Weekend Picks, 7th Edition (9th Week of the Season)

Alright, we have a full slate of WAC games this weekend, all of which have at least something interesting to talk about. In fact, I would venture to say that this is the best weekend of Western Athletic Conference match ups that we have had so far this season. I am excited to watch them and talk about them! The biggest one is of course, Hawai’i at Boise State. But let’s save that one for the end. I will start with an ACC game that has an impact on Boise State and their quest for a BCS Bowl game.

Thursday, November 4 at 5:30 PM

(5-3, 3-2 ACC)
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(6-2, 4-0 ACC)



Let’s get some ACC action up in here. It’s time for your tech report. It has been a while since we discussed the Hokies and I think it is only appropriate to pick one of their games. They are sure back from the dead. How does a 6-game winning streak sound? If they beat the Yellowjackets, they will own a two game lead in their division. With that said, Georgia Tech always poses a problem with their triple threat wishbone offense. Still, the Hokies are playing at home and have been on a tear recently. They should take care of business and be well on their way to the ACC Championship game.
Prediction: Hokies 35, Yellowjackets 21

Saturday, November 6 at 1 PM

(2-6, 1-3 WAC)
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(2-6, 0-4 WAC)



The battle of the Aggies! For me, this feels like a trap game. Utah State has more talent and should win this game at home, but they are so schizophrenic that I have no idea which team is actually going to show up. After waiting to get off the bus last week at Nevada until half time, the Aggies came out and scored 42 points in the second half to make it a real game. Unfortunately, the Wolfpack scored just enough to take the victory. The Aggies from the South took care of business last week at home against San Jose State to earn their second win of the season. They still are not a very good team and shouldn’t be able to beat Utah State on the road. But then again, Utah State knows how to find ways to prove me wrong, week in and week out.
Prediction: Aggies (of Utah State) 38, Aggies (of New Mexico State) 17

Saturday, November 6 at 2 PM

(5-2, 3-1 WAC)
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(3-5, 2-2 WAC)



The battle of the Bulldogs! This is the hardest game to figure out who has the upper hand. Fresno State fancies themselves a top-tier team in the WAC and usually plays like it, and LA Tech has found itself and is playing very well. Fresno did have the week off after dispatching San Jose State two weeks ago, so I give them somewhat of an advantage there. But Louisiana Tech is at home so that should balance out, maybe even push the leverage towards the boys from Ruston. Fresno State will try and force the ground game with Robbie Rouse in the back field, and then unleash quarterback Ryan Colburn for some deep bombs or crossing routes. For LA Tech, it is all about the speed. Ross Jenkins will get the snap off as fast as his skinny little arms and legs will let him. They also have a pretty stout run defense (unless Doug Martin is the running back, of course) and Mr. Rouse may find it hard to get through the middle. These two teams are a lot closer than everybody thought they would be just a few weeks ago. Louisiana Tech plays very well at home, generally speaking and Fresno State is having a down year as far as they are concerned.
Prediction: Bulldogs (of Louisiana Tech) 35, Bulldogs (of Fresno State) 31

Saturday, November 6 at 3 PM

(7-1, 2-1 WAC)
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(4-4, 1-2 WAC)



All I have to say is that Nevada better decide to field a defense in this game if they want to win. Last week at home they allowed Utah State to come roaring back after skunking them 35-0 at half time. They ended up winning 56-42. Yeah…The Wolfpack find themselves back in the top 25 even with that performance. Colin “Bird Leg” Kaepernick played much better last week than he did at Hawai’i, and he will need to do more of the same to beat Idaho. Nevada has a hard time stopping anybody on defense, and Idaho has a decent passing offense, so this should be a high scoring affair. The Vandals are terrible on defense as well, constantly surrendering way too many points. Their offense goes as Nathan Enderle goes. He throws a lot of interceptions. They have no running game so they rely heavily on Enderle and his arm. Even with as many points as are going to be put up on the board in Moscow, I see Nevada being able to make a few stops and forcing some turnovers at key times.
Prediction: Wolfpack 42, Vandals 34

Here it is!
Saturday, November 6 at 1:30 PM

(7-2, 5-0 WAC)
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(7-0, 3-0 WAC)



The Rainbow Warriors bring their number 1 rated passing attack into Bronco Stadium to test 2nd ranked Boise State. This will easily be their stiffest since the season opener against Virginia Tech. Quarterback Bryant Moniz has developed into a cool, calm, and collected presence in the backfield and is able to find his receivers with accurate precision. The two guys in the slot, Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares are very good and incredibly difficult to tackle once they have the ball. Surprisingly, Hawai’i has also discovered a decent rushing threat with Alex Green. They don’t use him very much (unless you are Utah State, of course), but it’s enough to keep the defense guessing and free up the receivers. The Rainbow Warrior defense is coming along nicely and is very aggressive and feisty. As I have mentioned quite a few times, Boise State’s weakness is their pass defense. They rank high in the nation with it, but that is because since the Hokies, they haven’t really been tested too much. That and the defensive line has been wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks, not allowing them to have time to throw. That will be the key. Can the Bronco D-line get some pressure and claim some sacks, force bad throws for incompletions, and nab a few interceptions? And when Moniz does complete a pass to Salas or Pilares, they have to limit YAC. Tackle them the moment the ball hits their hands and you can limit the damage extensively. I am not worried about the offense. As good as Hawai’i has been playing on defense, they will not be able to stop Kellen Moore, Doug Martin, Titus Young, Austin Pettis, and the rest. Hawai’i’s only chance of winning is by outscoring Boise State. I just don’t see that happening. I think the Rainbow Warriors will be able to gain plenty of yards and score some touchdowns, but it won’t be enough. The Broncos will pressure the quarterback. Think of two years ago when Hawai’i played on The Blue; their offensive line could not keep anyone from getting in the backfield. While this O-line is better than two years ago, so is Boise State’s defensive line. The Broncos’ defense is just too good to allow Hawai’i to win this game. Like I said, I think they will gain some yards and score some points, but Boise State will make key stops and pick off Moniz a couple of times. Kellen Moore and co. will take care of the rest. I think Boise State being favored by 21 is a little much. We will see.
Prediction: Broncos 49, Rainbow Warriors 31

Saturday, November 6 at 1:30 PM

(9-0, 5-0 MWC)
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(8-0, 5-0 MWC)



This is easily the biggest game in Mountain West history. Both teams are ranked in the top 5 and the winner will have a huge leg up for getting a berth in the National Championship Game. Will they get there? It is too early to tell. I have said for a while now that I think Utah is the most overrated team in the top 25. They have not played anybody even close to good, yet they find themselves ready for another BCS Bowl match up. I feel that they belong somewhere in the 12 to 15 range in the rankings. With that said, the Utes have not lost at home since 2007 and are not going to give that up without a fight. The Horned Frogs boast a really good defense and a great offense to go along with it. Plus they have a player with the coolest name; Shaky Smithson. This game is so hard to pick. It could easily go one way or the other, with a turnover or stupid mistake changing the momentum and/or deciding the game. Number-wise, here is how the two teams stack up; TCU scores 40 points a game and give up 8. Utah scores 45 and gives up 13. Something has to give. The Horned Frogs are favored by 5 points in this game. I think that it is going to be closer than that, so in that sense it is an upset. It is just to close to call Utah winning a true upset. The point spread is important. This will be one to watch (if you can pry your eyes away from the BSU vs. Hawai’i game. Maybe just have your remote with the previous button on hand).
UPSET SPECIAL!
Prediction: Horned Frogs 21, Utes 20

Record coming into this week: 38-11

Well, there you go. I wish there was someway that TCU and Utah could both lose. There are a lot of really good games to score watch and just plain watch. Check back in tomorrow for my Weekly Player to Watch! Go Broncos!