Virtual Simulation Stimulation: Week 4

I’d like to be the first to apologize on NCAA 11’s behalf.

After holding its own (not really) for the first two weeks, we got clobbered last weekend during our week 3 bloodbath. Yup, 0-5 against the spread.

The game that really stung was Washington, who NCAA picked would win 47-19. I also thought Washington would hang tough in that game and well, we were dead wrong. I blame the Locker Effect, where NCAA predicts Locker will throw for at least 450 yards in almost every game. Not 4-20, that’s blasphemy. BUT, we must go on.

Some fascinating matchups in week 4, including Boise State’s last real test – if you want to call it that as a 17-point favorite. We need a bounce back week now that we’re a quarter of the way through the season, and I’m hopeful we will get it.

For those of you new to these shenanigans, here’s the deal. We use NCAA 11 (the best game ever) to simulate the outcomes of the top 5 weekly showdowns, as well as a handful of other notable games, and you go bet your hard earned dollars on the outcomes.

And here they are, folks.

5. Oregon State (+17) at Boise State

Close but no cigar, Boise haters (myself included). Kellen Moore is good enough, throwing for under a 50% completion rating but adding in 2 touchdowns. Jacquizz Rodgers goes for 139 and a touchdown but Oregon State can’t muster up anything else. Allow me to congratulate Boise State on getting to the national title game. /drinks entire bottle of carpet stain remover

Predicted Final Score: Boise State 17, Oregon State 10

4. West Virginia (+8.5) at LSU

Not the sexiest top-25 matchup, but big for both teams and HUGE for both coaches. Well, Les Miles, you win this round. Although Noel Devine goes hog wild, his 144-yard effort is all WVU can muster up. LSU QB Jordan Jefferson goes 8-18 (it’s so real!) but manages to throw for touchdowns on almost half his completions. His 3 TDs are enough give all of us bloggers “Big East Sucks” ammo for a few days.

Predicted Final Score: LSU 35, WVU 10

3. Miami (-3.5) at Pittsburgh

Apparently banning Miami’s Twitter accounts was sound logic after all. Miami, led by Jacory Harris, trounces Pitt in the battle of “my conference doesn’t suck as bad as yours.” Harris recovers nicely from his Ohio State meltdown and throws four touchdowns. Dion Lewis gets bottled up and finishes with 65 yards on 20 carries. Wanne rips of his mustache in disgust, and then rips off his skin to reveal an even better mustache like the Old Spice guy.

Predicted Final Score: Miami 36, Pitt 10

2. South Carolina (+3) at Auburn

Cameron Newton continues to be a human wrecking ball, throwing for 357 yards and 2 touchdowns and running for another. On the other side, Stephen Garcia isn’t bad, throwing for 260 and 2 touchdowns. His lone interception, however, was returned to the virtual house which seems almost strangely realistic. Auburn jumps out to a 27-3 lead and never looks back. #visorthrowoverload

Predicted Final Score: Auburn 33, South Carolina 13

1. Alabama (-7) at Arkansas

Big Game Alert: Although many would assume that Ryan Mallett would be the QB to leave this game with the best stats, it’s simply not the case. The Tide’s Greg McElory puts up some absurd numbers, (372 yards, 5 touchdowns) on the way to a 7-point win. Mallett finishes with 3 touchdowns but adds 3 interceptions to go along with. And just like that NCAA 11 is back to picking pushes again…

Predicted Final Score: Alabama 35, Arkansas 28

Other Notable Scores

Upset Special: Kentucky 27, Florida 14 – Somehow Calipari is going to get suspended if this happens.

Mississippi State 34, Georgia 26 – Mark Richt’s arse is SCORCHING.

Stanford 17, Notre Dame 3 – Brian Kelly’s arse is SCORCHING. +100.

Virginia Tech 29, Boston College 17 – James Madison > Boston College

UNC 27, Rutgers 9 – Butch Davis and The Backups on Tour, Win Big.

Oregon 30, Arizona State 10 – No word on if ASU plans on missing key virtual XPs.

Oklahoma 35, Cincinnati 3 – So we can assume Oklahoma’s next game will be a nail-bitter?

Georgia Tech 24, NC State 0 – The vaunted Tech D does its thing.