Pigskin Pickin Machine

The machine starts hopping today with the start of the Big Ten season with Ohio State traveling to Illinois.

The Illini (2-1)feature a freshman at quarterback and running back and will use the running game until they are put into a situation that they cannot run anymore.
Illinois has a history of playing OSU tough at home and heat is rising on the future of coach Ron Zook,so the team should be ready to play.

Ohio State has better personnel and Illinois is coming a hard fought win over MAC opponent Northern Illinois and could be a bit beaten up.

Texas Tech (2-1,0-1) travels to Ames,Iowa to hook up with the Iowa State Cyclones (2-2 0-1).
Tech is coming off a frustrating loss to Texas two weeks ago in a game that they had chances to win and could have owned the upset that UCLA earned over the Horns last week.

The Tommy Tuberville offense surely hasn't clicked yet,but the Cyclones might be the best cure for opening things up a bit.

The game of the week features number one Alabama against number seven Florida.
Alabama sure looked vulnerable last week against Arkansas needing a rally in the fourth quarter for the win.Florida will need to run the football and may use backup QB Trey Burton often out of the Wildcat and will have to make Alabama throw the football.
Throwing the ball is the Alabama achilles heel.

Our Picks
Ohio State 34-14
Texas Tech 34-20
Alabama 21-17

The (0-3)Browns host the Bengals (2-1) in Cleveland.

I am torn on this game as I can see a scenario in which the Browns win this as the Bengals haven't overwhelmed anyone and Carson Palmer has been less than terrific thus far.

On the other hand,when you look at the weapons that Cinci possesses-it seems to be a matter of time before they explode on someone.
Eric Mangini will need to ride the Peyton Hillis express and mix some Jerome Harrison in to make up for the less than awesome passing game.
Tough call to make.

Seattle (2-1) visits St.Louis (1-2) in a game that could go a long way down the road.

The two home games featured a Hawk team that looked far different than the road team in Denver,so despite the Rams starting a rookie at quarterback and being a weak team,Seattle has plenty to prove in this one.
Seattle might get a break with the Rams possibly losing Stephen Jackson and the pass rush is a must in order to fluster Sam Bradford.
Seattle's only two road wins over the last 13 games have been in St.Louis-they need this one.

Game of the week is the Monday night matchup between the 2-1 Patriots and 2-1 Dolphins.
New England throws the ball more than Miami,but the Dolphins toss it more this season than in the past.
This could be a high scoring battle..

Our Picks
Bengals 21-10
Seahawks 27-17
Patriots 35-30