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Weekly AGAINST THE SPREAD NCAA Picks Battle 

Each week Greg Gammell, Skip Gibson and Mike Tuck will provide picks against the points spread for college football. This is not just about picking winners, it’s about bragging rights, and providing value to you gamblers out there!

The Week 14 Picks are in:

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 Here are the week 13 picks …

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 Here are the week 12 picks …

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 Here are the week 11 picks …

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 Here are the week 10 picks …

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 Here are the week 9 picks …

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 Here are the week 8 picks …

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Sorry, we missed week 7! 

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 Here are the week 6 picks …

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 Here are the week 5 picks …

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 Here are the week 4 picks …

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 Here are the week 3 picks …

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 Here are the week 2 picks …

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 Here are the week 1 picks …

For entertainment purposes only.

College Football Recruiting Top 25 Classes

1. NOTRE DAME

I know it’s early, but Notre Dame’s 2008 recruiting class is currently ranked #1 and absolutely LOADED.  With many prospect still undecided, I look for Notre Dame to gain momentum and eventually secure up a top 5 recruiting class in 2008.  As of right now, Notre Dame has added a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball.  This class has an incredible amount of talent and speed, both of which are a must for a defense that has really struggled over the past few years.  Notre Dame is on the right track and with a few more recruiting classes of this level will be back in the Championship picture within the next 2 or 3 years.  I look for MLB Steve Filer, DE Ethan Johnson, and TE Kyle Rudolph to step in immediate and have a major impact.  Notre Dame also received a verbal commitment from Dayne Crist, a 5 star QB from Sherman Oaks, CA.  This young man has tremendous talent and apparently loves competition.  In 2007, Notre Dame recruited a 10 year prospect in Jimmy Clausen.  With that said, let me breakdown the prospects who have already committed…

2. USC

This is the beginning of another top USC recruiting class.  USC already has verbal commitments from four of the nations top WR’s.  Look for D.J. Shoemate and Brice Butler to have a chance to start as freshman.  Brice Butler has the makings of a star and I believe he might be the next great WR at USC.  This year’s recruiting class looks to bolster and fill the need of WR at Southern Cal.

3. Oklahoma

This is another great recruiting start for the Sooner Nation.  With four top 100 recruits, this has all of the makings of a top 5 class.  Oklahoma has two great prospects, Jermie Calhoun and Justin Johnson, to step in and fill the gap left by the departure of Adrian Peterson.   As usual, Oklahoma is having great success recruiting in the state of Texas.  Bob Stoops continues to add talent to Oklahoma.  This class will add balance to the offense and a QB of the future, Landry Jones.

4. Miami (FL)

Miami has put the lockdown on SW Florida.  This years recruiting class will soon be playing at the home of the Miami Dolphins as the Canes will be switching their home stadium.  As of right now, Miami’s best recruits will be on the defensive side of the ball, but watch out for Jacory Harris and Aidarius Johnson.  This has the makings of a great QB/WR combo.  Aidarius Johnon has great size and speed and should translate well to the college game.

5. Ohio State

Right now Ohio St only has 11 verbal commitments, but quality is the key word here.  Ohio St is getting the best of the best.  Ohio State’s top recruits are all on the offensive side of the ball.  The offensive line will be adding 3 tremendous players; Shugarts, Brewster, and Adams.    DeVier Posey will have a chance to contribute as a freshman.  DeVier will add speed and toughness to Ohio St.  He is a perfect fit for the University.  Ohio St is a national power house when it comes to recruiting.  Not many schools can enter the state of Florida and land the state’s top offensive lineman.

6. Texas

The longhorns secondary struggled at times last year, but look for that to end with the addition of Aaron Williams.  Aaron is a shut down CB and has absolutely dominated high school football in the state of Texas.  As usual, Mack Brown has not needed to look outside the state of Texas in order to find its talent.  Texas also has a great group of WR’s.  Desean Hales, Dan Buckner, and Antoine Hicks are all very talented.  Dan Buckner will be a star and a fan favorite.  He has tremendous size, 6-4, and great speed.  Remember his name.

7. UCLA

UCLA is on the verge of consistently being a top 25 team.  There is no reason that UCLA shouldn’t finish in the top 25 year in and year out, especially in recruiting.  California is ALWAYS rich in talent and USC can only accept so many of the top athletes.  This year, UCLA has a great class, and it’s just the beginning.  This class is so balanced on both sides of the ball.  I believe we will see an immediate impact.  Rahim Moore, Anthony Dye, and Aaron Hester are the secondary of the future.  Anthony Dye has Olympic speed and is great playmaker.  With classes like this, UCLA beating USC will be no fluke.

8. Nebraska

Nebraska has gone across the US in order to have a top 2008 recruiting class.  Blaine Gabbert is the QB of the future and will be an NFL Prospect.  Jones Gray has blistering speed and is always a threat when he touches the ball.  Nebraska has always been known for their great offensive lines.  This year’s commitments will add to that tradition.  A sleeper to keep an eye on from this class is the underrated D. J. Woods.  Woods runs a 4.36 and has good size for a WR at 6-0.

9. Georgia

As usual, Georgia has the makings of another strong class.  DeAngelo Tyson can dominate games from the tackle position.  Georgia is continuing to have great success in its own state.  The bulldogs are adding talent to the skilled positions.  A.J. Green is one of the top WR in the country.  Somehow, Georgia was able to pull him away from Spurrier and the Gamecocks.  Green has great size for a WR and excellent speed!

10. Florida State

Bobby Bowden has always recruited well and this year’s class will follow the tradition.  Florida State has already received commitments from three 5-star players.  E.J. Manuel will be the savior at the QB position that FSU has lacked over the past few years.  FSU always has great LB’s.  This year, they are adding Nigel Bradham and Nigel Carr.  Both have a chance to play immediately and could have an immediate impact on the Seminoles defense.  FSU usually finishes strong, but this year, they are off to a great start.  Look for FSU to have a top 5 class when all is said and done.

Keep an eye out for the teams ranked 11-25. A breakdown of each team will be posted to the site within the next few days!

Predictions for each conference!

ACC

How I see it: The conference really struggled last season, but stands to be much improved this year as coaching changes at FSU, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, and Boston College could reverse fortune for some of those teams. Canes and Noles should each win 9+ games this year as they climb back to the top of the country.

Projected Order of Finish:

Coastal Division
Virginia Tech
Miami
Virginia
Georgia Tech
North Carolina
Duke

Atlantic Division
Florida St.
Maryland
Clemson
Wake Forest
NC State
Boston College

Champion: Virginia Tech…Hokies get Miami and FSU at home, and if they can pull an upset at LSU then they have a legit shot at reaching the BCS Title game.

Sleeper: Virginia…the Cavaliers avoid FSU, and play Va Tech at home. They also return 19 starters and have great play along both lines.

Sleeping: Boston College…Losing HC Tom O’Brien to NC State a sign of things to come.

SEC

How I see it: Looks like once again this will be the top conference in America, but don’t expect 9 bowl bids like they garnered last year. The East could feature a 4-way tie for first…don’t laugh, but the Gators set themselves up best for winning tiebreakers. The West will be won win the Tide host the Bayou Bengals.

Projected Order of Finish:

East
Florida
Tennessee
South Carolina
Georgia
Vanderbilt
Kentucky

West
Alabama
LSU
Mississippi St.
Arkansas
Auburn
Mississippi

Champion: Alabama…Nick Saban will work his magic in year number one. The Tide get Tennessee, Georgia, and LSU at home, but must still find a way to win the Iron Bowl…if they do, then they will be in the National Title hunt.

Sleeper: Mississippi State…If the Bulldogs can get steady play from whomever plays QB, then the schedule sets up very nice as they play Tennessee, LSU, and Alabama at home, and avoid S. Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.

Sleeping: Auburn…Sorry Tigers, the torch will be passed so quick to your in-state rivals you won’t even know what hit you. Auburn faces a tough schedule, have only 12 scholarship seniors, and were actually outgained offensively last year by over 33 ypg. Amazingly, the Tigers have only lost 3 conference games in the last 3 years…but they’ll lose at least 4 this year.

Big 10

How I see it: Could be wide open this year in the Big 11. I don’t see UM winning it, they lose their 5 best defensive players and only return 10 starters from last season and once again have the bad omen of being ranked high to start the season. The Buckeyes return only 11 starters.

Projected Order of Finish:

Wisconsin
Michigan
Penn St.
Purdue
Ohio St.
Illinois
Iowa
Northwestern
Michigan St.
Minnesota
Indiana

Champion: Wisconsin…boring but effective, the Badgers suffered only one loss last year at Michigan and bring back 16 starters. Games at Penn State and Ohio State will be tough.

Sleeper: Illinois/Purdue…I couldn’t decide so I’ll list both. The Illini return 17 starters and if they could cut down on the turnovers then they could be bowling. Their schedule is extremely difficult. Purdue brings back 18 starters and should be exciting on offense.

Sleeping: Ohio State…it was just three years ago they were a .500 team in conference, they lost a ton offensively, and still putting the pieces back together after their BCS Title Game meltdown.

Big XII

How I see it: As the North continues to restore its once glowing resume, the South will continue to be the face of the conference on the national scene. The game in Dallas will decide who is best again. Mizzu gets the Huskers in Columbia, but I feel Nebraska’s learning curve is greater and they’ll repeat in the North.

Projected Order of Finish:

South
Texas
Oklahoma
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Oklahoma St.
Baylor

North
Nebraska
Missouri
Kansas St.
Iowa St.
Kansas
Colorado

Champion: Texas…The Horns fell apart down the stretch last season which is worrisome, but I think they are the most talented defensive and offensive team in the league and don’t have a QB situation like the Sooners do.

Sleeper: Nebraska…Yes, I picked them to win the North, but they could do much more. An impressive out of conference schedule that includes @ ACC Champ Wake Forest and vs. USC, combined with a Big XII title could have the Huskers as a national title contender.

Sleeping: Texas A&M…This could be dead on, or dead wrong! Just like Nebraska, the Aggies play an imposing, but less managible schedule that could turn a good team in a team barely bowl-eligible.

PAC-10

How I see it: I got ripped on a lot last year for picking Cal over USC as conference champs. The Bears got off to a shaky start, BUT CAL was PAC-10 CO-CHAMPIONS last year. This year, no need to stray as the Trojans are loaded…BUT do face the 2nd toughest schedule in America! I believe the PAC-10 is the DEEPEST conference in America.

Projected Order of Finish:

USC
Arizona St.
California
UCLA
Oregon
Oregon St.
Washington
Arizona
Washington St.
Stanford

Champion: USC…The Trojans will have one of the best defenses in the country, and while they lose both starting recievers, have no fear as Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazalton will become familiar names very quickly.

Sleeper: Arizona St…Sun Devils are loaded on offense, have a new proven winner as HC, in Dennis Erickson, and have a schedule that could have them in first place in the conference til November.

Sleeping: Oregon St…On paper the Beavers look good, they did beat USC last year, but the schedule isn’t kind and that will push the Beavers to the middle of the league.

Big East

How I see it: The conference everyone picks on stood up for itself in a big way last year. Three teams in the national title hunt, and a 5-0 bowl record. As Pittsburgh and South Florida get better the league becomes more legit, even if it is still only the 6th best conference, which it is.

Projected Order of Finish:

Louisville
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
South Florida
Rutgers
Cincinnati
Connecticut
Syracuse

Champion: Louisville…I tabbed the Cards last year and upset quite a few Mountaineer fans, and I am going to do it again despite a trip to Morgantown because top to bottom, the Cardinals are the best on both sides of the ball in the league. Steve Kragthorpe takes over for Bobby Petrino and doesn’t miss a beat.

Sleeper: USF…Hate to say it Knights fans, but the Bulls are leaving them in the dust. A bowl win last year, a win AT MORGANTOWN, the season previous they knocked off highly ranked L-Ville, and USF isn’t just a team trying to belong, they are a team that could win the league!

Sleeping: Syracuse…Would somebody, anybody wake up the Orangemen…er, Orange. How embarrassing for a once-proud school with a wonderful history. Rutgers will also come back down to earth a bit this year, but is still a bowl team.

Mountain West

TCU
Utah
BYU
New Mexico
Wyoming
UNLV
Colorado St.
San Diego St.
Air Force

WAC

Hawaii
Boise St.
Fresno St.
San Jose St.
Nevada
New Mexico St.
Louisiana Tech
Idaho
Utah St.

Conference USA

West
Houston
UTEP
Rice
Tulsa
SMU
Tulane

East
Southern Miss
UCF
Marshall
Memphis
East Carolina
UAB

Champion: Southern Miss

MAC

West
Western Michigan
Toledo
Central Michigan
Ball St.
Northern Illinois
Eastern Michigan

East
Kent St.
Ohio
Miami (OH)
Bowling Green
Akron
Buffalo
Temple

Champion: Western Michigan

Sun Belt

Troy
ULM
Florida Atlantic
Arkansas St.
Middle Tennessee
Louisiana Lft
North Texas
Florida International

 Entering a pool at work? Competing against friends? Your secret weapon below …

Ranked by Position - Final Version by Skip Gibson.

 2007 NFL Mock Draft - Final Version, by Skip Gibson.

1. Oakland - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
2. Detroit - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
3. Cleveland - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
4. Tampa Bay - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
5. Arizona - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
6. Washington - LaRon Landry, S, LSU
7. Minnesota - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
8. Atlanta (*) - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
9. Miami - Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
10. t - Denver (from Hou)- Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss
11. San Francisco - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
12. Buffalo - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
13. St. Louis - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
14. Carolina - Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
15. Pittsburgh - Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
16. Green Bay - Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
17. Jacksonville - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
18. Cincinnati - Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
19. Tennessee - Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
20. New York Giants - Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
21. t - Houston (from Den) - Joe Staley, OT, Wisconsin
22. Dallas - Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
23. Kansas City - Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
24. New England (**) - Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
25. New York Jets - Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
26. Philadelphia - Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami
27. New Orleans - Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
28. New England - David Harris, LB, Michigan
29. Baltimore - Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue
30. San Diego - Steve Smith, WR, USC
31. Chicago - Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn
32. Indianapolis - Jon Beason, LB, Miami

(*) - Atlanta moved up 2 spots in the trade with Houston (Matt Schaub deal).
(**) - New England’s pick from the deal that sent Deion Branch to Seattle.

2006 NFL Mock Draft - Final Version, by Skip Gibson.

1. Houston - Mario Williams, DE, NC State
2. New Orleans - Reggie Bush, RB, USC
3. Tennessee - Matt Leinart, QB, USC
4. New York Jets - D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
5. Green Bay - A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
6. San Francisco - Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
7. Oakland - Vince Young, QB, Texas
8. Buffalo - Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
9. Detroit - Michael Huff, DB, Texas
10. Arizona - Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
11. St. Louis - Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State
12. Cleveland - Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
13. Baltimore - LenDale White, RB, USC
14. Philadelphia - Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
15. Atlanta - Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech
16. Miami - Winston Justice, OT, USC
17. Minnesota - DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
18. Dallas - Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa
19. San Diego - Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami
20. Kansas City - Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
21. New England - Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
22. San Francisco (*) - Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia
23. Tampa Bay - Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
24. Cincinnati - Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
25. New York Giants - Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State
26. Chicago - Dominique Byrd, TE, USC
27. Carolina - Claude Wroten, DT, LSU
28. Jacksonville - Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
29. Denver - Max Jean-Gilles, OG, Georgia
30. Indianapolis - D’Qwell Jackson, LB, Maryland
31. Seattle - Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina
32. Pittsburgh - Darnell Bing, S, USC

(*) - Denver’s pick from Washington that was then shipped to San Francisco.

Ranked by Position - Final Version by Skip Gibson.

Ranked by Position - Final Version by Skip Gibson.

2005 NFL Mock Draft - Final Version, by Skip Gibson.  

1. San Francisco - Alex Smith, QB, Utah
2. Miami - Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn
3. Cleveland - Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan
4. Chicago - Cedric Benson, RB, Texas
5. Tampa Bay - Aaron Rodgers, QB, California
6. Tennessee - Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami
7. Minnesota(*) - Mike Williams, WR, USC
8. Arizona - Cadillac Williams, RB, Auburn
9. Washington - Adam “PacMan” Jones, West Virginia
10. Detroit - Alex Barron, OT, Florida State
11. Dallas - Demarcus Ware, DE, Troy State
12. San Diego(**) - Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas
13. Houston - Shawne Merriman, OLB, Maryland
14. Carolina - Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina
15. Kansas City - David Pollack, DE, Georgia
16. New Orleans - Thomas Davis, OLB, Georgia
17. Cincinnati - Travis Johnson, DT, Florida State
18. Minnesota - Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin
19. St. Louis - Khalif Barnes, OT, Washington
20. Dallas(***) - Marcus Spears, DE, LSU
21. Jacksonville - Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn
22. Baltimore - Roddy White, WR, UAB
23. Seatte - Matt Roth, DE, Iowa
24. Green Bay - Dan Cody, DE, Oklahoma
25. Washington(****) - Jason Campbell, QB, Auburn
26. Oakland(*****) - Justin Miller, CB, Clemson
27. Atlanta - Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma
28. San Diego - Jammal Brown, OT, Oklahoma
29. Indianapolis - Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska
30. Pittsburgh - Heath Miller, TE, Virginia
31. Philadelphia - Matt Jones, WR/QB, Arkansas
32. New England - Odell Thurman, ILB, Georgia

(*) - Pick from Oakland
(**) - Pick from N.Y. Giants
(***) - Pick from Buffalo
(****) - Pick from Denver
(*****) - Pick from N.Y. Jets