Nothing like Saturdays. As mentioned in my last post, not as many good games this weekend, but still worth gathering the fellas together for a few. There's also a nice early season hoops contest. Here are some of my picks for the weekend:
College Basketball
#10 Ohio St @ #17 Marquette
The 12:00 early football games are mostly tailgate duds, but there's a nice hoops game to start your Saturday. The Buckeyes of Ohio State head to Milwaukee to face the Marquette Golden Eagles. As I mentioned in a previous post, I don't know much about Marquette right now so I'm interested to watch them play. Ohio State is led by senior floor general Aaron Craft, who is pretty much the All-American dude. I think this Ohio State team is a bit overlooked and I think they prevail in this one. Both teams lost their leaders scorers from the past season, so it could be more of a "search for an identity" game than anything. Regardless, I think LaQuinton Ross has a nice game and Craft makes some key late free throws as Ohio St wins. It is tough to pick against Tailgate Talk Devante Gardner though. Ohio St 69 Marquette 64 (Tailgate Rating 8 out of 10)
#25 Georgia @ #7 Auburn (-3.5, O/U 63) 3:30 PM ET CBS
The first of an appealing 3:30 slate of games is a Top-25 SEC match-up. In this contest Aaron Murray and the Georgia Bulldogs (6-2, 4-2) take on the host Auburn Tigers (9-1, 5-1). Auburn is enjoying a magical season after posting a goose egg in SEC play last year finshing at 3-9 overall. The Tigers are led by the explosive rushing attack (320 yards per game, 3rd in FBS) of quarterback Nick Marshall, once a defensive back for Georgia, and running back Tre Mason (16 TD's, 3rd in FBS). Georgia has been plagued by injuries this year especially on offense, but quarterback Aaron Murray (SEC career leader is passing) is having a terrific year (20 TD's, 7 INT's). Both teams have solid defenses, Auburn with a good D-Line and Georgia with a solid run defense.
My Pick
Georgia has been awful against the spread this season, but I think they're due. Even after posting a good win against Texas A&M on the road a few weeks ago, I'm still not sold on Auburn. I think Murray and Georgia will put up points and I'm not sure Marshall is talented enough of a passer to keep up if they get behind (last game he attempted only seven passes). Georgia has a good enough run defense to slow down Auburn and I just don't think the Tigers have been tested enough. I think the Dawgs win outright on the road. Georgia 28 Auburn 24. Tailgate Rating (8.5/10).
#12 Oklahoma St @ #24 Texas (+3, O/U 62.5) 3:30 PM ET FOX
The Big-12 showdown of the day features the Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-1, 5-1) heading to Austin to take on the resurgent Longhorns of Texas (7-2, 6-0). After a horrific start where Mack Brown's job was in question, Texas has responded rattling off six straight wins to take control of the Big 12...for now. Texas is led by backup quarterback Case McCoy, who has started since the Oklahoma game. However, Texas lost their best running back Johnathan Gray for the season last week along with starting defensive tackle Chris Whaley. Oklahoma State has two talented running backs in Desmond Roland and Jeremy Smith, and quarterback Clint Chelf can hurt you through the air or on the ground.
My Pick
I like Oklahoma State to cover in this game. Both teams are riding impressive winning streaks, but the Cowboys are playing well on defense and Texas is down its best offensive weapon. McCoy has had a nice run, but I don't think he has very much success against a defense that have 16 picks on the year. Chelf has the Cowboys finally in sync on offense and I think they take this one on the road. Oklahoma State 27 Texas 20. Tailgate Rating (8/10)
#16 Michigan St @ Nebraska (-6, O/U 41) 3:30 PM ET ABC
The third of the 3:30 games to watch features Michigan St (8-1, 5-0) heading to Lincoln to take on Nebraska (7-2, 4-1). Michigan State has been on a rolling since they lost to my beloved Irish, riding a vaunted defense. Nebraska is led by workhorse running back Ameer Abdullah (7th in FBS in rushing yards) and young freshman quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. Michigan State's strength is on the defensive side of the ball with cornerback Darqueze Dennard and linebackers Max Bullough and Denicos Allen. On offense, quarterback Connor Cook has only thrown three interceptions and running back Jeremy Langford has 10 rushing touchdowns.
My Pick
If you like defense and low scoring, watch this game; I probably won't. Michigan State has one of the best, if not the best defense in the country and Nebraska loves to run the football with Abdullah and Armstrong. I think Nebraska keeps this game closer than the experts think, but Michigan State makes enough plays on offense to win. I expect both defenses to play well in this low-scoring, classic Big-10 game. Michigan State 17 Nebraska 14. Tailgate Rating: (7.7/10)
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