Paul's Picks

Let's make this quick as I have to pick up my daughter from school.
I am now 15-18 for the season, which stinks. Here are the picks for this week:
Georgia Tech at CLEMSON (-5)
The Yellow Jackets pulled off an unusual sweep of an opponent last season by beating Clemson in the regular season and in the ACC title game. These two squads will not be meeting in December this year and this game will decide if the Tigers can beat coach Paul Johnson, who has now won 3 straight close games against them while at Tech. Game should be competitive and I will take the points. Pick: Georgia Tech +5
Michigan State (-6) at NORTHWESTERN
This is an awful scheduling spot for the undefeated Spartans as they are well overdue for a let-down following the late, crazy win over Notre Dame on 9/18, their head coach's heart attack that evening, the upset of Wisconsin on 10/2, the beating of Michigan 10/9 and then homecoming last week with the coach returning. That is a lot for kids. Add in the Northwestern spread attack, which is quite different than the one the Illini threw at them last week, and the reality that Iowa awaits them next Saturday, and Sparty should be in trouble against a game bunch of Cats. Pick: Northwestern +6
Syracuse at WEST VIRGINIA (-13.5)
While I love the effort the Orange give, they are not yet ready to handle a supremely athletic team on the road. The Schwartzwalder Trophy remains the property of the Mountaineers for a ninth straight year thanks to Geno Smith, Noel Devine, Jock Sanders, and company. Pick: West Virginia -13.5
Oklahoma (-3) at MISSOURI
The Sooners own this series, winning 19 of the past 20. And we are not talking about Barry Switzer running it up against an undermanned Tigers bunch a generation ago, but ranked Mizzou teams from 2006, 2007 (twice), and 2008 losing to Oklahoma by double digits. Yes no. 1 has fallen two Saturdays in a row, but the Sooners learned that lesson and will be focused. Pick: Oklahoma -3
Nebraska (-6) at OKLAHOMA STATE
I will give the Cowboys credit for one thing. Like Missouri this weekend, Oklahoma State has chosen this tough conference opponent as its homecoming foe. That takes balls my friends. But, it will not produce wins. Like Missouri, OSU has not beaten anyone even remotely sniffing the top 25 at the moment. And the Huskers are a bit angry after last week's loss. Plus the Nebraska seniors remember when the Cowboys rung up 45 points on them in 2007, the last time these two programs squared off. The Huskers will have their revenge and Oklahoma State's slide into Big 12 also ran status begins tomorrow. Pick: Nebraska -6
Alabama (-16.5) at TENNESSEE
Turn away children. Turn away. Pick: Alabama -16.5