It's the penultimate Six Pick of the year, and that's probably a good thing. Writing this every week just makes me think of the football program, and that in turn makes me sad. On the plus side this week, CBS only offered Saturday's games, so I'm not forced to pick against VT again.
Make your picks at http://keyplay.football.cbssports.com/opm.
November 24
Florida (-6)
Florida State
Fun Fact #1: Dan Mullen said this week he'd love to end FSU's bowl streak. Not as harsh or fun as Spurrier's and Meyer's fun hate of FSU, but still surprisingly frank.
Fun Fact #2: As bad as we've had it this year, Florida State's almost been as bad. This is the second year in a row they're down to the wire in their struggle to make a bowl. Lose this week and they're done; their APR will be way too low to make a bowl at 5-7. Can you imagine the program-wide meltdown if we're in that spot next year?
PICK: I think FSU circles the wagons and attempts to make a stand. They'll hang around for quite a while before a late Florida score puts it away.
Michigan (-4)
Ohio State
Fun Fact #1: Michigan's won just 2 of their last 17 against anOSU. I really thought this rivalry was closer than that.
Fun Fact #2: Ohio State's given up more than 30 points in 3 of their last 4 games.
PICK: There's a palpable fear up here of a loss to their rivals for the first time in what seems like forever. Kinda like in Blacksburg :( Michigan by a TD or so.
Like half of GIS for "Bama Auburn" was them grabbing each other's facemasks
Auburn
Alabama (-24.5)
Fun Fact #1: Gus Malzahn has to be frustrating as hell for an Auburn fan. After this year his teams will have won just 7 or 8 games 4 times out of six, but he's also won double-digit games twice, preventing his seat from heating up. He's in that awkward zone where you can't really justify getting rid of him, but his record is going to disappoint Auburn fans most years.
Fun Fact #2: Alabama's won 23 of their last 24 games. The one loss? Auburn last year.
PICK: I've got an awkward feeling about this game. Feels like it should be closer than the line. Yet I get the feeling Bama will run up the score. I'll take the Tide to cover.
LSU
Texas A&M (-2.5)
Fun Fact #1: While LSU's undoubtedly had a great season thus far, they're pretty toxic to bet on. 5-6 ATS, with no obvious trends. Yuck.
Fun Fact #2: Apparently Jimbo Fisher was very nearly the replacement for Les Miles in 2015. Don't know how our Aggie brothers can trust that Jimbo will be around in 6 years.
PICK: This line was 1 when it was first posted. Not sure what everybody else is seeing that I'm not. I'll fade the crowd and take LSU in the "upset."
These really looked dumb as hell last week
Notre Dame (-10.5)
USC
Fun Fact #1: What a weird series. The away team won every game from 2009-2012. Since then the home team's won them all.
Fun Fact #2: USC was supposed to take a big step forward this year IIRC. Instead they're saddled with a just-contract-extended Clay Helton, who needs to pull an upset against the Irish just to make a bowl. Their athletic department could've financed the buyout by betting against his team this year, since USC's 3-8 ATS.
PICK: This should be the end of the Helton era, but instead they'll head to the offseason on yet another downturn. Notre Dame wins handily.
Wow that's a tiny stadium
Utah State
Boise State (-3)
Fun Fact #1: I'd imagine this is the first time Utah State's appeared in the Six Pick. Last week Colorado State scored the game-winning TD on the final play, only to have it called back for a penalty, allowing USU to escape. Wow.
Fun Fact #2: If they win this game, Boise State will appear in the MWC Championship Game for the 3rd time out of the 6 years it's been held.
PICK: Utah State got caught looking ahead last week. But they're the better team here. I'll take them and the points.
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DRINK OF THE WEEK
Mrs. OHokie collects large empty bottles. My taste for whiskey has made that much easier for her. But Blanton's is the only liquor I can think of period that targets collectors. Supposedly the bottle tops are different frames of a racehorse at the track, though I've never seen more than two of them at the same time. Does anybody have a full set of these?
