I semi-recovered from a 3-4 performance two weeks ago. I ended up going 4-3 against the spread, which raises my season total to 43-26 (60.4 percent). With every week, there was the birdie; almost predicting the Clemson-FSU game on the dot, and the (double) bogey; thinking for some unknown reason that the Irish were going to beat Navy by two Tds.
I’m still a little upset with myself for that ND pick. It feels like they haven’t covered a spread since the Clinton administration. I think you can guess who I’m going with this week:
Let’s see, the Irish have struggled at home to every opponent on their schedule, even Washington State to some degree. And now they’re on the road at No. 8 Pitt? Ha! Dion Lewis is going to dance around the Irish defense, and when he’s done, Bill Stull is gonna throw bombs to Baldwin and Dickinson. I’m not counting out Clausen and the ND offense, but I’m feeling pretty sorry for their D.
Prediction: Pitt: 37, ND 28
South Florida @ Rutgers (PK) (Thursday night)
I went to this game two years ago when USF was ranked No. 2 in the country. Rutgers put a beating on them then, but they‘re a completely different team now. USF QB B.J. Daniels makes a lot of plays with his feet and he’ll have an improving Rutgers’ D on their heels all night. It’s up to freshman sensation Tom Savage to keep RU in this game. He must be able to make throws with a fierce pass rush in his face. I’m giving the edge to the home, Thursday night crowd. It‘ll be a crazy sea of red in Piscataway tonight. Prediction: RU 24, USF 20
West Virginia (+9) @ Cincinnati (Friday night)
You’re probably going to want a seatbelt for this game. Well, that is if WVU RB Noel Devine is ready to play. Cincy QB Zach Collaros will be starting yet again for the bearcats, and rightfully so. Last week against UCONN, he put up 7,500 all purpose yards and scored 35 Tds. If Devine plays, WVU makes it a game. If not, Cincy will burn their half of the scoreboard down. Prediction: Cincy 42, WVU 24
Stanford (+9) @ USC
Last week, Stanford smashed Oregon, who were coming off a huge win over USC. We’ve seen it too many times. Teams just can’t do it two weeks in a row. I’m not sure why, but it’s nearly impossible. I’m still very high on the Cardinals, but USC will be ready to go, even after playing like crap against ASU last week. I don’t think they’ll cover, but they’ll win. Prediction: USC 35, Stanford 31
Florida (-16) @ South Carolina
Why does this line seem way to high? South Carolina is really tough at home, especially as an underdog. Florida’s offense has decided not to move the ball at all this year and Tim Tebow is fast becoming Superwoman (did I really just write that, I take it back). USC’s defense will definitely keep them in the game and if Gamecocks QB Stephen Garcia makes just a few plays, Spurrier will get some big-time redemption against his former team. Prediction: Florida 24, USC 18
Fresno State (+7) @ Nevada
Both of these WAC squads put up tons of points. Fresno RB Ryan Mathews is good for 200 on the ground and three Tds. Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick is good for 250 passing, 150 running and five Tds. This will look like an NBA score when all is said and done. Prediction: Nevada 48, Fresno 39
Iowa @ Ohio State (-17)
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz may have to suit up for the Hawkeyes in this one. His squad is screaming with injuries. Bad time to visit the Horseshoe, especially with the way the Bucks are playing. My boy Terrelle Pryor will throw for a couple Tds, but it’ll be the OSU defense that wins this one for the home team. Prediction: OSU 27, Iowa 6.
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