COLLEGES

1. OHIO STATE at home over Northwestern (+18): After a relatively slow start for the Buckeyes, it looks like they have begun to figure it out. Their offense wasn’t clicking very well at the beginning of the season, which cost them a chance to knock off 2nd-ranked Texas. That one-point loss is looking better every week, while Ohio State’s kids are starting to gain confidence. Northwestern has a decent defense, but their offense is close to nonexistent. As it is, expect to see Ohio State score around 40 and easily cover the eighteen points.

2. OKLAHOMA at home over Texas A&M (+13): Okay, you’ve figured me out. This time of the year in colleges, I like to find ragged teams and bet on them to get pounded. It is all the better when that ragged team is playing a talented one which has begun to turn the corner. That’s what is looks like in this matchup. Oklahoma is coming off a bye week and getting healthy. Adrian Peterson is ready and raring to go, which should only add to a young Sooner offense that has begun to mature in this last 3-game winning streak.
On the flip side, the Aggies are looking worse each week. At a point in every season, there are certain college teams that start to look like they are giving up. It looks to me like Dennis Franchione has lost this bunch of kids.
Take Oklahoma to cover.

3. T.C.U. at home over U.N.L.V. (+29): Here is my earlier theory taken to its extreme. The Runnin’ Rebels may be one of the worst mid-level schools in all of college football. And say what you will about T.C.U.; this team knows how to put up points. If you are wanting to bet on a game off the beaten path, take the Horned Frogs in a romp.

4. L.S.U. at Alabama (+3): This game started as a pick ‘em. I was one of those who bet the Tigers into being a 3-point favorite. It’s a little odd to see the unbeaten #3 team in the nation as an underdog at home. I wouldn’t blame you if you laid money on the home dog in this game. But I’m with the majority on this one. Most college football fans think L.S.U. is simply a better team than the Crimson Tide. I have been pointing to this game for weeks as the one in which #3 Alabama falls from the ranks of the unbeaten. ‘Bama has a great defense, but it’s offense has been hobbled by injuries, if you’ll pardon the pun.
We saw what happened to Virginia Tech played a better football team. Unbeaten #3 ranked teams can lose at home. I’m saying it happens two weeks in a row.

5. NORTH CAROLINA STATE at Boston College (-4 1/2): Just to show you I can pick an underdog to win in the colleges, I’m going to take NC State getting 4 and 1/2 to win on the road. I believe the Wolfpack is the better team, so I’ll certainly take them getting points. Go ACC!

6. B.Y.U. at Wyoming (+4 1/2): I’ve become a believer in BYU. I picked this team up as a late-comer a few weeks ago. I think they are consistenly underrated by the oddsmakers. It took them awhile to catch on, but Brigham Young’s switch to a more high-powered offensive approach is really starting to pay dividends. Brigham Young wins on the road this week, and they win by 5 or more.

7. MISSISSIPI at home over Arkansas (+1): Arkansas did me wrong last week. More importantly, Arkansas opened my eyes to how far they have fallen in the SEC. Mississipi’s defense will lead them to a win by more than the point given. It should be close, but give me a strong defense at home to win a close ballgame.

8. TEXAS TECH at Oklahoma State (+23): The Cowboys are having one of their worst years in recent memory. I compare Tech to the Houston Cougars during the days of the run-and-shoot. They just cover spreads, though they always lose big when they are underdogs. Keep that in mind and you’ll usually do fine when betting Texas Tech. They’ve been real good to me this year. I’m staying on the Red Raiders’ train until it comes to a stop.

9. ARIZONA STATE at U.C.L.A. (-4): I think the Bruins suffer a hangover from last weeks’ massive loss to Arizona. The other team in L.A. was living on borrowed time all year. Last week had to be a big disappointment. And the Bruins might get right with a big win. But I’m betting they come out with a lack of confidence. Even if they win, I’m betting the Sun Devils keep this close. As you should with any close underdog, I think there is a pretty good chance Arizona State wins this one outright.

10. MICHIGAN at home over Indiana (+25): The Wolverines have looked rotten at times this season. Now that Michigan has righted the ship, they are looking to take it out on an old rival. Along comes the hapless Hoosiers, just in time to get a boot in the face. If this were basketball, this would be a fair fight. But not Saturday at Ann Arbor.

11. TEXAS at home over Kansas (+33): Without Virginia Tech breathing down their necks in the BCS rankings any more, I was tempted to say the Longhorns will take their foot off the gas this week. But Vince Young and team are playing at home for the last time this season, so expect a victory lap for the team and its fans. Kansas has an okay defense and I’m a little concerned about a letdown game, but Texas is just that good this year. Like Baylor last week, the Jayhawks’ offense just isn’t good enough to keep this game close. The stout yet still underrated Texas defense makes all of these UT point spread covers feasible.