[Editior’s note: Lee’s been in conferences and lots of other things going on this week (or so he claims), so while he was able to pump out some picks, he only had time for a few.]
Screw all the zoning notices that I’m supposed to be working on right now. First things first…
* MINNESOTA (+27) AT OHIO STATE: The Buckeyes’ record against the spread over the past few years has been incredible. Nobody should call for OSU not to cover unless they’re pretty sure. But I think I am here. Twenty-seven is a lot to lay against a Minnesota team that can run the ball (remember OSU’s problems against the run?), and that gave Penn State everything it wanted and then some (pass interference?). I’ll (gulp) go against conventional wisdom here, taking the Gophers and the points.
* PENN STATE (-3) AT PURDUE: Purdue has no defense. Thus, this is a great place for the Nittany Lion offense to get healthy. Morelli still has plenty of fast receivers and, oh yeah, Tony Hunt. The Nits can definitely put up some points against this pitiful D. On the flip side, Purdue also has a hell of an offense. But, unlike the Boilermakers, the Lions have a hell of a defense. This oughta slow down Purdue’s offense long enough for Penn State to get ahead by more than a mere field goal.
And the “Stone Cold, Lead-Pipe Cinch, Guaranteed Pick of the Weekâ€
* SYRACUSE (+6.5) AT CINCINNATI: You know, the Bearcats haven’t let me down all year long. Every time I’ve picked them, they’ve covered the spread. You gotta love former dormats that are rising from their ashes… but Vegas thinks are still doormats. Cincinnati’s tough schedule and physical play will carry them past a depleted Syracuse squad, especially in the friendly confines of Nippert Stadium. Heck, even Pitt could run on Syracuse. The Bearcats will win by at least seven.
Also, I’ll take Pitt’s defense to give up at least 150 rushing yards to the bye week.
Bye week jokes are always fresh.
Stop and think that if Taft had not put himself in the draft as a sophomore, he might still be playing at Pitt. I felt through most of this past season that Taft’s departure was actually a plus for the panthers since it allowed Gray to develop as a better player.
All in all I left the Pete pretty impressed with the team. We have a ridiculous amount of depth and versatility. I think we will be able to push the ball a little more this year because Young, Kendall, and Cook run the floor and are excellent finishers. The guards definitely need to work on getting the ball to Gray in better position. The defense will be very good, especially if Cook can keep progressing and eventually become a lock down type of defender. Quick guards like Dominic James will still be a problem, but less so than last year. Cook gives us more size on the perimeter as well. From what I saw it looks like fans should believe the hype.
…a bit concerned, though, by your observations about our guards having difficulty getting the ball inside to Gray. I still have high hope that Fields will pick up where Krauser left off (esp. in terms of assists). So I hope you’re right, Yi, in your feeling that “the scrimmage was to highlight our young guards.”
