Dr. Football is back to pick some winners
Published: Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 2:34 p.m.
While most of you were enjoying cocktails by the pools of America or visiting one of the entertaining theme parks here in the Extreme Sunshine State, Dr. Football was working.
On my cliches.
Look, if you're going to compete at this level, there are two things you have to be able to do:
1. Close practices. This is my edited and reworked column. You're not allowed to see the original.
2. Talk only in coach-speak.
So here we go as I prepare to enter another season of The Picks.
I'm excited about this season but I'm going to take it one week at a time. I really believe I was better than my record indicated last season. This year, I'm going to give 110 percent and leave it all on my keyboard because I have a motor that won't quit as long as I stay ahead of the chains and type downhill.
On to an undefeated season (did I say that out loud?) ...
Miami at Florida: No, not that Miami (although I have seen at least one writer up north get confused). No, it's not located in that Oxford. (You know, the one in England). No, the team doesn't have that nickname it did when it last played in Gainesville (Tangerine Bowl, 1973, I got frostbite). No matter. Saturday isn't about Miami of Ohio. It's about Florida. Florida, 42-13.
Kentucky at Louisville: Charlie Strong's head coaching debut. He inherited a mess. "Some guys are just eating up scholarships," he said earlier this year. Kind of makes me hungry. Kentucky, 28-17.
Illinois v. Missouri: Ron Zook's secondary is watching the game on crutches. That's not good. Mizzou, 40-21.
LSU v. North Carolina: I asked Les Miles on the SEC conference call if he would have someone check the Tar Heels when they take the field to see which players might be missing because of the NCAA probe. "I suspect we'll take attendance at that time," he said. Bueller? Bueller? LSU, 24-14.
Boise State v. Virginia Tech: Wow, the Boise Backlash has been amazing this summer. A lot of people out there don't think the Smurfs should play for it all with a one-game schedule. I'm one of them. Virginia Tech, 28-21.
Oregon State at TCU: Same for the blood-spitting Frogs. TCU, 30-23.
UConn at Michigan: Michigan fans have been told to bring their checkbooks to the game because if the Wolverines lose this one in their newly refurbished stadium they're going to want to start working on RichRod's buyout. UConn, 22-21.
Purdue at Notre Dame: Can you imagine how many cheeseburger wrappers Brian Kelly found when he first stepped into his new office? Notre Dame, 32-20.
Northwestern at Vanderbilt: The Wildcats are only a five-point favorite? Really? Really? Northwestern, 34-10.
Washington at BYU: You know, the NFL may be in love with Jake Locker but shouldn't, like, having one winning season be part of the equation? BYU, 28-21.
Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com. You can listen to The Pat Dooley Show weekdays from 4-6 p.m. on 104.9 FM. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.
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