COLUMN: Red-faced but still making predictions

By By Austin Bishop / EMG regional sports director
Oct. 30, 2004
Boy, I was wrong.
What else can you say when you pick a team to lose 52-7 and they wind up winning by a touchdown instead.
My hat's off to the Mississippi State Bulldogs for their upset of No. 20 Florida and also to the MSU fans who didn't harass me all week for such a stupid pick.
I did talk to a friend of mine midweek who recounted a conversation he and his wife had on the way to the game. He told her how badly I picked State to lose, she asked if it could really be that bad. He said, yes, it really could be.
So, at least I wasn't out there by myself, even a State fan thought it could have been a blowout. Instead it was Ron Zook's job as head coach of Florida that got blown away.
The State game was the only one of four I missed, while my good ol' picking buddy Al Brown missed the MSU win and Tennessee's win over Alabama.
That puts me at 24-9 for the year and Al at 22-11.
Georgia
vs. Florida
After losing to State, it would be just like the Gators to turn around and upset Georgia.
By the way if you don't believe Steve Spurrier will be the next head football coach at Florida raise your hand. Now, put your hand down, you are embarrassing yourself.
The rivalry between Georgia and Florida has produced some wild games in the past, but this one might not be so close.
THE PICKS: Al says Georgia wins 38-10, I think it will be more like 27-17 in favor of the Bulldogs.
Arizona State
at California
I think this might turn out to be a mighty good football game. Al doesn't think so.
Arizona State has a strong squad and California has a great one. Both of these teams are still trying to get into the Bowl Championship Series and a loss would pop the bubble on those chances for sure.
THE PICKS: Al goes with California 41-13, while I pick Cal to win 34-24.
Auburn at
Ole Miss
The Ole Miss fans would just love for their Rebels to knock the Auburn Tigers and their coach Tommy Tuberville from the ranks of the undefeated.
Ole Miss did play a great game against Tennessee two weeks ago and will have to play even better to have a chance today.
Al says "Auburn can beat anybody in the Country. Tuberville is back in Oxford and He's not going to lose."
I don't know if Auburn can beat USC and Oklahoma, but the Tigers can likely handle the Rebels.
THE PICKS: Al says Auburn wins 35-10. I say The Tigers win 28-20 in a much tighter game that most folks expect.
Kentucky at
Miss. State
If you think there is any way I am picking State to lose this game you are crazy.
That's the least I can do after my debacle last week.
This is certainly a game the Bulldogs can lose, but you must admit that the Gators are better than the Wildcats.
THE PICKS: Al says State win 24-17. That sounds about right to me. I'm going with 24-20 in favor of MSU.