Week 6 Precap

Well, it's time for picks 'n' stuff. Let's get it on.

Missouri vs. Nebraska

Tough game to call, as both teams are putting together good seasons so far, but both teams seem like they might be vulnerable. And this is a Thursday night game, which means that both teams are out of their usual routine, making the unlikely much less so. For old-time's sake, I'll pick Nebraska.

Alabama vs. Ole Miss

For Ole-time's sake, I'll pick Alabama. Oh, and I'm also picking them because they are much better than Ole Miss.

Florida vs. LSU

Considering Florida's receivers were playing with 100+ degree temperatures and vomiting in between plays just so they would help Florida squeak out games against such legendary powers as Charleston Southern and Troy, does anyone really think Tebow is not going to play in Florida's biggest game so far this year? I have the feeling doctors would "clear him to play" even if he was bleeding out of the ears and thought he was Stan Musial.

You may find yourself arguing back, "That was the flu, this is a concussion. Concussions are different!" And I agree, they are very different. That was a virus, this is his his frickin' brain, for goodness sake. But here's what I see: several Florida players were out on the field playing when they clearly shouldn't have been. And that was against teams that the Gators would have annihilated anyway. Clearly, even if you shouldn't play, you are going to play, even when you are not needed. And this is a game where, one might expect, all of Florida's best players are going to be needed.

Anyway, of all of Tim Tebow's abilities, I have the feeling that the last one the coaches are worried about is his cognitive brain function. Tebow may be ready to play on Saturday. But even if Tebow shouldn't play (which, if I am right, neither I nor anyone else outside of the Florida football program will know about), I predict he will play. Which means that Tebow still runs people over head-first and Florida wins.

Auburn vs. Arkansas

I am on the record as saying that I am not quite ready to laud the accomplishments of Auburn. If they win this, then I'll be ready to say that they are a team to be reckoned with in the SEC West race. I think they will do that very thing.

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin

This one doesn't generate quite the excitement of the SEC battles, but this is a big game for establishing the early Big Ten pecking order. Wisconsin is 5-0 and Ohio State is 4-1. And everyone is particularly interested to see if Wisconsin is good, or if their success is a result of their schedule. However, Wisconsin has better wins than Ohio State, posting victories over Fresno State and Minnesota. Ohio State's best win so far this year may be Navy, but they have slammed the door on their last three opponents, allowing only 14 points against their last three games—all of them against Indiana.

As I have repeatedly mentioned, I am an Ohio State fan. As I have also repeatedly mentioned, this means I have trouble judging them objectively. With that said, I think that Ohio State has enough skill and depth along the defensive line to keep Wisconsin's running game largely in check for four quarters, and get some pressure on their quarterback on the passing downs. My concerns about Ohio State's chances generally revolve around the offense, especially in the passing game. Pryor still looks tentative in the pocket, though the pocket generally doesn't remain there for very long. And now Ohio State is down a couple of offensive linemen due to injury and influenza, making things even thinner up front. And Wisconsin always plays Ohio State tough. However, I'll just defer to Vegas and pick Ohio State. I assume they're favored. They are favored, right? If Wisconsin is favored, then I'll defer to Vegas and pick Wisconsin.

Michigan vs. Iowa

Again, a tough one to judge. Iowa looked lackadaisacal against Arkansas State, but I have the feeling they stopped paying attention early, knowing that Michigan was coming. Michigan, on the other hand, has not had a chance to get lackadaisical since their opener against Western Michigan. They got conked for a loss last week and I would imagine that they aren't all that happy right now. Honestly, they did well to even get back in the game, because they were stymied on the ground for most of it.

Tate Forcier is decidedly the real deal. The rest of the team does not inspire confidence. Iowa has its ups and downs, but they keep finishing their games with the only score that really matters: 1-0 in wins vs. losses. I predict that the Hawkeyes will finish with that same score against Michigan.