B. Jones, Senior Great Wahl College Football Writer

Last week: 4-3 straight, 5-2 vs. spread

Overall: 13-8 straight, 15-5-1 vs. spread

The themed week did not bring any greater success in the straight picking category, but did bring a plethora of errors in need of correction. Rather than explain them, I direct you to last week’s comments, which were infinitely entertaining and educational. In light of the imperfections of a themed week, I have decided to…stick with themes.

And this week’s will be “trick or treat.” At least one of the teams in each of this week’s games has baffled many, me especially, with inconsistency, drubbing respectable teams only to lose to Cape Cod Community Collegesque squads.

(#20) West Virginia (6-1), -3 @ South Florida (5-2)

While the Bulls haven’t exactly drubbed anyone, they did beat the Seminoles on the road– a respectable win in my book even with FSU’s woes. They also strung together 4 other wins. However, their last two games have helped Cincinnati and Pitt climb even higher up the rankings. And these were not even close, 34-17, 41-14, respectively. While WVU hasn’t done anything to deserve trick or treat status, the Mountaineers haven’t really beaten anyone of note yet. So, I’m taking USF at home with three points on my side. This game also marks the first Big East and the first Friday night game picked on TGW.

N.C. State (3-4) @ Florida St. (3-4), -9

Remember when FSU struggled against Jacksonville St. only to curbstomp BYU? The trick or treating didn’t stop there. The ‘Noles strung together enough losses to jeopardize Papa Bowden’s career (which says a lot, as he’s overlooked some shady operations for some time).


The trick.

But they did just travel to UNC and pick up a win. Look for another FSU win over an NC school, and a big one at that, covering a substantial 9 point spread. NC State has flipped and flopped its share too, playing South Carolina close and beating Pitt only to get spanked in three straight games.



The NCSU treats.

They may never get over the beating Montel Harris laid on them. In fact, maybe Chuck Amato will be asked to come back over to the Wolfpack, who must be getting ready to send O’Brien packing any day now.

California (5-2). -6.5 @ Arizona St. (4-3)

If Cal doesn’t belong in this week’s package, no team does. The Bears seem to either win by 3 TDs or lose by as many. But I’m willing to chalk it up to the opponents (Oregon and USC). So, while I don’t like picking against home team, in-conference underdogs, I’m doing it, man, I’m really doing it. Again, Best runs wild and ASU won’t have the chance to benefit from terrible late game coaching, like they did against UW two weeks ago.

Nebraska (4-3), -13 @ Baylor (3-4)

Nebraska has burnt me by following some massive Osborne style routs and even a good loss at VA Tech with losses against Texas Tech and Iowa St, yes Iowa St, a team that wasn’t even good when they featured Seattle’s own Seneca Wallace. Now, they take to the road against a Baylor team that beat Wake Forest and then went on to lose to everyone in the Big 12, as everyone expected. So a 13-point spread makes this another trap for me. It seems like teams are losing in threes this year, but Bo Pelini will avoid this trend and I hesitatingly will even trust 2 TDs with him in a big bounce back win on the road.

Duke (4-3) @ Virginia (3-4), -7

Apparently the bookies weren’t as sold on Duke as many of last week’s commenters. And while Duke does earn a second spot on TGW, it’s because the Cavaliers have been messing with us this year. They’ve lost to two squads that could make Davidson look like the ’07-8 Pats, only to bounce back against three major conference teams, and finally to make a game vs. GA Tech anything but close. And yet, they’re 7-point favorites against a Duke team that has lost to Richmond, beaten a few mid range ACC teams and, most of all, proven me wrong, or at least half wrong. I haven’t a clue on this one, so I’m taking UVA to win at home, but failing to cover. Risking more losses in my column is worth it if it means more interesting stats on familial wrap sheets from Mook & co.

(#24) Mississippi (5-2), -3.5 @ Auburn (5-3)

There are people out there who have moved to Venezuela and befriended Hugo Chavez rather than go to Ole Miss for a football game. I can’t blame such folks, as the Rebels only seem capable of winning easy games. The question is whether Auburn offers an easy win to Ole Miss. The Tigers started 5-0 with wins over Tennessee and W. Virginia, then dropped three straight. As Auburn, AL only a few months ago was my personal western frontier only to be blown away, so too will Auburn be blown away in this one. Well, maybe not blown away, but while Snead hasn’t performed, Houston Nutt’s defense has and I don’t expect a team that managed only 14 points against Kentucky to scrape up enough for a win this week. Mississippi wins and even covers on the road.

Iowa St. (5-3) @Texas A&M (4-3) -7

The Aggies won three straight, lost three straight and then whooped Texas Tech, a team that beat on Corn Huskers. Another team that beat Nebraska—Iowa State. Needless to say, the Cyclones have not been running all over the Big 12. But I like them to keep this one close. A&M wins, but fails to cover.

Happy Halloween everyone. Watch out for needles in your candy, especially if you live in zip codes 22202, 02128, 10019, 22903 — there will be some more than scary people lurking about there on Saturday evening.