Not a good week for us last week. Back on the schneid (not sure that’s how the term “schneid” works). Maybe we need someone to write a jinx article for us like we did for the Dodgers? Couldn’t hurt!
Weekly Reminder 1: As always, our strategy for most games (we go with our gut occasionally) is pretty simple: Vegas doesn’t like losing money so we go against the overwhelming trends (e.g. when one team has 80% of the public behind it), which leads to many underdog picks because the public is always in love with favorites. Unfortunately, our strategy also incorporates picking UCLA every week because Mr. Rudin went there. We still won somehow.
Weekly Reminder 2: Some of the games on Yahoo show the spread as “off”, which means a spread has not been assigned. Yahoo makes those games an even line. We won’t be making picks for those in this column. Our picks will appear here in a weekly column on Thursday mornings until season’s end or the time where we realize that our picks have become so putrid that they become embarrassing to post, whichever comes first.
FLORIDA STATE -3 at BOSTON COLLEGE
We’ve seen this spread as high as 6 at some books. Not sure why it’s three on Yahoo.
TULANE +10.5 at MEMPHIS
We like Memphis, but 90% of the public is on them. Can’t stomach that.
OKLAHOMA STATE -7.5 at WEST VIRGINIA
Oklahoma State will continue its march to vie for a playoff berth.
RUTGERS +24 at MICHIGAN
We keep saying it. Michigan is a year away.
TEXAS -7.5 at BAYLOR
We were wrong about Texas. They are legit and will be a force in a couple of years.
PITTSBURGH -3 vs. VIRGINIA
This game will be ugly but we think Pitt pulls away late.
KANSAS +24 vs. KANSAS STATE
It’s not exactly a rivalry game when one team is atrocious. But 24 points? That’s a lot considering that Kansas State isn’t exactly a world beating squad this season either.
AIR FORCE +10.5 at COLORADO STATE
What can we say? We love that triple option.
IOWA STATE +7 vs. TCU
We told you last week. This is the time of year when Iowa State starts spoiling people’s seasons.
NORTHWESTERN +2.5 vs. MICHIGAN STATE
We got burned going against Northwestern last week. Fool me once . . .
PENN STATE +7 at OHIO STATE
Vegas sure seems to think that Ohio State will blow the Nittany Lions out. We don’t like going against Vegas, but we like Penn State.
UCLA +17 at WASHINGTON
Why o why must our editor force us to take UCLA every week? They’re going to lose this game like 85-0.
WAKE FOREST +3 vs. LOUISVILLE
It’s easy to root against Bobby Petrino. Not sure why 85% of the public is on Louisville.
GEORGIA -13.5 at FLORIDA
We were right about Georgia preseason. We were wrong about Florida. This game will get out of hand. Get ready to hear some boo birds.
N.C. STATE +7.5 at NOTRE DAME
We told you that N.C. State was our long shot to sneak into the playoff before the season. What happens if they win this game outright?
HOUSTON +11 at SOUTH FLORIDA
South Florida keeps killing Vegas. Vegas doesn’t like getting killed.
WESTERN KENTUCKY +7 vs. FLORIDA ATLANTIC
When in doubt, take the points, right?
TEXAS A&M +1.5 vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE
The Aggies need this win . . . bigly.
NEBRASKA +5.5 at PURDUE
We love Purdue when they’re underdogs, not when they’re favorites.
KENTUCKY -3.5 vs. TENNESSEE
Kentucky is somehow decent at football. Tennessee is not.
GEORGIA TECH +14 at CLEMSON
We weren’t kidding about loving the triple option.
TEXAS TECH +20 at OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma is going to be looking ahead to next week’s battle against Oklahoma State. They always do.
UTAH STATE +8 vs. BOISE STATE
Sorry, we’re still not convinced that Boise State is good.
USC -3 at ARIZONA STATE
USC has fallen off, but not this much.
LAST WEEK: 11-14
SEASON: 88-100-2