Black Shoe Degenerates Week 10: Taking it back to the 90s

A positive week which included two wins and a push has me going back above .500 again, with easy overs in the Navy and Pitt games. UConn, however, laid a massive egg at East Carolina, and now finds itself needing to win the rest of their games just to become bowl eligible. With a suddenly good Temple team coming to town this week, I don’t see it happening. Navy made their game respectable in the end losing by a touchdown and causing the push, but allowing 42 points in the first half rarely leads to wins. Also, LOLPitt.

The Picks

Colorado -13 vs UCLA - UCLA is in a world of hurt right now. Injuries have ravaged the Bruins so far this season, and to make matters worse, the defense is allowing 26 points a game, while Colorado is scoring 35 a game. UCLA’s defensive S&P+ ranking of 33rd paints a better story, but they’re still matched up against a Colorado offense ranked 25th. Given that the game is at home for the Buffs, I don’t see how UCLA keeps up (and given that the line is exquisitely under 14 points, it becomes even more enticing).

Nebraska +17 @ Ohio State - Urban Meyer teams tend to get better as the season goes on —a lot better, might I add. However, this specific Ohio State team isn’t particularly lighting the world on fire just yet. Nebraska went to Wisconsin’s house and played decently enough to send the game to overtime, where they lost. I don’t expect this game to be that close, but I don’t expect the Buckeyes to beat Nebraska by more than two touchdowns. Can Ohio State win by two touchdowns? Sure, but three? I don’t see it.

Oklahoma -20 @ Iowa State - Oklahoma seems to have finally found their groove, and playing a 1-win Iowa State team is just what the doctor ordered. The Cyclones have had a few close ones this season, but I don’t think they can stay with this Oklahoma team the way they’re both playing right now.

Fun Props

Let’s see how we did last week:

Penn State rushing yards: 321.5 - UNDER
Penn State passing yards allowed: 249.5 - OVER
Penn State defense interceptions: 2.5 - UNDER
Instances of announcers saying “letdown” before the game: 22.5 - I honestly didn’t count so let’s say under.

And this week:

Total punts between both teams: 14.5
Penn State sacks: 2.5
Iowa rushing yards: 171.5
Percentage of fans wearing white at the game: 33.5

Record

Last Week: 2-1-1
Season: 16-14-1