College Football Week 9

Halloween weekend brings a slate of games that can be compared to "Trick or Treat" in the afternoon or every "Scream" movie; below average despite what you have heard. The most important games this weekend feature spreads around a TD and you would not be incorrect to assume that the SEC West is on a bye week. This is a good Saturday night to watch the World Series, Hockey Night in Canada, or go to a Halloween party. This might even be a good Saturday to go to Pittsburgh for the Pitt/Louisville homecoming game, on second thought maybe that statement is going too far. Louisville @ Pittsburgh (-9.5): Each week at illbefrank we try to pick the important games, but this week we are making an exception for this game as some of our most dedicated readers are headed to this game and making it a weekend, so we are picking it for them. Both teams are 4-3 and have been playing better recently as Pittsburgh is 2-0 in conference, while L'Ville is 1-1 coming off a shutout of UConn. First year L'Ville coach Charlie Strong will need that same type of defensive performance as Pittsburgh will feature a ground game led by Ray Graham (7.6 yds/carry), who has turned Dion Lewis (4.5 yds/carry) into a change of pace back. It is hard to believe that Pitt can give over 9 points when their most impressive win is over Syracuse, but that sums up the state of this basketball conference. Speaking of basketball my lasting L'Ville memories in Pittsburgh are when L'Ville (G) DeJaun Wheat led the underdog Cardinals to within 1 game of the Final Four on a bad ankle in the Civic Arena (aka the coldest basketball venue ever). For our dedicated readers we will go with Pitt to win the game and L'Ville to cover the 9 and a hook for DeJuan Wheat. Michigan State @ Iowa (-6.5): Two teams that we have been high on all year battle this weekend in the last game Mich. St. will be an underdog in this year. Both teams have solid defenses and conservative offense's led by QB's who could switch jerseys and no one would know the difference. This game should be tight and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has displayed recent clock management skills I have only ever seen from Andy Reid. Iowa's defense has also allowed games to get close late and has been unable to get the big stop, while Mich. St. showed an ability to hang tough after failing behind last week @NW. I had this line at Iowa -3 before I saw the spread and Mich. St. just reinstating CB Chris Rucker one day after his release from jail is a move only a team that thinks big would pull making Mich. St. and the points the play. Florida vs. Georgia (-2.5) in Jacksonville: What has been more disappointing this season the play of the SEC East and these two teams in particular or the feeling you got from watching "The Situation" this season on the Miami edition of Jersey Shore? Both leave you repeating the phrase "What happened" and leave you with alternate feelings of being scared and feeling bad for everyone involved. Both teams are still in contention for taking a beating in the SEC title game and Georgia (WR) A.J. Green vs. UF (CB) Janoris Jenkins is a NFL matchup. I was hoping to bring back ties for this game and any game where you expect a tie is a good opportunity to take the points. Utah (-7) @ Air Force: For my money the best game of the day, Utah is a veteran team that should give TCU a game in November, but Air Force on the road will not be easy as the Utah defense has not faced a ground game as versatile as Air Force's. Air Force (RB's) Asher Clark and Jared Tew combine with (QB) Tim Jefferson, who is averaging 5.8 yds/carry, to form an offense that gave Oklahoma all they could handle earlier this season. I love trends and 12 of the past 13 times these two teams played the game has been decided by 10 points or less. Air Force will need their defense to play the best game of their season and the home field should help that happen making Air Force and the points the play. Missouri @ Nebraska (-7.5): Missouri's defense held up remarkably well last week in the upset win over Oklahoma and comes into this game giving up an average of 13.6 pts/game. The defensive confidence from last week will be much needed against a Nebraska offense that found their Mojo last week vs. Oklahoma State. Missouri LB/SS Andrew Gachkar will be given the responsibility of shadowing Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez and this matchup will go a long way in determining the game's outcome. Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert could insert his name in the Heisman conversation with a 2-0 mark vs. OK and Nebraska, which he is capable of doing if his offensive line can hold up this week as well as last week. I don't see that on the road this week making Nebraska the play. Oregon (-7) @ USC: The Ducks have been the most dominate team in college football this year with their basketball on grass offense. (QB) Darron Thomas and (RB) LaMichael James (7.2 yds/carry) led an offense that has worn down defenses by the fourth quarter of games this season. That is going to be a big problem for a USC team that has depth problems due to the Pete Carroll era. Oregon's closest game all season was an 11 point road victory @ Arizona State and I don't see that changing this week even if USC is referring to this game as their bowl game. Stanford (-7) @ Washington: Both teams started the season with Heisman hopeful QB's and ideas of contending for the Pac 10 title. Stanford is the only team left with those hopes and that will be reinforced Saturday.