The Baker Galleries

This week’s marks the 1/4 mark of the season….I guess it is time to get back in the race. Let’s get it going with this line-up:

1. Florida Int at Kansas (-30.5)
2. Texas Tech (-6) at Okie St
3. Rice at Texas (-38.5)
4. Syracuse at Louisville (-37)
5. Wildcard: Georgia at Alabama(+3.5)

Quick picks….analysis to follow:
KU rolls in the best practice before the k-st game
The system upends Okie State at Boone’s Farm.
Texas treats Rices like a prison bitch
Not a good week to be the Cuse….Ville covers
I like the Richt’s road record and the DAWGS

Florida Int at Kansas
With Duke’s win last week FIU owns the nations longest losing streak at 16. Oh yea….another barn burner in Lawrence. Where I agree with Mangino when he says all you remember in November are the wins games against FIU do little to contribute to a competive edge.

But let’s call it what it is…. a competitive scrimmage at the end of the three week preparation for k-st. KU’s off week is next week to give them addtional time to prep for the mildcats, another scheduling methodology carried over from Mangino’s time in Manhattan. The starters get some additional reps in a conservative attack. KU covers in this yawner.

Rice at Texas
Are the 07 Horns evolving into the Canes of the 80s? Most likely not though I’m sure it scares the shit out of the mighty Owls. Texas looks to redefine itself in this game at home. Texas treats Rices like the new inmate in cell-block D.

Tech at Okie St.
Tech is desperate for a true rival, a game the opponent circles on their schedule. A team that salvages a 1 and 11 season. They feel they may have it in Okie St as Tech is pushing to move this game to a neutral location in Dallas. For now, Tech enters Boone’s Farm as the favorite against a team who lost to effing Troy….on a Friday night for God’s sake. Troy’s 19 non-qualifers did more put up more points…the crushed the enthusiasm of the over-hyped offense in Stillwater. Crabtree — the real deal or simply antother stat filled cog — has a big game and Tech contributes to the free-fall.
Tech covers.

Cuse at the Ville
A statement game for the Cards. I expect Kraigthrope looks to save face with the Card faithful and puts up 60. The easiest pick of the season. Cards roll.

Wildcard: Georgia at Alabama
Too much hype from the Tide and the Richt has a 9-2 SEC road records. Going with Uga to cover.

Everyone is the benefactor of the most recent lines due to my late posting….it’s been a long week. Results to follow shortly.

• Toledo at Kansas (-24.5)
• Texas (-18) at UCF
• Tech (-28) at Rice
• Louisville (-6.5) at Kentucky
• Wildcard: Florida (-7.5) vs. Tennessee

Kansas vs. Toledo
One of the poorest executed games in the last decade — I’m referring to KU’s double overtime lost against the Rockets last year — cost KU a shot at that elusive consecutive bowl appearance. Since then, the Rockets have been on a free fall and KU appears to be turning the corner…even if the turn is coming off of Crap Drive and onto Mediocre Lane.

Central Michigan, KU’s week 1 victim, dropped 50+ on the Rockets last week and KU is looking to right the wrong from a year ago. The only thing holding KU back from covering the line will be the the amount of time the reserves see the field. And IMO, this is a good thing. If you recall, KU dropped four games in the fourth quarter last year simply due to a lack of depth. Getting the second and third teams 1.5 quarters of play through three or four games can only add to the much needed depth.

KU covers by the third.

Texas at UCF
Well, TCU was exposed…not by Mack at Co but by Air Force last night…..so the jury is still out on the the golden boy from West Texas and the 07 Horns. And the exceptional play out of Norman only adds to the discussion/board chatter/concern. Despite the fact that the Knights knocked off NC St in Week 1 a Texas win on the road will do little to quiet the skeptics. I like that Charles is two for two in 100+ rushing games and should continue to roll on the road this week. The Texas D-line will shut down the CFU running game and Texas covers.

Tech at Rice
Rice is horrible and the Pirate savant continues to chrun out the stats. Newsflash…its not the players its the system. IMO…28 is generous given the Leach isn’t one to let up in a game he views as the sixth practice of the week. So yes Tech covers in this yawner. To spice it up a bet here’s a side bet….Blaine will have his “lean” on by the middle of the second quarter…will Tech have covered by then?

BTW Blaine…looking for a full report from Baton Rouge.

Louisville at Kentucky
Maybe an upset special here. The BlueGrass battle features two of the better quarterbacks in college football going against two mediocre defenses. The experts are calling this the upset special…though I am not sold. The Ville will sneak out out Lexington with a W but will fall short of the line…something to the tune of 45 – 49.

Wildcard: Tennessee at Florida
The decision was between a potential blow-out in Lincoln or one of the better rivalries in college football. And what drew me to the game, despite the fact we had Tennessee in Week 1, was the movement of the line…it opened at Florida -1 and quickly shot to -7.5. The experts who live out of the sports book must know something I don’t given the Fulmer lost a key cornerback this week. I’ll go with the sports book and will take the Vols to cover.

Well…I accomplished my goal of putting distance on the field….just the wrong way. Week 1 may have been my worst FBB performance E-V-E-R….cripes. Thank god I have 11 more weeks to make up some ground. Standings after week one are:

1. Julie: 4
2. Blaine: 3
3. Mark: 3
4. RObert: 3
5. Brent: 1

C-R-I-P-E-S