[NU Sports] PIGSKIN PICKS - Week 13

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Great way to end the college football season for the Cats – three big wins over our three biggest rivals (two of them ranked) to finish another Big Ten campaign above .500. And the Saints finally looked good against a subpar team, but the competition level sure steps up Monday night with the Beli-cheats.

But before then, we have a short holiday week. So pop in the DVD of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” be thankful for football season, gather with friends and family and remember that those are not pillows!

Get your picks in before carving up the turkey! Have a blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving despite some duds in the NFL matchups.

PIGSKIN PICKS – WEEK 13
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Name: 

BIG TEN
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GAME 1: Illinois @ Cincinnati
WINNER: 

NATIONAL
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GAME 2: Texas @ Texas A&M
WINNER: 

GAME 3: Alabama @ Auburn
WINNER: 

GAME 4: Pittsburgh @ West Virginia
WINNER: 

GAME 5: Clemson @ South Carolina
WINNER: 

GAME 6: Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma
WINNER: 

GAME 7: Utah @ Brigham Young
WINNER: 

GAME 8: Arkansas @ Louisiana State
WINNER: 

GAME 9: Georgia @ Georgia Tech
WINNER: 

GAME 10: Notre Dame @ Stanford
WINNER: 

MY PICKS
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* CINCINNATI 37, Illinois 31 – I’m tempted to go with the upset here as the Big Least is overrated and the Illini have been playing somewhat decent lately, but I just can’t.

* TEXAS 45, Texas A&M 17 – The Horns are on their way to Pasadena while the Aggies are still trying to remember what life was like when they had R.C. Slocum and a puncher’s chance in this rivalry game.

* ALABAMA 20, Auburn 10 – Close for a half, but then Saban tightens up the D and readies for the Gators, fresh off their Bowden feast.

* PITTSBURGH 31, West Virginia 27 – Anything can happen in this rivalry, but I think the Panthers keep pace with the Bearcats to set up a second colossal Pittsburgh-Cincy football showdown in the last few weeks.

* CLEMSON 21, South Carolina 12 – Could be a trap game for the Tigers, looking ahead to the ACC title match, but the SEC is down this year and Spurrier’s team lacks the offensive punch to take advantage of the chances Clemson gives them.

* OKLAHOMA 35, Oklahoma State 21 – These are the “next best after Texas” teams in the Big XII? How the mighty have fallen. Both looked awful last week. OU is at home this week and ends any chance of the Cowpokes in the B(C)S.

* UTAH 42, Brigham Young 38 – Wild old-style WAC game here between bitter rivals, but the Utes are the better team.

* LSU 22, Arkansas 15 – The Mad Hatter’s feeling the heat and finds a way to stop Petraitor’s Piggies in another battle of mid-level SEC teams.

* GEORGIA TECH 41, Georgia 24 – Perhaps the clueless John Saunders and his mimbo sidekick will catch on that the SEC ain’t what it used to be after the Jackets run up and down on the Dawgs.

* STANFORD 56, Notre Dame 38 – Sorry Charlie, once NBC started running clips of your “6-5 ain’t gonna cut it” press conference during the UConn game, you had to know that the powers-that-be at NBC were calling for your ouster and they apparently have the power at your school. Should be a fun scorefest, though.

Picks due by Thursday’s kickoff!
Gobble Gobble!

GO CATS!!!
GEAUX SAINTS!!!

-SjT

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STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!