2013-10-31 07:30

Just a short one this week.

First news: Carl Pelini, the Headcoach of Florida Atlantic did resign.
It looks like he and one of his assistants was seen using illegal drugs and confronted with such accusations he resigned.
The drugs are named as pot.
Hmmm.
I'm not sure this is the complete story, since IF this is the complete story, it's a lame one.
Resigning because of someone saw you smoking pot (on a concert by the way)?
No police involved and no further evidence?
I can understand that a University don't want to defend illegal drug use, sure.
But one joint? Isn’t this a bit of a kneejerk reaction?

And on the other hand ... Why did Pelini DO this?
As public figure of the University you just don't do such things.
(Of cause people still DO it, because they are still human beings, which are .... emotional and irrational)

Second News: It's gameday 10, which means for most teams they have only 5 or less games left to turn the season around or to put the icing on the cake.
For many teams the BIG games are coming up and I'm sure we will see a few teams fall from graces in the next few weeks.
Most divisions and conferences are wide open and in college football sometimes it only needs one great day by an opponent or one bad week by your own team to turn the season into a mess.

Now let's have a look at the BLOCK OF GRANITE TOP GAMES FOR WEEK 10

Saturday, November 2 8:00 PM ET
#7 Miami @ #3 Florida State
Probably the preview of the ACC championship game.
I'm not 100% sold on that, because of one reason.
Miami did not play as dominant as expected in the past few weeks.
They almost fell to North Carolina and Wake Forest.
They have not played the next in line waiting Virginia Tech so far.
That will be next week. Virginia Tech can win this and then will probably VT meet the Seminoles.
FSU is the favourite in this game, they are not only higher ranked, they also play at home.
Officially both teams will do the "just a regular game" routine, but this will be heated up by players, coaches and the press.
Expect a hot game, but expect also a one dimensional one.
Only chance for Miami is to come out 150% or having FSU out of synch.
I doubt that, I pick the Seminoles.

Saturday, November 2 7:00 PM ET
Tennessee @ #9 Missouri
Now, what should I here?
Pick Mizzou and have them lose, or pick against them to let them win? LOL.
Let's get the facts: The Vols are 4-4 in total and 1-3 in SEC games.
That one win was against South Carolina, at home.
Mizzou is 7-1 with 3-1 in SEC games.
That one loss was at home against South Carolina.
I think that loss did help them to GET it.
Lose and the dream starts to vanish quicker than saying "Championship game".
I think they will not lose a second time at home.
The Vols?
They got last week their Crimson Tide packages on the road and do have to travel AGAIN.
I don't think they will be ready as they could be.
Mizzou will win (oh dear, I did it)

Saturday, November 2 7:00 PM ET
#18 Oklahoma State @ #15 Texas Tech
The Red Raiders lost to the Sooners in Norman last week.
Oklahoma State did win all games, excepts that loss against West Virginia.
Both teams are in position to take stay in the Big 12 race.
The loser will probably be out of competition.
This is a tough one.
On paper the Red Raiders are the favourites.
But I doubt it.
They played some good games, but I think their Cinderella season started to crumble last week and it will continue this week.
They won't get blasted by the Cowboys like the last few seasons, but I doubt they will score enough points to stay in the game until the final whistle blows.
I pick the Cowboys, for two reasons:
First: They are a quite mature team under Gundy. Texas Tech is not such a team.
Second: Texas Tech is turnover prone and you can't be such a team against the top teams in your league.
Oklahoma State wins.

Saturday, November 2 3:30 PM ET
#21 Michigan @ #22 Michigan State
The day of truth for both teams.
The Wolverines did enter the season as one of the biggest favourites for the Big 10 Championship game. They division games were meant to be only warm-ups expect the Ohio State game.
On the first look, with 6-1 and 2-1 in Big 10 games they look at least OK. But they did play poorly in a lot of games this season and did only survive by luck or by being still a strong team, stronger than a MAC team or an AAC team.
Now they face the leading team in their division.
The Spartans are also a bit surprising to be still on top, but since they won all games except the Notre Dame game, they deserve it.
They have a very good defense, which will give the Wolverine some problems and they do also have some offense.
Enough?
Not sure.
I'm leaning towards Michigan, but the home field advantage and the poor games this season do not let me finalize on such a pick.
So I pick Michigan State.
I think it will be an open game and chances are good for both teams to win this.
But at the end I'm counting on the Spartans home crowd and a bit more defense then Michigan can bring up.

Saturday, November 2 12:00 PM ET
#24 Wisconsin @ Iowa
I'm 100% I will regret picking on that game.
I hate picking Hawkeyes games.
If you think they will suck, they win, If you expect wins, they lose.
This game is (as always) a hard one.
Wisconsin is a good team.
Let them play the Hawkeyes 100 times, they will win most of them. I'm sure.
Iowa on the other hand will win SOME.
So, what will happen?
Wisconsin has a joker in this game. They had a bye week, last gameday.
So here comes a RESTED Badgers team.
I pick the Badgers, hoping and expecting a close game.

Friday, November 1 2013 9:00 PM ET
USC @ Oregon State
Hey, a Friday game.
Oregon State hosts the interims coached Trojans and this might get funny.
USC did hit the fun button, after they let their former coach go and they won 2-1 games so far since then.
They face an Oregon State team which I capable of winning, even if they lost last week against Stanford.
Many expected an upset in that game, but the Beavers fell short.
But USC is no Stanford, and I think this will be some kind of fight back game for Oregon State.
I'm looking for a high scoring game with some happy Beavers players at the end.

‘Til next time
Jack6 on BLOCK OF GRANITE

Tags: Block of Granite