Fithian Fab Five For Weekend of 11-11-11
1. Sports Illustrated says U of M ran a 70-30 split between spread and pro-style with Denard Robinson at quarterback last week in Iowa City. It looked more like 50/50 split to me with a little Devin Gardner mixed in. Very difficult to play QB at any level then add in different systems and another qb like the Wolverines are. Too much for Robinson to handle. Simplfy things at QB and UM should be able to take care of Illinois. I do see another game like Michigan had last week vs Iowa. This time UM makes the final play and gets its eighth win of the year. Michigan 35 Illinois 31
2. All teams are better at home meanwhile Iowa is much much better when they are at home. Still MSU has what it takes with their secondary and defensive line to hold the Hawkeyes down. I see a low scoring game with the Spartans coming out on top. Michigan State 17 Iowa 13
Other College Picks
Oregon +31/2 vs Stanford
Wake Forest +161/2 at Clemson
E.Carolina +4 at UTEP
Pro Picks
I liked the Lions before the season to go 9-7 going 5-3 in the 2nd half of the season. Detroit is 6-2 after eight games and I'm going to stay with my 5-3 prediction which would put the Lions at 11-5 at the end of the season. That looks good for a playoff berth.
So, I like the Lions to get to the post season but I don't like them this Sunday. Even though Detroit's got the bye week and Chicago is on a short week -- I still pick the Bears at home. I like the way Jay Cutler & Matt Forte are playing. Lance Briggs is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Chicago 20 Detroit 16
Steelers -3 Pitt 30 Cinci 24
MNF Vikings +131/2 Green Bay 35 Minnesota 23
