I was able to break out of my NCAA funk last week with a huge 8-1 mark, bringing my season mark to 33-27-3 (55%). Let's keep it rolling this week with another huge mark. I experienced my worst NFL week last week going 3-3-1, dropping my season mark to 26-15-1 (63.4%). Things are starting to come together and their is a lot ball left to be played.

NCAA

(1.) Kentucky (+6.5) v. Florida

Florida is coming off a bye week after playing a spectacular game at LSU. Kentucky still seems to be getting no respect in the SEC even after knocking off the top team in the country last week. Kentucky will be amped up for the second consecutive visit to Commonwealth Stadium by an SEC powerhouse. Andre Woodson is the best QB in the country and will carry the Wildcats to second consecutive improbable win.

Pick: Kentucky by 3

Result: Florida 45, Kentucky 37 (Loss)

(2.) Ball St. (-1) at W Michigan

Ball St. stumebled a few weeks ago versus C Michigan but will not fall into that trap again. I haven't been impressed with W Michigan this season after some lofty pre-season expectations. The Cardinals have solid squad this season and should pass this big road test.

Pick: Ball St. by 9

Result: Ball St. 27, W Mich 23 (Win)

(3.) Conneticut (+3.5) v. Louisville (Fri.)

The Huskies are for real this season and Louisville can't put together back to back solid performances. Rentschler Field is one of the most imposing venues in college football today that no one ever talks about. The Huskies have played very well this season and almost pulled the road upset last at Virginia. The crownd and Louisville's inconsistency will be the major factors in this one.

Pick: UConn by 4

Result: UConn 21, Louisville 17 (Win)

(4.) Tulsa (+3) at UCF

Can UCF really bounce back after being destroyed by their in-state recruiting rivals USF last week? I don't think so, Tulsa will score at will in this one and outscore the humbled Knights.

Pick: Tulsa by 4

Result: UCF 44, Tulsa 23 (Loss)

(5.) Buffalo (+3.5) at Syracuse

Buffalo has been waiting for years to knock off in-state rival Syracuse. The Carrier Dome is far from what it used to be and this Syracuse team is really bad. Buffalo will jump on the Orange early taking the crown out of the game. Huge win for the Bulls and another blemish of the Syracuse program.

Pick: Buffalo by 3

Result: Syracuse 20, Buffalo 12 (Loss)

(6.) Tennessee (Pk) at Alabama

Talk about a rivalry, these team, schools, and states hate each other. Throw out the records, statistics, and trends in this one. Bama has really looked sub-par the majority of the season while Tennessee has gotten hot of late and shown vast improvement on defense. This will be a hard hitting battle and I'll take the talent in this one.

Pick: Tennessee by 3

Result: Alabama 41, Tennessee 17 (Loss)

(7.) S Florida (-2) at Rutgers

The Scarlet Knight crownd will be fired up for this huge Thursday Night Big East showdown. The Bulls are my squad this year and they just keep producing. With a legitmate shot at the National Title game South Florida will not let slip through ther fingers. Rutgers has not looked great this season and their two defeats came at home. The public seems to think this is a replay of Louisville travelling to Rutgers last season on a Thursday and taking their only loss. Not going to happen, Bulls in a tight one pulling away in the second half.

Pick: S Florida by 7

Result: Rutgers 30, S Florida 27 (Loss)

(Blowout of the Week) Florida Atlantic (-6.5) at LA-Lafayette

Florida Atlantic has a nice team this season and has shown steady improvement. The Cajuns were destroyed at Arkansas St. last week which should carry over to this week. Florida Atlantic still has visions of the Sun Belt title and should roll in this one.

Pick: Florida Atlantic by 19

Result: Florida ATL 39, UL-Lfy 32 (Win)

(Underdog Play of the Week) C Michigan (+17) at Clemson

Clemson, as usual, is spent. They always start off strong and fade down the stretch. Clemson has the talent to win this one by four TD's, but will under achieve and keep it close. Lack of focus, lack of intensity, and lack of leadership, same old story at Clemson.

Pick: Clemson by 6

Result: Clemson 70, C Mich 14 (Loss)

Other Games:

Texas A&M over Nebraska by 4
Air Force over Wyoming by 12
M Tenn over Arkansas St. by 10
UNLV over Colorado St. by 9
Kansas over Colorado by 12
E Carolina over NC St. by 12
Missouri over Texas Tech by 8
Purdue over Iowa by 3
SMU over Tulane by 3
Memphis over Rice by 1
Penn St. over Indiana by 14
Utah over TCU by 1
Cincinnati over Pittsburgh by 17
Maryland over Virginia by 7
N Mex St. over Idaho by 5
Ohio over Toledo by 1
Arkansas over Mississippi by 8
S Carolina over Vanderbilt by 20
Miami, OH over Temple by 9
N Mexico over SD St. by 12
Nevada over Utah St. by 5
USC over Notre Dame by 13
LSU over Auburn by 7
Michigan over Illinois by 2
NW over E Michigan by 7
Boise St. over LT by 22
Arizona over Stanford by 13
Oklahoma over Iowa St. by 38
Ohio St. over Michigan St. by 22
Oklahoma St. over Kansas St. by 4
ULM over Florida INT by 17
Houston over UAB by 11
S Miss over Marshall by 3
WV over Miss St. by 28
Kent St. over B Green by 6
Florida St. over Miami, FL by 6
Wake over Navy by 3
GT over Army by 29
Troy over N Texas by 21
Oregon over Washington by 13
Texas over Baylor by 27
Fresno St. over SJ St. by 13
Wisconsin over N Illinois by 25
UCLA over Cal by 4

NFL

(1.) Tennessee (-1) at Houston

The Titans play the Texans well and will look to bounce back from a tough loss at Tampa last week. Young might not be able to go in this one, but Fisher will find a way to win the game. A strong running game and solid defense are the keys to victory for the Titans.

Pick: Titans by 7

Result: Titans 38, Texans 36 (Win)

(2.) Minnesota (+9.5) at Dallas

The Vikings will keep this one close. Dallas was humbled by the Patroits last week and will have their hands full with the Vikings. Minnesota can stop the run and can run the ball. Dallas is a good team, but they are not great. The Vikings are an easy team to beat but very difficult to blowout.

Pick: Cowboys by 4

Result: Cowboys 24, Vikings 14 (Loss)

(3.) Detroit (-1.5) v. Tampa Bay

The Lions have been playing great at home and a fresh off a bye week. Martz has has two weeks to prepare for Kiffin's complex defense and Garcia is due for a poor showing. The Lions jump on Tampa early and the home crowd carries them to victory.

Pick: Lions by 8

Result: Lions 23, Bucs 16 (Win)

(Blowout of the Week) New Orleans (-9) v. Atlanta

Petrino is batlling Cameron for the worst coach coach in the League. The Falcons have turned the ball over to Leftwich for the remainder of the season and should turn the ball over to Saints as well. The Saints may have finally broken out of thier slump and who better than the Falcons to help that continue.

Pick: Saints by 14

Result: Saints 22, Falcons 16 (Loss)

(Upset Special) San Francisco (+9) at NY Giants

The Niners are set for a big game in this one coming off a much needed bye week. Gore should finally get back on track and the return of Davis should spark the offense. The Giants are due for a letdown and will struggles against a vastly improved Niners defense. Stunner of the week.

Pick: Niners by 6

Result: Giants 33, Niners 15 (Loss)

(Over 39.5) St. Louis at Seattle

The Rams always play the Hawks strong and these two are usually involved in shootouts. The Hawks have struggled on offense but the Rams should remedt that. Bulger returns and the Rams should be able to score

Result: Points -- 39 Seahawks 33, Rams 6 (Loss)

(Over 38.5) Pittsburgh at Denver

The Broncos really need this game and should be fired up for Sunday Night football. This one will be testy and have more offense than expected.

Result: Points -- 59 Broncos 31, Steelers 28 (Win)

Other Games

Washington over Arizona by 4....closer than you think
Seatlle over St. Louis by 9....shootout in Seattle
Kansas City over Oakland by 11...LJ is back to form
Denver over Pittsburgh by 7...the Broncos season is on the line
Jacksonville over Indianapolis by 6...The Jags play the Colts well
New England over Miami by 10...the Dolphins play the Pats tight
Baltimore over Buffalo by 6...defensive battle
NY Jets over Cincinnati by 7...Lewis will be fired soon
Chicago over Philadelphia by 3...have the Bears really fallen this far?