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      2009 College Football Picks & Predictions: Week 6

      October 8, 2009 /

      No. 1 Florida (4-0) at No. 4 LSU (5-0), 8:00PM ET
      The Gators travel to Baton Rouge to take on the Tigers on Saturday night in college football’s game of the week. Florida’s 14-game winning streak is in jeopardy because quarterback Tim Tebow hasn’t been medically cleared to play yet after suffering a concussion two weeks ago in a win over Kentucky. Another factor working against Florida is that LSU has won 32 straight Saturday night games and Baton Rouge has proven to be one of the more hostile environments in college football. But for betting purposes, something doesn’t feel right about this point spread. Why is Florida a 7.5-point favorite on the road against a Tiger team that hasn’t lost on Saturday nights in 32 consecutive tries and Tebow hasn’t been cleared to play? LSU’s offense has struggled so far this year and things won’t get any easier this week against a Florida defense that is the best in the nation. The game might be tight for a while, but the Gators cover in the end.
      Odds: Florida –7.5.
      Prediction: Florida 24, LSU 14.

      Boston College (4-1) at No. 5 Virginia Tech (4-1), 12:00PM ET
      The Hokies have won two straight ACC title games against the Eagles coming into this game, but BC holds a three-game regular season winning streak over VA Tech. While the Eagles have surprised many pundits this year, they’re likely to struggle this weekend in Blacksburg. VA Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor continues to improve as a passer and is starting to build a lot of confidence. Boston College doesn’t have the offensive weapons to match up with the a tough Hokie defense and the Eagles will struggle to contain Taylor for four quarters.
      Odds: VA Tech –13.5.
      Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Boston College 13.

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      College Football

      Bernard Berrian chats with The Scores Report

      October 8, 2009 /

      Thanks to Brett Favre and their 4-0 start, the Minnesota Vikings are one of the most talked about teams in the NFL right now. One of the players off to a solid start is receiver Bernard Berrian, who has 16 receptions for 177 yards and one touchdown on the year. Bernard was gracious enough to chat with us about the Vikings’ big win over the Packers on Monday night, a game in which he hauled in six passes for 75 yards and a 31-yard touchdown. Among some of the topics we asked Bernard were what it’s like being in the same huddle with a legend, whether there was any truth to the rumor that there was a divide in the Vikings’ locker room following the signing of Favre, and who is the toughest cornerback he’s ever faced.

      The Scores Report: Hey Bernard, how are you man?

      Bernard Barrian: I’m fine, how you doing?

      TSR: Good. Congratulations on the win Monday night.

      BB: Thanks, appreciate it.

      TSR: I felt that your touchdown in the third quarter gave you guys the momentum the rest of the way.

      BB: Oh yeah I think it definitely did, or put us in position at least.

      TSR: No knock on any of the other quarterbacks you’ve played with throughout your career, but you’re playing with a legend now. What’s it like being in the same huddle with Brett Favre?

      BB: It’s fun really. He brings a lot of fun to the game. When you see highlights, you see emotion pouring out through different players on the field.

      TSR: Who put the rocking chair in front of his locker after the win?

      BB: I still haven’t found out who did that – I have no idea. But it was hilarious when I saw it sitting there. (Laughs)

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      Interviews, NFL

      Fantasy Quick Hitters: Caddy, MBIII, Marshall and more

      October 8, 2009 /

      Bucs’ OC Greg Olson wants Caddy to be the featured back. Williams has been productive, but he’s injury-prone, and if the Bucs start giving him 25 touches a game, he’s probably going to break down. This is bad news for Derrick Ward in the short term, but in the long term, it might be a good thing. Ward could be the primary ballcarrier to close the season.

      Brandon Marshall seems to be happy again. It’s amazing what a 4-0 start and a sick, game-winning TD catch will do for a guy. Marshall’s talent is undeniable, and it seems like he and HC Josh McDaniels have put the ill will behind them and have found a way to work together. Marshall’s upside is still limited somewhat by Kyle Orton (just ask Eddie Royal owners), but he has been productive of late and has worked his way back to being an every-week start in most formats.

      Rashard Mendenhall should start this week. With Willie Parker likely out, look for another big game from Mendenhall as he faces the Lions’ 20th-ranked rush defense.

      MBIII is back at practice. The Cowboys face the Chiefs this week, so it’s a nice matchup for the entire offense. Barber should be in most starting lineups, but Tashard Choice is likely to see a lot of work to keep Barber fresh. Choice has been productive, so there’s no reason not to use him.

      Frank Gore on track to return in Week 7. The 49ers have a bye next week, so it looks like Sunday may be the last week that Glen Coffee is startable. He has a nice matchup with the 25th-ranked Falcons’ rush defense and should see plenty of work. Regardless, Gore owners should keep Coffee stashed as a handcuff.

      Fantasy Football, News, Rumors & Gossip

      Merriman upset with Chargers’ GM over comments

      October 8, 2009 /

      Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman is upset after general manager A.J. Smith described San Diego’s play this year as being “soft” at times.

      From ESPN.com:

      On Wednesday, Smith was quoted in The San Diego Union-Tribune as saying, “Everything is wrong with it right now. I’m not the least bit happy in a lot of areas. I’ve seen us be tough and physical to soft and bewildered.”

      Merriman at first declined to comment, which would have been a first in his five-year career.

      “I don’t know too much of that. That’s an opinion of a person, and it’s not needed,” Merriman said. “We know that we have to play better. We met for an extra hour and a half as a defense as a whole to discuss what we need to do and things we need to do to get better. And we’re going to make adjustments in this locker room as far as players and our attitudes and getting after people a little more. But all that extra [stuff] is not needed at all.”

      Merriman said it would be easier to absorb such talk if it came from a teammate.

      “The only opinions that matter to me are the ones in this locker room. Anything else, it doesn’t matter,” he said.

      Merriman’s comments in reaction to what Smith said weren’t that bad. In some respects he’s right – comments from a GM regarding the play of a team aren’t needed.

      That said, the Chargers’ defense hasn’t been as aggressive as in year’s past. They allowed the Steelers to do whatever they wanted last Sunday night and even when Jacob Hester gave them new life with his fumble recovery-turned-touchdown, San Diego’s defense sat back as Pittsburgh strolled back down the field and put seven more points on the board. When they absolutely needed a stop, they couldn’t get one.

      So no, Smith’s comments aren’t needed. Nor are they off the mark.

      NFL

      Iverson could miss three weeks

      October 8, 2009 /

      Per the Memphis Commercial-Appeal…

      Allen Iverson will miss three weeks with a partial tear in his left hamstring, the Grizzlies announced before Wednesday’s preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That means Iverson will be sidelined for the rest of the preseason — and his availability for the team’s regular-season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 28 is in jeopardy.

      Iverson suffered the injury coming to a jump stop during the team’s open intrasquad scrimmage at Birmingham Southern College on Sunday. He said the entire back of his leg turned “black and purple,” and he underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning that revealed the damage.

      Ouch, that doesn’t sound good. The AI era in Memphis is off to an inauspicious start.

      NBA, News

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