Campus Chatter: Crack of Dawn Edition

Well here is something I thought I would never say but it is 5am and Campus Chatter is coming to you live from the Jacksonville International Airport! I will be attending Games 1 and 2 of the NLDS at Shea Stadium cheering on my Mets in the playoffs and like an idiot decided to fly in at the ass crack of dawn on Wednesday instead of flying in Tuesday night, oh well.

With Games 1 and 2 today and tomorrow and me flying back on Friday afternoon, this will be my only column for the week. I’m going to skip the usual Chatter and just head straight to my picks for the week.

Week 6 Picks (Spreads courtesy of wsex.com)
(Season Record vs. The Spread: 27-25-1, Last Week: 3-3-1)

For the record, an employee here just set off an alarm and it is not pleasant at this early hour.

#15 Clemson at Wake Forest (+16.5): I think that thus far Clemson has proved themselves as the class of the ACC this season. That really is not saying much due to how poorly ACC teams have played thus far but Clemson is solid nonetheless. For proof just how down the ACC is this year, Wake Forest is currently the only unbeaten in the ACC. Wake actually isn’t that bad this season but for them to be atop the standings entering Week 6 speaks volumes of play amongst teams within the league. I think Wake Forest’s unbeaten season ends Saturday but with it being a home game I think they will keep it somewhat respectable. Clemson wins on their way to an ACC title.
Clemson 34 – Wake Forest 20

#14 Tennessee (-2.5) at #9 Georgia: If Georgia has shown anything the past few weeks it has been just how overrated they are. The quarterback situation is a mess, which really seems to be a situation Mark Richt often gets himself into. Tennessee has looked dominant since losing to Florida a few weeks ago and I think they continue their winning ways, even with the game being in Athens.
Tennessee 27 – Georgia 21

#11 Oregon at #17 California (-5): In all honesty, I have no clue what is going to happen in this one. Just when I think that I have either team figured out they always seem to prove me wrong, whether positive or negative. California has been on a roll since being embarassed by Tennessee but that loss is looking better and better as the weeks go by. Oregon keeps surprising everyone but in all honesty wouldn’t even be in the top 25 if Pac-10 officials knew what they were doing. I’ve jumped on and off the California bandwagon a few times this year but I think they pull this one out and send Oregon back to reality, whatever reality is these days.
California 44 – Oregon 34

#13 Oklahoma (+4.5) vs. #7 Texas: Is it just me or is this game getting no hype whatsoever? I’m not going to complain because I hate it when games are overhyped but this one seems to be getting no attention. Maybe it’s just because I go to school in SEC country, who knows. Anyway, this should be a good one that comes down to the running games for both teams. Nine times out of ten that would mean Adrian Peterson and his Sooners would emerge victorious but not here. Texas’ defense against the run is too good for Oklahoma and will be the deciding factor. I think Oklahoma keeps it close though.
Texas 28 – Oklahoma 24

#10 LSU at #5 Florida (+2): Usually before I predict a game I will look at the matchup and try to guess what the point spread will be. I am usually within a point or two but was way off on this one. LSU might be one of the most impressive teams in the country thus far but to make them favorites in the Swamp was quite the shocker. I assumed it would be Florida giving 2, making me 4 points off the mark. I have inside information that UF running back Deshawn Wynn will play this Saturday in addition to standout freshman Percy Harvin. Now it is only Wednesday so both of their statuses may change between now and then but if both are on the field, it’s hard to imagine the Gators losing here. Plus ESPN Gameday returns to Gainesville for the first time since 2003. I am excited to say the least as the drinking begins at 8am Saturday morning, assuming it stops on Friday night. And last but not least, ITS HOMECOMING! Florida can’t lose on homecoming, can they?
Florida 33 – LSU 30