Sorry for the lack of a column. Surprisingly, this whole ‘writing for free’ thing doesn’t pay the bills. I will be back next week in full force, but for now here’s the card.
4*
Bowling Green +10 (-105) – Western Michigan is coming off a straight-up win over a BCS team on the road. That means the Broncos have lost all of their value. Bowling Green got dismantled and destroyed by West Virginia. Should be as good a time as ever to back a team that can move the ball. WMU has crushed BG in each of the past two matchups…further baiting the public into backing the Broncos.
West Virginia -20 - Revenge spot for the Mountaineers, and UConn is just plain bad. Mountaineers appear to have the offense on track and the defense will always be solid under Casteel.
Northwestern +7.5 – Wolverines’ first road contest of the season, and Northwestern is tougher than you think. I will take a solid team getting more than a touchdown against a team that, frankly, we don’t know much about.
3*
Rutgers +7 – Rutgers is one of the few teams in the Big East that can match up with Pitt at the line of scrimmage defensively. If Pitt can’t run, it will have serious trouble moving the ball. Like the home underdog in this one.
Tennessee +3 – Vols are a much different team at home, and I’m not sold on Georgia at all. UT’s receiving corps lost a huge weapon in Justin Hunter, but there are still plenty of options for Tyler Bray.
Baylor -15 - This is just a terrible spot for Iowa State. The Cyclones are turnover-happy and going on the road to face a pissed-off Baylor team coming off a bad loss. ISU’s defense hasn’t seen an attack close to the caliber of Baylor’s. I think the Clones will go through a bloodbath last week before rebounding against Mizzou with a (hopefully) huge line.
2*
Miami, OH +2 – Fading Army as a road favorite again. Worked out very well with Ball State. Miami knows this is probably its best chance at a victory for the foreseeable future.
Southern Miss +1 – I said USM would go undefeated in the regular season, and although that won’t come to fruition now, the Eagles are a good team. Navy coming off an emotional rivalry game, may have trouble getting started.
Auburn +10 - Arkansas coming off a huge comeback victory against a rival and is now a double-digit favorite at home against Auburn. Aubie’s defense is awful, but Arky’s run defense might actually be worse. Touchdown fest that should keep the Tigers within the number.
1*
Texas Tech +9 - A&M couldn’t stop Arkansas last week. Now they have to play a Red Raider team at home that loves to pass the ball? Sharp money coming in on the Aggies, but at this point their confidence level has to be a concern. Huge rivalry game and I’m sure Texas Tech wants to get their best shot in before TAMU heads to the SEC.
Iowa +4.5 – Not completely confident in this one, but I think Iowa has enough offense to pull away and win this one outright. Don’t trust either PSU quarterback.
