Rick Pedone

Sports Editor

Call this the midseason doldrums.

Good luck trying to find a few intriguing football matchups this weekend.

The collective ineptitude of Florida’s college and pro teams doesn’t help.

Preseason, Florida at Auburn looked like a significant game. Despite their combined four losses, it still ranks among the best college pairings this week. That says it all.

Florida State’s national championship quest is on permanent hold after the Noles suffered their third straight loss last week at Wake Forest. It might be time to re-evaluate that FSU-Alabama BCS championship game I projected last month.

Miami lost for the third time at Virginia Tech last week, but at least it was entertaining. It used to be that it took three years for the Canes to lose three times.

Is it up to USF and UCF to carry the banner for Florida college football? Well, USF got drubbed by mediocre Pitt two weeks ago, and the Knights couldn’t handle FIU.

Small wonder no team in the state is ranked among the nation’s top 25 for the first time in 29 years.

Cheer up. Maybe they’ll make the top 29 within the next 25 years.

There is little relief to be found at Florida’s NFL bases, where Jacksonville and Miami have combined for one - count ‘em - one win this season.

The Bucs are the state’s juggernaut at 3-2, but they were blistered at San Francisco last week by 45 points and will welcome Drew Brees and the Saints to a half-empty Raymond James Stadium Sunday.

Perhaps it is the state’s football programs, and not the NBA, that should cancel the season.

Fortunately, the Mighty News-Gazette Divine 9 never will be canceled:

No. 1: Roll Tide. No. 2: Bayou Bengals. No. 3: Boomer Sooner. No. 4: Wisconsin, the state (The Pack/Brewers/Badgers). No. 5: Michigan, the state (Lions/Tigers/Wolverines). No. 6: The Pats. No. 7: The Ravens. No. 8: Cam. No. 9: Timmy Tebow.

To the picks:

Florida (-2) at Auburn: Gators are deciding between two true-freshmen QBs, are coming off of back-to-back poundings, and are on the road at the defending national champ. And, they’re favored by 2? Hey, people, Timmy T was named Denver’s starting quarterback this week, not Florida’s. War Eagle by 3 in Upset Special I.

UCF at SMU (-3): This clash of the initials might be one of the most entertaining games of the weekend. Knights killing time awaiting invite to the Big East. Question is, do you want an invite to the Big East? Isn’t that like buying the last ticket on the Hindenburg? Mustangs by 3.

Miami at North Carolina (-3): Tough one for the U. Not much to play for, probation is coming, and the Heels aren’t bad. At least they’re out of Florida. Canes by 2 in Upset Special II.

South Carolina (-3) at Mississippi State: The Ol’ Ball Coach had a rough week. He fought with a columnist and saw his quarterback get booted out of school. On the bright side, at least he isn’t coaching in Florida. Angry Ball Coach by 2.

Michigan at Michigan State (-1.5): Wolverines and Spartans have only one loss combined. Could Michigan be the new Florida? Wolverinos by 4 in Upset Special III.

The paid professionals:

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh (-13): Trivia buffs, take note. Jags have never lost at Heinz Field. On the other hand, Blaine Gabbert wasn’t the quarterback in those games. Steelers by 60.

New Orleans (-4.5) at Tampa Bay: Can the Bucs really be 45 points worse than the 49ers? Of course not. They’re probably four points worse than the Saints, though. Creole Kids by 4.

N.Y. Jets (-7) at Miami: Jets have lost three in a row and are bordering on turmoil. The winless Fins already are there.  But, good news next week: Timmy T is coming to visit! Jets by a tumultuous 2.

Philadelphia (-2) at Washington: Good week for the Skins to play the disrespect card. Might not be a good week to play the desperate Eagles. We’ll see. Green Birds by 3.

Buffalo at N.Y. Giants (-3): Young Jackson makes the pertinent observation: Aren’t you expecting Scott Norwood to try the game-winning field goal? Giants by 4.”

Brian “Big Man” McBride’ Super Sniffer Upset Special: Bills by 3.

Petey “The Gators Are Going To Win” Covino says: Gators by 3.

Young Jackson says: Big East Knights by 3.

Last week: Senior Simpleton (9-3, 39-23) flipped Phrantic Phillie (8-4, 42-20).