Every week T-Roc will share his thoughts on what is going on in college football, make picks and fire back at your nasty comments. Want to learn more about him, check out his first post or visit his archive.

I don’t know the geographic whereabouts of Cuzoogle readers, but I can’t imagine anyone’s province or state being more of an embarrassment about the H1N1 flu than dear old Nova Scotia.

It started with mass advertising from both the feds and the provincial government, urging everyone to “be responsible” and get a shot. Not surprisingly, given the novelty of such suggestions in a first-world country, this created near-hysteria which swelled once folks realized how small the initial shipments were.

Then the province changed the rules mid-stream about who could receive shots and when. “Did we say ‘everyone’? My bad, we meant preggo women and natives and babies ‘n shit.”

Bad calls for sure, in terms of both the unnecessary hype and the colossal miscalculation of availability. But I can’t shit on either level of government too much when I watch the news and see how people are reacting.

For fuck’s sake, people, grow a stiff upper lip and deal with negative news with a little bit of civility. For the adult dudes out there, don’t get all Cal Hockley on us and butt in on the lifeboat action (yeah, I referenced Titanic…). Stop being such whiny bitches and acting like the world’s against you. Yeah, there’s been a fuck-up, but it’s not like either level of government (or the medical system as a whole) has it in for you and wants your family to suffer.

Heaven forbid Canada had to deal with a crisis on the level of massive food shortages or malaria or a brutal dictatorship. It’s fucking embarrassing, people. And that’s why I have no problem shutting off the news and gorging myself on college football this weekend. As usual, all odds are from Pinnaclesports.com as of Thursday evening.

UCF at Texas, noon ET: Over 48 ½

These schools have played over their respective totals only four times in a combined 16 games. But this is an exceedingly low total the ‘Horns can top by themselves.

Texas put up 64 the last time a C-USA opponent came to Austin and the Longhorns’ defence and special teams always look capable of piling on the points the offence tallies.

Kansas at Kansas State, 12:30 p.m. ET: Kansas State +2 ½

I liked the Jayhawks this year ‘til the narrow home wins over Southern Miss and Iowa State. KU has since shit the bed and I do not want them as a road favourite at all, at all, at all.

K-State can’t duplicate its demolition of Texas A&M from mid-October, but an effort akin to last week’s game against Oklahoma would be good enough for a win against the current Jayhawks.

LSU at Alabama, 3:30 p.m. ET: Alabama - 7 ½

What’s your take on riding gut feelings? Not a lot of analysis behind this pick other than watching both teams all year and genuinely feeling ‘Bama should win by double digits.

I’m also eyeing the over in this one, though the total’s already jumped to 40+.

Vanderbilt at Florida, 7:15 p.m. ET: Under 48

I can’t echo my UCF-Texas sentiments for Saturday night’s game in the Swamp.

Vandy’s offence sucks and is liable to get shut out, while the Gators’ relative offensive impotence has been covered to death in recent weeks. The 41 points against Georgia would be a ‘Wow!’ total most years, but not so much in 2009.

Florida State at Clemson, 7:45 p.m. ET: Florida State +8 ½

Rolling the dice on this one, but only a little. Florida State is only .500, but in hindsight, losing to B.J. Daniels and then Boston College isn’t as embarrassing as it was a month ago.

Clemson’s 6-2 against the spread this season but I won’t lay more than a touchdown against a more talented Seminoles squad.

USC at Arizona State, 8 p.m. ET: Arizona State +10

Who else enjoyed watching Oregon steamroll the Trojans last week? It confirmed what a lot of folks felt even before the non-dominant win at Ohio State: this year’s USC has more weaknesses than we’ve ever seen during the Pete Carroll era.

ASU is no dynamo, but I like the Sun Devils’ ‘D’ to at least keep it close on Saturday night.

Last week: 5-7 (a failed attempt at chasing a nice week by doubling my action)

2009 to date: 26-27-1 (goddamned mediocrity personified)

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