College Football Picks

Well, this is the week of the game we've all been waiting for. #3 Auburn hosts #6 LSU, in what could be the game of the year in the SEC. The winner of this game has won the SEC West 5 of the last 6 years. Almost everyone is picking Auburn to win, primarily because they're at home, but LSU has not lost on the road since 2004 (7 straight wins), and they've won their last 6 SEC road games. They are the only team in the country that has not given up a touchdown and JaMarcus Russell is the 3rd rated QB in the NCAA. They are notoriously slow starters, but have come out this year on fire, so I actually feel pretty good about this game. I am taking my son who turns 5 next week, and we'll be decked out in our purple and gold! Because I've seen LSU play in person 7 times, and they are 7-0, I don't see how they can lose! My pick:  LSU 31  Auburn 13.  Shocked?  I have a feeling that everyone will be. I'm seeing a repeat of 2003 brewing when LSU just jumped all over Auburn. It's just a gut feeling. We'll see!

My other picks for Saturday:

• Florida 24  Tennessee 13.  The Volunteers came back down to earth last week after sqeaking one out against Air Force. They have a tough defense, but the Gators are looking sharp.
• Arkansas 17 Vanderbilt 14.  Vandy keeps it close but can't finish. Arkansas is breaking in a true freshman QB, but Mustain will get the job done. It could be an upset, though.
• Georgia 21  UAB  10.  The Blazers proved their mettle against Oklahoma, and Georgia's Stafford is also a true freshman. The offense won't click perfectly, but it will be enough.
• Kentucky 24  Ole Miss 17.  Ole Miss is terrible.
• Mississippi State 24  Tulane 10.  The Bulldogs FINALLY score and their defense is just too much for the Green Wave. Sly gets his first win of '06.
• South Carolina 27 Wofford 13.  Spurrier's offense gets healthy over a one dimensional, rushing Wofford team.
• Alabama 31  UL Monroe 3.  Alabama is actually charging $29.95 to watch this dog of a game on pay per view. Some people will pay it. Ugh.
• Michigan 27 Notre Dame 21.  I think this will be a great game, but Notre Dame will be exposed. I'm looking for the slight upset.
• Florida State 20 Clemson 10. Daddy Bowden gets some revenge as the Seminoles rebound from an embarassing performance against Troy last week.
• Oklahoma 27  Oregon 17.  This is for the Burleson Clan. I'm picking Oklahoma because I just think the Pac 10 is incredibly weak this year, except for USC. The Sooners beat them in the Holiday Bowl, and they'll beat them again.
• USC 35 Nebraska 31. This game will be closer than people think. USC wins at home in a shootout.

Well, I'm 11-3 straight up on the season. I don't do point spread and don't really care. Let's see how things shake out on one of the biggest Saturday's of the college football season! Geaux Tigers!

Comments

[Rob Slagle]

Watch out Alan, you might have Bobby Welch on your case for focusing on football and not witnessing. --TIC

It's apalling that my team Alabama, is going to PPV their game this week.

[micah]

People have a hard time believing it, because of our offensive history, but many analysts across the country claim that Florida's defense is the best in the conference. If our offense looks as good as it did last week, and the defense plays as well as expected, we should be tough to beat this year. Our killer schedule could nix all of that, though.

Go Gators!!!

[Paul Burleson]

Atta boy Alan--Go Sooners

Paul B.

[Bob Cleveland]

You didn't mention the Dodgers. Got a pick on that one?

[Tim Sweatman]

I'd say that the near disaster against Air Force was a case of the letdown that is not unusual for a game sandwiched between two "big" games. My only concerns going into the Florida game are that we lost two key defensive players to injury and that our special teams are suspect (which led to our loss in Gainesville last year). That being said, I believe Tennessee can put up some points against Florida, although 35 or 31 is unlikely against a defense of that caliber. Tennessee 24, Florida 20.

GO VOLS!!!

[Jamie Wootten]

You've got the Dawgs hanging 24 on Tulane!?!?!? Man that's a season's worth of points for us. Maybe if the def. scores 7 and we run a kick back. The offensive might be able to generate the other 10!!!

[joe kennedy]

ahem.

war eagle.

[Alan Cross]

Just got back from Auburn with my son. I've got to give credit where credit is due! Great game, Auburn. I thought that LSU could stop Auburn's offense, but I had no idea that Auburn would be able to stop LSU that way. Agony! This is what makes college football so great, I guess. Congratulations, Auburn, on a great win! I hope you lose the rest of them, but I honestly think you'll run the table. You're that good!

[A S Hodel]

With 20-20 hindsight ...
Auburn 7
LSU 3

What a nail-biter!

[Keith Lucas]

Alan,

Because I love you I'll just say WAR EAGLE!!!!!!

AU class of 85

[joe kennedy]

How did you get back to Montgomery less than an hour after the game ended? That's virtually impossible. It takes an hour just to get three blocks. Did you leave at the beginning of the second half?

[Alan Cross]

I got back to Montgomery about 2 hours after the game ended. We walked to our car, got in, and started driving. We actually parked A LONG way from the stadium, but it was a straight shot out on the first Auburn exit. By the way, I was really impressed with Auburn fans. They were really nice to us and offered consolation. They didn't rub it in at all. Very impressive.

[joe kennedy]

I remember my second fall at Auburn I had to walk through the LSU fans' trailer park in the parking lot next to the School of Business. They harrassed me all the way through- and it was the THURSDAY prior to the game. From that day forward I've hated LSU. Really, I think I hate LSU more than Alabama, but slightly less than Arkansas. I thought I was going to get jumped.

Then again, my first semester at Auburn I nearly got in a fight with a drunk AUBURN fan. So... yeah.

[Alan Cross]

By the way, 8-4 last week, 19-7 on the year. Ugh. It only co

[Alan Cross]

By the way, 8-4 last week, 19-7 on the year. Ugh. It only compounds my misery from LSU's brutal loss. I still haven't gotten over it. :(