A bad weekend for good College and NFL games.

College:

#1 Oregon @ California – Cal struggled with Washington State last week 20-13 but plays better at home. That said it does not play well enough to make this a game. That’s OK because no one will see it because the game is on Verses. Oregon continues to win and gets this one easily.

Georgia @ #2 Auburn – Georgia is playing a little better than in earlier in the season. They have won 4 out of their last 5 but that stops Saturday. Georgia’s best hope it that Auburn is looking past them to next weeks game with Alabama. Auburn wins if Newton plays but not as big as you might think. If Newton does not play, the Bulldogs win. In any case this game will be pulled off the board at Vegas.

San Diego State @ #3 TCU – SDS is the last chance for a team to beat TCU. Next week TCU gets 1 win New Mexico State. SDS is a solid team at 7-2 but does not have enough speed to play with TCU. TCU wins and finishes the perfect season next week with a win over NMS.

Penn State @ #9 Ohio State – PS got win 400 last week. Ohio State may be looking forward to the Big game next week at Iowa but wins this one. It could be close.

#10 Oklahoma State @ Texas – Texas is 4-5 and needs a win here or in 2 weeks against Texas A&M plus an expected W against Florida Atlantic to get to a bowl game. Texas won’t get the win here. Ok St O is too good for the Texas D to handle.

#19 Mississippi State @ #12 Alabama This is probably the best game of the week. MissSt is playing well but Bama has too much talent. They will be in a bad mood after a loss last week @ LSU. Bama wins.

Texas Tech @ #16 Oklahoma – TT had a nice win last week against Missouri. Oklahoma has really struggled against the pass and TT is #8 in passing. This game will be close but high scoring. Oklahoma should win at home.

#24 Kansas St @ #17 Missouri – After going 7-0 including a big win over Oklahoma the Tigers have lost 2 in a row. Kansas St is coming off their 1st win over Texas since the Alamo. KSt is playing well but Missouri is better and wins at home.

#23 South Carolina @ #22 Florida – Both these teams have disappointed their fans for under achieving. SC caught a tired and beaten up Bama team and won. But they have lost 3 out of the last 6. Florida has struggled at QB and on D. I think Florida wins but I would not put a dime on it.

NFL:

Jets-3 @ Browns – It has been a while since the Browns were in one of the top games of the week. But they are playing well with wins in the last 2 games over the Saints and the Pats. The Jets need the win to keep the pressure on NE. I will go out on a limb and pick the Browns to cover.

Titans (5-3)-1.5 @ Dolphins (4-4) – Miami has changed QBs with Pennington replacing Henne. I have written that Pennington has the heart of lion, the head of a coach and the arm of a chicken. He is more accurate than Henne but will not throw many deep. The Titans added WR Moss. That should help a below average WR corps. The Titans depend on the run and Moss could open up the running lanes if QB Young or Collins can prove to the opponent they can get the ball deep to him. The Titans win and cover.

Patriots (6-2) @ Steelers (6-2) -4.5 – The Brown showed the league that the Pats can’t stop the run. The Steelers have trouble stopping the pass and have lost another OL player to the IR. The Pats O still can throw the ball. This is a tough game to pick but I think that the Steelers win. I am not sure they cover so I would stay away from betting this game.

Eagles (5-3) -3 @ Redskins (4-4) – HC Shanahan has added unnecessary turmoil to the locker room with his benching of QB McNabb. McNabb faces his old team. The Eagles get a rust free QB Vick with a game under his belt since his injury. The Eagles D looks like they finally have the game plan and pass rush together. The Redskins don’t. I will take the Birds as a road favorite.

Editorial: What to do about Auburn QB Newton?

Auburn has a major issue with the question of the eligibility status of star QB Newton. Earlier this week, Auburn said he would play. That was before the FBI got involved looking into the pay for play issue. As each minute ticks by more information comes out about Newton or his father asking for money to sign to play for Mississippi State. What should happen?

Auburn has no choice but to play him unless they know for a fact that he is guilty. If the NCAA vacates their wins they will be 0-8.

The NCAA MUST get the decision done before practice starts for the Championship game. If they can’t decide before the BcS title game and then declare him out Congress should investigate them.

That’s what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for and edits https://fryingpansports.com. His first non-fiction work is at the publisher now and he has also published several novels on

and edits .

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Rating: 5.0/5. From 1 vote.
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