Football Picks Week 8

Colts +3 @ Broncos

The Colts take their undefeated record into Mile High this week to take on a defensive oriented Broncos team.

Who makes the Broncos the favorite in this game? When was the last time the Broncos beat the Colts? Ok, yes they beat them back in 2004 but let’s not forget that the Colt’s starters played that game as a preseason game basically and were out after the first series. Let’s also not forget that the next week the Colts beat them by 25 in the playoffs. Yes, this isn’t the same Colts team as in 2004 but they are still a Peyton Manning run Colts team. The offense isn’t clicking as usual but you can tell it’s on the verge. Yes, the Broncos defense is one of the best in the NFL. They have only given up 2 TD’s all year but let’s not forget their offense isn’t very good. So what says the Colts put 2 to 3 TD’s on the board, the Broncos won’t be able to keep up. Their offense is no good and they are relying on their defense too much.

Look for the Colts offense to take over in this one and the Broncos won’t be able to respond. Take the Colts!


Jaguars @ Eagles -6

This week the Jags of Jacksonville travel to take on an Eagles team that has lost two in a row. The Eagles are looking to right the ship this week.

Back to back weeks the Eagles have lost on last second field goals. One good thing to take out of that is both of those games were on the road. If those games were home games for the Eagles, those losses would have never happened. One reason for the losses would be the lack of pressure on the QB. The first 5 games they averaged almost 5 sacks a game. But the last two losses they have only averaged one! McNabb actually looked human last week throwing more INTs against the Buccs than he had thrown all year. The Eagles will right the ship this week against the Jags at home. The Jags have an ailing Leftwich again so who knows if he is even going to play or not. Even if he does, he will not be at 100%. And remember last year when he struggled or was hurt, his defense would step up. Well, this year, the defense is nothing like it was and look for McNabb to pick them apart.

Look for the Eagles to beat up on the already beaten up Jags.


Illinois @ Wisconsin -22

We are willing to lay over the 3 touchdowns because Wisconsin is that good and Illinois is that bad. Illinois has not played anyone on the road except for Rutgers and when they were blasted 33-0 back in week 2.

While Illinois has struggled Wisconsin has been laying low under the radar because Ohio State and Michigan have been the talk of the Big Ten. All the Badgers have done is beat every team by at least 14 except for the road loss at Michigan.

Stocco has gotten the job done and the offensive line has been up to standards leading a very well balanced team to a very productive season. Does anyone know that PJ Hill is leading the Big Ten in rushing? No he does not play for Illinois, he is the outstanding freshman running back of the Badgers.

Take the Badgers this weekend.


Arizona/Green Bay OVER 44

Has Green Bay turned the season around? Can the Cardinals get off the mat after letting the Bears beat them twice?

Good questions but here are some facts. Green Bay is dead last in total defense, dead last in passing defense and is pretty decent against the run. The Cardinals can't run the ball; they are the worst rushing offense in the NFL.

2 + 2 = 4. Arizona will throw the ball and in case you have not noticed, Brett has played solid the past two weeks. Take the over!


Air Force @ BYU –7.5

The Falcons of Air Force take on the Cougars of BYU this week in a MT West Shootout.

BYU is another team that is on fire this year. After starting the year 1-2, they have won 4 in a row and won them easily by an average of nearly 32 ppg! They are totally dominating people. The scary thing is they are beating teams through the air as well as on the ground. Teams can no longer focus on the main facet of BYU’s offense. Before, if you stopped their main threat, the team laid down, but this year if you stop one, the other facet erupts. Some people think the option attack of Air Force will throw BYU’s defense for a loop but it always helps when one of your coaches, especially your head coach knows how to defend an option attack. BYU should continue it’s winning ways this week against Air Force.

Take BYU this week. Some trends to think about. The straight up winner in this series is 18-1 ATS. BYU is 6-0-1 ATS this year.


Texas/Texas Tech OVER 55

Texas has some injury issues on the defensive side starting with DT Derek Lokey, broken leg against Nebraska, linebacker Robert Killebrew has a banged up knee, linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy might not play, and defensive backs Tarrell Brown, Marcus Griffin, and Michael Griffin are all nicked up. And they just won an emotional game at Nebraska and now must try to contain Texas Tech, OUCH!

Texas Tech has been inconsistent on offense but should be able to score on the banged up and emotionally spent longhorns. Texas has too much talent on offense to be held down so we expect the trend of high scoring games to continue, these teams have averaged 76 points a game the past 4 years.


Wisconsin/Illinois OVER 46

The Fighting Illinois travel to Wisconsin this week to take on the Badgers.

The Wisconsin Badgers may be one of the hottest teams in college football and nobody is talking about them. It’s hard to get noticed when you are in the same conference as Ohio St. and Michigan. Never the less, the Badgers are no easy out. For the past few weeks, their totals have been rather low, low being in the 40's. The last few times it has been in the 40's, Wisconsin has almost covered the OVER on their own putting up 52, 41, and 48. Last week they put up a measly 24 points so look for them to rebound this week. Illinois is no slouch either. They should be good for 2 touchdowns, which will be more than enough for this OVER to be hit.

Take the OVER. Wisconsin should score at least 40 on their own.


Dallas/Carolina OVER 41

The switch has been made and the season is in doubt in Big D. Isn't this time we should take the under and the favorite? No and No. We will stay away from the side but the points will fly over the total because Romo will either be spectacular or a bust, either way the points will come from his decisions.

Carolina will be able to score points and Jake sometimes is too confident so perhaps the Dallas defense will be able to put up a score or two. Romo will be able to hurt the Panthers defense because they will be over confident and he really is the answer for Dallas. Or Romo will struggle against the tough Panther defense and you will see points out of the Panther defense and short fields for the Carolina Offense.

Either way the over is the play.