ----
Great Lakes - Blackout Stout, might be the best one I have had in a week. And I had Bitches Brew last week. I could cruise this beer right into Christmas.
Heres to Ray, out before the party ever started-Cheers!
Dirt
week12 #
VT
Harvard
Nebraska
Houston
FSU
Oregon
Seattle Hokie Week 12 Picks #
I am coming to you live from the SeattleHokie's East Coast Headquarters in McLean, VA. Now I usually just pick the Thursday night game and make the remaining 5 picks on Friday. There is a good chance I won't be around a computer on Friday so I am going to shake things up and make all my picks now. Also, I have been drinking beer at the airport, on a plane and now at my buddy's house so I am happily sauced. After last weeks 2-4 record I am inching closer to .500. I wouldn't mind going 0-6 this week either.
UNC - Points? Yes. Win? Probably. I have seen this before in October 2 years ago. I know these are two different teams but it doesn't seem to matter when they play. I also answered in the poll that if I had to pick one team to lose to, it would be UNC. I am just afraid I will eat those words. I have seen two Hokies game since moving to Seattle and both have been losses. This might be it for me if we lose again, well at least for 8 months or so.
Harvard - Behind the arm of qb Collier Winters (could you get a WASPier name?) and the running back duo of Treavor Scales and Zach Boden, Harvard should cruise here. Although there won't be a lot of speed in this game, it may be more entertaining than the Game of the Century a few weeks back. I love college football and I am not afraid to watch this game over some of the others at noon.
Michigan - This game should take a total of 63 minutes to play and both teams should combine for a Tebow like 10 pass game. I think the Big Game, see Harvard at Yale, is the better game at noon.
Houston - I am all Case Keenum all the time now. I believe my first pick of the year was SMU covering against Baylor. I am not falling in that trap again. Houston has a very legitimate shot at not playing for the national championship and they will use this game to showcase it. Maybe they do slip up, but I am betting 5 dead hookers they don't.
UVA - Since Mike London is definitely going to State College after the season (by the way, PSU just now hired an interim athletic director, like today) his players are going to go all out to end the season on a high note. Jimbo Fisher still is the best coach in the ACC and ever at F$U but i don't think he can coach them up to a 17 point victory. I would like to make a pledge or two this game but I will save that for next week.
Oregon - 1st rule, always go with the cheer picture. Second rule, well there isn't one but when there are 12 Oregon cheerleaders pictured, its hard not to pick them. I also think Oregon is playing as good as ball as anyone right now.
Beer of the week has yet to be decided. Bourbon for sure and probably a rail or two. I am just excited to be back in dc, seeing my friends and hopefully taking in a Hokies victory. I also hope to meet many of you while I am down there as well.
Go Hokies!
here we go #
H-O-K-I-E-S HOKIES!!!
Yale
Meeeeechigan
Pony Express
uva to cover but not win
Trojans
IT'S GAMEDAY!! LETS GO HOKIES!!!!!!!!
twitter.com/weavez22
Need 'Em All! #
VPI HOKIES
Yale
Michigan
SMU getting points, Houston winning
UVA getting points, Noles winning
USC keeps it close, DUCKS keep flying with the win
Thursday first #
UNC to at least cover. I would love to see the Hokies cover, but I think the game will be closer than Vegas thinks as they always play us close.
Rest of the picks later...gotta drive to BLACKSBURG!
Followup #
Yale
Nebraska
Houston
UVA covers, but FSU wins
USC covers, but looking like LSU/Oregon rematch now?
My losers of the week #
UNC
YALE - but who cares
Meeeeeeechigan
Houston
UVA
OREGON
GO HOKIES!!
@TheTurkeyTavern
I need a good week here #
VT
Harvard
Nebraska
Houston
FSU
Oregon
Currently pregaming the tailgate and buzzed. Gotta get drunk enough to not feel the 22 degrees tonight.
Late Picks #
UNC at VT -10.5 -- Picked too late for this game, and wouldn't have picked a game I was attending, anyway.
Harvard -10 at Yale -- Harvard
Nebraska at Michigan -3.5 -- Michigan
SMU at Houston -19.5 -- Houston
uva at FSU -17 -- uva vs. spread (FSU still wins)
SouthernCal at Oregon -15.5 -- USC vs. spread (Ore. still wins)
What's Important Now
@zmaynard
Picks #
I tried posting these from my phone outside of Lane, but a shoddy 3G signal prevented me from doing so. /insert vtjawo AT&T joke
UNC covering but Tech winning
#TeamNewHaven
Michigan
Houston - Look above to DavidWilsonsWhip's picture.
Virginia - They shorten the game running the ball but FSU's defense gets it done in the end.
USCe - They'll keep it close but Oregon will win.
David Wilson eats Chick-fil-A on Sundays.
ha ha ha....I didn't realize #
ha ha ha....I didn't realize that the Souf Carolina was playing Oregon today though ;)