Not all who wander are lost...

 
PIGSKIN PICKS - OCTOBER 5, 2002

OK, OK, OK. I'm an idiot. I read the schedule wrong and thought the Ducks were playing Arizona last week. In reality, they are playing each other this week, so I only really picked four games last week. I went 2-2 and almost got the upset out of Kentucky, so I'm not all that bummed. On to this week...

OREGON - ARIZONA: I'll take the Ducks, but in their first road game of the season against a Wildcat team coming out of Madison bloodied, this one could be interesting. It's tough to win in the desrt, but Oregon should have enough to survive. (Yes, this prediction looks very familiar).

NOTRE DAME - STANFORD: My theory here is that Tyrone Willingham should know every weakness of the Cardinal, since he recruited every single one of them. That, and a week off for the Irish to prepare should help the Domers. One potential dilemna... I turned 27 this past week, and for my birthday, my parents shipped my old Notre Dame chair to me all the way from California. Needless to say, I am stoked to have my "Game-Watching" chair back, but what happens if I sit in that bad boy tomorrow, and the Irish lose. Talk about jinxing myself. Would I ever want to sit in the chair again??? I think the Irish will roll and my rear will be safely planted in that chair for weeks to come.

GEORGIA - ALABAMA: In my book, Georgia is the most overrated team in America. I think Alabama slams them as the Tide do their best ther rest of the season to spite the NCAA for slapping them with probation. Kudos to Coach Franchione for keeping the kids motivated and playing well.

USC - WASHINGTON STATE: Dominant O versus dominant D. Should be a great game. Do Gesser and Crew return to national spotlight and saddle up for a run at the Pac 10 title, or do they flounder? With the game in Pullman, I'll bet on the Cougs.

UPSET SPECIAL: Three games really jump out at me this week for their upset potential. Colorado over Kansas State... not usually an upset, but K-State is rankled #15 and the Buffs are un-ranked. Ole Miss over Florida... Eli Manning at home finally delivers big performance in game of national consequence. But the game I will make my wager on is Cal - Washington. The game is in Seattle, so it will be tough for the Bears, but these guys can score points. Even though they lost last week to Wazzu, they still hung 38 points on the board. Don't get me wrong, UW is good. Heck, if they hadn't gift-wrapped a game to Michigan, they would be undefeated. But they also don't score points in droves. Can they throw 40 or 50 on the board if they really have to??? I think Cal out-guns them.

Fins Up!
posted by Sean McMahon at 2:00 PM