Clothes Make the Man - HPSWBT Week 5

Confession: I'm a uniform geek. UniWatch is gospel and I'll frequently be more excited for a random game between Miami and Florida State to see what color pants will be worn than to see the actual games. (In recent years, this has been about the only reason to watch that game actually.)

It's been a busy week on that front. What you see above is Iowa State's new logo and helmet for 2008. I like the helmet quite a bit and the logo, with it's prominent display of "State," is endearingly traditional but I'll be interested to see how it works on basketball jerseys and the such. It looks great on a helmet but it could be a bit wordy for a pair of shorts.

Here (away, away alt) is what the new uniforms will look like if they're simply painted on top of their old jerseys. (C'mon ISU. You telling me that Nike couldn't whip up three prototypes for the big unveiling?) The new togs are a definite improvement but very USCesque.

--With the spread for LSU-Tulane sitting around the 40-point mark, you many not think there's much reason to wake up Saturday morning and tune in to ESPN2. Not so fast. Both teams will be wearing Katrina specials for the game, featuring this vaguely cool pelican as phoenix logo. No shots yet of the Tulane jersey, but LSU's ensemble is pretty easy on the eyes.

--And finally, New Mexico State is "tough enough to wear pink." Really looking forward to seeing this.

What does all this have to do with my Week 5 picks? Nothing, but if I get in a pinch this week I won't be afraid to go to the color method. This will actually be the first week of the season where I'll be home for the entire day doing nothing but watching football. Onward...

West Virginia @ USF (+7)

I love South Florida. Really I do, but minus a first half hiccup against Marshall the Mountaineers have rolled through the first four and they have a good bit of revenge on their mind following a home loss to the Bulls in 06. Could be the best game of the weekend.

Clemson @ Georgia Tech (+3)

Given the fact that UVA is 3-0 in the conference, it might be wise to avoid the ACC all together but there's nothing like kicking a tam while they're down. Simply put, Gerogia Tech has been a wreck the past two weeks and their only real win came against Notre Dame. This one will be close but there's too much Tiger in the backfield for the Jackets.

Ohio State @ Minnesota (+23.5)

Until further notice, Ohio State is the best team in the Big 10. Again. Until Minnesota beats a BCS conference team, they're one of the worst in the country. Simple, see.

Kansas State @ Texas (-14.5)

Let the Big 12 South's annual dominance of the North begin! Texas needs an impressive win with the Red River Shootout (didn't get that memo) up next. They'll get it at home.

Auburn @ Florida (-18.5)

Ohmygawd! Tim Tebow! The guy's great but even Leonard Nimoy can't inspire the sort of sweaty, fan-boy worship we've seen thus far in 2007. Why Auburn here? I don't know because they basically have to beat two QBs in this game: Florida's and their own. Still, I expect something fluky to happen--blocked punt, big INT--to keep Auburn closer than they have any right to be.

Cal @ Oregon (-5.5)

This one should be fun and, if both coaches play it right, the most garishly colorful game in history. (I'm hoping for a gold versus green match-up with those motorcycle helmets Oregon wore for their bowl game last year.) There's little to choose between these teams so I'll just bet on Autzen Stadium.

Miss. St. @ South Carolina (-14)

Never thought I would pick Sylvester Croom over the HBC, but with a new quarterback guiding an already anemic offense the Bulldogs could be in the hunt for their second SEC win of the season. Jasper Brinkley is out for the season and that's bad for the Gamecocks and bad for all of us, really. College football could use more Jaspers.

Michigan State @ Wisconsin (+7)

It doesn't feel like it, but Wisconsin has the nation's longest winning streak at 13 games. This is a classic Big 10 slugfest which means I will not be watching it, but I'd take the Spartans straight-up if I had to. MSU leads the country in sacks and, while passing attempts should be few, that's more than Wisconsin can say.

Ole Miss @ Georgia (-15)

Was last week an aberration or a sign of life for Coach O? I'm going, hoping really, with the latter. The Dawgs could be a better road team than home team and this is the SEC in year with two clear-cut favorite and a mass of speed an athleticism underneath. Anything can happen.

Iowa State @ Nebraska (-21)

I'm still shocked by this line. It's essentially the same spread as Ball State last week and you have to figure that, after allowing 610 yards of offense, the number started a good measure lower than it would have had Nebraska won in even ho-hum fashion. Is Iowa State that bad? Is Nebraska? The Cyclones have some talent at the skill positions and at this point I have no idea what to expect out of the Cornhuskers. In terms of the conference race and waning confidence, this is a must win for Bill Callahan. He will, but it won't be by three touchdowns.

Last Week: 7-3

YTD: 25-15