College FB and NFL Pick 'Em!

We're going to subject you to some extra pontification this week and give you a shot of college football bowl game pick 'em along with our NFL picks. Lucky you!

Let's start it off with the BCS games.

BCS National Championship - Texas v. Alabama

Loren - Texas. What I refer to as the BS National Championship, at least until a playoff system is instituted, should be a grand example of why the current system is broken. Yes, both of these teams are good, but neither is a juggernaut and there will be plenty of teams out there thinking they could have had a shot against them. Great offense versus great defense is rarely a formula for a great game and this will likely be no different, but I expect Texas will have enough firepower to pull this one out.

Derek - Alabama. I thought Texas might be the team to beat all year long, until I watched the Big 12 Championship game. The Longhorns O looked terrible, sure Nebraska has a good D but so does Alabama. I could see this game being a blowout.

Rose Bowl - Ohio St v. Oregon

Loren - Oregon. Honestly, if I didn't take Oregon I would probably have reason to fear for my life, but I'm not just taking them to preserve my health. Oregon's offense has come together and really is a juggernaut. Meanwhile, Ohio St is...unmemorable. Seriously, when was the last time Ohio St had a team with the same record yet was so underwhelming? If Oregon is smart, they'll blitz the hell out of Pryor, especially considering the mobility issues with his knee.

Derek - Oregon. Like there's a chance I wouldn't take'em. Ohio State gets beat by speed, Oregon has more speed than Ohio State has seen since the 07 championship game. Oregon's O is nothing like OSU has seen since the 07 championship game. OSU has a megar O. Does any of thise add up to a Buckeye victory? No.

Sugar Bowl - Cincinnati v. Florida

Loren - Florida. I'm not buying the hype that Florida will be too distracted and won't bring their A game, and you can bet Tebow will do his best to make sure that doesn't happen. He's already lost a shot at another national title so he'll come into the game determined to salvage the season and go out a winner. Cincy has enough speed on both sides of the ball to stay competetive though, and this is one of the games I'm most looking forward to.

Derek - Florida. The Gators are just a better team, they play well in big games and should simply overwhelm the Bearcats. Cincy is a good story but it's unraveling for them with the Kelly departure. Gators big.

Fiesta Bowl - Boise St. v. TCU

Loren - TCU. TCU may not have played the best competition but, with the exception of Oregon, Boise St. played no one. The talk is about TCU's defense versus the offense of Boise St., but that's a simplistic view. TCU averaged over 40 points per game and has a better rushing attack. Defense plus the ability to run the clock and grind out yards will win the day for TCU. Of course, that's what people thought when Boise St. upset Oklahoma. All in all this looks to be a great game, but it's a shame neither of these teams were allowed to prove themselves against major conference teams.

Derek - TCU. This might be the best of the BCS games, and I'd rather see a good game then either of these teams playing Cincy or Iowa. That being said TCU just looks too dominate on both sides of the ball, in fact I'd take them over any team in the country right now. I think they'd beat Alabama, Texas or Florida. BSU had another good year but they have the most to prove. They have to play well in this game.

Orange Bowl - Iowa v. Georgia Tech

Loren - Georgia Tech. Also known as the "What? These teams are playing in a major bowl game? Yawn." Bowl. I can't really find anything to say about this game other than at least neither of these teams are playing in one of the other BCS bowls.

Derek - Georgia Tech. At one point in the season I thought GT was a top 5 team. They have the O to score on anyone. Iowa has been living on barrowed time for much of the year and yes it caught up with them somewhat but they still owe something to the football gods.

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On to some NFL action. I'm sitting on a comfortable lead and I'm thankful since this week could prove disastrous. Several teams may sit starters this week to avoid injury, but that doesn't mean their opponents have a gimme. Tough picks this week, which is the way we like it.

Pittsburgh @ Miami

Loren - Miami. So I got the Steelers/Ravens game right last week, but the Steelers really didn't do much to convince me they're playing at their peak. I don't know, maybe they are and that's why they're likely out of the playoff picture. Meanwhile, Miami is trying to show that they'll be a force next year. I'd rather not give Derek the chance to take the Steelers here, but I really believe Miami can take this one at home.

Derek - Pittsburgh. I'd love to pick Miami, but this might be one of the best opportunities to make up some ground. The Steelers have played well the last two weeks, while the Dolphins have not, so that SHOULD work to my advantage.

New England @ Houston

Loren - New England. Reports are that Brady will play, but we don't know for how long. Even so, I like their ability to make plays down the field. Plus, you know, they're playing Houston.

Derek - New England. The easy call of the week. The Pats are playing well and know that they need a rhythm going into the playoffs, they won't take much time off.

Green Bay @ Arizona

Loren - Green Bay. Both of these teams have seeding to play for, so expect to see the starters all day long unless the game turns into a blowout. I like Green Bay for the simple reason that they have just a little more momentum. They are 6-1 in their last seven games, with the lone loss the heartbreaker against the Steelers. They showed no ill effects from that loss, though, in trouncing Seattle last week.

Derek - Arizona. Home games for the Cards have not been a good thing, but they seem to know how to play down the stretch. Warner will come out and have a big game letting the NFC know that they are the reigning champs.

Philadelphia @ Dallas

Loren - Philadelphia. I don't like this pick one bit, but you'll never catch me taking Dallas unless I believe the other team has absolutely no shot against them. Obviously, Philly can take the division with a win, but they would also end up with a first round bye. Expect them to play out of their minds in this game so they can get the extra week of rest.

Derek - Dallas. Again I have to take a chance to pick up some points. I think Philly is a better team, but Dallas is playing well and they have the huge home field advantage.

Cincinnati @ New York Jets

Loren - Jets. New York has everything to play for, while Cincinnati can only damage their playoff prospects through injury. The only reason for Cincy to play their starters is to keep the Jets from thinking they can hang with the Bengals in a potential post-season matchup. Still, it's likely the Bengals will pull their starters before long and let the Jets walk away with the win.

Derek - Jets. The chances are just too big that the Bengals will pack it up mid-way through the game. I don't like the Jets, they should not make the playoffs but I think they'll take this game.

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NFL pick'em week 16

Where am I? Seven games eight games down? Oh jeez, who knows. Only a few weeks left, time to make a move.

San Diego @ Tennessee

Loren – San Diego. I was going to take the Titans until I realized that half their team will miss the rest of the season with injuries. It’s hard to win when your offensive players have to sub on defense.

Derek - San Diego. Titans are winning but so is San Diego, San Diego is better therefore I'll take the Chargers.

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

Loren – Pittsburgh. Can’t get on the Ravens bandwagon again, even though it looks like their offense may have found an identity with Rice. The Steelers are just willing themselves to the post-season and Tomlin isn’t going to allow his team to lay an egg in this game.

Derek - Baltimore. The Steelers look baaaaaaaad, really baaaaaad, I just mean they look bad, get where I'm going with this one?

Houston @ Miami

Loren – Miami. Can the Dolphins recover from the gut punch last week against the Titans? I wouldn’t be picking (ooh, painful word for Miami fans)... choosing them to win if I didn’t think they could.

Derek - Miami. I'm riding them for the rest of the year. They'll win cause they have to, but it's too late for both of these teams.

Jacksonville @ New England

Loren – New England. It’s about time the Patriots had one of those games where they embarrass the other team and remind fans that this is still an incredibly talented team that can utterly destroy you on any given day. Who better to be on the receiving end than an emotionally drained Jaguars team?

Derek - New England. This is the easy pick of the week, even I could get it right. Well I think so. The Pats are just a plain better team, the Jags will be playing in cold weather.

Denver @ Philadelphia

Loren – Philadelphia. This is a coin toss. I’m effectively punishing myself for being a Broncos fan after their inexcusable loss to the Raiders last week. And since Derek’s in panic mode he has to pick the other team. Go on, Derek, take the Broncos. I dare you.

Derek - Denver. Dare accepted.

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What a combo

The Blazers pulled out a very good win tonight. Of course another horrible injury happened. Joel Pryzbilla suffered a ruptured patella tendon and dislocated patella and will be out for the year.

However there is good news according to ESPN, Travis Outlaw and Brandon Roy have combined forces in some sort of transformer move and become one player. See article below.

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NFL Pick 'Em - Week 15

Derek and I both took Indy in Thursday night's game, so I've still got a 7 game lead heading in this weekend's contests.

Dallas @ New Orleans

Loren - New Orleans. Like I'm going to pick a Wade Phillips led team against the Saints. In the spirit of an old SNL skit; I predict dat da Saints will win by a score of tree hundred tirty tree to negative two, and Drew Brees will trow for eight tousand yards.

Derek - New Orleans. I second Loren, but Phillips or not, it's more just a Dallas team in December. I'll take the Saints to go 14 and 0 thank you.

Miami @ Tennessee

Loren - Tennessee. They're on a tear and fearless. It just so happens that the Dolphins are, too. This one comes down to playing in Tennessee. I give the Titans a slight edge, but I'm expecting a good game.

Derek - Miami. I'm honk big whoop wanna fight about it. Their playing well, they know how to win and they can smell the playoffs.

Cincinnati @ San Diego

Loren - San Diego. The Bengals will be playing with a lot of emotion, but they're on the road, against a tough defensive team, LT looks like he has his legs back, and the Chargers are fighting to hold off the Broncos. This one has let down written all over it for the Bengals.

Derek - San Diego. If this was in Cincinnati I would pick them, but they have to travel across the country and they have to be thinking about Henrey right now.

San Francisco @ Philadelphia

Loren - Philadelphia. I don't trust Alex Smith on the road against a gambling defense and that crowd. Plus, Westbrook should be back meaning the Eagles should be able to run down the clock should they need to.

Derek - Philadelphia. I'd love to pick the 9ers here but they just have too much going against them, see above. I'll make up more games and be within striking distance once the playoffs start.

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NFL week 15 Pick'em Thursday night game

This will be a quick one, just the Thursday night game. We broke even last week, so I'm still down 7.

Indy at Jacksonville.

Derek - Indy. Colts will play all thier regulars. They'll win and the Jags will need bigtime help to make the playoffs.

Loren - Indy. I don't care if the Colts rest their starters in the second helf, they'll win.

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NFL Pick 'Em - Week 14

Derek managed to make up two more games last week, mostly because I went all underdog happy. Won't make that mistake again now that I'm only 7 up. I'd like to appologize for not picking the San Diego vs. Dallas game.

New Orleans @ Atlanta

Loren - New Orleans. If it ain't broke...

Derek - New Orleans. Pretty easy call with all the injuries to the Falcons, of course it might be an easy call even with a healthy Atlanta team.

Miami @ Jacksonville.

Loren - Miami. The Dolphins are the more consistent team and are rallying around Henne and Ricky Williams. They should be able to control the clock even better than the Jaguars.

Derek - Miami. The battle for Florida, we'll leave TB out of that conversation. This game has big playoff implications. A lose by either team and they are most likely out. I'll take the Dolphins cause, well I'm a Dolphins fan.

Denver @ Indianapolis

Loren - Indianapolis. Yes, the Broncos have won two straight with big offensive days, but the Giants and the Chiefs aren't on the same level as the Colts. This one, unfortunately, shouldn't be close.

Derek - Indianapolis. Once again, I'll pick them until they prove me wrong.

Cincinnati @ Minnesota

Loren - Minnesota. I think the Vikes are officially concerned about home field advantage, which should push them to get back to a pounding style offense focused on Peterson. Or at least that's what I want to happen for fantasy purposes. Too much to ask?

Derek - Cincinnati. I have to pick something differant than Loren and some point. Might as well be the srprise team of the year.

Arizona @ San Francisco

Loren - Arizona. The Cardinals show more poise when Warner's behind center and their new found defensive intensity should be too much for Alex Smith.

Derek - San Franciso. Call this my going out on a limb pick, but the 49ers can control the ball and that is what you have to do to be the Cards.

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NFL Week 13 Pick'em

I was able to make up one game last week so I still have a long ways to make up and time is running out. Of course there are worse things like Oden going down for the year.

Philadelphia at Atlanta

Derek – Philadelphia . With Matt Ryan out I’m not sure if the Falcons are even a decent team, sure the Eagles are without Westbrook (as always) and Jackson (only decent receiver) but they are used to playing out manned.

Loren - Philadelphia. I'd like to take the Falcons here, but Philly has more overall talent and they need this game so Eagles fans can get excited before Andy Reid and McNabb rip their hearts out again.

Tennessee at Indianapolis

Derek – Indianapolis. Not much to say here, sure the Titans are playing well, but this is the Colts at home.

Loren - Indianapolis. Something's up in Tennessee and this pick doesn't feel safe at all. Are we seeing redemption for Vince Young? Are we seeing the first loss for Indy? Am I hedging my bets in case my pick turns out wrong?

Houston at Jacksonville

Derek – Jacksonville. I think this is the first time this year that we’ve had Jacksonville on the list. For that reason alone I’ll pick them.

Loren - Houston. Lost a heartbreaker to the Colts last week, but I'm convinced this team is on the right track. Big play ability, grind it out back with speed, decent and developing QB, and they know they can win. Just got to put it all together.

Dallas at New York Giants

Derek – Dallas. Dallas is just playing well right now while the Giants are not, sure in a rivalry game like this anyone can win, but that being said what else is there to go on besides your gut feeling.

Loren - Dallas. I so, so badly want to pick the Giants but I just can't. Eli is hurt worse than he's letting on and that loss to Denver was a kick in the teeth. I'm not sure these usually gutty Giants can pull it together this year.

Baltimore at Green Bay

Derek – Green Bay . Not sure why I’m picking Green Bay here. Home game? Maybe. Better record? Not really. Just a feeling.

Loren - Baltimore. I really think Green Bay will win this game, but I'm picking Baltimore just to be contrary, and as self-punishment for getting these picks in late. Hey, the Ravens have a puncher's chance, right?

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