Shocker: Charles Hollis picks Auburn to lose

[Ogre]

Charles Hollis: Apologies to AU, but another loss is coming
Posted by Charles Hollis -- Birmingham News September 18, 2009 6:45 AM

I owe Auburn fans an apology for thinking Louisiana Tech, a double-digit underdog that went 8-5 and to a bowl game last year (unlike Auburn), could keep up with the Tigers a couple of weeks ago.

I tried to smooth things over last week when Mississippi State visited Jordan-Hare. With a new coach and the fact State's talent didn't compare with Auburn and its new coach, it really wasn't hard to agree with the oddsmakers who made the Tigers an even bigger favorite entering the MSU game than they made Auburn the week before.

This week, Auburn (2-0) hosts seven-point underdog West Virginia (2-0). The line suggests we finally get to see just how good Auburn is with this new spread offense against what should be a quality opponent.

This week's picks:

WEST VIRGINIA AT AUBURN

In last year's game in Morgantown, West Virginia had the advantage of home field and Tommy Tuberville bringing in Team Turmoil. The Mountaineers won 34-17. If the Tigers can win this one in a blowout, the Iron Bowl will be the hottest ticket in years. But don't expect a blowout. Do expect lots of scoring. The Mountaineers' defense should provide a bigger test than Auburn's first two opponents. If it can produce pressure on Chris Todd, you'll see Kodi Burns in the Wildcat a lot more and Gus Malzahn's spread will take on a different look if Burns has to pass more than he has to run. The WVU offense with 6-foot-4, 225-pound quarterback Jarrett Brown, running back Noel Devine and receivers Alric Arnett and Bradley Starks offers the most dangerous weapons the Tigers' defense will see until the Oct. 10 Arkansas game.

West Virginia 38, Auburn 35

NORTH TEXAS AT ALABAMA

Too bad Riley Dodge, the son of Todd Dodge, the head coach of the Mean Green, is out with a shoulder injury. He is a quality quarterback who was on his way to a big year. With or without him, the 34½-point underdog Mean Green was going to struggle against the Crimson Tide. Let's see if the Tide has solved its kickoff return problems this week.

Alabama 41, North Texas 6

UAB AT TROY

The hard-to-figure Blazers (1-1) return to their usual underdog role, where they usually spring a surprise every now and then. With the seven-point favored Trojans (0-2) playing their home opener, and the athletic Joe Webb facing two of the best defensive ends he'll see all season in Cameron Sheffield and Brandon Lang, it's doubtful the Blazers will pull the upset this week.

Troy 28, UAB 24

MILES AT SAMFORD

After the upset over Tuskegee the week before, a letdown by Miles was expected at SIAC rival Benedict. But not Benedict 40, Miles 31. That should prove motivational for coach Billy Joe on Saturday. And he's going to need any edge he can find. Samford has the skill players and an improving defense to get to 2-1.

Samford 27, Miles 21

IN THE SEC

Tennessee at Florida: We know Lane Kiffin can run his mouth and recruit. But can he coach? Guess it's still too early in the game for that answer. At least in Saturday's Payback Game -- remember, Kiffin called Gators coach Urban Meyer a cheater -- Kiffin has a chance to keep it respectable. His Vols are a 28½-point underdog.

Florida 45, Tennessee 7

Georgia at Arkansas: There's a new ballcoach in town -- who doesn't run the spread -- and the Hogs' Bob Petrino has the offense to beat the Dawgs. Barring any breakdowns in the kicking game, Arkansas could force Mark Richt to break out a quarterback who can pass. Joe Cox is not the answer.

Arkansas 36, Georgia 30

Louisville at Kentucky: The Wildcats (1-0) have a chance to do something they haven't accomplished since the series was renewed in 1994: win three straight over the hated Cardinals (1-0).

Kentucky 30, Louisville 23

Louisiana-Lafayette at LSU: The Ragin' Cajuns upset Kansas State last week but are still 0-21 in games against the Tigers. And they're 27-point underdogs in Death Valley.

LSU 38, Louisiana-Lafayette 14

Southeastern Louisiana at Ole Miss: With South Carolina coming up next Thursday, this should be a chance for most of the Rebels' offense, hard hit with the flu the past two weeks, to find its timing against the Division I-AA Lions (2-0).

Ole Miss 30, Southeast Louisiana 10

Mississippi State at Vanderbilt: State (1-1) will be lucky to win two more games the rest of the season -- Saturday against Vandy (1-1) and Oct. 17 against Middle Tennessee.

Vanderbilt 27, Mississippi State 21

Florida Atlantic at South Carolina: If Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks (1-1) could find a running game and fix their special teams, they just might be the second-best team in the SEC East. The 21-point underdog Owls (0-1) got a serious spanking at Nebraska two weeks ago. The open date won't help.

South Carolina 35, Florida Atlantic 20

SURPRISE OF THE WEEK

Florida State (1-1) at No. 7 Brigham Young (2-0): The Seminoles lost a gut-wrencher at home on Labor Day night to Miami. They probably should have lost at home to Division I-AA Jacksonville State last week. But let's not forget about FSU's speed and skill and BYU's lack of speed on defense. The seven-point favored Cougars are going to score with quarterback Max Hall, but Mickey Andrews' defense will do just enough to allow Christian Ponder and Company to outscore Hall and Company.

Florida State 38, BYU 35

IN OTHER GAMES

Jacksonville State 28, Alabama A&M 21

Boise State 35, Fresno State 27

Texas 35, Texas Tech 21

Clemson 24, Boston College 21

California 36, Minnesota 17

Notre Dame 30, Michigan State 24

Virginia Tech 26, Nebraska 20

Oregon 35, Utah 30

Last week's record: 17-3. This year: 31-9.

[AUsweetheart]

"I owe Auburn fans an apology for thinking Louisiana Tech, a double-digit underdog that went 8-5 and to a bowl game last year (unlike Auburn), could keep up with the Tigers a couple of weeks ago.

I tried to smooth things over last week when Mississippi State visited Jordan-Hare. With a new coach and the fact State's talent didn't compare with Auburn and its new coach, it really wasn't hard to agree with the oddsmakers who made the Tigers an even bigger favorite entering the MSU game than they made Auburn the week before."

Complete slap in the face.

Unphukingbelievable.

[Buzz Killington]

Fuck Charles Hollis in da mouf.

[wesfau2]

Charles Hollis: Apologies to AU, but another loss is coming

Someone needs to send Charles a dictionary.

To have "another" loss, Auburn would have to have one already.  Jackass.

[GH2001]

I agree with him on Arkansas/Georgia but thats about it. I really think Arky is better than people think.

The guy who wrote the above article is a twat nozzle.

[Saniflush]

I agree with him on Arkansas/Georgia but thats about it. I really think Arky is better than people think.

The guy who wrote the above article is a twat nozzle.

No he isn't.  I like twat and if someone can produce a nozzle that dispenses it, well then, that's just a bonus.

[Buzz Killington]

Someone needs to send Charles a dictionary.

To have "another" loss, Auburn would have to have one already.  Jackass.

Shhhh!  Don't tell him...he's still reveling in the 36-0 "Beatdown in T-Town"  Roe Tahd Charles.

[GH2001]

No he isn't.  I like twat and if someone can produce a nozzle that dispenses it, well then, that's just a bonus.

I stand corrected, you are technically right. I will just refer to him as a Shit Head. Or any other adjective that describes a tool such as this guy.

[AUsweetheart]

No he isn't.  I like twat and if someone can produce a nozzle that dispenses it, well then, that's just a bonus.

I just spit coffee all over my computer screen.

[GH2001]

I just spit coffee all over my computer screen.

Same here. That has to get a vote for comeback of the day....

[Saniflush]

I just spit coffee all over my computer screen.

Ok, but how do you feel about nozzles?

[AUsweetheart]

Ok, but how do you feel about nozzles?

Indifferent about this particular one.

[Saniflush]

Indifferent about this particular one.

For now.

[AUTiger1]

Someone needs to send Charles a dictionary.

To have "another" loss, Auburn would have to have one already.  Jackass.

That would have been the point in the article that I stopped reading.

[themilkmandidit]

Some one needs to tell this guy to get off his sister.

[Tiger Wench]

Ok, but how do you feel about nozzles?

Depends on the pressure...

[djsimp]

Depends on the pressure...

Wow, your for real. 

[jadennis]

Depends on the pressure...

Not the content behind the nozzle as well?  

Some things are not desirable whether dribbling out at 2 psi or spewing with fury at 100 psi.  Take Saban-induced Bammer drool....never good, no matter the pressure.

[Tiger Wench]

Not the content behind the nozzle as well?  

Some things are not desirable whether dribbling out at 2 psi or spewing with fury at 100 psi.  Take Saban-induced Bammer drool....never good, no matter the pressure.

The quality of the content behind the nozzle should be established well before any discussion on PSI...

[Saniflush]

The quality of the content behind the nozzle should be established well before any discussion on PSI...

Sometime PSI cannot be controlled due to the amount of buildup.