Week 6! HUUUUGE Week

From what I can tell, most of the GTB Mafia had a nice Friday afternoon. Danimal had enough time to post his picks by mid-afternoon and the Teej met with Marls for Happy Hour drinks. Me? Since you asked, well, mine wasn't spectacular. No, I spent it disciplining children and helping run a lacrosse practice (I know NOTHING about lacrosse). The result of all this is a hastily composed summary of my weekend picks. By the way, thanks to Rob for the Saturday evening jinx last week. A possible 3-0 weekend quickly turned into a 1-1-1 weekend. It beats 1-2 though. Barely.

Nebraska at Michigan State -6.5
The Spartans are, in my opinion, easily the best team in the Big Ten. That's not saying a lot, I know. Still, despite Sparty's early season loss to Oregon I believe they're still one of the nation's top teams as well as one of it's most balanced. Gone is the team with a dominant defense that propped up an average to below average offense. This year's team scored points in bunches while still managing to choke opposing offenses to death with their physical style of play. Nebraska is undefeated but hasn't been impressive in most of their wins including a narrow escape against McNeese State and a primetime Saturday night home win over an average Miami squad. Sparty. Big.

Alabama -4.5 at Ole Miss
Gameday is making their first ever trip to Oxford which, of course, means it's first ever trip to The Grove. The Grove is legendary and the scene tomorrow should be an all timer. The bourbon will be flowing, snobby white people will be dressed in their finest and then they'll go to the game and watch Alabama mercilessly take them apart. Alabama has played in dozens of these big games under Saban. This is the biggest one Hugh Freeze or anybody else on the Rebel sideline has ever been a part of. I think the Ole Miss defense keeps it close early before Dr. Bo Wallace does what Bo does (turn it over in spurts). Things will quickly go south from there and Bama cruises in the 2nd half. Roll Tide.

Baylor -14.5 at Texas
I know, I know. Three favorites isn't exactly "sharp" betting. Oh well, go against me. Honestly it's probably not a bad idea given my current run. Anyway, Texas is a mess. They're down 10 players since the beginning of the season including a starting QB and two starting Offensive Linemen. Baylor, on the other hand, is an offensive wrecking ball. An offensive wrecking ball that Texas players repeatedly disrespected this week in the press. If Baylor gets up early they're going to pour it on all night. Give me. Bryce Petty and the Bears.


Onto Danimal's picks.
Oklahoma -4 at TCU
I’ll probably kick myself for this. Why? Because I’ve deleted my original thoughts and TCU pick and have switched it to the Sooners. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is picking TCU in this. Their defense this. Their defense that. Yada yada yada. They’ve allowed 21 points. Yeah, that’s pretty good. But it was against Samford and Minnesota. You know what I say to that right? B F D. That’s right. Big freaking deal! Oooh, and they shut out SMU. Whoopdee Doo! Who hasn’t? I’ll tell you who hasn’t? North Texas and Texas A&M who each gave ‘em 6 out of sympathy. That’s who. Did you guys see Oklahoma handle the ‘Eers in Motown? I sure did. QB Trevor Knight is nothing to write home about I readily admit, completing less than 60% of his passes, but that’s all he’ll need with his O Line and running backs carrying the load. Screw you TCU.
'Homa

Florida +2.5 at Tennessee

Florida is a team whose stock is steadily dropping under Muschamp. Their past strength, defense, has become their Achilles, allowing 72 points in the last two games. They hung with ‘Bama for a couple of quarters thanks to a few turnovers converted to TD’s and sloppy play by the Tide. They also gave up 645 yards, the most in school history. QB Driskel is weak to very weak. Tennessee on the other hand is on the way up, playing at home as a 2-2 squad who had Georgia beat last week on the road. Tennessee is starving for that big win and their first against the Gators in 8 years or so. I think they can taste it. It’s palpable. I think the Vols win this handily in Knoxville.
Volunteers





Texas A&M +2.5 at Mississippi State
 Another of our many, too many in my opinion, stellar matchups this weekend with two undefeateds. Mississippi State is coming off a bye week and their ginormous win at LSU the week prior when Phenom Dak Prescott (Dak?) introduced himself to the world as well as the Heisman Committee. If it weren’t for the week off, I’d probably predict a big letdown after 7 days of hearing how great they are. If's and buts, candy and nuts. A&M too is coming off a big-boy comeback on the road against the Razorbacks. I’m going to guess that took a lot out of those fellas, physically and mentally. Danny Boy Mullen has got it going on down there in Starke Vegas with his boys a true contendah in the SEC West. They’ll take advantage of the Arkansas film and throw the kitchen sink and then some at Mr. Hill.
Mississippi State