What a mess. The Carolina Panthers are void of talent on defense, on their offensive line, at head coach, and in their front office. They have a locker room full of nice guys, but hardly anyone willing to step up and be a leader. They have a sophomore QB that really struggles handling adversity, on and off the field. Most importantly, they have an owner that has handed out way too many exhorbitant contracts to players that didn’t deserve them. Thus, the team is over the salary cap and it might take years before this team can become competitive again. Its a sad reality for this town. After enduring the worst season in NBA history, gasoline has poured on the fire by the football team. 2012 can’t end soon enough.

Picks (12-1 last week, 69-34 for the season)
Vikes over Bucs
Bears over Panthers
Lions over Hawks
Atl at Philly
Pit over Skins
Pats at Rams
Fins at Jets
Bolts at Cleve
GB over Jax
Tenn over Indy
Oak at KC
NYG at Dallas
Den over Saints
Niners at Cards

Maybe its just me but it feels like the roles have been reversed in the State/Carolina rivalry. Wolfpack fans have played little brother to Tar Heel fans forever, but after 5 straight wins, and more importantly, helping in turning in UNC for academic fraud on several ocassions, it feels like the bear has been poked too many times. UNC fans have often turned their noses up at Pack fans and saved their true venom for the Blue Devils during basketball season. But after all that’s happened in the last few years I get the sense that Saturday is a big deal forplayers and fans in Chapel Hill. I’m expecting to see a very emotional team wearing blue on Saturday in Chapel Hill.

Picks (37-39 ATS, 4-6 last week)
Clem -12 at Wake
UNC -7.5 vs State
BC -1 vs Md
BYU +2.5 vs Ga Tech
ECU -3.5 vs Navy
FSU -28 vs Duke
Fla -6.5 vs UGA
S Caro -14 vs Tenn
ND +10 at Okla (Sooners win)
Bama -23.5 vs Miss St

TZ
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taylorz@wfnz.com