After a few weeks off, I’m back with my weekly college football picks for this week, and my return brings some changes to the picks section.
Instead of picking all of the top 25 games and a few other goodies, I’ve narrowed it down to a lucky 13. Why am I doing that? Because it’s time for a little contest, folks.
It’s pretty simple - I pick my 13 games for the week, and you pick from those. I keep track of the ATS winners, and at the end of the month, the top finisher (with the most wins) receives a $50 deposit to a top sports book, or if you so choose, straight cash or that amount in sports-related merchandise from a number of available shops (Amazon, NFL Shop, ESPN Shop, CollegeGear.com, or others).
And then, come the end of the season, the top three finishers will all receive special prizes, so there’s plenty of incentive to play every week.
To submit your picks, either submit them in the comment section (make sure to include your e-mail address), or e-mail your picks to eddie [at] theredzonereport [dot] com.
Good luck, and I’m looking forward to your entries and giving something away. Now, on to this week’s picks!
#1 Texas (-175) vs. #11 Missouri (+155) - Current Line: Texas -4 ½
Had Missouri done their part and not gotten upset at home by Oklahoma State last week, this likely would’ve been a #1 vs. #2 matchup, but a win could vault the Tigers right back into the thick of things. You can expect them to come out intent on a big rebound performance after their loss, but I also expect Texas to be anything but complacent after getting the top spot following their win over previous #1 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Should be a close game, and both teams could easily put up more than 40 points, but I’ll give the Longhorns the points and the win.
Result: Texas (-4 ½ and -175)
#2 Alabama (-400) vs. Ole Miss (+320) - Current Line: Alabama -12
This fierce rivalry has been decided by three points in each of the last three meetings is plenty enough reason for Alabama to be on upset alert, but the Tide and the rest of the college football world know all too well that Ole Miss is capable of the big upset, after they knocked off Florida in Gainesville a few weeks ago. I do think Alabama will win, but I do think they’re going to get all they can handle from the Rebels.
Result: Ole Miss (+12), Alabama (-400)
#3 Penn State (-1000) vs. Michigan (+1800) - Current Line: PSU -25
Things aren’t going well for Michigan right now, to say the least. After they upset Wisconsin to open Big Ten play, it looked like things might turn around, but they’ve followed it up by getting beaten by Illinois by 25 and then losing to Toledo last week. On the flip side, Penn State is riding high at 7-0, and the Nittany Lions have dominated all of their opponents thus far (outscoring their opponents 317 to 77).
Result: Penn State (-25 and -1000)
#4 Oklahoma (-1000) vs. #15 Kansas (-700) - Current Line: OU -19 ½
Oklahoma can’t afford to be down about their loss to Texas for too long, as a talented Kansas team comes into Norman on Saturday. The Sooners should get a nice bounce-back win, but I think the Jayhawks, who have a very good defense (nine interceptions) and an offense that’s averaging 34.3 points and 455.8 yards per game, will test them and keep it somewhat close throughout.
Result: Kansas (+19 ½), Oklahoma (-1000)
#9 Georgia (-550) vs. #22 Vanderbilt (+425) - Current Line: Georgia -14 ½
Vanderbilt’s five-game win streak came to a halt at Mississippi State last week, but there’s still half a season left, and the second half begins against the Bulldogs. This could be a low-scoring, defensive battle. Vandy upset the ‘Dogs 24-22 the last time they met in Athens in 2006, and Georgia won last year’s game 20-17 on a last-second field goal, so I like the chances of the ‘Dores covering.
Result: Vanderbilt (+14), Georgia (-550)
#17 Michigan State (+135) vs. #11 Ohio State (-155) - Current Line: OSU -3 ½
If Michigan State is to prove that they’re a legit Big Ten title contender, it comes tomorrow afternoon against Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes. It won’t be a big upset if the Spartans can win, but I will take them to pull out the win and show that they’re for real. Let’s hope they don’t prove me wrong.
Result: Michigan State (+3 and +155)
South Carolina (+120) vs. #13 LSU (-140) - Current Line: LSU -3 ½
Is LSU in for another defeat against the SEC East? The 5-2 Gamecocks have won four straight to push back into the Top 25 picture. LSU is coming off getting absolutely clobbered at Florida, otherwise I’d expect this line to be closer to a touchdown. The Tigers defense will be looking to reclaim a little of their swagger, and they could do it against a South Carolina team that still seems to be unsettled at QB. I’ll take the Tigers to triumph.
Result: LSU (-3 ½ and -140)
Boston College (-150) vs. #17 Virginia Tech (+120) - Current Line: BC -3
It’s a little surprising that Boston College is favored coming into this one, but then again, both teams might be a little. The Eagles are 4-1, with their loss coming against their toughest opponent, Georgia Tech (who Va. Tech beat 20-17), and the 5-1 Hokies have won five straight, but haven’t really beaten someone convincingly. That being said, I like Va. Tech to win this one and maintain their lead atop the ACC Coastal Division.
Result: Virginia Tech (+3 and +120)
Arizona (+120) vs. #25 Cal (-140) - Current Line: Cal -2 ½
Who’s the only unbeaten team in the Pac-10? If you guessed Cal, you’re right, as the Bears are 2-0 in the Pac-10 and 4-1 overall. Their perfect conference record and their ranking are on the line on Saturday in Tucson against the 4-2 Wildcats, who are coming off of a last-minute 24-23 loss at Stanford. A lot of points could be scored in this one, with both teams having a lot of firepower on offense, but I like the Wildcats to hold serve at home and get a win closer to bowl eligibility and likely securing Mike Stoops‘ employment status past this season.
Result: Arizona (+2 ½ and +140)
Central Michigan (+110) vs. Western Michigan (-130) - Current Line: Western Michigan -2
7-0 Ball State is the talk of the MAC right now, but CMU (4-2, 3-0) and WMU (6-1, 4-0) are off to unbeaten starts in conference play, and the winner of this rivalry matchup will likely emerge as the Cardinals’ biggest challenger in the MAC West. A six-game win streak has the Broncos in the favorite position (at least with the oddsmakers) going into this one, but I’ve got Dan LeFevour and Central winning this one in a tight one.
Result: Central Michigan (+2 and +110)
UCLA (+120) vs. Stanford (-140) - Current Line: Stanford -2 ½
With little in the way of easy games coming for the remainder of the season, this is a pivotal game for Stanford (4-3, 3-1 Pac-10) in their quest to make their first bowl since 2001. UCLA hasn’t been impressive since starting the season by upsetting Tennessee, a win that isn’t really all that impressive with the Vols and Bruins with similar 2-4 records. The Bruins did play Oregon close in Eugene last week, but I’ll take the Cardinal to go to 5-3 and surpass their conference and overall win totals from last season.
Result: Stanford (-2 ½ and -140)
Clemson (+120) vs. Georgia Tech (-140) - Current Line: Georgia Tech -3 ½)
It’s been an eventful week-plus for Clemson. Lose to Wake Forest, change starting quarterbacks, head coach gets the heave-ho, replaced starting QB says fired coach got what he deserved and then that he has to have shoulder surgery. Oh, and they have a game on Saturday, where they’ll be under an interim head coach, a fresh face at QB, and without a key player on offense (C.J. Spiller). Their opponents are 5-1 and knocking on the rankings door, buuuuuuuut for some insane reason, I’m taking Clemson to win. Crazy, I know.
Result: Clemson (+3 and +120)
Iowa (-175) vs. Wisconsin (+155) - Current Line: Iowa -4
Oh, how the mighty can fall. Before Big Ten play opened, Wisconsin was 3-0 and in the top 10. Now, after losses at Michigan and at home against Ohio State and Penn State (48-7 - ouch!), the Badgers are 3-3 and 0-3 in the Big Ten, and go into Iowa City as an underdog. The Hawkeyes’ three losses have come by one, three, and five points, so if this one is close, it’ll make for nervous watching if you’re an Iowa fan. When it comes to the final result, I think the Badgers will break out of their slump and get back above .500.
Result: Wisconsin (+4 and +155)
