GC COLLEGE PICK’EM WEEK TWELVE

Nick de la Torre

1. Florida-South Carolina: It’s looking more and more like Skyler Mornhinweg will be the starting quarterback this Saturday night in Columbia. That doesn’t bode well for a Florida team that doesn’t have much to play for as they square off against a dangerous Gamecock squad who will use Mike Davis as a battering ram against a defense that has given up more than 138 rushing yards a game since Dominique Easley’s season ending injury. Gamecocks win big.

2. Stanford-USC: The Trojans have been playing inspired football since Lane Kiffin was left on the tarmac. Unfortunately, inspired football doesn’t move the ball against that punishing Stanford defense.

3. Texas Tech-Baylor: Baylor is averaging almost 70 points a game and the fighting Red Raiders of Texas Tech won’t be able to stop Art Briles’ bunch. If you like offense you might want to set this game to record. Vegas has the O/U of this game at 84.5 and these two teams could easily hit that.

4. MSU-Nebraska: The Cornhuskers have taken the last five games in this series but I’m sticking with Sparty’s defense here. Michigan State in a close one.

5. UGA-Auburn: Gus Malzahn has the Tigers playing some great football right now and they enter this matchup with Georgia favored by 3.5 points. I don’t see it. Todd Gurley showed the nation that he was back with his performance against Florida and an Auburn defense that gives up 156.8 rushing yards a game won’t be able to slow him down. Georgia is still playing for their SEC Championship lives and they will come away one step closer after a win this week.

Andrew Spivey

Georgia and Auburn will be a close game and I also think the Duke/Miami game will be closer than many expect. I wish I could pick Florida to end the losing streak but I just can’t do it right now.

Daniel DK Thompson

It’s amazing how close we all are throughout the season. I have USC beating Florida by 16+ points; I have Auburn beating Georgia, although I think it could go easily Georgia’s way; Duke will hang tight with Miami, but Miami will win by 14+; and UCLA will squeak by Washington.

Seth Puglio

Big 12 has some great games this weekend. Texas seems to be resurgent but I’ll stick by the Cowboys as they head to Austin. Baylor and Texas Tech should put on an offensive showcase that’ll be a lot of fun to watch. I think Stanford has to be careful as they take on USC and avoid a letdown after last week’s big win over Oregon.

Richard Johnson

I’ll take Duke in a little upset special action this weekend. They’re a three point home underdog to the visiting Miami Hurricanes. Both teams are 7-2, I feel way better about Duke’s 7-2 than Miami’s. I think the Canes are a fraudulent top-25 team, a program still on the rise that’s gotten some big breaks on their way to a 7-0 start. The fairy tale ended in Tallahassee two weeks ago and the nightmare continued last weekend in the rain against Virginia Tech. If Duke quarterback Anthony Boone can take care of the football (seven interceptions in two games) the Blue Devils should be able to get this done. I’m counting on some boneheaded mistakes from Miami signal caller Stephen Morris and no Duke Johnson to make things difficult for Miami to get anything done offensively.

David Shepard

Most interesting game for me is UGA and Auburn.  I picked UGA because I think they have more talent, but Auburn is one of those teams that seem to meet each challenge.  Been here at GC for 14 years and done lots of these pick’em type deals.  First time I have ever not picked the Gators.