Week 5 Pick Summary

Week 5...Axe Week...Buck the Fadgers!

NCAA
JR: MSU, MN, ARMY, TOL, ALA, GEO, UCF, TT, ASU, TULSA
JG: WV, FSU, MSU, MN, VT, ARKST, UCLA, PSU, OLE, WASU
MR: WV, MICH, WIS!, UK, LSU, WF, PSU, WASH, MISST, ORE
MK: MICH, MN, NC, ALA, STAN, LSU, MIA, AF, GT, ARK
AW: FSU, CLEM, MICH, WIS!, ARMY, ALA, LSU, PSU, NAVY, NEV
GR: PITT, MN, NC, ALA, PSU, MIA, WASH, NAVY, IND, USC
MH: MSU, MN, NW, UCLA, NCST, PSU, MIA, AF, TN, USC
MC: LT=W, VT, USF, ALA, TEM, WF, PSU, ULM, GT, HOU

NFL
JR: CIN, TEN, BAL, MIA, MIN
JG: CIN, TEN, TB, BUF, MIN
MR: TEN, WAS, NO, SD, GB!
MK: TEN, NYG, BAL, DEN, MIN
AW: DET, TB, BUF, DAL, MIN
GR: CIN, NYG, BUF, NYJ, MIN
MH: BAL, BUF, DAL, PIT, MIN
MC: DET, CIN, BAL, TB, BUF

CONSENSUS PICKS (5-3-1 LW)
ALA-17, PSU-6
CIN-4, TEN-1, BAL+3, BUF-1, MIN-3

7 games this week...only 2 NCAA, these keep getting tougher!!

PICK Observations
- JG/MR are the only ones with action tonight on WV-17...should be close to that. COL has to have a decent game in them eventually, right?

- GR, of course, took his adopted PITT Panther club on FRI night -6.5 at LOU...it's a good pick though because LOU is AWFUL

- JG and BOMB both bet on the Jekyl/Hyde Noles...who shows up at BC this week? I'll take points and BC even though I don't think much of them.

- we split 3 and 3 in MICH at MSU...interesting. I took SPARTY, I think being at home in a "we must win or the entire season is lost" kind of game and it's a rivalry game...have to take the home team, espeically when they are getting 2.5

- MK/GR jumped on NC hosting VIR -14...I thought this was a no brainer early in the week, but I left it out of my picks because NC has been anything but impressive and VIR is due for their surprise snap out of it game that is an annual tradition

- MH likes the NW Cats - I don't know if I could ever bet on that team after watching them last week. I'm sure they'll come back and go 4-4 in conference in typical NW fashion, but man did they look bad against the Gophs.

- Everyone is jumping on the ALA Train...if they are favored by less than 3 TD's against any mediocre to bad team = $$$

- Nobody picked the last second KST-ISU game, but I think the Clones at -1 are a great pick.

- MC picked it, and I love it...TEM -4 at EMU, this shouldn't be even close

- GO ARKST! Thanks JG.

- I can't believe I was the only one taking GEO over LSU this week. I think GEO is a better team, they are playing at home, and LSU is in the Top 5...easy pick.

- 6 of us on PSU this week. I agree, but didn't include it. I think Illinois has to have that one last ditch attempt to salvage some kind of a season by beating somebody good effort going this week. PSU's offense didn't scare anyone last week, so the horrible ILL D might not be a huge issue.

- 3 on MIA, none on OK. I was believing the MIA hype too - but seriously how has the entire nation counted out OK!!??! Bradford will likely be back and OK will cruise to a 10 point win in this one. We forget that they have NFL players all over the defense and MIA will not be able to throw at will without getting Harris killed.

- I love TT -36 hosting NM. If you missed it, TT lost 2 in a row and needs to blow off some steam...NM is maybe the worst team in D1 and their 1st yr HC just punched his asst in the mouth recently...their talking hot seat on the guy 4 games into his career...ouch. TT wins 66-10.

- GR believes the hype on IND...and I do to, at least for this week. OHIOST isn't anything special on offense so 16.5 is too much. Hoosiers keep it within 2 TD's.

- MK likes ARK to win finally at A&M...I like the Aggies by 2 TD's against that awful ARK D.

- Not a lot of action on AUB at TN...tough call of a game, but I like what AUB has done. Offense went from worst in the SEC to one of the best overnight, TN can't score unless their D does it for them. I love AUB in this one...20-17.

- 2 on USC, none for CAL. I'm not sure what to think in this one. CAL has to be better at home this week, but USC can't have a horrible offense forever...I'll take 6.5 pts at home for CAL.

- Finally, UTEP, my guys, if you're ever going to do something to make me feel better about my sleeper pick this year, beat HOU or at least cover the 15...I bet they don't, but I had to make my plea.

NFL Highlights

- 5 double digit spreads this week = tough to pick
- only 4 of our picks are on these games for week 5
- I think TEN is lock of the Century this week at JAC
- I like KC, OAK, DET all to cover their DD spreads this week
- 3 of you picked a Josh Johnson lead team to cover +8.5 this week...I agree with you
- 4 on BAL, 0 on NE...is this the official changing of the guard for AFC #1 Seed?
- 5 on BUF, 1 on MIA...I know Pennington is out - but I'm picking MIA as my upset special to beat the Bills at home this week.
- MK took DEN, AW/MH on DAL...I like DEN in an upset win at home.
- SD at PIT (-5) is the toughest one to pick this week for me. I took PIT.
- Lots of PURPLE love...I think they crush GB on Monday night...31-17.

WIS at GOPHERS
Well, I'm sure most of you know where I'm going with this one - but I really do love our chances this week. It's all falling into place for a huge W for Brewster and team. #1 WIS's 1st road game with a 1st yr QB. #2 They have a very average at best Defense which we can exploit. #3 We have a HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE! for the first time in 30 years against the evil red army.

Prediction: Gophers come out and play a great 1st qtr with hopefully a TD somewhere in there for a 7-0 lead. We build the lead to 10-3 by halftime with a steady dose of ED and some actual running game. H2 starts with the Badgers rolling down the field on a big run to tie the game at 10-10, that's when the game will be decided. On their next possession Clay gets back into his fumbling ways from earlier in the season and the Gophs capitalize with a Nick Tow-Arnett TD catch...17-10. This game will be much more of a grinder than most expect. It's going to be 50 degrees, the D on each side will be playing with a lot of fire, and the running game will be critical along with holding onto the football. WIS tries a nice 4th qtr comeback with their 400 lb TB, but we hold and squeeze out a victory...24-19.

Ladies and Gentleman, your 4-1 Golden Gophers will be bringing home the AXE!

Anna and I are hitting up an early breakfast at Sally's - if anyone is going to watch some history, come and find us.

Have a great weekend! Go Gophers!!

SKI----------U-----------MAH