Picks For The Weak: Week 5

Week five is here, and I hope you’re not steaming out of your ears as heavily as Dana Holgorsen was on the sidelines Saturday.Watch out Country Roads, Mountain Mama — Dana Boy has got road rage without a license. Harness your fear of driving on the same road as the skulletsen.The fact of the matter is that week four is is in the books and we are cruisin’ clear on the road to week five. Week four is in the rearview mirror. As Donnie Brasco would say — Forget about it!

Last week was one to forget for Jim here @tBBC. He was the only one out of the panel of tBBC staff,  our expert and the computer to finish under .500. It’s okay though, if there is one thing I can guarantee, it’s that Jim isn’t laughing on the sideline. He’s a boss, but there is no joking in weekly college picks. Just over-thinking, hesitation, and some really bad decisions.

Alabama, LSU, and Baylor gave the board a sweeping W, while Dabo and Clemson made everyone eat the rock. Shows what we know about ACC football.

The computer had it’s best week of the year, going 7-3. Our expert, Kyle Kensing of Saturday Blitz went 8-2. Leading the Buckeye Battle Cry charge was Joe L, rebounding after a few rough weeks to open the season. The big man went 9-1 thanks to those damn Clemson Tigers.  Here’s a look at the week four standings:

Mali 7-3 – Eric 5-5-Jim 4-6 – Experts 8-2 – Joe L – 9-1  Joe D 7-3 – Computer – 7-3

Eric finished for the first time this year at .500 or worse. He’s going to bulldoze through week 5 though, like a freight train — watch out weaklings! Here is a look at the season standings:

Mali 27-12 – Eric 26-13- Joe L. 26-13– Experts 22-7– Jim –24-15- Joe D 21-18 – Computer – 20-19

Week 5 Analysis:

This week we talk to Bill Connelly of Football Study Hall. Enjoy the talk of this week’s big games.

Picks For The Weak: Weak 5 With Bill Connelly by The Buckeye Battle Cry

Now, let’s get to the picks!

No. 14 Texas A&M vs. No. 18 Arkansas

Both teams are coming off losses to open conference play, and this game should be a battle of what’s to come in the future in the SEC.  Coincidentally this is also a battle of former Southwestern Conference foes as well. The Aggie offense averages 300 yards in the air a game, and the Arkansas sports a top 20 passing offense as well. The difference could come to special teams, where Arkansas has the advantage. The Razorbacks are the only team in the nation with a punt return and kick return for scores.

One of the more intriguing battles could be in the redzone, where Arkansas is perfect this season. They haven’t faced a rushing defense quite like A&M though this season. This should be a fun and competitive back and forth ballgame.

Computer: Aggies 33 Razorbacks 32 (50.5)

Bill Connelly: Texas A&M

Auburn vs. No.10 South Carolina

The Gamecocks have struggled against the Tigers throughout the last two decades, and haven’t beaten Auburn since 1993. That’s saying something considering the mediocrity of both programs up to the last few years. After meeting in the SEC championship game and playing poorly, the Gamecocks will have a lot of motivation at home to beat an Auburn team that has struggled at times. Marcus Lattimore will be a factor on the ground, against a defense that gives up 31 points per game (Utah State, Mississippi State, Clemson, Florida Atlantic). If South Carolina wants it enough, there should be no issues getting win number five. In SEC play though, you never know.

Computer: Tigers 24 Gamecocks 30 (65%)

Bill Connelly: South Carolina

No. 15 Baylor vs. Kansas State

RG III is the bomb, and the Baylor offense are on fire, averaging 51 points per game. Defensively though, they have yet to face a team like Kansas State, who have only given up 10 points per game this season. This is the true test for the Wildcat defense and Bear offense on which one can prevail to start Big 12 play. If Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein can get anything going, then the Bears could be in trouble. Kansas State has enough on offense to battle. Hard to hold back a play-maker like Griffin though. The Bears have 20 yards or more on 24 of it’s 204 plays this year. It will be key for Kansas State to stop the big play.

Computer: Bears 34 Wildcats 28 (64%)

Bill Connelly: Kansas State

USM vs. No. 20 TCU

The Iron skillet is on the line in Forth Worth, as longtime rivals SMU and TCU meet on the gridiron. Both teams are on a three game winning streak after tough losses to open the season against fellow opponents in the state (aTm,Baylor). The Run and Shoot though is the same type of offense that could give the TCU defense trouble. The offense is clicking with J.J. McDermott putting the ball in the air and Zach Line continuing to show he is oen of the better running backs in the nation. The Horned Frogs need to stop the run if they want a chance in this one. Again this game could come down to the big play. Of the nine TDs the TCU defense has given up, eight have been for 20 or more yards. With SMU following Baylor’s gameplan, you have to like their chances.

Computer: Mustangs 27 Horned Frogs 37 (80%)

Bill Connelly: TCU

No. 13 Clemson vs. No.11 Virginia Tech

Bill Connelly and I discuss this game at length, and there is a lot to like about this football game. If Clemson continues to perform the way they have in the young season, then they really have a good chance against Frank Beamer’s Hokies. This Virginia Tech team though is good at maintaining possession through the run game, peaking at special teams, and shutting you down on defense. Beamerball is in full effect this season, and it starts with the Hokie secondary. They have picked off a pass at least once in their last 11 ballgames. The Tigers have Sammy Watkins, but they also have Tahj Boyd, who has made some rather bad decisions at times. In a close game, you got to love defense.

Computer: Tigers 29 Hokies 28 (52%)

Dan Connelly: Virginia Tech

Washington vs. Utah

The Utes host the Huskies after a big win over Rival BYU last week. Utah was able to hold the Cougars to just 11 yards rushing, and will look to do so this week as weill with Johri Fogerson questionable.Bishop Sankey has done well and will be asked to fill in. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a tight end you have to game plan against as well. This should be a fun and back and forth PAC-12 game. Washington is the only member of the conference Utah has never beat.

Computer: Huskies 26 Utes 29 (61%)

Dan Connelly: Utah

No.3 Bama Vs. No.12 Florida

Dan and I also break down this SEC game to a tee, as the most interesting thing in this game is how to game plan if you’re Charlie Weiss. You can’t sit back and eat a steak, you have to attack the Crimson Tide. Florida has the weapons to possibly do so, but that Alabama D is NASTY.

Computer: Crimson Tide 27 Gators 17 (78%)

Dan Connelly: Alabama

MAC Game of the Week: Toledo vs. Temple

One team almost beat Ohio State, while the other almost beat Penn State and knocked off Maryland. After Al Golden left, Temple was nearly written off this season, but they have looked strong. One thing you can guarentee is that the Rockets will air it out, while the Owls will pound it down the throat. Bernard Pierce leads teh country in rushing yards and had a huge game against Maryland. Toledo has played tougher non-conference opponents, but they haven’t won since week one. Austin Dantin and Terrence Owens have worked as a tandem and Eric Page has as many receptions as Adonis Thomas has carries. I m looking forward to a good ole fashion shootout to open MAC play.

Computer: Rockets 28 Owls 27 (50%)

Bill Connelly: Temple

Crappy Competitive Game NMST vs. NM

Nothing like two inner state rivals right? This is a fairly evenly matched up game. Mike Locksley is out at New Mexico and George Barlow is in. Both teams are coming off tough losses and both programs are trying to make a move in the upswing. Many think New Mexico is considering bringing in Mike Leach, but that won’t matter this week. New Mexico State should be able to pull this ugly one out on the ground or in the air.

Computer: Aggies 19 Lobos 22 (60%)

Dan Connelly: NMSU

Game of the Week: No.8 Nebraska vs. No. 7 Wisconsin

Yes, I hope the Wiesels choke on Corn Husk. I want them to fail drastically to open up the B1G. With James White, Montee Ball, Russel Wilson and company it’s going to be tough for them to not show up. Taylor Martinez is a threat, but the Nebraska defense has been suspect all season long. Hopefully that will change on Saturday, but it’s highly unlikely.

Computer: Cornhuskers 19 Badgers 28 (66%)

Bill Connelly: Badgers