Thursday, September 25, 2008

Rod's Rejects - College Football Picks - Week #5

The ole' Reject-mobile spit out 6 duds last week - some of these guys just aren't working with me this year. The record last week was 22-6, bringing the yearly total to 115-27. Not too bad, but there have been plenty of easy games. That's about to change, though.

Plenty of good stuff to keep you interested this week. Alabama/Georgia, Tennessee/Auburn, Virginia Tech/Nebraska - lots of action.

Let's get on with it...


Around the SEC

Mississippi at Florida

Urban Myers' Toothy Crew done went and took a chunk out of the Volunteer hide last week, and they get back home to try to do the same to Houston Nutt's bunch of rebelmen. The Rebels will load the muskets and take dead aim and the Overgrown Lizards, but their hands will be shakin' too much to steady the shot. In the meantime, the Gators will be swarmin', and bitin' hard.

Rod's Reject - Mississippi


Mississippi State at LSU

Sylvester Croom's Bullpups plan to come into Baton Rouge and mess up the carpet right good with the Tigers, but they will quickly find out that ain't the smartest thing to try to do. Les Miles and the Tigers are rollin' pretty good, and will promptly get the newspaper out and swat the Dogs - pretty hard, too.

Rod's Reject - Mississippi State


Tennessee at Auburn

The oven is startin' to get hot in Knoxville, and Phil Fulmer and his Volunteers are getting out of town just in time to avoid the heat. Problem is, they get to go into the frying pan when the visit Tommy Tuberville's Tigers. The War Eagle will be a little miffed about last week's business results, and will take great joy in crankin' up the heater for ole' Fulmer.

Rod's Reject - Tennessee


Arkansas at Texas

Bobby Petrino and the Hawgs try to get their tusks back on straight so they can go bully around the Longhorns in Austin Saturday afternoon, but Mack Brown and the Big Bulls will be ready to stampede the pigs in a big way. The Razorbacks are missing a lot of teeth this year, and the Longhorns will finish knockin' out the few ones they have left.

Rod's Reject - Arkansas


Alabama at Georgia

Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide roll into a Black Night in Athens Saturday Night, hopin' to make the Blackout a short one. But Mark Richt and the Dawgs have the keys to the lightswitch, and they ain't about to let the Pachyderms turn any lights on. This one ought be well worth watchin', so if you ain't out at a game, pull up a chair and enjoy this fight.

Rod's Reject - in a close one - Alabama


Around The ACC

Virginia at Duke

Al Groh and his Sword Toters head into Durham as an underdog, and they ain't too happy about that. The Cavalier Ship is takin' on water already this season, and if they ain't careful, the Blue Devils will add to the water level. David Cutcliffe and the Blue Lucifers have sharpened up the pitchfork this year, and they will be able to add to the holes in the Virginia boat.

Rod's Reject - Virginia


Navy at Wake Forest

The Midshipmen sail into Winston-Salem Saturday afternoon with their gunnery stations aimed square at the Demon Deacons, but will all know it ain't real nice to do that to churchmen. Jim Grobe and the Deacs will dodge the initial shots fired at them, and will end the afternoon with an endzone revival that the hometown fans will be proud of.

Rod's Reject - Navy


Virginia Tech at Nebraska

Frank Beamer and the Hokey Pokes head west for a rare visit with Nebraska, and Bo Pellini will have the Corn Feds ready for the test. The Husker Nation is anxious to see some good, solid, winning football again, and may get a pretty good glimse come Saturday in Lincoln. The Hokies will make it close, but it won't be close enough.

Rod's Reject - Virginia Tech


North Carolina at Miami, Florida

The Blue Billies took a big hit last week when QB TJ Yates went out with an injury, and may take another hit from a Hurricane this week. Randy Shannon and the Big Wind still don't blow in one direction, but they are getting close. And the Big Storm will have enough gust in it this week to blow the Heels back to Chapel Hill - with a loss.

Rod's Reject - North Carolina


South Florida at NC State

Jim Leavitt and the Florida Bulls roll up to Raleigh Saturday - ready to sink their horns into the Wild Dawgs, but Tom O'Brien and his Pack Attack will be too fast for the Bulls to take dead aim on. But it won't be long before the already-wounded Pack tire out and lay down, and that will give the Bulls a chance to finish the job.

Rod's Reject - NC State


Around The Nation

Southern California at Oregon State

The Trojans head up to Beavertown for a Thursday Night clash, and Pete Carroll will certainly have his War Steeds ready for the battle. Mike Riley's Beavers used to have some pretty long teeth, but ain't quite like that anymore, and the Trojans will make sure they knock out what little teeth they have growin'.

Rod's Reject - Oregon State


TCU at Oklahoma

Bob Stoops and the Sooner Schooners pull out the Welcome Wagon for the Horned Frogs, but bad things happen to frogs when they get in the middle of the road. And things ain't gonna be any different for these frogs on Saturday. The Sooners roll - and that ain't gonna be good for TCU.

Rod's Reject - TCU


Illinois at Penn State

Ron Zook's Illini made big splashes last year - but this ain't last year, and the Jo Pa's Nittany Lions will make that point loud and clear Saturday Night in Happy Valley. Penn State will have too much offense for Illinois, though Juice Williams will keep Illinois in striking distance.

Rod's Reject - Illinois


Wisconsin at Michigan

Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines have struggled some this year, and putting together his type of offense will take some time. But there are times with things come together - and surprises are a result. Bret Bielema and the Badgers will waddle into Ann Arbor Saturday and will be ready to knock off the home team, but the Wolverines will have enough to fend them off - and pull off the upset.

Rod's Reject - Upset Special - Wisconsin


The Big Two

UAB at South Carolina

The Columbia Chicken Farm has been layin' some eggs on offense this year, and if there's a game for them to get on track, it's this Saturday against one of the worst passing defenses in the country. Lots of reasons to keep tabs on this one - can the offense finally work out the kinks? What will Stephen Garcia look like when he plays a lot of the game? Can the USC defense pitch a shutout? Neil Callaway and the Blazers come into Columbia with a dampened flame, and the G-Cocks will finish blowin' it out.

Rod's Reject - UAB


Maryland at Clemson

Ralph Friedgen and the Turtle Crew journey down to Death Valley Saturday for a Lunchtime Gig with the Tigers, and will put a scare into the Orange-clads early. The Terapins will be able to shell-shock the crowd, but it won't last too long. Tommy Bowden and His Pickens County Cats will be able to crack the turtles late in the first half, then the Terps will be on the half-shell for the rest of the afternoon.

Rod's Reject - Maryland


Other Losers


Rhode Island will lose to Boston College
Colorado will lose to Florida State
Western Kentucky will lose to Kentucky
Marshall will lose to West Virginia
Syracuse will lose to Pittsburgh
Indiana will lose to Michigan State
Northwestern will lose to Iowa
Akron will lose to Cincinnati
Houston will lose to East Carolina
Purdue will lose to Notre Dame
Stanford will lose to Washington
Minnesota will lose to Ohio State
UCLA will lose to Fresno State
Washington State will lose to Oregon
Army will lose to Texas A&M
Troy will lose to Oklahoma State
Florida International will lose to Toledo
Louisiana-Lafayette will lose to Kansas State
North Texas will lose to Rice
Kent State will lose to Ball State

Friday, September 19, 2008

Rod's Rejects - College Football Picks - Week #4

Well, the little Reject Machine punched out a 33-7 record last week, bringing the yearly total to 93-21.

How will the Gamecocks respond after last week's tough loss? How many points will the Tigers score against SC State? We'll see!

On to this week's games.

In the SEC

Vanderbilt at Mississippi

Don't look now - here come the 'Dores!! Bobby Johnson and his Ship Captains take the cruise over to Jackson where they will find a bunch of Rebels with the guns aimed right at 'em. Houston Nutt and his Mutiny Crew will be armed for a full battle assault and will do their best to shoot the Commodore Ship full of lead, and they will hit it enough to leave it bobbin' in the water. Though neither team is ranked, this will be one of the better games this weekend. It will end up being a little bit better for the Rebels.

Rod's Reject - in a slobberknocker - Vanderbilt


Georgia at Arizona State

The Georgia Dawgs pick up the scent of an angry Sun Devil this week as these two teams brawl in Tempe Saturday Night. Dennis Erickson's Dirt Devils hope to show the Dawgs the hot side of town and will be able to apply a few pokes into the Doggie Hide, but it won't be enough. Mark Richt's Bullies will have enough snap in the jowls to take the Devils down.

Rod's Reject - Arizona State


Alabama at Arkansas

Nick Saban and his Pachyderms stampede into Arkansas for a matinee tilt against a bunch of Hawgs, and Bobby Petrino will be ready to go ephalump huntin' and hopin' to bag a big trophy. The two tusked teams will rowl up a lot of dirt come Saturday, and it will take a little bit of time to see who's on top when the dust clears. The first thing you'll see standing is a bruised, wounded, but victorious Bama team.

Rod's Reject - Arkansas


Florida at Tennessee

Lots to see in this one as the Gainesville Toothy Crew wade up to Knoxville, lookin' to sink their teeth into the Knoxville Navy and the team they root for. Phil Fulmer and his Free Fighters will have all the muskets ready, but will be a little short on the ammunition. They will inflict some damage to Urban Myer's Gators, but it won't be anything more than a few nicks and dings.

Rod's Reject - Tennessee


LSU at Auburn

The Baton Rouge Felines get on the prowl as they head into the Plains Saturday for a late afternoon scrap with their Tiger kin. Lots of fur will be flying in this battle of Top 10 teams, and the last Cat standing with a life left will be the winner. Les Miles will have the Bengal Tigers ready with the claws sharpened, and Tommy Tuberville and his Cat Crew will meet them with equal resistance. Who wins - who loses?

Rod's Rejects - in a close one - LSU


In The ACC

Wake Forest at Florida State

Bobby Bowden and the Semi-holes open up the tee-pee ranch and welcome in the Jim Grobe's Preachermen in what should be a great game in Tallamahassee. The Demon Deacs will say all their prayers before the trip down, but it might not help them come Saturday afternoon. The Seminoles will be ready and will have plenty of traps laying in wait for the visitors - and the Deacs will end up on the wrong end of 'em.

Rod's Reject - Wake Forest


Virginia Tech at North Carolina

The Hokie Pokes fly down to Chapel Hill this weekend with hopes of puttin' a hurtin' on the Goats. But Butch Davis and his Blue Billies will have their horns polished and will be ready to butt the Hokie's back to Blacksburg. Frank Beamer and the Gobblers will scratch around for a while, but will come up a little empty when it counts.

Rod's Reject - Virginia Tech


East Carolina at NC State

Skip Holtz and his Sea Bandit head over to Raleigh lookin' to loot the Wolfpack Den and come out with a victory, but this ain't gonna be as easy as some might think. Tom O'Brien's Wild Dawgs have been backed into a corner and will come out fighting - but they won't have enough to skin the Pirates.

Rod's Reject - NC State


Mississippi St. at Georgia Tech

The Bulldogs stomp into Hotlanta Saturday ready to take a swat at the pesky Yellow Jackets, but will find that it's hard to smack 'em. Paul Johnson's Humble Bumbles will have their stingers ready - and the Bullies won't be fast enough to outrun 'em.

Rod's Reject - Mississippi St.


Miami, Fla at Texas A&M

Randy Shannon and his Big Wind blow into College Station Saturday, but they will find that the Aggie 12th man will be a little tougher than they think. The Aggies will hold up well, but the Hurricanes will huff and puff - and finally blow the Aggie House down.

Rod's Reject - Texas A&M


The Big Two

South Carolina State at Clemson

Death Valley will be the scene Saturday for this dog-n-cat fight and it will be worth watching - for about a half. Buddy Pough's Orangeburg Bullies will make the going hard for the Tigers, but it won't take long for Tommy Bowden and the Pickens County Felines to run the Bulldogs out of town, and won't be hurt too much in the process.

Rod's Reject - South Carolina State


Wofford at South Carolina

The Gamecocks look to put last week's tough loss to Georgia behind them, and they better do it fast because Mike Ayers and his Upstate Bulldogs will be ready to go to work. The Bulldogs average about 400 rushing per game - and will need that average Saturday to have a good chance against the Gamecocks, but I think Steve Spurrier and Ellis Johnson will have the Yard Birds ready for the upstate surge.

Rod's Reject - Wofford

Other Losers

Florida International will lose to South Florida
Florida Atlantic will lose to Minnesota
Troy will lose to Ohio State
San Jose State will lose to Stanford
SMU will lose to TCU
Eastern Michigan will lose to Maryland
Rice will lose to Texas
Army will lose to Akron
New Mexico will lose to Tulsa
Notre Dame will lose to Michigan State
Marshall will lose to Southern Miss
Wyoming will lose to BYU
Miami, Ohio will lose to Cincinnati
Ohio will lose to Northwestern
Temple will lose to Penn St.
UCF will lose to Boston College

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Rod's Rejects - College Football Picks - Week #3

Well, week #2 had more ups than downs, and a few surprises, too. East Carolina continues to shock the football world, but will it last? Clemson got back on the winning track, and the Gamecocks coughed one up at Vandy.

Last week's Rejects went 33-7. Two-week total is now 60-14.

What shockers are out there this week? We'll have to see.

On to this week's games.


In the SEC

Auburn at Mississippi State

Tommy Tuberville and his War Eagle swoop into Bulldog Country Saturday afternoon lookin' to bury a few claws into Sylvester Croom's hound hind parts. The Dogs will be able to guard the home turf - for a while. But when all is said and done, Mississippi State will have too many scratches and scars, and the Birds fly home a winner.

Rod's Reject - Mississippi State


Rice at Vanderbilt

Who'd a thunk it - Bobby Johnson's Ship Steerers have a chance to start of the 2008 season with a 3-0 record. But the Rice Owls don't give a hoot about any Commodore achievement, and will come into Nashville Saturday ready to show the Vandy crowd whooooo is boss. But they ain't gonna have enough feathers to protect themselves from the Commodore Cannons.

Rod's Reject - Rice



Middle Tennessee at Kentucky

Rick Stockstill and his MT Blue Raiders march into Kentucky Saturday, lookin' to steal the treasure from Rich Brooks and his Wildcats. The Raider Crew went undercover into Maryland last weekend and knocked off the Terrapins, but this bunch of Cats ain't gonna be as easy to steal one against. Kentucky is rebuilding a little this year, and a 2-0 start goes a long way toward putting the blocks in place for a good year. Going 3-0 sounds even better.

Rod's Reject - Middle Tennessee

UAB at Tennessee

The Volunteers return home from an opening-season loss to UCLA, aimin' to get the muskets turned in the right direction. Neil Calloway's Birmingham Blazers make a real good target and won't be able to dodge all of Phil Fulmer's ammunition. The Musket Toters make quick work of the Blazers, and won't have to use a lot of gun powder to do it.

Rod's Reject - UAB


In The ACC

California at Maryland

The Berkeley Bear Crew heads across country to Maryland for a Saturday afternoon hunt in College Park, and Ground Turtle will be on the menu. Ralph Friedgen's Terps are headin' for a long season, and the Bears are only gonna make it longer.


Rod's Reject - Maryland


Virginia at Connecticut

Al Groh's Sword Toters head up North to do battle with a bunch of Huskies, but these hounds ain't gonna be too easy to pen up. Randy Edall's Blue Hounds lost a close one last year to Virginia last year - but this ain't last year. The Cavaliers will come away from this one with some broken up swords - and a lot of hurt pride.


Rod's Reject - Virginia


Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech

The Battle of the Tech Schools takes place in Blacksburg Saturday, and the Humble Bumbles from Atlanta plan to make a big swarm attack on the Hokie host. But Frank Beamer and his bunch of Gobblers know how to shoo away such pest, and they will do so. But pest are pest for a reason - they don't go away real easily.


Rod's Reject - in a close one - Georgia Tech


Navy at Duke

The Durham Devils get another chance this week for the 2nd win of the season, and David Cutcliffe will have the Blue Pokers sharpened and ready. The Midshipman will always cause some trouble, and hope to sink Duke's hopes of having a decent season. But the Devils have a little mojo workin' this season, and they don't want the Middies to upset their plans.

Rod's Reject - Navy




National Games

Michigan at Notre Dame

Rich Rodriguez and his Wolverines head into Hail Mary Town to do work against the Irish in a battle of NON-Top 25 teams. Charlie Weis and the Irish had to hold on for a win last week to beat powerhouse San Diego State, and that was supposed to be an easy tune-up. Michigan is struggling a little, too, but will have just enough to get past Notre Dame on Saturday.


Rod's Reject - Notre Dame



Kansas at South Florida (Friday Night)

This Top 25 game takes place Friday Night down in Tampa, and Jim Leavitt's Green Toros look to have some Friday Fun by stickin' a horn in the Jayhawks. Mark Mangino and his Birds have the firepower to come out of the Sunshine State with a win, and it will look like things will work out for them for a while. But the Bulls will hang on for a close win, sending the hometown crowd home happy.

Rod's Reject - Kansas



East Carolina at Tulane


Skip Holtz and the Ship Bandits head into a stiff breeze Saturday at Tulane, and the warning flags should be flappin' when they get there. The Pirates have looted a few good teams early on, and they better make sure they don't get too happy with their treasures they've gotten because somebody may be ready to steal it back from them. Bob Toledo and the Wave will make things a little wavy for the Pirates, but these swashbucklers know how to handle the rough water, and the Pirates will end up some more goodies in their treasure chest.

Rod's Reject - Tulane



Ohio State at Southern California

The Buckeyes head west for a sure-fire slobberknocker as they set their sights on a California upset. Jim Tressel's bunch of Buckeyes will try to put a lot of dents in the Trojan's armor and will succeed - to a point. Pete Carroll and his Horse Riders will take a few shots, but will have more than enough protection on to fend off any lethal blows.

Rod's Reject - Ohio State


The Big Two

N.C. State at Clemson (Noon Kickoff)

Tom O'Brien's Raleigh Wolfpack head down to Death Valley Saturday with hopes of having big enough teeth to squeeze the life out of the Tigers. But they will get a surprise when they get there. Tommy Bowden's Felines have already lost one of their 9 lives this years, and they ain't about to lose another one - at least to N.C. State. The Tigers will put the hammer down early and often, and will make the Wild Dogs tuck tail and head back to Raleigh - without a lot of their fur intact.

Rod's Reject - N.C. State


Georgia at South Carolina (3:30 Kickoff)



Mark Richt and his Bulldogs make the short trip over to the Chicken Farm Saturday, lookin' to wring the necks of Steve Spurrier's Yard Birds. This is the first SEC game for Georgia, and fur and feathers oughta fly most of the day. This game is always worth the money, and this year won't be an exception. But the Gamecocks are a little short on the ammo side, and won't be able to scratch much against a tough Dawg Defense. The Dawgs have the bigger teeth, and that will make for a lot of feathers to be left all over the field when the final horn sounds.

Rod's Reject - South Carolina



Other Losers

Nevada will lose to Missouri
SMU will lose to Texas Tech
New Mexico State will lose to Nebraska
UCLA will lose to BYU
Purdue will lose to Oregon
Hawaii will lose to Oregon State
Syracuse will lose to Penn State
Iowa State will lose to Iowa
Stanford will lose to TCU
Temple will lose to Buffalo
Washington will lose to Oklahoma
New Mexico will lose to Arizona
Bowling Green will lose to Boise State
Utah State will lose to Utah
UNLV will lose to Arizona State
Florida Atlantic will lose to Michigan State
Western Kentucky will lose to Alabama
North Texas will lose to LSU
Samford will lose to Mississippi
Chattanooga will lose to Florida State