Spread Pick'Em: Week 5

Week 4 was the biggest emotional roller coaster this season for picking against the spread.  What a wild ride!  The weekend matchups were as advertised.  Florida State looks to have emerged as a legit threat to dethrone the SEC, Kansas State got their revenge on the Sooner (only helping my push for Colin Klein for Heisman finalist), Denard was, well...moving on.  The prime time games lived up to expectations and I was 6-2 headed into the last games of the night.  Unfortunately, Florida State barely missed after an exciting come back and Arizona was blanked by the Ducks.  Even with those two losses I hit 6-4 for the week and improved in two straight weeks. 

With non-conference, for the most part, behind us, the picks should become more manageable.  Teams have had a chance to work out their kinks against the cupcakes I-AA members, and have had 3-4 games to showcase their strengths and weaknesses. 

Here's some of the more intriguing matchups in this week's spread picks:

Clemson at Boston College - There's a reason the verb Clemsoning exists and was added to Urban Dictionary.  For those of you who can't guess, Clemsoning is "the act of delivering an inexplicably disappointing performance, usually within the context of a college football season."  This seems to be prime territory for a let down game for the Tigers.  After a deflating loss at Florida State, Clemson has to go back on the road against a team (and coach) desperate for a win.  You would think Clemson would come out looking to take out their disappointment on someone, and who better than the worst in the ACC?

Texas at Oklahoma State - This line opened with Oklahoma State favored and hasn't moved very far for the pool I'm in.  At first look the line looks crazy.  Texas only favored by 2.5?  Texas has a Top 10 defense and the offense is finally clicking under a one quarterback scheme, while Oklahoma State was destroyed on at Arizona.  The same Arizona team that was blanked by Oregon.  Just comparing Texas and Oregon, Oklahoma State should struuuugle to get points against the Longhorns.

Bet it all:

Louisiana Tech (-3.5) at Virginia (+3.5) - after watching Virginia twice this season and seeing how the coach can't decide which quarterback to trust, there's no way UVA can keep up in a shootout with La Tech.  Give the points. 

After two weeks of improvement, let's make it three!  For those keeping count, my record is now a dismal 17-29 on the season (but improving!).  You're week 5 picks!

Note: Picks are in BOLD

#18 Oregon State (+2.5) at Arizona (-2.5)

#25 Baylor (+12.5) at #9 WVU (-12.5)

#17 Clemson (-9.5) at Boston College (+9.5)

#14 Ohio State (+3.5) at #20 Michigan State (-3.5)

Tennessee (+14.5) at #5 Georgia (-14.5)

#4 Florida State (-16.5) at South Florida (+16.5)

#15 TCU (-17.5) at Southern Methodist (+17.5)

#12 Texas (-2.5) at Oklahoma State (+2.5)

#19 Louisville (-10.5) at Southern Miss (+10.5)

Wisconsin (+13.5) at #22 Nebraska (-13.5)