Foss' Football Forecast, November 4-5, 2006

A week of surprises in the Pac-10 as the wild, wild west continues. I went only 1-3 this week, with my only win being the Oregon Ducks romp over Division 1AA Portland State, 55-12, in a confidence builder for the Ducks offense. The biggest upset, which caught national attention, was the upstart Oregon State Beavers knocking off the #3 Southern Cal Trojans 33-31 in Corvallis, snapping the Trojans record 27-game win streak in conference games, who would've thought it would be the Beavers breaking that streak. I don't think USC likes the new balances conference schedule, where they have to play everyone each season. They caught the Beavers on a roll and playing with confidence. OSU lead at one point 33-10, but the Trojans came storming back and tried a two-point conversion on their final touchdown with seven seconds left to try and tie it, but the OSU defense knocked down the pass and the Beavers held on. OSU had to play a perfect game and did with no turnovers, while USC's usually sure handed running backs caughed up three fumbles and QB John David Booty had one interception. The Beavers made a Booty call and scored with a big time win. Two other upsets on the road as Arizona State tried to save its season with a 26-23 overtime win at Washington, and the surprising Washington State Cougars went into the Rose Bowl and embarrassed the UCLA Bruins, 37-15. The win earned WSU a #25 ranking this week, and doesn't make Oregon's loss to them look so bad. The Ducks two losses have come against ranked teams. The Ducks slipped in the rankings to #24. Overall my Pac-10 record is 40-15 for 72.7 winning percentage. I went 5-0 again in my other games to up my record to 32-3 for 91.4 winning percentage.

It was a tough week in the NFL as I only went 2-3. Two struggling teams, the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders, managed to pull it together in home games as the Browns beat the New York Jets, 20-13; and the Raiders upset the defending Super Bowl champ Pittsburgh Steelers also 20-13. The Steelers are only a remnant of last year's Super Bowl team as they realize how much Jerome Bettis meant to their offense. As a Seahawk fan, I am relishing the Steelers 2-5 start, and am not afraid to predict the Steelers will not make the playoffs this season. Despite all their injuries, the Seattle Seahawks are still 4-3 and tied for first in the NFC West. I do still feel once they get their star running back Shaun Alexander and QB Matt Hasselbeck back they will hit stride and make it back to the Super Bowl and win it this time, of course the road to the NFC Title will probably have to go through Chicago this season. My overall NFL picks record is now 27-13 for 67.5 winning percentage.

Here are this week's picks:
College Football Saturday, November 4, 2006:
Pac-10 picks:
OREGON by 10 over Washington
OREGON STATE by 7 over arizona state
WASHINGTON STATE by 14 over arizona
southern cal (usc) by 21 over STANFORD
CALIFORNIA by 10 over ucla
others:
MICHIGAN by 30 over ball state
AUBURN by 35 over arkansas state
ohio state by 21 over ILLINOIS
TEXAS by 21 over oklahoma state
NOTRE DAME by 14 over north carolina

NFL Sunday, November 5, 2006:
atlanta by 14 over DETROIT
dallas by 10 over WASHINGTON
green bay by 14 over BUFFALO
minnesota by 14 over SAN FRANCISCO
N.Y. GIANTS by 10 over houston

It's finally time to say goodbye to the Boys of Summer, and congratulations goes out to the St. Louis Cardinals on winning the Major League Baseball World Series Championship for the first time since 1982, and avenging their 1967 loss to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, it was a long time coming. The Cardinals dominated this years series 4 games to 1. I gave the Tigers some credit and picks the Cards to win 4 games to 2, but I'm glad the Cards tamed the Tigers early. A special congrats goes out to four former members of my favorite team the Angels: Scott Spiezio & David Eckstein (MVP of the World Series for clutch hits) won their second rings, as they also were members of the Angels 2002 Title team, Jeff Weaver and Jim Edmonds on winning their first Championship ring. I also was glad to see Albert Pujols win a championship, besides being a great player on the field, he also is a great role model for kids as a Christian athlete and does so much in the St. Louis community. The Cardinals with only 83 wins this season, proved that any team can win the World Series, all you have to do is get into the playoffs. The National League Central was tough this season and with everyone knocking each other off it was tough to establish a good record, the Cards won their division with only 83 wins, but the Houston Astros were close behind at 82-80.

You probably noticed from my Pac-10 picks this week I have finally jumped on the Beavers and Cougars band wagon, and Cal should easily win the "Battle of the Bears" Golden Bears vs. Bruins. The Ducks have another Northwest rivalry this week with the always hated Huskies coming to town, GO DUCKS!