The Profit would humbly like to nominate Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.
Long regarded as one of the nation’s best defensive minds, Foster’s Hokies have scored at least one defensive touchdown each season since he became defensive coordinator in 1995.
The Hokies (9-1), who play host to North Carolina (6-4) tonight, have not scored a defensive touchdown this season and have blocked just one kick that was returned for a score. So why Foster; why this year?
Because Foster has Tech among the nation’s top defenses despite having suffered a mind-numbing rash of key injuries:
Linebacker Bruce Taylor, the team’s leading tackler, has been lost for the season with a foot injury. So has outside linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow.
Antoine Hopkins, who leads the team in sacks, blew out a knee.
Alonzo Tweedy, Gouveia-Winslow’s replacement, is out with an ankle injury. He will be replaced by Detick Bonner, a redshirt freshman cornerback,
Yet Tech is eighth in the nation in scoring defense and 11th overall. It’s one reason The Profit loves the Hokies tonight giving 10 1/2 to North Carolina, which has lost two straight on the road and 3-of-4 overall.
So we nominate Foster for the Broyles Award and hope he will validate our nomination tonight in Blacksburg.
TOMORROW
IOWA ST. (+27) over Oklahoma St. — Warning: This is Piggy’s weekly gut pick. The Cyclones are not a great team, but they need one more win to become bowl eligible and this could be their last chance. It’s Senior Night with the Cyclones’ next two games on the road. The weather — cold, rain and/or snow — could be a factor. Okie State’s offense has been almost unstoppable. But we see a 48-24 game.
SATURDAY
Louisville (Pick) over UCONN — Five of eight Big East teams have three league wins. UConn has two. Which means a really bad Big East team is going to get a BCS bowl berth. The Cardinals need one more win to become bowl eligible. That’s more motivation than UConn has going for it.
MICHIGAN (-3 1/2 ) over Nebraska — Cornhuskers’ Taylor Martinez might be the most overrated QB in college football. We will take the much better option QB, Denard Robinson, at home.
RUTGERS (+3) over Cincinnati — Cincy lost starting QB Zach Collaros (ankle) for the season. Scarlet Knights have a shot for a BCS bowl berth and a nine-win season.
OHIO STATE (-7) over Penn State — Just can’t see the emotional toll of the Jerry Sandusky allegations not catching up with Penn State.
HOUSTON (-19 1/2) over Southern Methodist — Houston has earned having ESPN Game Day in town. All the attention is on quarterback Case Keenum and the offense, which is No. 1 in scoring (54.7), but the Cougars are 13th in turnover margin and have you seen RB Charles Sims? Wow!
Arkansas (-13) over Mississippi St. — The Bulldogs, who will play this game in Little Rock, are 5-5 having lost to the five best teams on their schedule. The Hogs (9-1) go to LSU next week with a chance to turn the SEC and BCS on their ears.
SOUTH FLORIDA (Pick) over Miami — ‘Canes played (and lost) their version of the Sunshine State Super Bowl last week at Florida State. This is the game the Bulls (6-4) circle as their in-state Super Bowl.
Clemson (-7 1/2 ) over NC STATE — A win puts Clemson in the ACC title game. A win puts the Wolfpack in, what, the PapaJohn’s.com Bowl?
NOTRE DAME (-24 1/2) over Boston College —Great win for BC last week on Senior Day. This week it’s the Irish’s Senior Day.
Kansas State (+9) over TEXAS — Kansas State’s Bill Snyder is not liked by the media but, man, can he coach.
Oklahoma (-14 1/2 ) over BAYLOR — The Sooners, quietly sneaking back into the BCS conversation, have had an extra week to prepare for Robert Griffin III.
OREGON (-14 1/2) over Southern Cal — The Ducks, quietly sneaking back into the BCS conversation, can get some serious love from the BCS computers with a big win over the Trojans.
STANFORD (-18 1/2) over California — Even if the band is on the field. Even if The Stones take the field.
Best bets: Va. Tech, Houston, Oklahoma
Last week: 9-6 overall; 3-0 in best bets
Season: 83-80-2 overall; 22-11 in best bets.