On to my picks for college football week 14. On the season I have been correct 64% (12-5 last week) of the games I have picked. I'll also have a feature where I provide the result of a simulation of each game in NCAA Football 2008. Let me say this: I do not promote gambling in any way. The following is simply my opinions on the upcoming weekend's football games. Think of it as you may...

Thursday


    
Matchup: Rutgers at Louisville, 7:30 pm ESPN
Spread: Louisville -2.5
Eisentower's pick: Louisville -2.5
Why: Louisville is as inconsistent as Frank TV at making me laugh. Sometimes they are unbeatable, sometimes they don't even play defense and get outscored by 255 points. The 'Ville is 1-7 against the spread (on grass) this season. But I went to their team's website and went back as far as it goes statistically (to 2001) in search of one thing. They have NEVER lost 3 games in a row dating back at least that far. And it got me thinking, why should that change now? Coming off 2 straight losses to two decent teams, they face Rutgers. Rutgers has their own interesting stat to support my pick. This season, the Scarlet Knights have won 3, then lost 2, won 2, then lose 2, and won 2 again. So while we are on the topic of trends. They should probably lose this game. This is a meaningless game. No conference championship or BCS contention to fight for. Just a good old-fashioned football game. The run (Ray Rice) vs. the pass (Brian Brohm). I see Brian Brohm establishing himself as a top 10 pick for the draft with this game.
NCAA Football 2008 Simulation Result: Louisville 37, Rutgers 21
Predicted Score: Louisville 45 Rutgers 27
Confidence: out of 5 National Championship trophies


Saturday


    
Matchup: Army vs. Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, 12:00 pm CBS
Spread: Navy -14
Eisentower's pick: Navy -14
Why: I don't care how much of a rivalry this is. At the end of the day, all it is really is is a mismatch. The Navy run attack is a monster and Army hasn't shown any signs of being able to stop something like it. I don't see this being a good game at all once the jets fly overhead and the national anthem is sung. I've been in awe of Navy's abilities all season. I can't see myself picking against them. Also, Navy is 43-20 against the spread against teams with a losing record since 1992. Even though 14 points is a lot in a rivalry game, I'll say Navy will squeak over the line.
NCAA Football 2008 Simulation Result: Army 30, Navy 27
Predicted Score: Navy 41 Army 24
Confidence: out of 5 NCT's


   
Matchup: Virginia Tech vs. Boston College, Alltel Stadium, 1:00 pm ABC
Spread: Virginia Tech -4.5
Eisentower's pick: Virginia Tech -4.5
Why: The Hokies only lost to BC during the regular season because of a fluke onside kick followed by an absurdly lucky pass. BC is in a tailspin compared to the way they've played most of the season. They've won 2 of their last 4. They beat Clemson by 3 and a dead as dirt Miami team by 14. I'm thinking Matt Ryan is starting to feel the wear and tear of playing so many tough games. But hey, it's the ACC Championship. Benefit of the doubt, right? Wrong. I was expecting VTech to be favored a touchdown or even more. They are the far superior team. They are the hot team right now, outscoring opponents 144-59 in the 4 games since their joke loss to BC. Do you smell revenge? I'm going to the Orange Bowl on January 3rd and I'd much rather see the Hokies, so that also plays a role. P.S.- Virginia Tech is 31-9 against the spread when favored 3.5-10 points over the past 2 years.
NCAA Football 2008 Simulation Result: Virginia Tech 62 Boston College 43
Predicted Score: Virginia Tech 24 Boston College 17
Confidence:   out of 5 NCT's


  
Matchup: LSU vs. Tennessee, Georgia Dome, 4:00 pm CBS
Spread: LSU -7.5
Eisentower30's pick: Tennessee +7.5
Why: Fact- LSU plays big games close. Fact- LSU has only beaten 1 ranked SEC opponent by more than 7 (South Carolina by 12). Fact- Les Miles is drooling over the Michigan job opening. Fact- Tennessee is hotter than LSU right now (5 wins in a row). Fact- Erik Ainge is better than Matt Flynn (rumored to be injured) + Ryan Perriloux. Getting annoyed? Fact- LSU is 3-11 against the spread in the past 2 seasons against the SEC. Myth- LSU will win this game.
NCAA Football 2008 Simulation Result: LSU 50 Tennessee 33
Predicted Score: Tennessee 31 LSU 24 (in OT. Hey, Les Miles said it best, "Nobody has beaten us in regulation")
Confidence:             out of 5 NCT's
 

   
Matchup: UCLA at USC, 4:40 pm ABC
Spread: USC -20
Eisentower30's pick: UCLA +20
Why: 20 points is a lot in a rivalry game and USC isn't playing for a national title anymore. But the only way they can win the Pac-10 and go to the Rose Bowl is if they win or Arizona St. loses along with them. Don't expect USC to take their chances. They may just blow UCLA out of the water, but it's still a rivalry game and UCLA could finish the season 6-3 in the Pac-10 with a win. They surely don't want to end the season at 6-6. The Golden Bears have a lot to fight for themselves. I don't expect them to come away with an upset here, but I also don't see them getting blown out. I wouldn't be totally surprised if they did, though. Also, UCLA is 8-1 against the spread as an underdog over the past 2 seasons. That's why I only give it 1 NCT.
NCAA Football 2008 Simulation Result: USC 61 UCLA 10
Predicted Score: USC 27 UCLA 17
Confidence: out of 5 NCT's


   
Matchup: Pittsburgh at West Virginia, 7:45 pm ESPN
Spread: West Virginia -28
Eisentower30's pick: West Virginia -28
Why: The Backyard Brawl. Ahhh, the most wonderful rivalry nickname in sports. Who will win this year? There are two sides to this argument. a) Pitt has been anticipating this game all year and will play their little hearts out and easily cover the 28 points or b) West Virginia is going to make a statement. Pittsburgh owns this series 59-37-3, which may come as a surprise to some. But that's only because most of us weren't around when Pitt was the dominant force they are so far from these days. The past two years, WVU has outscored Pitt 90-37, but I don't like to look at past games too much. It's this year. Not last year. Not 20 years ago. I'll go with the talent, the need, the speed (yes, I'm aware of the Top Gun alliteration), the intimidation, and the crowd. 28 is A LOT of points in a rivalry game as storied as this one, but I'll take my chances. To me, the only way Pitt has any chance of covering is if Pat White goes down in the 1st quarter.
NCAA Football 2008 Simulation Result: West Virginia 42 Pittsburgh 35
Predicted Score: West Virginia 52 Pittsburgh 17
Confidence:          out of 5 NCT's


   
Matchup: Arizona at Arizona State, 8:00 pm ESPN2
Spread: Arizona St. -6.5 (new line as of 11:00 am Thursday, ASU -7)
Eisentower30's pick: Arizona St. -6.5
Why: ASU always seems to get killed by USC. Yet, they must be so accustomed to it by now that it doesn't really phase them anymore. Arizona is one of those we're-out-to-get-you programs this year, but I'll give the Sun Devils the benefit of the doubt coming off the loss. They do still have a season to save. 10-2 sounds a whole lot better than 9-3. Plus, i love 6.5 spreads. So, I ask myself the question. Can ASU beat Arizona by a touchdown. Yes, indeedy.
NCAA Football 2008 Simulation Result: Arizona St. 28 Arizona 21
Predicted Score: Arizona St. 34 Arizona 24
Confidence:        out of 5 NCT's


                
        
Matchup: Oklahoma vs, Missouri, Alamodome, 8:00 pm ABC
Spread: Oklahoma -3
Eisentower30's pick: Oklahoma -3
Why: Missouri is a great, feel good story. But it has run its course. They are facing a behemoth. The line should tell you enough. The #1 team in the nation is a 3-point underdog to the #9 team. 1 win away from Mizzou football immortality. Whether they win a national championship or not, just getting there will make good television. Although Chase Daniels and Co. will tell you that this is the most important game, instead of the next one, I'm pretty sure I know what's going through the players' heads. Not many people would call a conference championship a trap game, but there is no way they aren't thinking about that crystal football. Oklahoma, on the other hand, with 1 loss has been working their tails off to get to this point. THEY NEED this, whereas Mizzou wants it. It's revenge for Mizzou and business for Oklahoma. DeMarco Murray is as sick as freshmen tailbacks get (alongside Miami's Cooper) and he is out for the rest of the season. But that won't stop Allen Patrick from running all over this Mizzou team who may be looking ahead even in the midst of their first conference title since the Civil War, or something like that. Sam Bradford isn't that much worse than Chase Daniels anyway. Keep in mind Bob Stoops has never lost to Gary Pinkel. Another #1 takes the plunge.
NCAA Football 2008 Simulation Result: Oklahoma 33 Missouri 28
Predicted Score: Oklahoma 49 Missouri 42
Confidence:   out of 5 NCT's


      
Matchup: Washington at Hawaii, 11:30 pm ESPN2
Spread: Hawaii -14
Eisentower30's pick: Hawaii -14
Why: Can they stay undefeated with a victory against Washington? Of course. But will they beat them by at least two touchdowns? Without a doubt. Is Colt Brennan a Heisman winner if only his school would schedule some real competition? Yup. Jake Locker is a freshman phenom, but he isn't ready to go to Hawaii and turn this into a game. I mean, you don't actually think this game has no meaning to Hawaii do you? Finish the season the only undefeated team in 1-A. That means a whole lot. Not to mention Colt Brennan has one more shot to pump his stats and dish out reasons why he should be the Heisman. Expect your typical Hawaii beatdown.
NCAA Football 2008 Simulation Result: Hawaii 56 Washington 14
Predicted Score: Hawaii 49 Washington 28
Confidence: out of 5 NCT's



Bonus NFL Pick: Green Bay +7 at Dallas