Week 8 College Picks

Welcome back loyal followers, we were incommunacado for a few days due to technical issues, which have since been resolved. So, here's the obligatory....WE'RE BAAAACK. On to the important stuff, like how to line your pockets with green material due to the knowledge you glean from the doctors of footballology. But, of course, it's for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. If you've been paying attention, which, judging by our overstuffed inbox at insidehook@ymail.com, you definitely have been, we are 8-3 vs. the spread for the year. Not shabby. This weeks prescription for success is forthcoming. These picks are just what the Doctors ordered.

Georgia Tech -4 @ Virginia

Ga Tech is 6-1 thus far, and has won their six games by an average of 10 pts. This includes a road win at Florida St. and a big home win last week vs. VA Tech. Their single loss was on the road at Miami. Ok, so they're solid at home, and on the road, what's the point? Well, this week they're playing Virginia, who has racked up some impressive wins against some storied programs....like Week 1 vs. FCS school (formerly 1-AA) William and Mary. Oh, wait, they lost to William and Mary. Probably would've lost to Peter, Paul and Mary as well. Oh, what about that big win against Conference USA powerhouse, Southern Miss? No, they lost to the Golden Eagles also. We just think giving Virginia 4 pts. is like taking candy from a Cavalier. INSIDE PICK Georgia Tech.

Tennessee +14 @ Alabama

"Ok, docs, what's the deal here? Alabama is a much better team than Tennessee," you're saying to yourself. True, but Tennessee Head Coach Lane "I'm not ever calling Al Davis, if he wants to talk, he knows my number." Kiffin has a dad with a little experience with defenses. I think you might have heard of him. Monty? No, not the Let's Make a Deal, Monty, the Let's Build a Defense, Monty. Well, that Monty has been studying up on the film of the Crimson Tide for, oh, about 8 weeks now. I think with Lane's understanding of recruiting, this game has been circled on the Kiffin calendar. Lane knows that he doesn't have to win this game to appeal to recruits. He just has to keep it close. That way, he can tell Joe Recruit, "Look at that Florida score, we're just one piece of the puzzle away from winning that game, and you, Joe, are that piece!" I say Florida score, because they actually implemented a game plan involving milking the clock with 6 minutes to go, and down by 10. They had a 9 play 27 yard drive chewing up 4 minutes and 10 seconds, just to keep it close. They ran the ball instead of going into hurry up mode. I'm not making this up. So, bottom line, this week, more of the same, a boring, low scoring affair with Alabama winning by 9 - 12 points. INSIDE PICK Tennessee

Texas -14 @ Mizzou

Texas is a 14 pt. favorite for good reason. Mizzou, in recent years, has only come close to beating Texas once. That was the '04 28-20 loss with a QB who was a little hard to contain. You may have heard of him, All-Everything Brad Smith, currently a wideout with the J-E-T-S. The last two meetings, in '05 and '08 were Texas victories by 31 and 25 pts. respectively. And this year, Mizzou is 0-2 at home vs. the spread. One more tidbit, Texas Head Coach Mack Brown hasn't lost to the Tigers...ever. INSIDE PICK Texas

Arkansas +6 @ Ole Miss

Ole Miss was a preseason media darling due to one game from a year ago. Their upset win over Florida. QB Jevan Snead is a product of that media hype, and some hype was warranted, just not the good kind. Snead is on pace to break personal records for most int's, and LOWEST completion percentage. He's currently completing passes at a blistering 49% clip. And this guy was a preseason Heisman hopeful? Also, the Rebs lost 3 O-linemen from last years group, and 4 of their front 7 on defense. You've seen what Arkansas QB Ryan Mallet has looked like recently. Take the Hogs, take the points, and say WHOO PIG all the way home. INSIDE PICK Arkansas