The season is almost over but I'm still grindin'.
Last week our own alstein took home the cake with an impressive 17-6 record. Still, no one is making a run at our overall leader tjv who sits at 137-94 for the season.
Now for this week's games...
Air Force (+3) at New Mexico
Pick: New Mexico
If there are two things Bob Davie can do and do well it's defend home field and defend the option.
Penn State (+1.5) at Minnesota
Pick: Penn State
If Minnesota wins this game they'll likely finish 8-4 (with Michigan State and Wisconsin left to play) and I just don't see that happening. The Gophers have played well but is this really the best team there in a decade? They have to be due for a loss.
Vanderbilt (+10) at Florida
Pick: Vanderbilt
Super fishy line right here. Things have been absolutely falling apart in Gainesville and yet they are laying 10 points against another SEC team with a pulse?
Auburn (-7.5) at Tennessee
Pick: Tennessee
The Vols have been quite frisky at home (4-1 this season) and this smells like a big let down spot for the Tigers.
Kansas State (+2.5) at Texas Tech
Pick: Texas Tech
K-State looks like a team that's going to quietly cover a game like this but I like what I've seen from Tech this year. I'd be surprised if they didn't win this by a touchdown or more at home.
Western Kentucky (-6) at Army
Pick: Western Kentucky
Army lost last week to Air Force and we know how bad the Falcons are. WKU rolls at West Point.
Virginia (+13.5) at North Carolina
Pick: Virginia
All of a sudden Virginia loses 6 straight games and then you get a line like this. UNC appears to have turned their season a little bit with wins over Boston College and NC State, but I'll take the points with Bryn Renner injured.
Illinois (+9) at Indiana
Pick: Indiana
I finally got a chance to watch Illinois extensively last week against Penn State. They don't have much going for them and the Hoosiers can score some points.
Nebraska (+7) at Michigan
Pick: Michigan
Nebraska's defense is poor, they are without Taylor Martinez at quarterback, and Michigan is always a different team at home. I expect a pissed off Wolverine club and an easy victory.
BYU (+7.5) at Wisconsin
Pick: BYU
The Cougars have pushed their offense into over-drive this season averaging almost 90 plays per game. That's almost 10 more than Oregon is averaging by the way. I'm always skeptical about Wisconsin playing quality opponents out of conference so I'm picking BYU and the points.
Boston College (-24) at New Mexico State
Pick: Boston College
How'd the Eagles end up scheduling this beauty of a road game?
Miss State (+19.5) at Texas A&M
Pick: Texas A&M
This might be the last home game for Johnny Football in College Station. I'm assuming they'll miss the production of 81 touchdowns in 22 career games. Oh, the tears will flow this weekend!
Nevada (+9) at Colorado State
Pick: Colorado State
Jim McElwain is DGT up there in wherever Colorado State is located. Nevada isn't the same program since Ault left. Hiring Brian Polian was a really bad idea.
Hawaii (+17) at Navy
Pick: Navy
Something right around 40-20 sounds about right. This is a long, long road trip for Hawaii.
Arizona State (-6.5) at Utah
Pick: Arizona State
Utah isn't going to stop Arizona State from winning this division.
Virginia Tech (+6.5) at Miami
Pick: Virginia Tech
Sell! Sell! Sell! Oh wait, you mean I have to pick one of these teams? I guess I'll hitch my wagon to the Tech defense with Miami missing a couple offensive studs.
Houston (+10.5) at UCF
Pick: UCF
This Knights team is surprisingly good. I want to take the points because Houston's offense can score points but I'm going against my gut here.
Notre Dame (-4.5) at Pitt
Pick: Notre Dame
Can Brian Kelly's perfect record against Pitt continue this weekend?
Utah State (-14.5) at UNLV
Pick: Utah State
Utah State has recovered from losing Chuckie Keeton and after scoring 92 points in their last two games they should be able to run away from the Rebels.
LSU (+12.5) at Alabama
Pick: Alabama
The Tide have given up 78 points this season. And 42 of those came to Texas A&M. 36 points scattered over 7 games, dear God! LSU's offense can probably keep this a game in some fashion but their defense really isn't up to their standards and that's where Alabama is going to do some damage.
UCLA (PK) at Arizona
Pick: UCLA
Is Vegas jumping off the UCLA bandwagon? I still like the Bruins in essentially a pick 'em situation. The Wildcats aren't that good.
San Diego State (+6.5) at San Jose State
Pick: San Jose State
The Spartans are rounding into form in conference play. I am back to picking them every chance I get.