Six Pick: Week Eight

It's week eight and currently there are ten unbeaten teams left. That means hand wringing about what happens when 5 of these teams are unscathed at season's end. Really!?! Get back to me in mid November, until then lets just watch these teams beat each other and wait for the annual "Shock the World Saturday" to redefine expectations. This could be that week because it's another so-so lot of games. Makes me wish I was going to Blacksburg to tailgate and watch BC vs VT. Instead, I'll suffer through the games for you, hoping for upsets so I can troll other fans on Twitter.

It's ALL RUSSELL WILSON EVERYTHING. The only fan base that is going to get more tired of hearing about young Mr. Wilson this weekend than Michigan State is of course North Carolina State. We all know the story of his tenure at NC State, and his exit thanks to Tom O'Brien deciding Mike Glennon was his guy for two years over just one from Wilson. Whisky with their annual monster offensive line and running game has become a near unstoppable offense with the addition of no. 16. He gives head coach Bret Bielema and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst something that the Badgers have never had, a dual threat playmaker. This isn't some pretty spread attack. No, the Badgers ground-and-pound, and thanks to the Notorious TOB have an air attack that keeps defenses off balance. A great game on Saturday by Russell Wilson will likely move him to the front of the Heisman contenders and a BCO trip to Wolfpack message boards for entertainment.

Programmers note, from here on out, the rankings will be based on the BCS rankings.

Saturday, October 22nd

4 Oklahoma State -6.5 at Missouri noon FX

Apparently the Six Pick has become all Okie State, all the time! Using the thinnest of connections, I'll use this paragraph to outline what I am planning for my 40th Birthday in a little over a year. For the longest time, I've dreaded hitting the big 4-0. Then I decided to embrace it, and what better way than to use Cowboys' coach Mike Gundy's "I'm a man, I'm 40" mantra as the grandest of birthday celebrations theme? My early January birthday and bowl games seem like such a natural fit. Not only are there games all over the south, but the Orange Bowl will be the host of the BCS Championship. The college football gods are smiling on me. I feel a road trip with a bunch of old friends where we drink craft beer and eat good BBQ through the south on our way to multiple bowl games in 15 months. You only become a man once, might as well remember and enjoy it.

On My Radar: Okie State's ability to pay attention week-to-week before Bedlam. The Cowboys have an explosive offense, and last week it showed a new wrinkle … a running game. If they bring their A-game, they'll win, even with a spotty defense. Mizzou is a pretty good team, even at 3-3 they have no bad losses. The question is can they turn the corner (being at home helps) or are they just a challenging opponent who can't close out as their major flaw?

Pick: Okie State, until proven otherwise I am on this bandwagon.

***

22 Georgia Tech at Miami -2.5 3:30 pm ESPN / ESPN3

I chose this game for my personal curiosity. All of us Hokies know that Paul Johnson's spread option gives the Hokies defensive scheme fits. However, the Yellow Jackets Kryptonite (other than opponents with 2+ weeks preparation) amazingly enough is the Miami defense. Yes, the same defense that let the Hokies pass or run on them at will, has done as well anyone in slowing down the GT offense. Miami also has the running game to give Al Groh's D fits. The game is more than who wins and who loses, it has division meaning. This season has the look of the Coastal Champion having multiple conference losses, Miami is not out of it yet. Both have a lot to play for and while a loss would not be totally crippling for GT, it would end Miami's only chance at an ACCCG appearance for the next 5 years or so.

On My Radar: As mentioned, Miami offensively and defensively gives GT fits, couple that with a matured Jacory Harris and you can see why they are favored. I want to see what tweaks Paul Johnson does to get his backs open in space and if Al Groh has any NFL magic to find a way to slow down Miami's rushing attack.

Pick: An absolute bad matchup for GT coming off a loss, I think Miami wins and covers pretty easily.

***

20 Auburn at 1 LSU -23 3:30 pm CBS

Twenty One points!?! LSU is favored by Vegas to beat Auburn by 3+ touchdowns! This isn't Ole Miss or neKtucky, this Auburn team has talent that is coached well, even if they are very young. LSU is a very good to possibly great team, but thanks to some synthetic weed, they'll be without three important players. The biggest loss is the honey badger, all world corner back Tyran Mathieu, though losing leading rusher Spencer Ware is almost as big. Gulp, so much for smooth sailing until the bammer game. I know they've housed many a team, but to be favored by this much versus another good SEC team required a double take especially in light of the suspensions.

On My Radar: LSU's in house pysche. This is the second scandal since mid August to hit the Bayou Bengals. This certainly has to be a distraction and takes focus away from the game. This is on Les Miles and the two-headed quarterback (ruh-roh) leadership to get the team ready. Auburn will start quarterback Clint Moseley for the first time … in Death Valley no less. Good luck with that Chizik! At least it's not a night game. Lots and lots of pressure coming Clint, don't blink.

Pick: Auburn getting points, but still losing easily.

***

USC at Notre Dame -8.5 7:30 pm NBC

I may have bought Brian Kelly a little early, but I do believe he is the best coach the Irish have had since Lou Holtz. He has had some ups and downs turning the program around, but he did beat USC last year and has righted the ship recently. In beating SC, the Jeweled Shillelagh was returned to South Bend after a 9-year residence in L.A. That win was not a fluke. The programs have flip-flopped in only 2 short years. This season it is clear the depth and coaching favor the Irish with the starting talent being very comparable. Another Notre Dame win and the rebuilding adds another important block, with a BCS bowl game still attainable. Lose and all the work Kelly has done to bring the Irish back from a 0-2 start gets wiped out to the foundation. This is a minor crossroads game and it's in prime time.

On My Radar: The USC pass defense. Notre Dame is balanced on offense, able to run or pass effectively. USC has a good rush defense, but their pass defense is bad. The Irish will have plenty of opportunity to take advantage. Notre Dame on the other hand is an average defensive team, but can USC take advantage with a below average ground game?

Pick: USC getting points, Irish winning.

***

25 Washington at 8 Stanford -20.5 8:00 pm ABC / ESPN-GP

There is laughter echoing throughout the schools in the south (except from Georgia Tech) as they look at the hottest coeds at Stanford. Nerds, God bless, they run our country … shit, never mind let the #ows crowd have at them. Much like the other coastal conference, the Pac12 is not overly challenging. Unless Stanford looks past an opponent, they play a one game season versus Oregon. Udub is a surprising 5-1 with a balanced offense and getting great quarterback play, but their poor defense is a concern each week and even more so when facing Andrew Luck. However, it will be interesting to see if the Huskies can keep it close for a half. Will the Huskies be able to maintain for 60 minutes, and how will Stanford respond to a punch in the mouth without Jim Harbaugh there to guide them through it?

On My Radar: The Huskies will score some, but their defense needs to play inspired and hope the Cardinal have an off day. The physical Stanford offense should be able to run and pass at will on the Huskies. Stanford linebacker Shane Skov is out for the year, we'll see how much he is missed on Saturday.

Pick: Stanford, they know what this games means, they'll want to show off to all the east coast pollsters in prime time.

***

6 Wisconsin -8.5 at 16 Michigan State 8:00 pm ESPN / ESPN3

Wisconsin this. Badger that. All Russell Wilson Everything. Already crowned Big Ten Champion. Potential BCS Championship Game Participant. Lots of talking heads chirping about the Wisconsin Badgers. Very few seem to be talking about the Spartans and the fact Whisky has to do it in their house on prime time with Gameday present. Motivation. I've seen this script before, coach Mark Dantonio will work the Spartans into a frenzy about being an overlooked home dog and the fans will be drunk into a frenzy at kickoff. Dantonio telling his team, they are fodder for the Badger national story, they aren't the sexy, chosen team. He'll question their manhood and how they'll like losing with the nation watching. Sweet Jesus, he is going to have his guys spitting fire and ready to hit at kickoff. East Lansing is going to be insane.

On My Radar: Irresistible force meets immovable object. The Whisky offense vs The Michigan State defense. Both units, run and pass are flat out nasty. Watching this chess match is going to be very entertaining. The MSU offense is solid if a bit pedestrian, the question that will be answered is how good is the Badger defense? They haven't played a team with a pulse yet, so this will be their first punch in the mouth. Advantage for the Spartans in that regard.

Pick: Michigan State getting points at home and they have a very reasonable shot at the outright upset.

Beer of the Week:

Anchor Porter is the prototypical American porter. A great taste and body that is very drinkable. Highly recommended any time of year, but even more so as the temperatures drop.

Quick Recap:

Remember these pics are against the spread.

Okie St at Mizzou
GiT at da U
Auburn at LSU
SoCal at ND
UDub at Stanford
Wisky at Michigan State