Booth picks winners! 95% all time ATS! Weekly CFB picks on NextRound.net!

Want to wear fancy necklaces?! Want a stripper to give you her real number?! Just play Booth’s picks and your dreams will become a reality! Keep a roll of toilet paper nearby! You just might shit yourself!

First Chink in the armor last weekend with the New Mexico State pick. I’m sure most of you were expecting me to at worst push, not actually lose a game. My apologies. We’re still a healthy 7-1 (+5.9 units) with plans to capitalize even further this weekend on four higher profile games.

Wake Forest (+5) at Florida State - 1 UNIT (ESPN 2, 7PM)

Coaching:  Wake Forest -5.5

I like Bobby Bowden as a coach probably more than I should but he doesn’t really do anything anymore except wear cool hats and use funny words in interviews.

Jim Grobe might just be the best coach in the country. I think you could argue -5.5 isn’t giving Wake Forest enough credit in this spot, but I’m trying to remain conservative with my numbers.

Home Field Advantage: FSU -3

Doak Campbell is not an easy place to win. Normally I would give Florida State more than the standard three points, but two years ago when these two teams played in Tallahassee Wake Forest won 30-0.

Quarterback: Wake Forest -6

Christian Ponder is a better option than Drew Weatherford but he has to prove it against a legitimate defense before his numbers become relevant.

Riley Skinner has looked superb so far this season (and I’m not talking dong photos) against legitimate competition going 59 of 79 for 487 yards with 5 TDs and 0 INTs.

Talent: Wake Forest -3

When Bobby Bowden was asked why his team has fallen off since the late 90s his answer was that he doesn’t have the same caliber athletes. Answers like that are why I like Bowden. I think he is right.

I feel the hidden value in this line rests with how much Ponder will struggle against the solid/opportunistic Deacons defense.

Schedule: Wake Forest -1

Wake Forest has already played a road game. Wake Forest has already played a team with legitimate D-I talent.

Florida State is taking a huge step up in competition in this spot.

Momentum:  FSU -3

The Seminoles have gotten some confidence and rhythm in their two scrimmage-like games to start the season. Also, that 30-0 drumming will not be forgotten by the upperclassmen still on the team. I expect Florida State will be ready for this one.

ADVANTAGE: Wake Forest -9.5. Take the Deacons +5.

Notre Dame at Michigan State (-9) - 1 UNIT (ABC Regional, 3:30PM)

Coaching: Michigan State -3

Time will prove that Charlie Weis’s calling in coaching is as an NFL offensive coordinator. He was good with someone else’s players at Notre Dame but they’ve been declining since he hard to start using his own.

Mark Dantonio did a good job at Cincinnati and I think he has this program heading in the right direction.

Home Field Advantage: Michigan State -3.5

I give the Spartans the extra half point in this spot because this is Notre Dame’s first road game. The Irish have not shown the mental toughness to rally if things start going poorly.

Quarterback: Michigan State -3.5

Jimmy Clausen has a weird haircut. He also hasn’t lived up to the hype. He throws the ball to the wrong team and takes too many sacks. People talk about his talent but I’m much more interested in his production. His most telling stats are his 56.4 completion percentage and 4 INTs in just two games.

Brain Hoyer has had a slow start but I expect him to get right against Notre Dame.

Talent: Michigan State -10

Spartan RB Javon Ringer has rushed for almost 500 yards and 9 TDs already this year.

Notre Dame’s offense has not been able to move the ball at all on the ground, averaging only 109 rushing yards a game. Michigan State should force Notre Dame into a lot of obvious passing situations and then unload on Clausen.

Schedule: Michigan State -2

Michigan State gets to play their 3^rd straight home game. Notre Dame might suffer a letdown after winning the game they talked about all offseason. (Congratulations, you beat a terrible team.)

Momentum:  Notre Dame -1

Notre Dame probably feels good about starting the season 2-0 after last season, but I don’t think their swagger will factor into this game too much.

ADVANTAGE: Michigan State -21. Take the Spartans -9.

East Carolina (-7) at N.C. State - 1 UNIT (ESPN, Noon)

Coaching: EVEN

Tom O’Brien and Skip Holtz are both very good coaches who will have their teams ready to play.

Home Field Advantage: N.C. State -1.5

I just can’t believe that the Wolfpack fans are excited about their team this year.

Quarterback Play: East Carolina -10

ECU QB Patrick Pinkney has been solid so far this season against above average competition going 63 for 83 with 707 yards and 4 TDs.

The Wolfpack have already used 3 QBs this season with Harrison Beck proving to be the best of the worst. While the other 2 QBs have thrown more INTs than TDs, Beck has 2 TDs v. 2 INTs, but those touchdowns came against I-AA William & Mary.

Talent: ECU -14.5

ECU has been solid on offense but the story has been the Pirates defense. This squad has played extremely well in all three of their games.

N.C. State’s defense is below average but their offense is absolutely dismal. The Wolfpack have not scored an offensive TD against a D-I opponent yet this season. N.C. State lacks firepower on offense, but their biggest problem is that their offensive line is horrible.

Schedule: N.C. State -2

ECU has to play their second straight road game.

Momentum: ECU -3

ECU survived a scare last week against Tulane and still has their BCS hopes alive.

ADVANTAGE: East Carolina -24. Take the Pirates -7.

Mississippi State at Georgia Tech (Under 37.5) - 1 Unit (Raycom Local, 12PM)

Couple of points:

1) I never advocated taking unders in college games until this year’s change in clock rules. The number of plays in a game have shortened by about 10%.

2) Georgia Tech scored 19 points against Boston College and 17 against Virginia Tech.

3) Georgia Tech only gives up 16 ppg.

4) Mississippi State averages 16.7 ppg.

5) Mississippi State only gives up 11.7 ppg.

6) How many times in this game will Georgia Tech run the ball for 3 yards or less? I guess we will find out.

Take the Under. 

Here’s to another degenerate weekend. Feel free to post any questions and I’ll try to get to them.

Email This