Tuesday Afternoon Linebacker

Last week: 8-1
Season To Date: 15-3

Around Florida
(5) West Virginia at (18) South Florida, Friday 8 PM ESPN2
I hate to have to do this. I really do. When you do picks, you aren’t talking about what you *want* to have happen. You’re talking about what you think will happen. And, unfortunately, I think that the game will go back and forth and that the ‘Neers will mount a late come-from-behind game-winning drive to drive a stake through the hearts of the 65,000+ Bulls fans in attendance. But you don’t know how happy I’ll be on Sunday morning to be wrong about this. As of a couple years ago, USF displaced Georgia Tech as my second favorite college football team. So having the Bulls in the Top-10 (as they likely would be with a win) would be wonderful. I just don’t think it’s going to happen this week.

TALB Pick: West Virginia close over USF

Auburn at (4) Florida, Saturday 8 PM ESPN
With revenge on their minds for their only loss of the 2006 championship season the Gators should roll in this one. Also, the Tigers are just plain bad. This will hopefully give the defense a confidence boost before heading to Red Stick next weekend.

TALB Pick: Florida big over Auburn

Duke at Miami (FL), Saturday 12 PM No TV
Come on. While The U might be on the schneid lately, this is still Duke.

TALB Pick: Miami (FL) huge over Duke

(22) Alabama vs. Florida State, Saturday 5 PM CBS
His Lordship Sabanus I takes his legions into battle against Saint Bobby’s tribe. On paper the Tide should overwhelm the Noles. But I’m not so sure about that.

TALB Pick: FSU oh so close over Alabama. Call it a missed FG at the end.

Louisiana-Lafayette at UCF, Saturday 6 PM No TV
Once again “I got nothin’”
TALB Pick: UCF huge over LA-LA

Tampa Bay at Carolina, Sunday 4:05 PM, Fox
Tampa is on the upswing. Carolina is still trying to figure things out even while sitting at 2-1. And with Delhomo out (or not) who knows how they’ll perform. Even if he plays, the aggressive defense should have him thinking twice about challenging them with his body.

TALB Pick: Bucs close over Panthers

Oakland at Miami, Sunday 1 PM, CBS
Two bad teams. One bad game.

TALB Pick: Dolphins close over Raiders

Jacksonville
Enjoying the fine dining and plentiful shopping to be found at the Jacksonville Landing.

Compelling College Collision
Mississippi State at South Carolina, Saturday 12:30 PM LF Sports
Even with their thumping at the hands of LSU last week the ‘Cocks are still a factor in the SEC. And Mississippi State has been surprisingly good thus far. Being at home and licking their wounds is the difference here.

TALB Pick: South Carolina big over MSU

Profound Pro Pick
Houston at Atlanta, Sunday 1 PM CBS
Matt Schaub returns to the Georgia Dome to the chagrin of Falcons fans everywhere. Because he’s not in the Black-and-uh-Black of the Dirty Birds. Instead he’s been rescuing the most moribund franchise in recent NFL history.

TALB Pick: Texans average over Falcons