The turkey wasn’t the only casualty at the table this week when the Lock family sat down for their holiday meal.  Jill and Pad decided that it was finally time to show the door to their beloved husband and uncle, Gil.  Apparently taking their cue from the administration at Notre Dame, they decided to let Gil know a little of what Charlie Weis has been going through in South Bend.  The clincher was his third consecutive 1-2 weekend that continued to drag down the family record; one that featured Jill’s perfect 4-0 a week ago.  It wasn’t pleasant; Gil was in a cold sweat through most of the meal, but it was necessary.  After all, 1-2 is not what the Locks expected. 

Locks of the Week

Jill Locks (20-8)

Nevada-Boise State over 72.5-

These are two offensive machines that have been very good to me all year.  Boise needs to keep winning in order to secure a BCS bid and Nevada is on an eight game win streak. 

North Carolina -5 over North Carolina State

- The Tar Heels may be playing better than anyone in the ACC right now as Butch Davis has his team clicking on all cylinders headed into the bowl season. 

Clemson +2 1/2 over South Carolina

- I’m thinking Clemson is a dog because the games at South Carolina and they might be caught looking ahead to the ACC title game.  However, the wheels have come off of the Gamecock’s wagon over the last month and they won’t have enough to stem Clemson’s momentum.

Pad Locks (6-4)

Arkansas State-North Texas over 53.5

-  My weekly dose of “Arifemetic” as a tribute to my fallen uncle.  Both teams stink and neither has a good defense.

Arizona -2 1/2 over Arizona State-

  Arizona has got to be pretty pissed at blowing their shot at the Rose Bowl last week.  They’ll take it out on an Arizona State squad that is clearly overmatched.

Texas Tech – 22 1/2 over Baylor

-  Since losing QB Robert Griffin, Baylor has lost 6 of 7 and hasn’t even competed over the last two weeks; being outscored by Texas and Texas A&M by a combined 85-17.  Things won’t be easier this week as Texas Tech looks to pad its Bowl resume.

Season Record (37-28-1)

“I didn’t send any e-mail.  I haven’t even decided yet”, she exclaimed, “where did they come from?”  A knowing laugh came over the phone as soon as I mentioned “West-consin”. “That’s my dopey husband again.  He’s so embarrassed that you’re using my picks instead of his that he’ll do anything to get his in.  Meanwhile, I can’t even get a decent cup of coffee.  He keeps coming back from Dunkin Donuts with the wrong stuff and I think he’s getting ripped off on the munchkins.”

What to do?  I had three picks from Gil but Jill’s the one on fire.  “Tell you what”, she said.  “I can’t really watch much more of this nonsense, anyway.  Use his picks and see how he does.  I’ll keep an eye on him from here and, if he makes a fool of himself, I’ll take the job back.”  Fair enough.  So, for Week 6, we’ll not only have Jill’s selections but we”ll throw Gil a bone and feature his too.

Jill Lock’s picks:

Nevada - 8 1/2  over Louisiana Tech (Friday)- I’m staying with Nevada because they played so well last week.  It’s their third straight at home and Tech struggled last week against a bad Hawaii team.

Georgia +2 over Tennessee- This one’s easy.  Georgia has lost to two really good teams and Tennessee can’t score. I like the under here, too, but just for fun.

Oklahoma -24  1/2 over Baylor-  I really like this one because Gil doesn’t. Baylor lost its QB and Oklahoma may get theirs back, the cute one that won the Heisman.  Plus, they’re going to be really pissed after last week’s loss to Miami.

Gil Lock’s picks:

Wisconsin +13  1/2 over Ohio State- Wisconsin usually plays the Buckeyes tough.  They’ll grind it out, shorten the game and keep it close.  I also don’t like the fact that Ohio State has covered in every game so far.

Minnesota -3 over Purdue- Hate to pick two Big Ten games because now I’ll have to watch.  This conference stinks.  However, Minnesota has played well over the last few weeks and Purdue is terrible.

Fresno State – 9  1/2 over Hawaii- Fresno has played a terrific schedule so far and has held its own.  They’ve traveled a lot, too, so this trip shouldn’t bother them and, as Jill pointed out, Hawaii is terrible.  As a native Hawaiian myself, I hate to say that, but it’s true.

Season record: 8-7

TCU + 3 over Clemson

When BYU got knocked off by Florida State it cleared the way for TCU to rise out of the Mountain West and claim a BCS Bowl bid.  The # 12 Horned Frogs know it’ll take an undefeated season to get there so they’ll be ready for Clemson in Death Valley.  Take the points.

Rutgers – 3 over Maryland

In the BCS food chain, the ACC and Big East clearly find themselves at the bottom. (Although, I think they’re both better than the Big Ten.)  The two conferences butt heads in this matchup with Rutgers looking to make a post season statement.  I’m not a huge fan of the Sacrlet Knights but they’re Opening Day loss to Cincinnati doesn’t look so bad anymore and Maryland lost at home last week to Middle Tennessee.

Virginia Tech + 2 over Miami

While the Hurricanes have made a huge impression with wins over ranked teams in their first two games, the Hokies haven’t exactly been playing the Little Sisters of the Poor.  They hung with #4 Alabama into the 4th QTR and knocked off # 21 Nebraska last week.  I think Va. Tech is the better team, they’re at home and everyone likes Miami.

Toledo +20  1/2 over Ohio State- I’m letting my bias for the MAC Conference show, I know, but I’m really impressed by Toledo.  They crushed Colorado last week; mainly because their three receivers are lightning quick.  I don’t think the Buckeye corners are fast enough to shut them down and Big Ten teams historically struggle against the spread offense.  It’s also probable that Ohio State will suffer a bit of a letdown after last week’s heartbreaker vs. USC.  They’ll win, but not by three TD’s.

Baylor -10  1/2 over Connecticut- If it isn’t already obvious, I don’t think much of UConn.  They did little to change that opinion last week when they only managed what amounted to a defensive TD vs. North Carolina.  Baylor is a solid team flying under the radar in a conference loaded with Top 25 teams.  I’m counting on the fact that the line is off because no one knows them.  In another conference, Baylor QB Robert Griffin would be First Team.  Go with the Bears.

Army -7  1/2 over Ball State- Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith.  I don’t know much about Ball State and even less about Army but I don’t think the Black Knights of the Hudson have been favored by that much over anyone since my Grandpa Rife wore his coonskin coat to West Point to see Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis.

Season Record 3-3