Pumpin' for Thursday: Week 6

Kentucky at South Carolina (-3.5), Over/Under 57.5

Vegas Algebra says: South Carolina 30.5, Kentucky 27

Thoughts: By far the most intriguing Thursday game so far. South Carolina and Kentucky are both atop the SEC East and both have one impressive win (Georgia and Louisville respectively). Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson is getting Heisman consideration but Steve Spurrier is 14-0 against Kentucky.

Suggestions: For the past five weeks this site has been crunching numbers and paying attention to facts like Spurrier's record against Kentucky and South Carolina's Top 25 Defense. And PFT is slipping, therefore I am gonna pick this game solely on feel. Kentucky FEELS like a team of destiny and its rare you get a chance to pick a Top Ten team AND get 3.5 points. It's Thursday and Steve Spurrier's involved so the OVER sounds like a good bet here too.

Mike Patrick, "Leave Britney Alone"

I've said before on this blog that Mike Patrick is a perfect college football announcer when he isn't paired with blowhards who go off tangent. Well I think he thought he was at a Duke blowout of Florida State with Dick Vitale instead of an overtime SEC game.



Also...a pretty good ending to a football game.

Because I Promised It!

DeSean Jackson's 77 Yard Punt Return vs. Tennessee

Pumpin for Thursday: Week 1

(Each Thursday I will make my spread prediction for the ESPN Thursday Night Game which I give weekly to my friend Josh
for his sportsbook account. As for you...all picks are for entertainment purposes only. You can't sue me to recover loss wagers)

LSU (-18) at Mississippi State (over/under 45.5)



Vegas Algebra says: LSU 31.75, Mississippi State 13.75



My thoughts: How is this NOT a three touchdown spread? I kind of count on betting against new quarterbacks giving up 20+ points to win you money early on in this and get us all excited. As is I gotta think.

No way in hell Mississippi State is scoring more than 10 points in this game. They probably won’t even get in the end zone. Sylvester Croom is on the hot seat and will probably coach more aggressively than he should. LSU should get at least one defensive touchdown and a couple offensive ones. I like them at least 31 to 3.



Suggestion: Give up the 18 points, because it should be more. Go under because it’s the first game of the year and these defenses are both going to be way ahead of the offenses.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #1 LSU

Throughout this top 25, I have featured teams with explosive running attacks, talented passing games and stout attacking defenses. To win a National Championship in 2007 a team will need all of these ingredients. It would also help if they “hosted” the championship game itself. Ladies and Gentlemen the most complete team in the country and The Pride and The Pageantry’s Projected Postseason National Champion the LSU Tigers!

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 14-0 Beat Texas in BCS National Championship Game

Who they’ll beat: Mississippi State (Road), Virginia Tech (Home), Middle Tennessee (Home), South Carolina (Home), Tulane (Road), Florida (Home), Kentucky (Road), Auburn (Home), Alabama (Road), Louisiana Tech (Home), Mississippi (Road), Arkansas (Home), Florida (Atlanta, GA)

Who’ll beat them: None

When they Pass: Just because JaMarcus Russell is now almost in the NFL, doesn’t mean the Bayou Bengals are lost at quarterback. Fifth-year Senior Matt Mauck lead LSU to a romp over Miami in the 2005 Peach Bowl. Now he will lead the Tigers throwing to Early Doucet and Brandon Lafell

When they Run: Les (Fewer) Miles will continue to use a committee approach to the running back position. The offensive line should be the SEC’s best.
When their Opponents Run: Very few teams will have success getting anything pass Glenn Dorsey and this defensive line. All three linebackers return as well.

When their Opponents Pass: Both corners from the nation’s 3rd ranked passing defense return for their senior year. Jonathan Zenon and Chevis Jackson will be shutting down a lot of the SEC’s best receivers.

When they Kick: The third Colt, Colt David returns as LSU’s kicker. David was solid if not often used going 8 for 13 on field goal attempts.

When they call Timeout: Les Miles has been talking A LOT. About his team, and others and other conferences. Former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini leads the defense which is year in year out among the nation’s best. Les Miles can do a lot in 2007 to make Baton Rouge forget Nick Saban forever.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #6 Florida

Nobody outside of Gainesville can say they saw Florida’s thrashing of Ohio State in last year’s BCS National Championship Game coming. So is this the beginning of a new dynastic cycle in Gainesville? With all the hyper surrounding Tim Tebow and the love affair between him and Gator Nation, it is a little lofty to expect him, in his first year as the primary quarterback to take the Gators through the SEC and back to the National Championship. Its also a little lofty to expect LSU to turn the ball over five times again. There are other first time starters besides Teabow so while talent isn’t a question, experience is.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 12-2 Beat Georgia Tech in Orange Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Western Kentucky (Home), Troy (Home), Tennessee (Home), Mississippi (Road), Auburn (Home), Kentucky (Road), Georgia (Jacksonville, FL), Vanderbilt (Home), South Carolina (Road), Florida Atlantic (Home), Florida State (Home), Georgia Tech (Miami, FL)

Who’ll beat them: LSU (Road), LSU (Atlanta, GA)

When they Pass: Tim Tebow goes from “go in there take the snap and run left” to “lead Coach Meyer’s offense to another SEC championship”. It’s a task which will seem menial in Tebow’s second or third year leading the offense, herculean in the first.

When they Run: In Meyer’s spread option offense, true tailbacks like Ketsahn Moore or utilized less in favor of athletes like Percy Harvin and freshman Cameron Newton who will take over Tebow’s short yardage “run left” duties.

When their Opponents Run: Brandon Spikes replaces Brandon Siler as the teams middle linebacker and rah rah leader. The rest of the front seven is very green.

When their Opponents Pass: The defenses lone returning starter is strong safety Tony Joiner.

When they Kick: Joey Ijjas kicked a 60 yard field goal in Florida’s spring game.

When they call Timeout: Meyer is a visionary and seems to be winning the recruiting war in the state of Florida. For this reason a lot of teams will be “gator bait” for years to come. This is however a rebuilding year, but even in a rebuilding year, Meyer can outcoach anyone and make up for a lack of experience on the field itself.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #17 Tennessee

There are plenty of programs that would love to have the kind of year-in year-out success the Phillip Fulmer and the Tennessee Volunteers have had including the first BCS National Championship following the 1998 season. However 1998 was also the last time Tennessee won the SEC and a pair of 8-10 win seasons, barring the disastrous 2005 5-6 campaign that most at Rocky Top would like to call a Mulligan, have grown weary on Rocky Top. I can’t guarantee that things will be any sweeter in Tennessee this season as tough games in conference and out of conference face the Vols in the first two months of the season. Another season in the middle of the SEC East may get fans thinking Phillip Fulmer’s time as Head coach may be coming to an end.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat Iowa in Capital One Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Southern Miss (Home), Arkansas State (Home), Georgia (Home), Mississippi State (Road), South Carolina (Home), Louisiana-Lafayette (Home), Arkansas (Home), Vanderbilt (Home), Kentucky (Road)

Who’ll beat them: California (Road), Florida (Road), Alabama (Road),

When they Pass: Erik Ainge takes the torch from Chris Leak as the player who it seems has been playing college football for ten years even though its only been four. He only wishes his receivers were half as experienced. Robert Meachem and the rest of the receiving corps are gone leaving no receiver with more than 14 receptions in 2006 on the roster.

When they Run: LaMarcus Coker heads a Running Back committee but he is suspended indefinitely (ganja), Arian Foster should get the start in Berkeley when the Volunteers test themselves Week 1.

When their Opponents Run: While the loss of Justin Harrell is lessened in significance because he was rendered ineffective with a torn bicep, this unit ranked 72nd nationally against the run. The linebacker unit is one of the best in the nation and there is depth where there is almost none up front. This is why the scuttlebutt around the Vols program is about making the switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4.

When their Opponents Pass: Safety Jonathan Hefney leads a secondary that has loads of potential he’ll be asked to cover a lot of mistakes by first time starters in the brutal September Tennessee has scheduled.

When they Kick: Britton Colquitt is the latest of the first family of Tennessee punting. He’ll also be doing the kicking on field goals and kickoffs. Is there such thing as an “Ironman Kicker”? If not there should be.

When they call Timeout: Fulmer is a fine coach and with the exception of 2005 has kept Tennessee in the upper echelon of college football. But when Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama are going all-in with coaching coups, it gets harder and harder to justify standing pat as 1998 gets farther and farther away. OC David Cutcliffe would seem like a natural heir if Fulmer and Tennessee tire of each other it’s just a matter of how many Conference USA jobs can he turn down.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #23 Vanderbilt

Every year it seems one of the country’s brainiest institutions joins the upper echelon of college football usually populated by large state schools. Last year Wake Forest took everyone by surprise all the way to a berth in the Orange Bowl. While Vanderbilt hasn’t had a winning season since 1982, this is the most talented Commodore team since then and it has the pieces in place to surprise some teams in the SEC who widely regard the Commies as a punch line.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat Florida State in Music City Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Richmond (Home), Alabama (Home), Mississippi (Home), Eastern Michigan (Home), Georgia (Home), South Carolina (Road), Miami OH (Home), Kentucky (Home), Wake Forest (Home), Florida State (Nashville, TN)

Who’ll beat them: Auburn (Road), Florida (Road), Tennessee (Road)

When they Pass: Quarterback Chris Nickson filled in admirably for All-Everything Commodore Jay Cutler. He was helped by the future All-Time SEC leader in receptions Earl Bennett. Nickson and Bennett should be even more prolific in their second year together and are something for the Commies to get excited about.



When they Run: The running game was a focal point of spring practice and Vandy looks to be taking a duo approach between Jeff Jennings and Cassen Jackson-Garrison.

When their Opponents Run: The defensive line is a work in progress by linebacker Jonathan Goff is a potential First Round NFL Draft Pick.

When their Opponents Pass: Three of four starters return on the secondary which will attempt to avoid the big play against the powers of the SEC.

When they Kick: Kicker Bryan Hahnfeldt has been inconsistent throughout his career.

When they call Timeout: Bobby Johnson may be best known for his no-profanity policy in practices but he is doing a respectable job in one of the most disadvantageous of situations, being the nerd in the league of jocks. The Commodores managed to keep games close against some of the SEC’s best in 2006 and with a little bit more experience on their side, they could see a lot more wins and possibly a bowl berth.