OCTOBERFEST OF FOOTBALL FUN AND FROLIC

After another great weekend in which we went 6-2 in our picks, we're now getting into the thick of things as we enter Week Six with some really great games on tap. Last week we just missed on two games, otherwise we would have been a perfect 8 for 8. Ohio State escaped our upset alert game by holding off the Badgers. And the Bulldogs in Athens won a super shoot out over LSU in which neither team's defense could handle the other quarterback.

But now it's time to focus on a new slate of games, and to make some mo money.

YOUR WEEKEND WINNERS ARE...

#25 Maryland @ #8 Florida State...both teams enter this game undefeated and looking for more. Just when you think the days are limited for Randy Edsel at Maryland, the Terps have a resurgence as they head into Tally Town to take on a loaded FSU tribe that's been averaging 51 points per game. QB Famous Jameis Winston is lighting it up for the Noles, leading the ACC with a completion percentage of 74%. But tomorrow he's going up against a pretty stout Terrapin defense that's allowed only 10 points per game and has registered 17 sacks and 8 INTs in its first four matches. So, there's plenty of reason to Fear the Turtle. But with so many weapons, we're going with the Seminoles in this one.

Georgia Tech @ #14 Miami...where oh where has my offense gone, asks Coach Paul Johnson. With his Jackets playing pretty good defense last week against the Hokies, GT's option offense was MIA with only 129 rushing yards which contributed to the Jacket's 17-10 loss. What a buzz kill! But this Saturday, the Ramblin Wreck has a chance to knock off a pretty strong Hurricane team that has plenty of weapons in its arsenal. While we're tempted to take the points, we're putting our money on Al Golden's Canes to stay perfect and beat the Jackets. That's a stinger!

#10 LSU @ Mississippi State...You know what's worse than playing LSU? It's playing LSU after they've lost a close road game. You can bet that Les Miles will have his Tigers ready to work out their frustrations as they roll into Starkville...and out of Starkville with a win. Tigers handle the mutts.

#15 Washington @ #5 Stanford...another game of undefeateds! The Huskies have been putting a lot of bite into their bark, especially with their passing game, but the Cardinal has handled everything thrown their way. Stanford's QB Kevin Hogan has done nothing but win since he took over as starting QB (9-0). This game goes along way to positioning the winner for the Pac-12, and another notch in Stanford's belt for a national championship bid. Go with the Cardinal in this one.

#4 Ohio State @ #16 Northwestern...Evanston has been going crazy all week with ESPN College GameDay crews bopping all around this leafy campus. Corso and Company are setting up camp right by the Lake and you can bet that the Wildcat faithful will be turning out in purple Saturday morning. Both schools are undefeated, with tOSU surviving a scare from the Badgers last week to continue the nation's longest winning streak (17) for Urban Meyer. And both teams have similar offensive numbers. The difference? Buckeye's Braxton Miller. We've love what Fitzpatrick is doing with his Wildcats but business is business. Thus, we're backing the Buckeyes in what will be the weekend's best game.

TCU @ #11 Oklahoma...before the season I might have had this game circled since the Horned Frogs were getting plenty of pre-season hype but they've hit a couple of bumps in the road. But coming off a 48-17 rout over SMU, TCU may be ready to tango with the Sooners and re-insert  themselves in the Big 12 race. QB Trevone Boykin was hot last week as he led five straight scoring drives with TCU topping off the fourth quarter with 31 points. And this could be the perfect trap game for the Sooners as they finally won in South Bend last week, and they play Texas in the Red River Shootout next week. Stoops' crew leads the series 8-4. Make that 9-5 after tomorrow. Sooner Schooners sail.

#24 Ole Miss @ Auburn...the rebs were undefeated until they remembered they were ole miss as Mister Freeze's rebs embarrassed themselves last week in Tuscaloosa. Having averaged 490 yards and 38 points per game, the rebbys were held to 205 yds, zero points, stopped on numerous third and fourth downs and even forced into a safety late in the game. Serves long hair qb Bo Cooper right as he mouthed off all week that the Bama defense was grossly over rated. Oops. But as much as I would delight in having Auburn win, I think the rebs will regroup and rebound over the Tigers/War Eagles/Plainsmen/Dying Oaks. Ole Miss in a yawner.

AND GEORGE THE CAT'S BIG PICK OF THE WEEK featuring #6 Georgia @ Tennessee...

 Is there any chance for the malingered Vols to pull an upset over the Dawgs as UGA visits Neyland Stadium? Sure, anything can happen; that's why we play the game, right? Well, to date, Tennessee has shown us nothing to suggest that they even have a hint of a chance of winning. Zero. Nada. Zip. With a poor offense and a hit or miss defense, Tennessee can only hope that Georgia is looking the other way and sleep walks thru the game. Don't count on it. BUT...don't take my word for it. Let's see what George the Cat thinks in his BIG PICK of THE WEEK...

MAKE MO MONEY WITH MARK®