2016 Six Pick - Week Nine

It's week nine already, the season is cruising by in year one of Fuente and company. As we are enter the homestretch Thursday night is the ACC Coastal defining game for the Hokies. If Tech wins, Charlotte looks very likely, if Pitt defends then UNC moves into first with a very favorable schedule to close the year. Shout out to my boy Neal, going to the Ole Miss this weekend for the coed costume viewing party on the Grove.

Art courtesy of Scott Cole Show
Not 1 SEC game in this week's Pick Six (a first.) The horror. I can hear the calls going to PAWWWWWL as you read this. Hey, Don't blame me, blame BAMA for crushing the conference and doing the heavy lifting the last couple of years.

Thursday, October 27th
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
7:00 pm ESPN

• Homer Simpson has the Treehouse of horrors, VT football has the (Heinz) Field of Horrors. Different head coaches, schemes, talent, you name it as VT hasn't won at Pittsburgh, since Joe was an OG in HS. While the favorite, I think Fuente won't have a problem having the Hokies up and a bit salty
• I like Pat Narduzzi, I like James Conner, I have no ill will against Pitt (even with said performances vs Tech), but on Thursday, F 'em. If we, the fans, the team, the coaches have to think of them as the city slicke version of the cousins for a day then so be it

Pick: Pitt getting the points, VT (happily) grinding out a field goal win.
***

Friday, October 28th
Navy at South Florida -7.5
6:00 pm ESPN2

• USF just got corralled by Temple, exposed, poorly prepared, or not focused? I have no clue, what really matters is peak craziness in the stands on their most holy of Florida man holiday weekends ... have your screen grab machine on alert
• Death, Taxes and the Triple Option pissing off opponents and taking home W's vs superior talent. Admit, you like watching it when it isn't GiT or is it because the Navy coach isn't an asshole?

Pick: Navy, winning outright.
***

Saturday, October 29th
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
12:00 pm FOX

• I need Mike Gundy with his WAR MULLET to man up, do me a solid and beat the cousins. I don't care if the pokes have to cheat to accomplish it. Hey T. Boone just throw a couple coins and some pocket lint from your $10k suit at the State
• With a balanced air raid attack, coupled with the best (by a large margin) defense in the B12, wvu is cream of the worst P5 conference (Shade ALERT.) However, Stillwater will be their toughest road test to date and from here on out. Win here and it's a 2 game season for the 'neers

Pick: wvu laying the points to spite me.
***

Washington -9.5 at Utah
3:30 pm FS1

• Above will be the face of Utes fans by halftime or late 3rd quarter if this season holds form for UDub, enjoy your gameday experience, you guys and if you win, enjoy a caffeinated beverage, I won't tell
• We can all agree, the Huskies are a good team. The eye test says Top 5, but it's one thing to smash good teams at home, it's another to do it on the road. ESPN wants a good look, really impress and they can book a playoff spot?

Pick: UDub taking the points, they are hungry to prove they belong.
***

Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
7:00 pm ESPN

• I am almost out of Wisconsin things to say, feels like this is a crucial point in the season for the Badgers. Win here (and out) and it's a damn good season. Lose and they could sputter in their remaining games
• Nebraska can pretty much punch a ticket to Indianapolis with a win, with an outside chance of being undefeated in doing so. If Nebraska wins this, I should start penning an "I'm sorry for thinking you sucked ass" letter to Mike Riley

Pick: Nebraska getting the points. Not only do I think Nebraska keeps it close, I am real tempted to pick them outright.
***

Clemson -4.5 at Florida State
8:00 pm ABC

• The Nole defense is a big steaming pile of meh with respect to the talent laden roster. As of now, QB Francois is just ok. To win, even at home, they'll need to catch breaks and rely on Dalvin Cook, A LOT. In case you didn't know, he pretty, pretty, pret-ty good
• Like Pitt, I'm indifferent to Clemson, but if I have to hear Dabo preach to me after a win again, I may drive to Sakerlina and break all 10 commandments on his front law

Pick: FSU getting points, winning outright. Clemson feels a bit off this year too, this will be the best FSU performance all season.
***

Beer of the Week:

Cigar City Diodcorides
Thursday night is going to a great beer night, as I watch the game with friends. Veil, Answer and Trillium IPAs will wash down this imperial stout with black caraway seeds, aged in rye whiskey barrels, Beer mail is great.

Picks are against the spread.

Review:
Virginia Tech -4.5 at Pittsburgh
Navy at South Florida -7.5
West Virginia -3.5 at Oklahoma State
Washington -9.5 at Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -8.5
Clemson -4.5 at Florida State