Friday Links: Could Russell Wilson Land At South Carolina?

Russell Wilson has become a hot name on message boards across the land as college football fans from the southeast to the mid-west try to figure out where this former N.C. State quarterback will land next season.

Wilson did big things for the Wolfpack in 2010, nearly leading them to an ACC Championship before falling short in the final week, but his need to be a two-sport man has tired head coach Tom O'Brien and forced him to go in a different direction for the betterment of his team—not sure how you get much better than Russell Wilson (308/526 for 3,546 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. 144 carries for 422 yards and 9 touchdowns*) but whatevs—so Wilson is saddled with the decision of where he will play next year.

Since he has already completed his coursework at N.C. State, he is free to transfer—according to NCAA transfer rules—to any school he pleases so long as he enrolls as their graduate program offers studies in something N.C. State does not (see Jeremiah Masoli).

So, now, every SEC team in need of a veteran quarterback, with the skill-set of Wilson, is chomping at the bit to see if they can be the chosen one. Auburn has been a hot name in the fray, as has Ole Miss, but Olin Buchanan (senior writer for Rivals.com) seems to feel that South Carolina is the best fit for Wilson given "proximity and opportunity". 

It does make sense to place Wilson as a Gamecock given how much talent they return and Spurrier's current quarterback troubles, but if South Carolina is where he wants to be (keep in mind Wilson is from Virginia), then he could just as easily land in Clemson. Better still, doesn't Penn State need a quarterback?

At this point no one knows where Wilson will land but it certainly is interesting to see a guy who no one gave two-cents about four-years ago, suddenly become one of the hottest commodities in college football—oh and did I mention he was a 2* prospect out of high school?

It just goes to show you, it's all about coaching and development. 

2. A deaf college football fan is suing the University of Kentucky for not offering closed-captioning on their scoreboard.

3. Brad Nessler used his noggin and left E$PN for a network that actually knows something about football.

4. Russell Wilson to the Pac-10?

5. Gus Malzahn explains why Cam Newton will be a success at the pro level—that sure would make Gus look like a genius if he did, wouldn't it?

6. Big Ten Commisioner, Jim Delany, isn't worried about Nebraska fitting into the conference come July 1.

7. I guess Boise State isn't used to cheating.

8. Some intellectuals at the University of Massachusetts are a bit peeved about a plan to move football into Division I FCS—one called the move a "profoundly stupid" idea.

9. New Florida coach, Will Muschamp, is making big money to make big things happen in Gainesville.

10. Knowshon Moreno could see a lot more touches this season.

Related articles

• Stunner: Russell Wilson given release by N.C. State (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Russell Wilson's potential dance partners (blutarsky.wordpress.com)
• '95-percent' certainty Russell Wilson plays in '11 (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

*Stats offered courtesy of cfbstats.com.

ATS Bowl Predictions 2010: Can UConn Upend Oklahoma In The Orange Bowl?

It's another week of bowling and some of the biggest of the big boys are on the slate to make their appearance on an E$PN network near you.

No matter your opinion on the Connecticut Huskies' (UConn) "worthiness" to be a participant in the Orange Bowl you have to respect what Randy Edsall has done at UConn.

His teams have consistently proven themselves to be both competitive and resilient and, despite how this game looks, you cannot give the win to either team based solely on what the stats on a piece of paper shows.

Oklahoma is the obvious pick for most, but they always have been. Unfortunately, they have often failed to live up to expectations where BCS bowls are concerned—suffering disappointing and embarrassing losses to teams that were considered underdogs—and while UConn doesn't tout a Landry Jones at quarterback, Bob Stoops unflattering reputation for blowing it in BCS games could become an unspoken factor.

Don't count Connecticut out of this game—despite what you hear—they have every bit the opportunity and talent to pull the upset if the Sooners come out flat, undisciplined, or minus the appropriate focus.

The picks that follow are for all games played from December 27th through December 30th. All lines are courtesy of VegasInsider.com.

(The 'Lady's bowl record thus far: 6-2).


December 27th:


Georgia Tech at Air Force, Advocare V100 Indepence Bowl: Air Force (-2.5)

The Jackets are short-handed in this one and Air Force sports a better-than-average pass defense (6th in the nation). If the Falcons can get on the board early and force Tech to go to their passing game, there is no reason they shouldn't win this game.

On the other hand, if Tech manages to make mince meat of that Falcons run defense early, forget about it, this game will be over long before halftime.

The Lady's Pick: Air Force to cover

December 28th:


North Carolina State at West Virginia, Champs Sports Bowl: West Virginia (-2.5)

The Wolfpack were one win away from an ACC Championship and they frittered it all away with bad play. West Virginia was inconsistent early and it cost them the Big East—UConn sits where they might have been—has either team recovered from their mishap?

The Mountaineers have shown that they can beat teams if they have everything clicking, but Russell Wilson—of NC State—is every bit as capable of leading his team to victory if he decides to show up and play. That said, it's hard to see the Wolfpack having enough offense to keep up with the sizzling hot Mountaineers.

The Lady's Pick: West Virginia to cover

Missouri Tigers at Iowa, Insight Bowl: Missouri (-2.5)

Iowa isn't looking like a team with much cohesiveness at the moment and that won't serve them well against a Missouri team that, despite their record, was once considered a BCS contender.

The Lady's Pick: Missouri to cover

December 29th:


Maryland vs. East Carolina, Military Bowl: Maryland (-7.5)

These Pirates aren't the same ones that beat Virginia Tech and went on an early tear a mere two seasons ago. No, these are Ruffin McNeill's Pirates and they know how to do one thing very well—score.

Maryland will be looking to send Ralph Friedgen out on a winning note and the emotion of that could propel them to play big in this game. That said, McNeill will be playing for some respect of his own, and could have just enough in place—on both sides of the ball—to pull the minor upset.

The Lady's Pick: East Carolina to cover


Baylor vs. Illinois, Texas Bowl: Baylor (-1)

They do it big in Texas and Robert Griffin III (Baylor) will be looking to do big things in Baylor's first bowl game in a very long time.

Illinois was hoping for better than 6-6, but the fact that they looked markedly better on offense and slightly better on defense this past season is a start—if you're looking for a silver lining—however, the edge has to go to the Bears in this game.

The Lady's Pick: Baylor to cover

Arizona Wildcats at Oklahoma State, Valero Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma State (-5.5)

The Cowboys are just going to be too much for the Wildcats. Love their defense and love what they have been able to do minus initial starter, Foles, but this Cowboys team is too potent to be stopped for four quarters.

The Lady's Pick: Oklahoma State to cover


Army at Southern Methodist, Armed Forces Bowl: Southern Methodist (-7)

June Jones knows how to engineer an offense and Kyle Padron will be far too much for the Knights to contain.

The Lady's Pick: SMU to cover

Kansas State at Syracuse, New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Syracuse (-1)

Kansas State relies heavily on the run and that will serve them well against the Orange—who give up a lot of yards on the ground—but their lack of balance here could be there downfall. Syracuse has one of the best pass defenses in the nation (3rd) and if they can shut down Daniel Thomas, they stand a good chance of running away in this contest.

The Lady's Pick: Syracuse to cover

North Carolina at Tennessee, Music City Bowl: North Carolina (-2)

The Tarheels are a scrappy bunch but Tennessee has found their stride late with Tyler Bray at the helm. If he can get the offense going, and the Vols can play football for 60 minutes, they win this game—no question.

The Lady's Pick: Tennessee to cover

Washington at Nebraska, Holiday Bowl: Nebraska (-14)

Washington's problem lay in their lack of a competent defense. By contrast, Nebraska has plenty of that to spare, and then some. Look for Jake Locker to try his best to keep this game close but, in the end, Nebraska just has too much talent to be overtaken.

The Lady's Pick: Nebraska to cover

College Football Betting Odds: 10 ATS Picks to Click This Weekend (10/2)

Last week treated the Lady a lot better than the two prior—7-3 ATS was the final tally. Not bad for a weekends worth of picks, eh? That lovely end brought the season record up to a much more respectable 20-15, but there is still much work to do in order to get well on the year.

So, if you want to glance at last weeks numbers, do so here, otherwise, let's get to this weeks teams worthy of taking a chance on—ATS of course.

(All lines courtesy of VegasInsider.com). 

1.  Wisconsin vs. Michigan State: Pick Em' (PK)

Wisconsin has played no one of any real substance this season, but they've still managed to be unimpressive in every contest—including the ones where they should have blown the doors off their opponent. Michigan State will be on an emotional high with the return of their head coach to the sidelines and could be up to the challenge of sending the Badgers home with their first loss of the year.

The Lady's Pick: Michigan State

2. Michigan at Indiana: Michigan (-10.5)

Michigan will, likely, have Denard Robinson back as their starting quarterback this week. That's big for the Wolverines because it became clear last week, when Robinson went out in the first quarter, that the team moves the ball a lot more efficiently with him in the lineup. Indiana has played no team that comes close to the offensive power that Michigan brings to the table—expect lots of points.

The Lady's Pick: Michigan

3. Connecticut vs Vanderbilt: Connecticut (10.5)

Vanderbilt may not be playing with a ton of personnel this season, but they are playing with a ton of heart. Connecticut has been on the ATS pendulum this season, doing well against the pansies but folding against the lesser opposition—perhaps it's harder to get up for the lower profile games? The talented running backs (for the respected teams) are due back this week and will be a major factor in the outcome. I think Vanderbilt can keep it interesting so long as Warren Norman can run the ball.

The Lady's Pick: Vanderbilt

4. Georgia Tech at Wake Forest: Georgia Tech (-14)

The Yellow Jackets have been an enigma this season and skepticism about their ability to play a full 60 minutes—on both sides of the field—has to be pretty high right now. That said, they are probably itching to get back on track after suffering such a heartbreaking loss at home last week and there are few teams in the ACC better to get well against than the Demon Deacons.

The Lady's Pick: Georgia Tech

5. Miami at Clemson: Miami (-3)

Everyone is back on the Hurricane's bandwagon after the way they dismantled Pitt last weekend, but Clemson looked impressive for 54 minutes against Auburn a couple weeks back and they've had an extra week to prepare for the Hurricane's arrival in Death Valley.

The Lady's Pick: Clemson

6.  Nevada vs. UNLV: Nevada (-20)

The Wolfpack has been on a roll. In the last two weeks, they've beaten both Cal (at home) and BYU (on the road). Now they will travel back to Nevada to take on the lowly Rebels. Though the Wolfpack ran away with this one last season, and should soundly beat the Rebels on Saturday, it just seems like one of those games where the emotional highs can catch up to a team and cause them to lapse momentarily. Nevada won't lose, but they may not win by 20.

The Lady's Pick: UNLV

7. Kentucky vs. Ole Miss: Ole Miss (-4)

It was nice that Ole Miss was able to get it rolling against Fresno State last week, but Kentucky will offer a different kind of challenge to this Rebel offense—a real one. Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb are looking to get loose after being, essentially, stalled against the Gators last week and this is just the game to set the Wildcats loose.

The Lady's Pick: Kentucky

8. Texas Tech at Iowa State: Texas Tech (-4.5)

Iowa State has a pretty good quarterback in Austen Arnaud, but chances are he won't be 100 percent for this one. Texas Tech hasn't been all that impressive, offensively, but they should have enough talent to outplay the Cyclones if they try hard enough.

The Lady's Pick: Texas Tech  

9.  Marshall at Southern Miss: Southern Miss (-9)

DeAndre Brown is questionable, as is Marshall's defensive stud, Mario Harvey. Both are considerably important to their teams for different reasons. If Brown is limited or held out due to injury, Marshall has enough play makers on defense to keep the game close.

The Lady's Pick: Marshall

10.  Virginia Tech at NC State: Virginia Tech (-3)

The odds makers are having a tough time believing in NC State. The Wolfpack has only been favored once this season—at home versus Cincinnati. The underdog roll seems to suit them just fine as they continue to rise above expectations. Look for them to do so again on Saturday.

The Lady's Pick: NC State