Free College Football Picks Week 14 – 2007

After a tough go around in Week 13, I’m looking for a perfect final week of the College Football pre-bowl season. Enjoy the picks, and make that money! Some conference championships, and the chance to play for all the marbles. Huevos grande!

LUCKY LESTER’S Free NCAA Football Picks

Free Picks: Week 14

Virginia Tech Hokies (-4.5) @ Boston College Eagles:
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)

Last time around, the Eagles escaped Virginia Tech by the hair on Matt Ryan’s chinny chin, chin. This time, they won’t be so lucky. The Hokies have to be irked that they somehow crumbled in the final few minutes to lose a game on a deep Matt Ryan touchdown pass to his running back across his body on the opposite side of the field. Virginia Tech dominated that game, and they weren’t even playing as well as they are now. Sean Glennon has been playing inspired football, and the Tech defense is right on cue. Amazingly, these two ACC teams are almost identical. Both are 10-2 SU, 6-5 ATS. 6-1 at home, 4-1 on the road, each team scores 29 a game, and both are 6-5 O/U on the season. Virginia Tech allows less points per game defensively, and that should give them the nod in this game.

Tulsa Golden Hurricane @ Central Florida Knights (-7.5):
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)

This Conference USA Championship shouldn’t have much impact on any big Bowl games, but the Central Florida Knights and Tulsa Golden Hurricane are two teams that have put together an impressive conference run and second half of the season. One thing that is difficult about this game; it’s always hard to beat a good team twice in a season. But I think Central will walk away with this win. Both teams have 5 game winning streaks (CF is on a 6 game streak) and both have put up big points along the way. The difference is, Central Florida is winning big and Tulsa has been eeking out close games. Last time these two teams played, Central dominated the game by smashing a rushing attack right down the throats of Tulsa’s defense. The Knights rushed for 170 more yards than the Hurricane. I like that trend to continue in the C-USA finale.

Army Black Knights @ Navy Midshipmen (-14):
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)

Two touchdowns is a lot in a rivalry game, but historically, the Midshipmen are used to embarrassing Army’s Black Knights. Last year, the final score was just 26-14, as Army covered the 19 point spread in a Navy win. But in the few years prior to that, this game has been a joke. Navy outscored Army by at least 19 points in every single game from 2002 – 2005. And most of them haven’t been that close. This season, Army couldn’t stop the run if their lives depended on it, as they’ve been outrushed by 100+ yards in 6 of the last 10 games, and they’ve been outrushed by nearly 1,200 yards over the last 6 games. On the other hand, the Midshipmen have been a rushing dynamo, outrushing every team they’ve gone up against in the last 10 contests. They’ve had 195 more rushing yards than their opponents in 5 games this season. They may not pass much, but against Army, they won’t have to. Easy game to call.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (+7.5) @ Nevada Wolfpack:
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)

The Wolfpack have made a living out of losing close games this season. They lost to San Jose State 24-27 last week. A week before that it was 26-28 against undefeated Hawaii. Earlier in the year it was a 67-69 overtime loss to a very good Boise State team. Fresno State beat them 41-49. And they lost ot Northwestern 31-36. Their only bad loss came to Nebraska, and that was before the Cornhuskers started to suck. Louisiana Tech has had a tough loss or two as well, including a one point overtime loss to Hawaii earlier in the season. But lately, they’ve been piling up wins (3 of their last 4) and they have a chance to get Bowl eligible against Nevada. If anything, that will keep this game close, and taking a fairly equal dog with just over a touchdown, I like my chances.

Oregon State Beavers (pk) @ Oregon Ducks:
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)

The Ducks were Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart. Now they are trying to rely squarely on Stewarts shoulders with Dixon and Dixon’s backup out for this rivalry game against the Beavers. Honestly, the Ducks defense is bad, and offensively they don’t have the confidence at quarterback nor the speed and athleticism to keep defenses honest. The Beavers have won 4 of their last 5 after starting the season slowly. They were expected to compete at the top of the Pac 10 this season before too many road bumps early in the year. I really like their stud running back, Yevenson Bernard. That guy is a beast that keeps on rolling along, and I think he’ll have a huge game against a defense that really doesn’t tackle all that well. Oregon’s on the line, and the Beavers should come out on top on the road. However, something to be aware of, the home team has won each of the last 10 meetings between these programs. But that’s history, and the streak has to end some time.

Free College Football Picks Week 14 2005

If USC Loses… Right.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m always a strong believer in a chance to dethrone the kings of college football, but there is no way Reggie Bush allows his California squad to go down to the “other” Cali team. Plus, I really don’t want the Trojans to lose and find themselves in the National Championship game anyway. That would really chap my balls. I’m going for my third winning week in as many tries. 9-0 would be nice, but I’ll settle for 8-1… 7-2? That’s my last offer.

Louisville Cardinals (-15) @ Connecticut Huskies – This would be one hell of a basketball game. Unfortunately the football teams aren’t as evenly matched. Louisville should slaughter the Huskies in this one. Louisville didn’t go undefeated as many experts predicted, but they’re still a solid team. I expect this game to be a blowout. The fact that Connecticut can put together a winning season makes me wonder why the Blue Devils of Duke can’t improve. It’s a mystery to me.

UCLA Bruins @ USC Trojans (-20) – Something tells me that UCLA starting linebackers won’t be telling everyone that Maurice Drew is a better running back than Reggie Bush after the game on Saturday. Do you really need to say stupid shit like that to get Reggie more excited to play football? Not to dog Maurice, he’s a very good back, but Reggie Bush is the most dominate college football player I’ve ever watched. He’s amazing. He is steps ahead of everyone. He always breaks tackles, and his vision is stellar. Did I mention his speed? He has “faster than everyone else” speed. A game breaker. The game breaker. The Trojans will walk to an undefeated regular season.

Colorado Buffaloes (+28) @ Texas Longhorns – I think the Longhorns will win this game on way to play the Trojans in the National Championship game, but it won’t come as easy as 4 touchdowns. With everyone in the Nation questioning who Texas would play in the Title game if USC loses to UCLA, it is possible that the Longhorns will be looking ahead as well… for one half of football. The Horns will pull away with Vince Young leading the way in the second half, but the Buffo’s will give Texas a run for their money.

LSU @ Georgia (+1.5) – This game should be a defensive show. The Bulldogs are basically at home in the Georgia Dome, so I have to give them the upper hand. Don’t count out the Tigers though, they’ve played like warriors all year long. This is a team that has thrived in the face of adversity. Possibly one of the years’ best sports stories. Take DJ Shockley’s Bulldogs to out last the JaMarcus Russell’s Tigers in a thriller.

Tulsa Golden Hurricanes @ Central Florida Golden Nights (-1) – Steven Moffett has passed for nearly 2,500 yards on the year while tossing 18 touchdown to only 6 interceptions for South Florida. Kevin Smith looks to eclipse the 100 yard mark in Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes. Brandon Marshall and Mike Walker combine to make the best 1-2 receiving punch in Conference USA. Each will most likely eclipse 1000 yards on the season, while both will come dangerously close to 10 touchdowns. Look for South Florida’s offensive playmaking ability to outlast the Hurricanes. George O’Leary’s return to college football has been incredible, as he’s turned around South Florida’s losing ways. Look for O’Leary to continue his triumph.

West Virginia (-10) @ South Florida – Although this game is almost meaningless to the Mountaineers, as they’ve secured a BCS Bowl Bid, no game is meaningless in college football. It’s about pride. You play for your school, your teammates, your coaches, and yourself. And for all those people, you play to win football games. With their only loss coming to the Virginia Tech Hokies, the Mountaineers will show they’re worthy of their BCS Bowl game by taking down South Florida in a bashing.

San Diego State Aztecs @ Hawaii Warriors (-3) – Hawaii is better than their record shows. Second to Notre Dame, the Warriors have played one of college football’s toughest records. Losses to USC, Michigan State, Fresno State, Boise State, and Wisconsin riddle their record with losses. But they’ve played tough all year. Colton Brennan has passed for nearly 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. The Warriors will shred an Aztec defensive unit that is known to give up points.

Navy Midshipmen (-6) @ Army Cadets – I usually always take the underdogs in these rivalry battles, but the Midshipmen are that much better than Army. Close losses to Stanford, Maryland, Rutgers, and Notre Dame have taken the Midshipmen to 6-4, but they’re a much better team because of their tough schedule. Navy should blow the Cadets out of the water in this military mismatch.

Florida State Seminoles @ Virginia Tech (-14) – The Hokies are going to kill the Seminoles because they are a much better team than FSU. FSU has shown their weaknesses in past weeks and Virginia Tech will exploit them. Marcus Vick needs to step up in the final month of this season if he wants to head to the NFL in the early part of the 2006 draft. He’s a Vick. He’s wanted. An extra year would be great for Marcus, but if you can go, go… right? Look for the Seminoles to lose their 3rd straight game. The Seminoles obviously don’t play well when something is on the line or they would have won one or two of the last three. Tech won’t let FSU steal their spot in a BCS Bowl Game.