Lex Icon Lexargy

My College Football Picks, 2010 Week 9

Last week I was 5-2 in my money picks, which puts me at 25-16 on the season. This is an interesting week of college football, if for no reason other than USC is hosting College GameDay and the top-ranked Oregon Ducks. I'll be at that game, hoping to see my Trojans upset #1. The Trojans haven't hosted at #1 team since Notre Dame in 1988. I was at that game, too. It didn't end well for USC. I hope tonight has a more enjoyable finish. That game happens to be one of just two games between ranked opponents. Had you looked at your schedule before the season began and seen Michigan @ Penn State or Georgia v Florida, you might have thought those were going to be big games. Instead, those four teams have 12 losses between them already. There are seven games I like this week. My picks are in bold. The real money ones are marked by an asterisk:

Tuesday, Oct 26
Louisiana Tech 20 @ #2 Boise St. 49 (done)

Thursday, Oct 28
#16 Florida St. 16 @ N.C. State 28 (done)

Saturday, Oct 30
* #22 Miami (FL) @ Virginia +15
#20 Oklahoma St. @ Kansas St. +4
Tennessee @ #17 South Carolina -17½
* #5 Michigan St. @ #18 Iowa -6½
* #7 Missouri @ #14 Nebraska -8
* #15 Arizona @ UCLA +9
#3 Auburn @ Mississippi +7
#25 Baylor @ Texas -7½
#13 Stanford @ Washington +7½
Kentucky @ #23 Mississippi St. -6
Vanderbilt @ #19 Arkansas -20½
* #8 Utah @ Air Force +7
#10 Ohio St. @ Minnesota +25½
* #1 Oregon @ #24 USC +7
Colorado @ #11 Oklahoma -24
* #4 TCU @  UNLV +35

I'm also following the play of these unranked opponents:

California @ Oregon St. -3
Washington St. @ Arizona St. -21½
Michigan @ Penn State +3
Idaho @ Hawaii -15
Tulsa @ Notre Dame -9

And this week's College Football Championship Belt match:

Defending champion Georgia v Florida PK

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/odds

The 2010 Bottom 10 After Week 8

Last week, it was Eastern Michigan snapping an 18 game losing streak with a win over lowly Ball State. This week, it was Western Kentucky winning its first in 27 games, in convincing fashion, 54-21 over Louisiana Lafayette. There are now just two winless teams in the FBS. Akron remains abottom the list, just ahead of one-win San Jose State, who think weaker than New Mexico because San Jose State's lone win was against an FCS opponent - and so was one of their seven losses.There are two games this weekend matching Bottom Ten opponents, so we'll have a couple of these teams winning on Saturday.

Here are my ten picks rounding out the bottom this week. Four of them - Minnesota, Akron, Ball State and San Jose State - are among the seven FBS squads that have losses to FCS teams under their belts:

1. Akron (0-8) [1] Winless against both FCS and FBS. Next loss:@ Temple
2. San Jose State (1-7) [2] Winless against FBS, merely 1-1 against FCS. Next loss:@ NM St.
3. New Mexico (0-7) [4] Only close loss was New Mexico State. Next loss: @ Colorado St.
4. Minnesota (1-7) [5] New coach didn't help. Next loss: Ohio State
5. North Texas (1-6) [6] Dropped by Ark. State and FIU back to back. Next loss: @ W. Kentucky
6. New Mexico State (1-6) [7] Can't beat anyone from another state. Next loss: San Jose State
7. W. Kentucky (1-6) [3] Nation's worst losing streak ends 54-21. Next loss: North Texas
8. Ball State (2-6) [8] Losses include Liberty (!) and Eastern Michigan. Next loss: @ Kent State
9. Eastern Michigan (1-7) [9] Thrashed by lowly Virginia. Next loss: Toledo
10. Washington State (1-7) [10] Only win was a miracle against Montana St. Next loss: @ Arizona St.

Dropped out: None

Not far ahead: Louisiana-Lafayette (2-5), Duke (1-6), Marshall (1-6), Memphis (1-6), Bowling Green (1-7), UNLV (1-6),  Fla. Atlantic (1-5)

Shocking Redemption Last Week: Western Kentucky over La-Lafayette.

This week's crummy Games of the Weak: San Jose State @ New Mexico State, North Texas @ Western Kentucky

This week's Blowout of the Weak: Ohio State @ Minnesota

Your New College Football Champions - Georgia

Using the belt title system, we have a new champion in college football - the Georgia Bulldogs, who defeated reigning champion Kentucky 44-31, in Lexington. Kentucky held the championship belt for just one week.

Since January 2006, I've been tracking the winner of my Lex Icon College Football Championship Belt, which is awarded to the team who defeats the previous holder of The LICFB Belt. While the winner of the BCS is usually also the winner of The LICFB Belt, over the course of a season, the belt can change hands several times. This year, Alabama started the season with the belt, but lost it two weeks ago at South Carolina 35-21. South Carolina lost it to Kentucky the following week, and now Georgia holds it.

Since I've been following this method of crowning my own national champion, I've only posted when there was a new champion. Here is the history of my belt, awarded in accordance with the belt method:

• On September 9, 2006, Ohio State gained the belt by defeating the Texas Longhorns 24-7.
• On January 8, 2007, Florida won the belt and the BCS by defeating the Buckeyes 41-14.
• On September 29, 2007, the Auburn Tigers took the belt with a 20-17 win at Florida.
• On October 20, 2007, LSU obtained the belt from Auburn with a 30-24 victory.
• On November 23, 2007, Arkansas took the title from LSU with a 50-48 victory.
• On January 1, 2008, Missouri took the belt away with a 38-7 win in the Cotton Bowl.
• On October 11, 2008, #3 Missouri lost the title to Oklahoma State 28-23.
• On October 25, 2008, #1 Texas won back the belt by defeating Oklahoma State 28-24.
• On November 1, 2008, #7 Texas Tech won the belt by defeating #1 Texas 39-33.
• On November 22, 2008, Oklahoma took the belt by defeating #2 Texas Tech 65-21.
• On January 8, 2009, Florida took the belt, and the BCS title, by beating the Sooners 24-14.
• On December 5, 2009, Alabama won the belt (and later the BCS) by beating the Gators 32-13.
• On October 9, 2010, South Carolina took the belt from BCS champions Alabama, winning 35-21.
• On October 16, 2010, Kentucky took the belt by defeating #10 South Carolina 31-28.
• On October 23, 2010, Georgia took the belt by winning at Kentucky, 44-31.

Next week, the belt is up for grabs again Georgia (4-4) plays Florida (4-3) in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. If Georgia can win, then beat Idaho State the following week, it would makes its third defense of the belt November 13 at Auburn, increasing the probability that the belt will end up again as a prize for the winner of the BCS championship game. In Florida wins, it would defend the belt against Vanderbilt and possibly South Carolina, Appalachian State and Florida State.

My College Football Top 25 For Week 9

If I had an AP vote, here is what my week 9 ballot would look like:

1. Oregon (1)
2. Boise State (2)
3. Auburn (5)
4. Utah (7)
5. TCU (4)
6. Michigan State (9)
7. Stanford (8)
8. Alabama (10)
9. Wisconsin (11)
10. Ohio State (12)
11. Arizona (13)
12. Missouri (15)
13. Oklahoma (3)
14. LSU (6)
15. Nebraska (16)
16. South Carolina (17)
17. Florida State (18)
18. Iowa (14)
19. Arkansas (20)
20. USC (22)
21. Miami (23)
22. Hawaii (NR)
23. Michigan (NR)
24. Nevada (NR)
25. Baylor (NR)

Dropped out:  Oklahoma State (19), West Virginia (21), Kansas State (24), North Carolina (25) 

 

I almost went with: Oklahoma State

I can't believe anyone gave votes this week to: Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois

I think I might be overrating these: Boise State, Utah and TCU

I knew it! Oklahoma State, LSU; Texas (and Oklahoma is not #1)

My College Football Pick Results, 2010 Week 8

Last week I went 5-2 in my money picks, which puts me at 25-14 on the season. If you bet 110 to win 100 on all 41 of my picks this year, you'd be up $740 bucks. Not bad. I was only 9-10 overall this week picking the top 25 but I was 5-0 in the other games I looked at. Here's how it broke down:

W * UCLA @ #1 Oregon -26½
L Syracuse @ #20 West Virginia -14
L Duke @ #23 Virginia Tech -27
W Purdue @ #11 Ohio St. -24
L #8 Michigan St. @ Northwestern +6
L Iowa St. @ #22 Texas -21½ (bahahaha!)
W * Mississippi @ #21 Arkansas -10
L * #10 Wisconsin @ #13 Iowa -7
W * #14 Nebraska @ #17 Oklahoma St. +6
W #6 LSU @ #5 Auburn -6
L * Washington St. @ #12 Stanford -36½
W * Colorado St. @ #9 Utah -30½
W * #19 South Carolina @ Vanderbilt +12½
L #7 Alabama @ Tennessee +17
W UAB @ #24 Mississippi St. -20
L North Carolina @ #25 Miami (FL) -6½
L Air Force @ #4 TCU -18½
W #3 Oklahoma @ #18 Missouri +3
L Washington @ #15 Arizona -6½

In the other games I followed:

W Arizona State @ Cal -3½
W Notre Dame @ Navy +7
W Penn State @ Minnesota +9½
W Eastern Michigan @ Virginia -24

And I called this week's College Football Championship Belt match:

W Georgia @ Defending Champion Kentucky -5

Not a bad week. I should have bet my life savings.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/odds

And Then There Were 7 (Undefeated Teams)

After eight weeks, the list of perfect teams in the FBS is down to 7. Last week, unbeaten Oklahoma, LSU and Oklahoma State all lost. This week, the remaining superb seven are:

1. Oregon (1) 7-0
2. Boise St. (2) 6-0
3. Auburn (3) 8-0
4. TCU (4) 8-0
5. Michigan St. (5) 8-0
6. Missouri (7) 7-0
7. Utah (8) 7-0

The Pac-10, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and WAC each have one and the Mountain West has a pair. Next week, there will be no matchups of unbeaten teams. In fact, there will only be, at most, one such matchup until the bowls (TCU @ Utah on November 6). However, Oregon (@ USC), Missouri (@ Nebraska), Auburn (@ Ole Miss) and Michigan State (@ Iowa) all get tested on Saturday. If things break the home teams' way, we could be down to three perfect teams - Boise State, TCU and Utah. Wouldn't the BCS love that?

My College Football Picks, 2010 Week 8

Last week I was 4-3 in my money picks, which puts me at 20-14 on the season. There are seven games I like this week. My picks are in bold. Yeah, I know I putting this up after winning that Oregon pick, but I posted my choice on Twitter, so I'll leave that one in the post this week. Winner, winner, duckling dinner. This week, these are my picks; the games I would put real money on are marked by an asterisk:

Thursday, Oct 21
* UCLA @ #1 Oregon -26½

Saturday, Oct 23
Syracuse @ #20 West Virginia -14
Duke @ #23 Virginia Tech -27
Purdue @ #11 Ohio St. -24
#8 Michigan St. @ Northwestern +6
Iowa St. @ #22 Texas -21½
* Mississippi @ #21 Arkansas -10
* #10 Wisconsin @ #13 Iowa -7
* #14 Nebraska @ #17 Oklahoma St. +6
#6 LSU @ #5 Auburn -6
* Washington St. @ #12 Stanford -36½
* Colorado St. @ #9 Utah -30½
* #19 South Carolina @ Vanderbilt +12½
#7 Alabama @ Tennessee +17
UAB @ #24 Mississippi St. -20
North Carolina @ #25 Miami (FL) -6½
Air Force @ #4 TCU -18½
#3 Oklahoma @ #18 Missouri +3
Washington @ #15 Arizona -6½

I'm also following the play of these unranked USC opponents:

Arizona State @ Cal -3½
Notre Dame @ Navy +7
Penn State @ Minnesota +9½
Eastern Michigan @ Virginia -24

I wouldn't mind going to the Notre Dame-Navy game in two years. They announced this week that they will be playing that one in Dublin, Ireland. Nice.

And this week's College Football Championship Belt match:

Georgia @ Defending Champion Kentucky -5

I've been keeping track of this championship method since USC was the champion.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/odds

My College Football Top 25 For Week 8

If I had an AP vote, here is what my week 8 ballot would look like:

1. Oregon (1)
2. Boise State (4)
3. Oklahoma (5)
4. TCU (6)
5. Auburn (7)
6. LSU (8)
7. Utah (11)
8. Stanford (12)
9. Michigan State (14)
10. Alabama (10)
11. Wisconsin (17)
12. Ohio State (2)
13. Arizona (18)
14. Iowa (15)
15. Missouri (21)
16. Nebraska (3)
17. South Carolina (9)
18. Florida State (20)
19. Oklahoma State (22)
20. Arkansas (13)
21. West Virginia (24)
22. USC (NR)
23. Miami (NR)
24. Kansas State (NR)
25. North Carolina (NR) 

Dropped out: Nevada (16), Air Force (19), Michigan (23), Oregon State (25)

I almost went with: Nobody else

I can't believe anyone gave votes this week to: Mississippi State, Texas, Virginia Tech

I think I might be overrating these: Boise State, TCU, LSU, Oklahoma State

I knew it! Ohio State was not #1

And Then There Were 10 (Undefeated Teams)

After seven weeks, the list of perfect teams in the FBS is down to 10. All are ranked in the top 20. Last week, unbeaten Ohio State, Nebraska and Nevada all lost. This week, the remaining flawless 10 are:

1. Oregon (1) 7-0
2. Boise St. (2) 6-0
3. Oklahoma (3) 6-0
4. TCU (4) 7-0
5. Auburn (5) 7-0
6. LSU (6) 7-0
7. Michigan St. (8) 7-0
8. Utah (9) 6-0
9. Oklahoma State (17) 6-0
10. Missouri (18) 6-0

The Big 12 still has the most teams, with three. The SEC and MWC are down to two. The Pac-10, Big Ten, and WAC each have one. The ACC and Big East haven't had one for a long time.

We'll be down to eight, if not fewer, by Sunday. LSU plays Auburn, and Oklahoma plays Missouri. In addition, Oklahoma State hosts a pissed off Nebraska, and TCU gets Air Force, while Michigan State goes to Northwestern. Oregon and Utah don't get much of a challenge and Boise State is off until Tuesday.

Your New College Football Champions - Kentucky

We have a new champion in college football - the Kentucky Wildcats, who defeated the previous champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks, 31-28, in Lexington, Kentucky.

As I explained last week, since January 2006, I've been tracking the winner of my Lex Icon College Football Championship Belt, which is awarded to the team who defeats the previous holder of The LICFB Belt. While the winner of the BCS is usually also the winner of The LICFB Belt, over the course of a season, the belt can change hands several times. This year, Alabama started the season with the belt, and lost it last week at South Carolina 35-21. Since I've been following this method of crowning my own national champion, I've only posted when there was a new champion. See, e.g., "The First New Winner of the College Football Championship Belt in 2009". However, there is a group of guys who started a "College Football Belt" site six months after my creation of the LICFB who post lots of great stuff about it every week. Here is the history of my belt, awarded in accordance with the belt method:

• On September 9, 2006, Ohio State gained the belt by defeating the Texas Longhorns 24-7.
• On January 8, 2007, Florida won the belt and the BCS by defeating the Buckeyes 41-14.
• On September 29, 2007, the Auburn Tigers took the belt with a 20-17 win at Florida.
• On October 20, 2007, LSU obtained the belt from Auburn with a 30-24 victory.
• On November 23, 2007, Arkansas took the title from LSU with a 50-48 victory.
• On January 1, 2008, Missouri took the belt away with a 38-7 win in the Cotton Bowl.
• On October 11, 2008, #3 Missouri lost the title to Oklahoma State 28-23.
• On October 25, 2008, #1 Texas won back the belt by defeating Oklahoma State 28-24.
• On November 1, 2008, #7 Texas Tech won the belt by defeating #1 Texas 39-33.
• On November 22, 2008, Oklahoma took the belt by defeating #2 Texas Tech 65-21.
• On January 8, 2009, Florida took the belt, and the BCS title, by beating the Sooners 24-14.
• On December 5, 2009, Alabama won the belt (and later the BCS) by beating the Gators 32-13.
• On October 9, 2010, South Carolina took the belt from BCS champions Alabama, winning 35-21.
• On October 16, 2010, Kentucky took the belt by defeating #10 South Carolina 31-28.

I this one coming. I took the Wildcats and the points, and it was one of my money locks of the week. Next week, the belt is up for grabs again as Kentucky (4-3) hosts Georgia (3-4). The visiting Bulldogs are five point favorites. Next week, Mississippi State or Florida will get a crack at the belt.

Go Bulldogs!

The 2010 Bottom 10 After Week 7

In overtime, Eastern Michigan snapped an 18 game losing streak with a win over lowly Ball State, leaving us with just three winless teams in the FBS. Akron remains abottom the list, but just barely. FIU, owners of a modest two game winning streak, dropped out. Washington State joins Minnesota as the only BCS conference teams on my list. Here are my ten picks rounding out the bottom this week. Four of them - Minnesota, Akron, Ball State and San Jose State - are among the seven FBS squads that have losses to FCS teams under their belts:

1. Akron (0-7) [1] Winless against both FCS and FBS. Next loss: Western Michigan
2. San Jose State (1-6) [2] Winless against FBS, merely 1-1 against FCS. Next loss: Fresno St.
3. W. Kentucky (0-6) [3] Nation's longest losing streak hits 26. Next loss: La. Lafayette
4. New Mexico (0-6) [5] Bye week was their first non-losing week of 2010. Next loss: @ San Diego St.
5. Minnesota (1-6) [6] Tim Brewster is first man off the hot seat. Next loss: Penn State
6. North Texas (1-6) [7] Dropped by Ark. State and FIU back to back. Next loss: @ W. Kentucky
7. New Mexico State (1-5) [9] Can't beat anyone from another state. Next loss: @ Idaho
8. Ball State (2-5) [10] Losses include Liberty and Eastern Michigan. Next loss: @ Toledo
9. Eastern Michigan (1-6) [4] Losing streak ends at 18, but against BSU. Next loss: @ Virginia
10. Washington State (1-6) [NR] Only win was a miracle against Montana St. Next loss: @ Stanford

Dropped out: Florida International (2-4) [8] (Beat North Texas)

Not far ahead: Bowling Green (1-6), UNLV (1-6), Marshall (1-5), Memphis (1-6), Fla. Atlantic (1-4)

Shocking Redemption Last Week: Eastern Michigan over Ball State.

This week's crummy Game of the Weak: North Texas @ Western Kentucky

This week's Blowout of the Weak: Washington State @ Stanford

My College Football Pick Results, 2010 Week 7

After two straight 2-3 weeks, it was nice to be back in the money this week. I went 4-3 in my money picks, which puts me at 20-14 on the season, and I was 10-9-1 overall on the top 25. Here's how I did:

W Boston College @ #16 Florida St. -21½
W Illinois @ #13 Michigan St. -7
W #21 Missouri @ Texas A&M -3½
W #15 Iowa @ Michigan +3
L #20 Oklahoma St. @ Texas Tech -3
L * Texas @ #5 Nebraska -9½
W #12 Arkansas @ #7 Auburn -3½
L BYU @ #4 TCU -29
W * #11 Utah @ Wyoming +21
W * #10 South Carolina @ Kentucky +5
W * #1 Ohio St. @ #18 Wisconsin +4
W Iowa St. @ #6 Oklahoma -23
L McNeese St. @ #9 LSU -41½
L Mississippi St. @ #22 Florida -8
L #17 Arizona @ Washington St. +24
L #23 Air Force @ San Diego St. +1
W * #3 Boise St. @ San Jose St. +21
L * Mississippi @ #8 Alabama -21½
P #24 Oregon St. @ Washington -1
L * #19 Nevada @ Hawaii +6½

I was also following these games:

W Cal @ USC -2½
P Western Michigan @ Notre Dame -24

I was right about the letdowns. South Carolina's was the biggest. I was intrigued and perplexed by a couple of results, including Hawaii beating Nevada and Texas beating Oklahoma. There is an interesting loop of results now that stretches from Nebraska to USC that goes something like this:

Nebraska > Washington > USC > Cal > UCLA > Texas > Nebraska

The way things are going, we'll probably be able to link some one-win teams with some one-loss teams at the end of the season.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/odds

And Then There Were 13 (Undefeated Teams)

After six weeks, the list of perfect teams in the FBS is down to 13. All are ranked. Last week, unbeaten Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, Kansas State and Northwestern all lost. This week, the lucky 13 are:

1. Ohio St. (1) 6-0
2. Oregon (2) 6-0
3. Boise St. (3) 5-0 
4. TCU (4) 6-0
5. Nebraska (5) 5-0 
6. Oklahoma (6) 5-0
7. Auburn (7) 6-0
8. LSU (9) 6-0
9. Utah (11) 5-0
10. Michigan St. (13) 6-0
11. Nevada (19) 6-0
12. Oklahoma State (20) 5-0
13. Missouri (21) 5-0

The Big 12 still have the most teams, with four. The Big Ten and SEC are down to two. The MWC and WAC each have a pair. The Pac-10 has one, and the ACC and Big East have nobody. There's no guarantee that any of them will lose this week, but tough tests await Ohio State, Missouri, Oklahoma State and Auburn.

My College Football Picks, 2010 Week 7

Last week I was 2-3 in my money picks, which puts me at 16-11 on the season. There are seven games I like this week. My picks are in bold. The games I would put real money on are marked by an asterisk:

Thursday, Oct 14
South Florida 6 @ #25 West Virginia 20

Saturday, Oct 16
Boston College @ #16 Florida St. -21½
Illinois @ #13 Michigan St. -7
#21 Missouri @ Texas A&M -3½
#15 Iowa @ Michigan +3
#20 Oklahoma St. @ Texas Tech -3
* Texas @ #5 Nebraska -9½
#12 Arkansas @ #7 Auburn -3½
BYU @ #4 TCU -29
* #11 Utah @ Wyoming +21
* #10 South Carolina @ Kentucky +5
* #1 Ohio St. @ #18 Wisconsin +4
Iowa St. @ #6 Oklahoma -23
McNeese St. @ #9 LSU -41½
Mississippi St. @ #22 Florida -8
#17 Arizona @ Washington St. +24
#23 Air Force @ San Diego St. +1
* #3 Boise St. @ San Jose St. +21
* Mississippi @ #8 Alabama -21½
#24 Oregon St. @ Washington -1
* #19 Nevada @ Hawaii +6½

I'm also following these games:

Cal @ USC -2½
Western Michigan @ Notre Dame -24

There are some big letdown possibilities today. Not a lot of Pac-10 action. I'll be at the USC/Cal game.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/odds

Foreclosed Family Breaks Into Their Own House

A foreclosed family has taken the law into their own hands and broken into their former home. I thought this story was interesting, and the people in it were ballsy, and I felt a lot of sympathy for the family until I got to this part of the article:

The Earls paid $500,000 for the house in 2001 and then refinanced to pull out cash. They fell behind on their mortgage and at the time of their eviction they owed about $880,000 on a no-interest mortgage.

Wow. So they pulled $380,000 in cash out of their house, plus whatever they had put down to begin with. Then, when they got foreclosed and left, they waited until the new buyers dropped $40,000 on improvements before breaking the locks and seizing possession of the house. That's not ballsy. That's crooked. I understand fighting. I understandappealing. I understandprotesting. I do not understand letting someone else drop forty grand into your old place and then taking it back by force.

Their attorney appears to be somewhat of a loon. Michael T. Pines has led more than one client on such a mission. He recently got arrested for trespassing after telling the Newport Beach police that they were not welcome and his clients' former home that he had helped them break back into:

“I’m trying to teach homeowners what their rights are. In my opinion, they are the legal owners of the property. All of these foreclosures, all of these evictions are grossly unlawful,” he says. “All of the loans that are currently outstanding are grossly unlawful. Homeowners have a right to get their houses back because they were illegally stolen from them. I feel very confident in saying they have the legal right to do it.”

 
Again, wow. I wonder how long before the California State Bar relieves this fellow of his license. Good lawyers do not advise their clients to break the law and cause them to get arrested. If your strategy is to break in and squat, you don't need a lawyer (well, you might eventually need a criminal defense lawyer), you need a gangster.

My College Football Top 25 For Week 7

If I had an AP vote, here is what my week 7 ballot would look like:

1. Oregon (2)
2. Ohio State (3)
3. Nebraska (4)
4. Boise State (5)
5. Oklahoma (6)
6. TCU (7)
7. Auburn (10)
8. LSU (9)
9. South Carolina (18)
10. Alabama (1)
11. Utah (15)
12. Stanford (12)
13. Arkansas (11)
14. Michigan State (19)
15. Iowa (16)
16. Nevada (20)
17. Wisconsin (21)
18. Arizona (8)
19. Air Force (23)
20. Florida State (NR)
21. Missouri (24)
22. Oklahoma State (25)
23. Michigan (13)
24. West Virginia (NR)
25. Oregon State (NR)

Dropped out: Miami (FL) (14), Florida (17), USC (22)

I almost went with: Florida

I can't believe anyone gave votes this week to: Virginia Tech, Texas

I think I might be overrating these: Boise State, TCU, LSU, Oklahoma State

I knew it! Arizona, Florida

My College Football Pick Results, 2010 Week 6

Last week I was 2-3 in my money picks and this week I was again 2-3, so now I'm 16-11 on the season. I was right about it being a big day for underdogs in the SEC. Kentucky beat the spread. South Carolina beat the #1 team in the nation straight up and LSU beat Florida straight up. Here's how I did:

L * Minnesota @ #20 Wisconsin -22
L Indiana @ #2 Ohio St. -24½
L Colorado St. @ #25 Air Force -24
W Wyoming @ #5 TCU -25
W #17 Michigan St. @ #18 Michigan -4½
W #11 Arkansas @ Texas A&M +5
W #1 Alabama @ #19 South Carolina +7
L * #3 Oregon @ Washington St. +35½
W Oregon St. @ #9 Arizona -8
L Colorado @ #24 Missouri -11
W * #10 Utah @ Iowa St. +6
W #8 Auburn @ Kentucky +6
W #12 LSU @ #14 Florida -6½
L * #23 Florida St. @ #13 Miami (FL) -6
W * Toledo @ #4 Boise St. -38½
W USC @ #16 Stanford -10
L San Jose St. @ #21 Nevada -37½

In unranked play, I won all three of my picks:

W UCLA @ Cal -7½
W Arizona State @ Washington Pk
W Pitt @ Notre Dame -6½

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/odds

The 2010 Bottom 10 After Week 6

We have just four winless teams left in the FBS, thanks to a scheduling quirk that matched four of the six winless teams in the division. There are seven teams (Mississippi, Kansas, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Akron, Ball State and San Jose State) that have lost home games to FCS opponents. As the only team on both lists, Akron remains abottom the list. The bottom four remain unchanged, with San Jose State, which has only a 5 point win against Southern Utah, and two teams that haven't won since the 2008 season. New Mexico State and FIU dropped in the rankings by virtue of their wins over New Mexico and Western Kentucky, but they are still among the worst teams in the FBS. Here are my ten picks rounding out the bottom this week:

1. Akron (0-6) [1] Winless against both FCS and FBS. Next loss: @ Ohio
2. San Jose State (1-5) [2] Winless against FBS, merely 1-1 against FCS. Next loss: Boise St.
3. W. Kentucky (0-5) [3] Winless FIU extends Hilltoppers' 25 game skid. Next loss: La. Monroe
4. Eastern Michigan (0-6) [4] Dropped 52-6 by Vanderbilt! 18 straight losses. Next loss:@ Ball St.
5. New Mexico (0-6) [5] Can't even beat New Mexico State. Next loss: Idle
6. Minnesota (1-5) [8] Is there a worse BCS conference team? Next loss: Purdue
7. North Texas (1-5) [9] Dumped by lowly Arkansas State. Next loss: FIU
8. Florida International (1-4) [6] Nudged past W. Kentucky. Next loss: @ N. Texas
9. New Mexico State (1-4) [7] Bragging rights to New Mexico aren't worth much. Next loss: Fresno St.
10. Ball State (2-4) [10] Played two FCS creampuffs and earned only a split. Next loss: E. Michigan

Dropped out: Nobody

Not far ahead: Washington State (1-5), Bowling Green (1-5), Florida Atlantic (1-4)

Shocking Redemption Last Week: None. Someone had to win those two battles of winless warriors.

This week's crummy Game of the Weak: FIU @ North Texas, Eastern Michigan @ Ball State

This week's Blowout of the Weak: Boise State @ San Jose State

Your New College Football Champions - South Carolina

We have a new champion in college football. Confused? Let me explain.

Almost five years ago, after USC successfully held its #1 ranking for two seasons, I wondered how interesting it might be if college football crowned its champions the way boxing did. In other words, to become the champ, you have to beat the champ. I jokingly announced the Lex Icon College Football Championship Belt, and declared Texas the new champion, by virtue of its win over defending champion USC. About six months later, someone took that idea a bit farther and created a pretty good website devote to the idea: The College Football Belt. They calculated it back farther - to the 1971 Nebraska season. Curiously, the belt method yielded the same national champions in 2001 (Miami), 2002 (Ohio State), 2003 (USC), 2004 (USC), 2005 (Texas), 2006 (Florida), 2008 (Florida) and 2009 (Alabama) as the AP Poll (and except for the split title of 2003, the same as the BCS championship). The only aberration was after the 2007 season. At the time of January 2008's two-loss BCS championship, the belt-holder, Missouri, was done for the year, having taken the belt from Arkansas in the 2008 Cotton Bowl.

Since I've been following this method of crowning my own national champion, I've only posted when there was a new champion. See, e.g., "The First New Winner of the College Football Championship Belt in 2009" Those other guys post stuff every week. Here is the history of my belt, awarded in accordance with the belt method:

• On September 9, 2006, Ohio State gained the belt by defeating the Texas Longhorns 24-7.
• On January 8, 2007, Florida won the belt and the BCS by defeating the Buckeyes 41-14.
• On September 29, 2007, the Auburn Tigers took the belt with a 20-17 win at Florida.
• On October 20, 2007, LSU obtained the belt from Auburn with a 30-24 victory.
• On November 23, 2007, Arkansas took the title from LSU with a 50-48 victory.
• On January 1, 2008, Missouri took the belt away with a 38-7 win in the Cotton Bowl.
• On October 11, 2008, #3 Missouri lost the title to Oklahoma State 28-23.
• On October 25, 2008, #1 Texas won back the belt by defeating Oklahoma State 28-24.
• On November 1, 2008, #7 Texas Tech won the belt by defeating #1 Texas 39-33.
• On November 22, 2008, Oklahoma took the belt by defeating #2 Texas Tech 65-21.
• On January 8, 2009, Florida took the belt, and the BCS title, by beating the Sooners 24-14.
• On December 5, 2009, Alabama won the belt (and later the BCS) by beating the Gators 32-13.
• On October 9, 2010, South Carolina took the belt from BCS champions Alabama, winning 35-21.

I almost saw this one coming. I took South Carolina plus the 7 points, and declared it a week for upsets in the SEC. However, I didn't pick this game as one of my money locks of the week. Next week, the belt is up for grabs again as South Carolina travels to Kentucky. In the regular world of college football, Kentucky hasn't been this close to a championship since 1950, when Bear Bryant was coaching the Wildcats. In the world of the belt championships, this will be Kentucky's fourth attempt to win the belt. So far, they are winless in three tries.

Go Wildcats!

My Top 25 Rooting Interests for 2010, Week 6

Here are the 25 college football games I find most interesting, and how I'll be rooting. For the most part, this is (i) USC interests, including UCLA and Notre Dame losses, a cheer for the Pac-10, and hope for interesting upsets. Here they are:

1. USC @ Stanford - I hate Stanford now.
2. Cal v. UCLA - I still hate UCLA
3. Pitt @ Notre Dame - Beat the Irish
4. South Carolina v. Alabama - for a new #1
5. Oregon @ WSU - for a new #1
6. Toledo @ Boise State - it would be epic
7. Arizona v. Oregon State - to keep the Wildcats in the top ten
8. Arizona State @ Washington, because I'm still annoyed by Sark
9. Indiana @ Ohio State - to avoid an Ohio State beating in the BCS championship
10. Michigan v. Michigan State - because I like UM
11. San Jose State @ Nevada - for the upset value
12. Texas A&M v. Arkansas - an anti-SEC pick
13. Colorado @ Mizzou - for the future Pac-12
14. Utah @ Iowa State - for the future Pac-12
15. Wyoming @ TCU - for the upset
16. Minnesota @ Wisconsin - to open up a spot in the top 25 if USC wins
17. Colorado State @ Air Force - to open up a spot in the top 25 if USC wins
18. Kentucky v. Auburn - for the upset
19. Western Kentucky @ FIU - to end the nation's longest losing streak
20. Florida State @ Miami - because I hate the U more
21. Eastern Michigan @ Vanderbilt - big underdog in SEC land
22. Georgia v. Tennessee - to piss off the bitter Vol fans
23. Virginia @ Georgia Tech - a strength of schedule pick
24. New Mexico @ New Mexico State - to see DeWayne Walker drop to 0-6
25. Hawaii @ Fresno State - a strength of schedule pick

I can't root for anyone in the LSU @ Florida game. If I watch it, I'll root for mistakes.

That's about all I'm paying attention to this week.

My College Football Picks, 2010 Week 6

Last week I was 2-3 in my money picks, which puts me at 14-8 on the season. There are fewer games that I like this week, and although I'll never bet against USC, this week, Stanford minus the points looks like a fairly good wager. The good games don't start until noon out here. The evening's fare is decent, too. The 9 a.m. slate is boring. My picks are in bold. The games I would put real money on are marked by an asterisk:

Thursday, Oct 7
#7 Nebraska 48 @ Kansas St. 13

Friday, Oct 8
#22 Oklahoma St. 54 @ LA Lafayette 28

Saturday, Oct 9
* Minnesota @ #20 Wisconsin -22
Indiana @ #2 Ohio St. -24½
Colorado St. @ #25 Air Force -24
Wyoming @ #5 TCU -25
#17 Michigan St. @ #18 Michigan -4½
#11 Arkansas @ Texas A&M +5
#1 Alabama @ #19 South Carolina +7
* #3 Oregon @ Washington St. +35½
Oregon St. @ #9 Arizona -8
Colorado @ #24 Missouri -11
* #10 Utah @ Iowa St. +6
#8 Auburn @ Kentucky +6
#12 LSU @ #14 Florida -6½
* #23 Florida St. @ #13 Miami (FL) -6
* Toledo @ #4 Boise St. -38½
USC @ #16 Stanford -10
San Jose St. @ #21 Nevada -37½

In unranked play, I like

UCLA @ Cal -7½
Arizona State @ Washington Pk
Pitt @ Notre Dame -6½

I think it could be a big day for underdogs in the SEC. I'm not optimistic about USC's chances. Last time the Trojans were a double-digit underdog, they lost 30-10 in a rainy game at Florida State. This time, there will be no rain, but a 20 point game is certainly possible.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/odds

My College Football Top 25 For Week 6

If I had an AP vote, here is what my week 5 ballot would look like:

1. Alabama (1)
2. Oregon (3)
3. Ohio State (2)
4. Nebraska (4)
5. Boise State (5)
6. Oklahoma (7)
7. TCU (9)
8. Arizona (12)
9. LSU (11)
10. Auburn (14)
11. Arkansas (15)
12. Stanford (6)
13. Michigan (16)
14. Miami (FL) (17)
15. Utah (18)
16. Iowa (19)
17. Florida (8)
18. South Carolina (21)
19. Michigan State (22)
20. Nevada (NR)
21. Wisconsin (10)
22. USC (13)
23. Air Force (25)
24. Missouri (NR)
25. Oklahoma State (NR)

Dropped out: Penn St. (20), Texas (23), North Carolina State (24)

I almost went with: Florida State, West Virginia

I can't believe anyone gave votes this week to: Virginia Tech, NC State

I think I might be overrating these: Boise State, TCU, Arizona, LSU, Florida, Oklahoma State

I knew it! Wisconsin

I was worried about this: USC

And Then There Were 18 (Undefeated Teams)

After five weeks, the list of perfect teams in the FBS is down to 18. All but 2 are ranked in the AP poll, and all got votes, though I'm not sure why Northwestern did, after proving barely better than Minnesota. Last week, unbeaten Florida, Stanford, Wisconsin, USC, N.C. State, Texas A&M and Indiana all lost, so this week, the perfect 18 are:

1. Alabama (1) 5-0
2. Ohio St. (2) 5-0
3. Oregon (3) 5-0
4. Boise St. (4) 4-0 
5. TCU (5) 4-0
6. Oklahoma (6) 5-0
7. Nebraska (7) 5-0
8. Auburn (8) 5-0
9. Arizona (9) 4-0
10. Utah (10) 4-0
11. LSU (12) 5-0
12. Michigan St. (17) 5-0
13. Michigan (18) 5-0
14. Nevada (21) 4-0
15. Oklahoma State (22) 4-0
16. Missouri (24) 4-0
17. Kansas State (27) 4-0
18. Northwestern (30) 4-0

The Big 12 has five teams. The Big Ten has four teams. The SEC has three. The Pac-10, MWC and WAC each have a pair. The ACC and Big East have nobody. We'll be down to no more than 16 this week: Nebraska plays Kansas State, Michigan plays Michigan State,

Alabama, Arizona, LSU, and Northwestern face tough tests. It'll be another big weekend.

My College Football Pick Results, 2010 Week 5

For the first time this year, USC and I lost. USC got beat at home by Washington, and I dropped three of five games I bet on. On the year, however, I'm still 14-8 in my money picks. Here's how I did in week five:

W #16 Miami (FL) @ Clemson +3½
L #2 Ohio St. @ Illinois +16½
W * LA Monroe @ #10 Auburn -34½
W #5 TCU @ Colorado St. +33½
L Virginia Tech @ #23 N.C. State +3½
W #11 Wisconsin @ #24 Michigan St. +2½
L * #19 Michigan @ Indiana +10
W #21 Texas vs #8 Oklahoma -4
L Tennessee @ #12 LSU -16½
W * #3 Boise St. @ New Mexico St. +43½
L * Washington @ #18 USC -10
L * #9 Stanford @ #4 Oregon -6½
L #7 Florida @ #1 Alabama -8
L #17 Penn St. @ #22 Iowa -7½
L #25 Nevada @ UNLV +20½

Just wait 'til next week.

The 2010 Bottom 10 After Week 5

We have six winless teams left in the FBS, and seven (Mississippi, Kansas, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Akron, Ball State and San Jose State) that lost home games to FCS opponents. Akron is the only team on both of those lists, so it remains a solid Bottom Ten #1 team. Not far behind is San Jose State, which has only a 5 point win against Southern Utah, and two teams that haven't won since the 2008 season. Amazingly, this week's schedule pits four winless teams against each other, so next week, we'll have no more than four winless teams, and no less than two. My bottom ten this week has the same ten teams as last week, but San Jose State moved way up by losing to UC Davis, and Ball State Minnesota dropped by showing signs of life for the first time this season. Here are my ten picks rounding out the bottom:

1. Akron (0-5) [1] Winless against both FCS and FBS. Next loss: @ Kent. St.
2. San Jose State (1-4) [9] Winless against FBS. Now 1-1 against FCS. Next loss: @ Nevada
3. Western Kentucky (0-4) [3] Takes 24 game losing streak to winless FIU. Next loss: FIU
4. Eastern Michigan (0-5) [4] Takes 17 game losing streak into SEC territory. Next loss:@ Vandy
5. New Mexico (0-5) [6] Finally stayed within 5 TDs of someone. Next loss:@ NM State
6. Florida International (0-4) [7] Bye week was their best of the season. Next loss: W. Ky.
7. New Mexico State (0-4) [8] Lost 59-0. Enough said. Next loss: New Mexico
8. Minnesota (1-4) [5] Hung tough against unbeaten Northwestern. Next loss: @ Wisconsin
9. North Texas (1-4) [10] Loses again, on blocked PAT. Next loss: Arkansas State
10. Ball State (2-3) [2] Somehow beat Central Michigan, but 1-1 v. FCS. Next loss: W. Michigan

Dropped out: Nobody

Not far ahead: Washington State (1-4), Bowling Green (1-4), Florida Atlantic (1-3), Vanderbilt (1-3)

Shocking Redemption Last Week: Ball State beating Central Michigan

Crummy Games of the Weak: Western Kentucky v FIU; New Mexico v. NM State

Blowout of the Weak: San Jose State @ Nevada

Washington @ USC Game Notes 10-2-2010

As you watch USC host Washington tonight, you might see some of these interesting bits and pieces of information on your screen:

• USC is 4-0 (1-0 Pac-10), ranked #18 in the AP (ineligible for Coaches' poll ranking)
• Washington is 1-2 (0-0 Pac-10), unranked
• USC is favored by 10 points
• Kickoff: 5:00 p.m.
• Weather will be cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
• The high temperature today is 80°, going down to an evening low of  61°
• There is a chance of high winds, with gusts up to 50 mph
• Broadcast: ESPN2, Carter Blackburn, former Husky QB Brock Huard and Mike Bellotti
• This is the 111th consecutive USC game on live television
• That ties a school record, first set from 1988 to 1997
• USC and Washington have played each other 80 times, since 1923
• USC leads the series 49-27-4
• Last game: Washington 16-13 in Seattle.
• Last game in Los Angeles: USC 56-0 in 2008
• Last Washington win in Los Angeles: 1996 (21-10)
• USC has a 293-108-19 (.720) all-time record in October
• USC has a 408-125-27 (.753) all-time record in the Coliseum
• USC owns a 142-35-4 (.796) record at night
• At the Coliseum, USC is 87-18-4 in night games, including 32 straight
• Washington has a combined record of 56-87-6 (.396) against USC & UCLA
• That's a better record than any other Pac-10 school
• No team in the Pac-10 has a winning record against USC
• Washington is one of just 2 schools to have played in a Rose Bowl in each of the last 9 decades
• USC is the other
• Since 1960, the Trojan-Husky winner has advanced to the Rose Bowl 28 times
• Neither USC nor Washington have played an FCS opponent since the divisions were created in 1978
• UCLA and Notre Dame are the only other FBS schools to share that distinction.
• Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian is 1-0 against the Trojans
• Sarkisian was USC's offensive coordinator before taking over for the Huskies in 2009
• He was 22-3 as USC offensive coordinator
• This is the first season in two decades in which Washington returned its full coaching staff
• USC head coach Lane Kiffin is trying to become the first since Jess Hill (1951) to start 5-0
• Only Hill (7-0) and Harvey Holmes (5-0) have started their USC coaching careers stronger
• USC has only 73 players on scholarship.
• USC has been ranked in the AP Top 25 for 99 of its last 100 games
• USC has no players from Washington
• The Huskies have 41 players from California, 35 from Southern California
• Washington comes off a bye
• Their last game was a 56-21 defeat to Nebraska
• USC beat Washington State 50-16 last week
• This is the 8th time USC has played the Washington schools back-to-back
• USC has played 6 true freshmen this season, including 2 starters
• Washington played 13 true freshmen against BYU
• USC QB Matt Barkley was USC's first ever true freshman QB to start an opener
• He is also the school's first-ever sophomore team captain
• USC QB Matt Barkley's 282 completions rank him 12th on USC’s career passing list
• Jake Locker needs 392 yards to pass Brock Huard as Washington's #2 career passing leader.
• All 5 of USC’s RBs average 4 yards per carry or more
• USC has had 5 touchdowns in 2010 of at least 50 yards (and 7 of 40-plus yards).
• USC’s roster features 2 Gatorade National High School Football Players of the Year
• Both are QBs: Mitch Mustain (2005) and Matt Barkley (2007)
• USC has won 89 of its last 100 games
• The USC football program is on probation until June 9, 2014
• It’s Parents’ Weekend at USC.
• Members of the 1960 USC men’s swimming team will be recognized during the game.
• The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center will kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month with a halftime presentation welcoming breast cancer survivors to the Coliseum.
• Eddy Hartenstein, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, will be honored during an in-game presentation.
• Former Pro-Bowler Don Doll, who led USC in rushing yards 3 times, died last week at the age of 84

USC's weekly football release:

 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/usc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/washrel10fb.pdf.

Washington's weekly football release:

http://www.gohuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092710aaa.html

Fight On!  Beat the Huskies!

My Top 25 Rooting Interests for 2010, Week 5

Here are the 25 college football games I find most interesting, and how I'll be rooting. For the most part, this is (i) USC interests, including UCLA and Notre Dame losses, a cheer for the Pac-10, except UCLA, and hope for interesting upsets. Here they are:

1. USC v. Washington - I always, always, always want a Trojan victory.
2. Washington State @ UCLA - beat Texas, then lose to Wazzu. That would entertain me.
3. Boston College v. Notre Dame - I am rooting for the Irish to go about 3-9 this year
4. Florida v Alabama - this is about the only situation that can get me to root for the Gators
5. Texas v Oklahoma - because Texas lost to UCLA last week
6. Illinois v. Ohio State - to create BCS chaos
7. New Mexico State v Boise State - to see the biggest upset ever
8. Michigan State v. Wisconsin - for the coach
9. Clemson v Miami - to move USC up in the polls
10. Tennessee v LSU - because it's LSU
11. LA Monroe @ Auburn - just to root against the SEC
12. Connecticut v Vanderbilt - to root against the SEC
13. Colorado v. Georgia - to root against the SEC
14. Colorado State v TCU - to drop TCU in the polls
15. Penn State @ Iowa - to move up in the polls
16. NC State v Va. Tech - to devalue Boise State's big win
17. Michigan @ Indiana - because I like the Wolverines
18. Stanford @ Oregon - for no particular reason
19. UNLV v. Nevada - because I don't like seeing Nevada ranked
20. Virginia v. Florida State - to help me enjoy USC's win better
21. Minnesota v. Northwestern - to drop NW from the undefeated
22. Alcorn State @ Mississippi State - to root against the SEC
23. Cal Poly @ Fresno State - for an FCS victory
24. UC Davis @ San Jose State - for another FCS victory
25. Hawaii v La. Tech - to see the Warriors win

That's about all I'm paying attention to this week.

My College Football Picks, 2010 Week 5

Last week I was 4-3 in my money picks, which puts me at 12-5 on the season. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. There are a lot of games that I wouldn't touch this week, but a few that I think I like. As always, I'm a sucker for USC's dropping line, even though it might rain in L.A. tonight. I'm a little bummed this week that the three games I'm most interested in watching are all at the same time, and I'll be at one of them, completely missing the other two. My picks are in bold. The games I would put real money on are marked by an asterisk:

Saturday, Oct 2
#16 Miami (FL) @ Clemson +3½
#2 Ohio St. @ Illinois +16½
* LA Monroe @ #10 Auburn -34½
#5 TCU @ Colorado St. +33½
Virginia Tech @ #23 N.C. State +3½
#11 Wisconsin @ #24 Michigan St. +2½
* #19 Michigan @ Indiana +10
#21 Texas vs #8 Oklahoma -4
Tennessee @ #12 LSU -16½
* #3 Boise St. @ New Mexico St. +43½
* Washington @ #18 USC -10
* #9 Stanford @ #4 Oregon -6½
#7 Florida @ #1 Alabama -8
#17 Penn St. @ #22 Iowa -7½
#25 Nevada @ UNLV +20½

I'm also interested in these, but I would not put any real money on them:

Washington St. @ UCLA -24½
Arizona St. @ Oregon St. -3½
Notre Dame @ Boston College +3

For a change, USC, UCLA and Notre Dame are all favored, but I will be attending the gathering of the Perfect Day Club at 4 o'clock to celebrate our perfect day three weeks ago. It would not shock me to see Ohio State, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Oregon or Alabama lose today. It would shock me to see TCU, Auburn or Boise State have so much as a close game.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/odds