Football
Tom's Tip Sheet
By Tom Orr with Tony Gerdeman

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The Tip Sheet has reached something of a crossroads. As many as four teams could enter the bowl games unbeaten (Virginia Tech, either Texas or Texas Tech, either USC or UCLA, and either Alabama or Georgia). That means we could once again see evidence this fall that relying on the BCS to determine who plays for the national championship, rather than a playoff, is the dumbest idea since someone at LSU said, "Let's give Les Miles a seven-year contract!"

On the other hand, it would also be fun to watch Matt Leinert and Reggie Bush crying like little girls on the sidelines after a humiliating defeat against Washington.

The official position of the Tip Sheet is that it would be better if more than two teams finished the year unbeaten, giving college football its third straight controversial title (and fourth in five years). But no one is going to blame you if you find yourself cheering enthusiastically for one or all of the "haves" to lose.

Tony has "honors" this week, thanks to his 4-2 mark last weekend. That's just fine with Tom, who would have felt bad if he benefited from picking against the Buckeyes. That's like getting a bunch of money, but having it come from cashing in a loved one's life insurance policy.

So everyone's happy this week. Well... except for Penn State fans and anyone dumb enough to actually bet our picks.

Last week: Tony 4-2, Tom 3-3
Overall: Tony 23-22, Tom 22-23
The Quarter: 3-3 last week, 23-22 overall.

Thursday, October 20

Teams: #3 Virginia Tech (6-0) at Maryland (4-2)
Time (TV): 7:45 pm (ESPN)
Line: Virginia Tech by 10.5
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Virginia Tech

Tony's Synopsis: A pretty decent matchup for a Thursday night BCS conference game. Unfortunately, Maryland is one of the six or so ACC teams that you cannot put any confidence in. They may look good for two straight weeks, as Maryland has, but then they come crashing back to earth like your fat uncle Nat after he eats through his stomach staple.

The Terps are averaging over 400 yards of total offense, including a 570 yard effort against Virginia two weeks ago. But don't be fooled by the Cavaliers, they have a fat uncle Nat as well.

The Hokies, however, don't have a fat uncle Nat. They used to have a fat uncle Sheldon, but he started doing the Atkins diet and has been able to stay disciplined ever since he found a low-carb pizza. Never fear, though, because Sheldon and Nat are brothers and they are both predisposed to getting fat again.

The Hokies also have the second ranked defense in the country helping them out. That never hurts.

Tom's Rebuttal: You're breaking down a game coached by Ralph Friedgen with an analogy involving stomach stapling? Where ever did you get that idea?

I can only assume that you somehow missed the article from a guy on a fairly well-known website this week that proclaimed Marcus Vick to be a superior quarterback to his brother, Michael. Not "at the same point in their careers"... he was saying right now, Marcus is better than Michael. The premise behind this article might be the dumbest of the entire ACC season, and remember, this is the conference that brought us the "Mexi-cam".

It means that Michael Vick would have done worse than 10-for-21 for 108 yards passing, and 2.4 yards per rush against North Carolina State. Or worse than passing for 163 yards with a score and a pick against a putrid Marshall team (all while averaging 18 inches per rush).

Marcus has put up good numbers against Georgia Tech (decent team), Ohio U., Duke and West Virginia (6-1, but in the Big East, so it equates to 4-3 in any real conference).

Yes, Marcus Vick is good. Yes, Michael Vick is somewhat overrated, especially as a passer. But come on. If you switched those two guys, the Falcons would lose by 30 on Sunday, and the Hokies would win this one by eleventy billion points.

As it is, they'll win, but by less than eleventy billion.

Friday, October 21

Teams: Southern Miss (3-2) at UAB (1-2)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ESPN)
Line: UAB by 1.5
Interest: 1
Cheer For: UAB

Tony's Synopsis: Both teams opened their seasons losing close games on the road against SEC teams. Southern Miss lost to Alabama 19-10, but that's no surprise, they almost always play Alabama tough. UAB went on the road and lost 17-10 to Tennessee.

I think Southern Miss has shaken that loss off, as they have only lost one other time and that was at Tulsa. UAB, though, has really stumbled their last two games. They've lost to SMU and Marshall. Without doing any research whatsoever, I'm going to say that the last team that lost to both SMU and Marshall in the same year ended up being grounded by their parents.

Tom's Rebuttal: This features two teams locked in what might actually be the most exciting divisional race in all of college football. Okay, not exciting, since that would imply that someone actually cared. How about one of the closest divisional races in all of college football?

Southern Miss is tied for first place in CUSA's eastern division with three other teams. They all have 2-1 records in the league. UAB is in last place, with a 1-2 record. Memphis is in the middle of the mess at 2-2. Five of the six teams in that division have overall records of 3-3; Southern Miss is the only exception at 3-2.

Southern Miss is short-handed at wideout for this one. Their star receiver, Antwon Courington (24 catches, 329 yards, 5 TDs), blew out his knee last weekend and is done for the year. Courington's backup, Tavarres Williams is also out for a couple weeks with a knee injury.

Saturday, October 22

Teams: Northwestern (4-2) at #22 Michigan State (4-2)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN2)
Line: MSU by 12
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Northwestern

Tony's Synopsis: This one is going to look like one of those 10:30 p.m. Pac-10 games where you wake up in the morning and see the 56-49 box score and think, "Lousy Pac-10 defenses."

Well, at Noon on Saturday, you are going to see the two best offenses in the Big Ten against what would be two of the worst defenses in the Pac 10.

The Spartan offense ranks third in the country at 550 yards per game. Northwestern's offense ranks fourth at 530 yards per game. However, the Wildcat offense is only outpacing their defense by about twenty yards. Northwestern's defense is the 116th-ranked defense in the country, allowing one-half yard less than 117-ranked Ball State.

The Spartan defense is a little bit better. They only allow 402 yards of offense per game, which makes them the 81st ranked defense, behind such notable stalwarts as the 78th ranked Vanderbilt, or the 58th ranked Duke, and even the 34th ranked Michigan Wolverines. You know your defense isn't good when you're 50 to 80 spots behind Michigan. Why even play defense at that point?

Quarterback Brett Basanez and freshman running back Tyrell Sutton net the Wildcats 450 yards of total offense per game just between the two of them. They should be able to match that against the Spartans, but the Spartans will put up 600 yards of offense and probably 50 points or so. If Northwestern can score 60, they can win.

Tom's Rebuttal: Who do you think has more job security right now, the defensive coordinator for either team or the bonehead who sent MSU's field goal team out on the field last Saturday?

Frankly, I think you'd be feeling more comfortable as the corrupt dictator of some banana republic in Central America, with a power-hungry and not-particularly-loyal military backing you up. Even Fielding Mellish knew they needed to spike the ball on third down.

This game would be a lot of fun to watch. Unfortunately, it's going up against two games that are more important. The person who picked the Penn State/Illinois game as a prime time affair over this one should be forced to watch tape of all the Illini's games this year back-to-back.

I'd just like to get this out there now; if I was a Michigan fan, the night game in Evanston next week would scare the hell out of me.

Teams: Michigan (4-3) at Iowa (4-2)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ABC-Regional/Gameplan)
Line: Iowa by 2.5
Interest: 4
Cheer For: Michigan

Tony's Synopsis: Ever since the Buckeyes showed Iowa how to play football last month, they've been on a tear. They've scored 34 or more points each of their last three games. The defense has gotten a little bit better as well. They held Purdue to 17 points in West Lafayette, but they did give up about 450 yards of offense and 21 points to Indiana last week.

Iowa's front four is getting better every week, and that will make it tough for the Wolverines to run. The game will come down to Michael Hart. If he rushes for 150 yards, Michigan wins. If he doesn't, they may still luck it out.

However, because Michigan won last week, they are now due for a loss. This week they are in Iowa, next week they are in Northwestern. They could very easily lose these two games and be forced to win out at home against Indiana and Ohio State. Wouldn't you just hate seeing the Buckeyes controlling the Wolverines' bowl future?

Iowa quarterback Drew Tate and running back Albert Young have gotten the Hawkeye offense rolling. Young is averaging over 100 yards rushing per game, which means 150 yards against Michigan.

I can definitely see Iowa winning by at least three.

Pick #1: Iowa -2.5

Tom's Rebuttal: A quick aside-this week marks the 20th anniversary of one of the better-known Big Ten games in the last quarter-century. On October 19, 1985, #1 Iowa beat #2 Michigan, 12-10 on the strength of a late Rob Houghton field goal. As we all know, that top-ranked Iowa team came to Ohio Stadium later that year and lost, 22-13.

Back to the present... as I mentioned earlier this week, I've pretty much given up trying to figure this Michigan team out. Excluding their games against MAC teams, they've lost as a seven-point favorite, lost as a three-point favorite, won as a four-point underdog, lost as a 7.5-point favorite, and needed a touchdown pass on the final play of the game to win as a 3.5-point favorite. They're one play away from being 0-4 straight up as a favorite and 1-0 as an underdog.

This is probably about a 9-2 team talent-wise, but has had so many injuries it's almost ridiculous. It now looks like S Willis Barringer could be out for the season along with Ryan Mundy. That leaves a still dinged-up Brandent Englemon back there along with inexperienced Jamar Adams and Brandon Harrison, and makes them vulnerable to big plays, both through the air and on the ground. (Think about what would happen if the Bucks lost Nate Salley, Brandon Mitchell and Donte Whitner to injury for an extended period.)

Given that, and their on-going issues against mobile quarterbacks, it could end up being a big day for Tate, especially if the Hawkeyes can get him out of the pocket. What will hurt them is the fact that their possession receiver, Ed Henkell, broke his arm and is likely out for the year.

Last week, I mentioned that Ferentz-coached teams tend to improve throughout the season. To wit, Iowa is 22-2 in October and November since 2002. I also mentioned how great they have been at Kinnick Stadium (29-3 in their last 32 home games, including 26-4-1 against the spread).

Michigan has been a crappy road team under Lloyd Carr, losing at least two roadies every year since 1999, and eight out of the 10 years Carr has coached there.

All of this points directly to an Iowa win and cover.

Given the bizarre season that Michigan is having, that means they're going to win.

Pick #1: Michigan +2.5

Teams: Arkansas (2-4) at #4 Georgia (6-0)
Time (TV): 12:30 pm (Jefferson Pilot/Gameplan)
Line: Georgia by 18
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: Georgia

Tony's Synopsis: The two wins on Arkansas' schedule so far: Missouri State and Louisiana-Monroe. That's like asking an architect what buildings he's done and he shows you his portfolio of the shed in his back yard and the lean-to that his mom used to live in before it fell and crushed her.

For a sometimes meaningless point of reference, both teams have played Louisiana-Monroe. Arkansas beat them 44-15. Georgia beat them 44-7.

Arkansas can't score more than 17 against Georgia, so then the question to ask is, "Can Georgia score 35 on anybody?"

I'm probably going to regret this.

Pick #2: Georgia -18

Tom's Rebuttal: An architect? Maybe you could set your sights a little higher. I think you should try to compare this game to a city planner. After all, isn't an architect just an art school dropout with a tilty desk, and a big ruler? (It's called a T-square.)

The only way Arkansas will avoid a severe beating is if they flash the Van Buren Boys' secret gang sign at the line of scrimmage. And since people from Arkansas can't count to eight, that's probably not going to happen.

Pick #2: Georgia -18 (Ignoring the obvious look-ahead to the Cocktail Party)

Teams: Purdue (2-4) at #19 Wisconsin (6-1)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC-Regional/Gameplan)
Line: Wisconsin by 7.5
Interest: 4
Cheer For: Purdue

Tony's Synopsis: It's almost comical how bad Purdue's "defense" has been. They are allowing over 500 yards of offense per game, including 370 yards through the air. They are ranked one spot ahead of Northwestern.

As if the defense weren't the worst part of the story, Purdue still has three more losses coming in the next three games at Wisconsin, at Penn State, then at home against Michigan State. That will give them seven straight losses before they host Illinois. They're last game this season will be at Indiana. If they lose that, does Tiller start feeling some pressure? I doubt it. People didn't even know there was a Purdue football team before Tiller came in. Who cares if he always blows close games or just can't live up to expectations, at least he gets them to bowl games. (Except for when he doesn't.)

We need Purdue to win this one, but I just don't see it happening. Badger quarterback John Stocco has yet to play like the quarterback we all know he is. He's been solid and has been making tremendous throws lately. I just don't understand it.

Purdue won't be able to stop the Wisconsin running game, and when they bring more people to try, Stocco will throw down the field to his receivers. Then Purdue will ease off on the running game, then the running game will pound on the Boilers. Then Purdue well bring more people to try and stop the running game, then Stocco will go over the top forcing Purdue to back off. When they back off, the Badgers will ram the ball down their throat forcing Purdue to bring more people to the line, then when Purdue brings more people to stop the run, the Badgers will throw the ball over the top of the linebackers.

It's going to be a long day for Purdue.

Wisconsin will be 7.5 points better each quarter. Wisconsin puts up 40.

Pick #3: Wisconsin -7.5

Tom's Rebuttal: You seem to be overlooking a rather significant fact-Wisconsin doesn't play any defense, either. This is going to be a poor man's version of MSU/Northwestern.

Purdue's going to move the ball some, and therefore keep it away from Wisconsin enough to hold their score under 40. I hope. Maybe.

How did Joe Tiller and his staff seemingly get so dumb so quickly? Has anyone checked their offices for lead paint? He came to the conference as a revolutionary, and now he's presumably eating paste during film sessions.

Frankly, I don't want any part of picking this one. But since you're being mean and making me choose, I'll take the Badgers and hope to God that they don't blow the cover by a half-point.

Pick #3: Wisconsin -7.5

Teams: #10 Texas Tech (6-0) at #2 Texas (6-0)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC-Regional/Gameplan)
Line: Texas by 16.5
Interest: 4
Cheer For: Texas

Tony's Synopsis: If only this game were being played at Texas Tech. Still, Texas Tech is no stranger to beating the Longhorns, having done it in 2002. They almost did it again at Texas in 2003, losing 43 to 40.

Regardless of where the game is played, Texas Tech is going to move the ball and put up points. However, if somehow the Red Raiders were to win, it would be because of their defense.

Nobody is even slowing Texas down on offense right now. But maybe the perfect defense against the Longhorns would be long, sustained drives by Tech. Just because they throw the ball 60 times per game doesn't mean that they don't have 16 play, 88 yard drives. If they were a quick-strike team, they wouldn't have the ball enough to throw so many times.

This is Texas' last shot at losing until the Rose Bowl. Because it's still the middle of the season, Mack Brown won't realize how big of a game this is and he won't blow it for the Horns.

Tom's Rebuttal: Don't underestimate Mack. I wouldn't be completely floored to see this team lose to Nebraska in the conference title game. (You're rolling your eyes right now, but I don't think too many people expected K-State to beat Oklahoma by 28 points a few years back, either.) Note: I'm not predicting that Texas will lose to Nebraska. I'm just saying it wouldn't completely shock me.

Texas Tech runs a pretty offense that gets statheads all worked up, but it tends to sputter like a 1984 Plymouth Horizon in the red zone against good defenses. Texas has a good defense-after all, they held the Buckeyes to a bunch of field goals, remember? (cough)

A prediction: Tech moves the ball between the 30s, but can't score touchdowns. Texas puts up good, but not great numbers on offense and the stats end up close, but the Horns dominate on the scoreboard.

Teams: #17 Tennessee (3-2) at #5 Alabama (6-0)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (CBS)
Line: Alabama by 3
Interest: 4
Cheer For: Alabama

Tony's Synopsis: This, to me, is very similar to the Tennessee at LSU game earlier in the year. You look at it and ask yourself how could Tennessee possibly win this game. The answer last time was "Les Miles." I don't know what the answer is this time. Still, I'm pretty surprised by Bama only being a 3-point favorite.

Alabama has lost two straight years to Tennessee, and both were tough losses. In 2003, Alabama lost at home 51-43 in five overtimes. Last year, they lost 17-13 in Knoxville. This year, I'm thinking that 17-13 score looks pretty good.

Pick #4: Alabama -3

Tom's Rebuttal: This rivalry is known as "The Third Saturday in October."

Of course, this year it's being played on the fourth Saturday in October (seriously, count 'em: October 1st, October 8th, October 15th, October 22nd). Obviously, that means this rivalry needs a new name.

Some background: This one has a little extra spice this year based on the actions of Tennessee's rotund field general, Phil Fulmer. As you may or may not remember, Fatty supposedly dimed on the Tide, about some recruiting violations (in the SEC, you say?). He and other coaches even testified before a grand jury in a case related to the violations. Alabama landed on probation for five years, including a two-year ban from bowl games. There's still a defamation suit pending against Fulmer.

Oh, by the way, this is the first time the Vols have visited Tuscaloosa since all that went down.

So given the calendar's lack of cooperation, if I was marketing the game, I would seriously consider re-branding it The Snitching Shootout, The Narc Bowl, or the World's Largest Outdoor Tattletale Party.

You could even give $200,000 to the recruiting budget of the winner. Ummm... for office supplies.

I'm going to assume that the steaming pile Alabama laid on the field against Ole Miss last weekend was a result of a look-ahead, and not losing their best receiver for the season because he came down with Joe Theismann Syndrome.

Pick #4: Alabama -3

Teams: #1 Southern Cal (6-0) at Washington (1-5)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC-Regional/Gameplan)
Line: USC by 31
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: USC

Tony's Synopsis: Remember in Rocky III when Clubber Lang pushed Mick down? Now imagine that instead of Clubber pushing Mick down, they got in the ring together. That's kind of what this game is going to be like.

But instead of Mick being his regular old Mick self, he's been battling pneumonia for the past two weeks and his sciatica has really been bothering him. So not only is he hurting, but his feist-level is way, way down as well.

Tom's Rebuttal: How would you like to be one of the poor schmucks on the west coast watching this crapfest instead of the compelling games from the Big Ten and Big XII?

Really? This is the most interesting Pac-10 game available all day? More interesting than Oregon State-UCLA? Come on.

That one features the starting QB for one team (the Beavers' Matt Moore) who transferred from the other team (he started his career at UCLA). Add in the fact that Oregon State's players have gotten into even more bizarre kinds of trouble this year (driving drunk with a sheep in the back of a pickup truck, trying to pay a cab fare with marijuana, etc.) than Penn State's, and you've got a compelling bunch of storylines. Plus, UCLA is actually in some danger of losing. Not much, but some.

Instead, west coast viewers are stuck trying to get excited about the debut of USC's new nickname, the Rule 9 Section 3 Article 2Bs. If you don't have an NCAA rulebook handy, that's the one that says you can't push a ballcarrier forward (Reggie Bush, I'm looking in your direction).

As far as I'm concerned, USC's win streak now carries an asterisk almost as big as Michael Hart's string of 300-plus carries with no fumbles except for the ones that didn't get called.

Teams: Navy (3-2) at Rice (0-5)
Time (TV): 6:00 pm (No TV)
Line: Navy by 8
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Navy

Tony's Synopsis: First off, Tom, I hear you're coming in for the Northwestern game in a few weeks. Dibs on the aisle seat. Sucker.

Secondly, did you know that you can lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs. Conversely, you can push a cow downstairs, but not upstairs.

Thirdly, did you know that the only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is "uncopyrightable." Isn't that ironic?

Fourthly, Navy has a defensive back on their team named "Hunter Armour."

Fifthly, I got nothing else.

Tom's Rebuttal: In order- 1) That's fine. I'll just make you get up and get me food or drinks twice every quarter. 2) I did not know that, but I'm not originally from Ohio. 3) That's as ironic as rain on your wedding day or 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife. 4) You know that's why they've dominated their rivals from Goliath this year. 5) What else is new?

Everyone knows you're secretly more excited about this one than you are about Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn hooking up. And I've heard that you're already practicing signing her name as "Jennifer Vaughn", "Mrs. Vince Vaughn", and "Jennifer Aniston-Vaughn", and dotting every I with a little heart.

Lots of option in this one, quick game, Navy wins. The Mids' next game (at Rutgers) could be a big game for the bowl chances of both teams.

Teams: #12 Penn State (6-1) at Illinois (2-4)
Time (TV): 7:00 pm (ESPN2)
Line: PSU by 16.5
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Illinois

Tony's Synopsis: Let me just take two seconds out of my busy day to silently laugh at Penn State fans.

Ok, I'm back. Every year Nittany fans clamor and cry about how the refs and the Big Ten conspire against them. As if they were that important.

I don't think I've ever seen a group of people so comically paranoid in all my life.

It's a wonder that they aren't a militia by now.

Ol' Zooker's gotta be good for something at some point. Let's see if it's this week.

Pick #5: Illinois +16.

Tom's Rebuttal: Damn, I was sure you'd pick the Lions in this one. Illinois is really, really bad (111th in the nation in total defense) and the line is just daring you to give the points (all they need to do is win by 17!).

I just think that the hangover from that crushing loss last weekend, plus the fact that it's PSU's second straight road game, plus the fact that Illinois comes in rested, plus the fact that Penn State's offense isn't nearly as good as you think it is, plus the obvious conspiracy (I heard from a guy who heard from a guy that talked to someone who saw a black helicopter dropping someone in a striped shirt off on a grassy knoll in Champaign this week) adds up to a close game.

The Lions will win by 10, but they'll score late to pull away.

Pick #5: Illinois +16.5

Teams: #16 Auburn (5-1) at #9 LSU (4-1)
Time (TV): 7:45 pm (ESPN)
Line: LSU by 6.5
Interest: 2.5
Cheer For: LSU

Tony's Synopsis: Has anybody watched an Auburn game since they opened their season with a loss to Georgia Tech? They are 5-0 since, but haven't really beaten anybody.

Auburn's offense has gotten better as the season has gone on, but it's still not where it's been in the past. This week won't help, especially when you consider that Les Miles has yet to lose a game this year in which he has come out with a full-size headset. He is also undefeated when not coaching against a giant belly-sweat-glazed orange man.

The last time I checked, Tommy Tuberville was not a large orange, wet-bellied man. So, as long as Les doesn't come out with his Fisher Price "Li'l Headset", LSU can't lose.

LSU will run on Auburn with Joseph Addai and quarterback JaMarcus Russell will continue to get better with each throw. If Auburn stays within two touchdowns, consider it a success.

Pick #6: LSU -6.5

Tom's Rebuttal: Unless we're talking about a game where players are shying away from their coach on the sidelines because they're afraid of what's going to come flying at him from out of the stands (see: Tennessee/Alabama) I just have a very tough time getting too excited about the SEC this year.

As you said, Auburn hasn't beaten anybody (Miss State, Ball State, Western Kentucky, South Carolina, Arkansas). Tennessee has looked terrible at times. LSU has looked terrible at times. Florida has looked terrible repeatedly (I think Urban Meyer needs to surrender the "Boy Genius" title, retroactive to January). Alabama is a loss waiting to happen. Georgia isn't even that good, and they will probably end up running the table. Kentucky, South Carolina, both Mississippi teams and Arkansas are all terrible. Vandy lost to Middle Tennessee State. Guess what? That's all 12 teams.

This one pits a team that lost its only game against an even decent opponent (at home, no less) traveling to play an overrated team with a coach so moronic that I'm praying every night that he comes north and takes over the program of my school's arch-rival.

I'm pretty sure Tony picked this one solely because he knew it would aggravate me.

The bottom line is that I don't think that Auburn is prepared for Baton Rouge at night. Compared to their early-season schedule, it's like practicing on the old "Operation" game, then being asked to perform brain surgery.

I'll take the Tigers. No, not them. The other ones.

Pick #6: LSU -6.5

Teams: Washington State (3-3) at #25 California (5-2)
Time (TV): 10:15 pm (Fox Sports Net)
Line: Cal by 11
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: Washington State

Tony's Synopsis: Cal has lost two straight games, including a terrible loss at home last week to Oregon State. As of now, their sole reason for being is to beat USC. As such, they may lose a couple of more times along the way.

Washington State, however, has done Cal one better by losing three straight. That includes a home loss to Stanford. Yes, Stanford. The same Stanford that lost at home to UC Davis. The same UC Davis that has lost to New Hampshire, Portland State, and South Dakota State.

Walt Harris does deserve some credit, however. The last two weeks Stanford has won at Washington State and Arizona. Oops. Sorry about that. I think that was my first ever Stanford tangent. Wow, that was lame.

Trying to pick Pac 10 games is as idiotic as trying to pick ACC games. None of the teams are consistent enough to do what they're supposed to.

Tom's Rebuttal: I'll see your Stanford tangent, and raise you a Cal rant. The Golden Bears' wins this season came against Sacramento State, Washington, Illinois, New Mexico State and Arizona. One of those teams is D-1AA. The others have combined to go 4-21 this year (4-17, excluding their games against Cal), with wins over Northern Arizona, Rutgers, San Jose State and Idaho. People have gotten rejected from the overnight shift at Taco Bell with more impressive resumes than that.

On top of it all, the Bears are also on a two-game losing streak. And yet they're still ranked. How can you possibly justify that?

Teams: #14 Ohio State (4-2) at Indiana (4-2)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN)
Line: OSU by 16
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Ohio State

Tony's Synopsis: Indiana may be in a bowl game next year, but I don't think they'll get another win this season.

I'm thinking this is a 200-yard day for Antonio Pittman. And right now I am guaranteeing that Antonio Pittman will score not once, not twice, but thrice.

Indiana won't be able to run the ball, but may have some success throwing like Michigan State did.

Hoosier quarterback Blake Powers is just about the perfect quarterback for Terry Hoeppner's offense. However, the chase is on come Saturday. I'm sure he's watched the film and has asked his linemen and his running backs to see if they wouldn't mind blocking #42 for a spell.

They won't. Bobby Carpenter will get a couple more sacks and it will be all of those sacks by the Buckeyes that perhaps holds Indiana to negative rushing yards.

Ohio State 38 - Indiana 14

Pick #7: Ohio State -16

Tom's Rebuttal: Buckeye fans, brace yourself to hear about Indiana WR James Hardy all day.

Hardy is 6-foot-7, and unlike most people on the IU campus, he can actually play football. He can run, has good hands, and can create nightmarish matchup issues against smaller corners. He's already got 46 catches, 744 yards and eight touchdowns this year. That number of scores ties him for the fifth-best season of any IU receiver in school history, and he's got five more games to improve on his numbers.

Just to put it in perspective, the last time the Buckeyes had a receiver catch more than eight touchdowns in a year, it was David Boston, so Hardy is already having himself a year. Remember, he's only a redshirt freshman.

The IU defense isn't good enough to contain the Buckeye offense (stop laughing), and the OSU D will be able to keep Indiana's offense one-dimensional. I was actually going to predict big things for Pittman as well-remember that this is the same program that repeatedly made Lydell Ross look like a first-ballot lock for Canton-but I guess you've already planted your flag on that bandwagon. I'll go a more unconventional route: the Buckeyes will finish even or (gasp) perhaps on the plus side of the turnover battle.

They'll cover, too, but not by much.

OSU 34, IU 17 (including a cheap TD in garbage time)

Pick #7: Ohio State -16

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