The Picker: Raging against the mainstream
BY Staff Reports
Thursday, September 06, 2012
9/06/12 at 8:51 AM
Out Pick the Picker: Pick college and
NFL games against
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In the spirit of the debate season brought to prominence by politics, here are four good arguments that go against the mainstream.
1. Dump the spread offense.
This outdated attack is the equivalent of the wishbone and is filling the NFL practice squad rosters with noodle-arm quarterbacks.
Chief among the reasons for getting rid of the spread are as follows: No power running game is possible. It sucks all the good players to the offensive side and leaves defenses looking feeble like West Virginia's or Oregon's.
Look at the top teams: Alabama, USC, LSU. That's football. The spread is for mild-mannered teams that will never win a national championship.
2. The Game Day ritual on ESPN is worse than the Sports Illustrated cover jinx.
Actually there is no jinx involved, just a lack of judgment.
Last week, ESPN featured Michigan-Alabama, which was over after the first series.
This week it is worse: Florida at Texas A&M.
Neither will wind up in the top 20.
Why aren't ESPN's bad actors in Columbia for Georgia at Missouri?
3. Give the neon uniforms to charity.
Whatever happened to class?
Tradition is defined as consistent excellence.
How many national champs have wardrobes that appear to have been designed by the first one to be voted off Project Runway?
None.
The kids do love the multiple uniform looks. The kids also love skipping class, lighting up and beer.
4. Don't let senior quarterbacks audition for the pros.
Remember when the Michigan quarterback was unstoppable while running?
Suddenly with the NFL up next, he's a drop back heaver.
Remember when Landry Jones went to California to study the quick step?
The only senior quarterbacks who run the ball are headed for careers in the private sector.
Picks
OSU (-13 1/2) at Arizona: So what if O-State's quarterback is a freshman. Arizona's defense is like a high school team, so the new guy should feel right at home.
Most of the issues here concern football-related items: Somebody said it's possible a major college game like this might not be on television here. If true, somebody is a cheapskate.
We'd sooner hold a blocking dummy than listen to a game on radio.
Another mystery concerns the OSU defensive co-coordinator who is missing another game, allegedly due to health issues.
He's probably the team MVP.
OSU by 10.
Tulane at Tulsa (-25): The TU coaching staff seems to have gotten a pass from the media regarding two costly decisions: TU was said to have practiced a little for Tulane before Iowa State. And before the half versus the Cyclones, some wacky play-calling handed over a field goal.
All losses cost TU fans.
Still, winning the conference is better than beating a Big 12 afterthought: barely. Winning both works best.
TU by 28.
Auburn at Mississippi State (-3 1/2): Malzahn leaves Auburn for Arkansas State.
Pretty much sums up the SEC gauntlet.
State by 3.
Florida at Texas A&M (-2): Shadow-boxers, they're shadows of their former selves, as these two are far better known for their former coaches instead of who's there now.
Could be the last time the Aggies are seen in public until they play in the Shreveport bowl in 2022.
Aggies by 3.
Purdue at Notre Dame (-14 1/2): How seriously is Notre Dame to be taken?
Solid foes still wink when discussing Irish.
ND by 14.
Rice at Kansas (-9 1/2): Talk about a coach off the charts. KU's Weis: New England to Notre Dame to Florida to KU.
Off the charts south.
KU by 9.
Miami (Fla.) at Kansas State (-7): Miami college, pro teams all wet.
K-State's quarterback a poor man's Tebow.
K-State by 4.
Nebraska (-4) at UCLA: Nebraska's quarterback is another of those auditioning for the NFL, was hot first week.
UCLA's cheerleaders dominate.
Nebraska by 3.
Georgia (-3) at Missouri: Looks like OU, Georgia the most overrated.
With the nasty conference switch, this has become a game like any other for Missouri.
Home team by 3.
Iowa State at Iowa (-3 1/2): For inside track to Petunia Bowl.
Iowa by 3.
Sunday
Steelers at Denver (-1 1/2): Manning looks like he's at a costume party.
Steelers by 3.
Buffalo at the Jets (-3): These two plus Miami are all New England has to roll over to hit playoffs.
"Tebow" chants begin in warmup.
Jets by 6.
Atlanta (-2 1/2) at KC: Can an opener be a must-win? Feels like it for locals.
Somebody said, seriously, one or more of the replacement refs worked the Lingerie Football League.
KC by 3.
St. Louis at Detroit (-7 1/2): Sooner Sam versus defender Suh?
Whatever you do, Sam, do it fast.
Detroit by 13.
Monday
Cincy at Baltimore (-6): First of two dog games to get Monday Night Football off to a sleepy start.
Does Ray Lewis have grandkids?
Baltimore by 7.
San Diego (-1 1/2) at the Raiders: Norv Turner, Carson Palmer, Chris Berman. There's a trio to nod off to.
SD by 4.
Original Print Headline: Raging against mainstream views
Out Pick the Picker: Pick college and NFL games against the Picker this season. New games are posted each Monday at noon.
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