Picking This Week’s Games

I’m on a roll, baby.  Hitting at a 60 percent pace against the spread the last two weeks (12-8).  15-14-1 overall on the year.  Time to get cocky.  All lines courtesy of Doc Sports.

Miami (-4) at Pittsburgh–I think the Canes will get back on track against the Panthers.  Too much athleticism and plenty of time to prepare gives Miami a decided edge.

Miami 31, Pittsburgh 21

TCU (-18) at Southern Methodist–I’m not sure any team in the country is playing as well as TCU is right now.  I just can’t see the revived Mustangs being able to slow down Andy Dalton and the Horned Frogs.

TCU 45, SMU 23

Temple (+14) at Penn State–The Owls are a veteran team and I think they’ll have enough in them to stick with a Penn State squad that has looked less than stellar in recent weeks.

Penn State 28, Temple 17

NC State (+8) at Georgia Tech–The Wolfpack are playing well right now and I think this is too many points for Tech to cover.  Russell Wilson has a huge game and State gets the upset.

NC State 31, Georgia Tech 27

Georgia (+1) at Mississippi State–Sorry, but no way does Georgia start out 0-3 in conference.  I think the Bulldogs are close to putting it all together.  Get ready for a big game from Aaron Murray.

Georgia 31, Mississippi State 19

Arkansas (+7.5) vs. Alabama–The Tide defense has a bunch of new starters that have not yet faced the type of offensive machine run by Arkansas.  I think the Hogs jump out early and put pressure on Alabama’s offense and, for the first time, McElroy doesn’t come through.  Outright win for the Hogs.

Arkansas 24, Alabama 23

Stanford (-5) at Notre Dame–The poor Irish have lost two heartbreakers and now must face a very good Stanford team.  Andrew Luck is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and he’ll drive the Irish crazy.

Stanford 38, Notre Dame 27

Oregon (-12) at Arizona State–The Sun Devils acquitted themselves quite nicely against Wisconsin, but the Ducks are a whole different species (literally).  ASU is quick, but Oregon is quicker.

Oregon 42, ASU 21

Utah State (+7.5) at San Diego State–I really like the Aztecs this year, but I think the last minute loss to Missouri might deflate them a bit against the Aggies.  Utah State gets the cover in a bit of a late-developing shootout.

San Diego State 35, Utah State 33

Tulane (+19.5) at Houston–Can the Cougars beat up on Tulane with a third string quarterback?  I’m guessing that Bob Toledo has a few tricks up his sleeve and keeps this one relatively close.

Houston 34, Tulane 16