Last weekend's Halloween matchups turned out frighteningly bad. I ended the week 5-5 record to put me at 45-49 on the season. I only need a 7-3 record to get back to even and before the two straight 5-5 weeks I was up at 6-4 and 7-3.
On to this week, the week every college football fan has had circled on their calenders. The high profile matchups between Oregon/USC and Alabama/LSU may have lost a bit of their luster, but the outcomes still influence the outlook of the national championship. Oregon can't afford a slip up with undefeated Kansas State and Notre Dame lurking behind, and an LSU win opens the doors wide open for any number of teams to get back into the hunt.
When i went over all the games that were selected in this week's pool, I was shocked at some of the lines I got. I thought the LSU/Bama line would be tighter and the A&M/Mississippi State line is substantially larger than where it closed. I suddenly feel a bit more comfortable with these picks. In saying that, I've now doomed this week to be a disaster, but here we go, week 10's Spread Pick'Em! This week I've included my reasoning behind the picks. Win or lose, at least their was some thought process...
Note: Picks are in BOLD
Arizona State (+5.5) at #13 Oregon State (-5.5)
Last week Sean Mannion got the nod after a quick retunr from injury. Now Cody Vaz will start and he was impressive in leading a potential comeback against Washington, but big-time receiver Wheaton is dinged up and the top cornerback Poyer is questionable. The defense has been good all year, and after seeing ASU on TV and in person, I don't have a lot of confidence in their QB.
#24 Arizona (+2.5) at #25 UCLA (-2.5)
On to this week, the week every college football fan has had circled on their calenders. The high profile matchups between Oregon/USC and Alabama/LSU may have lost a bit of their luster, but the outcomes still influence the outlook of the national championship. Oregon can't afford a slip up with undefeated Kansas State and Notre Dame lurking behind, and an LSU win opens the doors wide open for any number of teams to get back into the hunt.
When i went over all the games that were selected in this week's pool, I was shocked at some of the lines I got. I thought the LSU/Bama line would be tighter and the A&M/Mississippi State line is substantially larger than where it closed. I suddenly feel a bit more comfortable with these picks. In saying that, I've now doomed this week to be a disaster, but here we go, week 10's Spread Pick'Em! This week I've included my reasoning behind the picks. Win or lose, at least their was some thought process...
Note: Picks are in BOLD
Arizona State (+5.5) at #13 Oregon State (-5.5)
Last week Sean Mannion got the nod after a quick retunr from injury. Now Cody Vaz will start and he was impressive in leading a potential comeback against Washington, but big-time receiver Wheaton is dinged up and the top cornerback Poyer is questionable. The defense has been good all year, and after seeing ASU on TV and in person, I don't have a lot of confidence in their QB.
#24 Arizona (+2.5) at #25 UCLA (-2.5)
Scott is forcasted as ready to go after the concussion conversation against USC, and with him the Arizona offense is tough to stop. This could be a shootout so I'm taking the points.
#14 Oklahoma (-10.5) at Iowa State (+10.5)
Oklahoma will be pissed head into Ames after their loss at home to Notre Dame. Landry Jones has shown spurts of brilliance and the Iowa State defense isn't nearly as good as the defense of the Fighting Irish.
#16 Texas A&M (-7.5) at #17 Mississippi State (+7.5)
Mississippi State has been a pretty solid team all year and the loss last week to Alabama shouldn't scare people off, but that's exactly what this line looks like. A&M is good enough to blow any number of teams out with the offense, but they continue to let teams hang around in the second half. I'm taking the points at home.
TCU (+6.5) at #23 West Virginia (-6.5)
I'm taking this for a number of reasons. 1) I won't bet against teams I root for. 2) TCU has been fairly underwhelming all year, especially against a UVA team that is awful, and 3) WVU has had a week to correct offensive issues and really evaluate their defensive strategy, all this at home too.
#21 Nebraska (+1.5) at Michigan State (-1.5)
This was a toss up. Seriously, does anyone want the Big Ten lead? The Big Ten just sucks this year. To date Nebraska has been more impressive. Give me the points.
Texas (+7.5) at #20 Texas Tech (-7.5)
Another potential shootout and Texas Tech is 0-2 as a favorite against the Longhorns. I'm taking the points.
#2 Oregon (-7.5) at #18 USC (+7.5)
Oregon has just impressed week in and week out. If one was to only look at box scores, then you may feel uneasy about a more than touchdown spread, but Oregon has destroyed teams in the first half and then brought in younger players to get reps. This was done to prepare for games like this where depth will be key against faster and more physical opponents. Oregon is ready and the ducks will roll.
#1 Alabama (-10.5) at #5 LSU (+10.5)
10.5? Seems like a lot for a home night game at Death Valley. Alabama has been the clear best team in the country, but this is their first real challenge. Maybe LSU steps up given the magnitude of this rivalry. Give me the points.
Oklahoma State (+8.5) at #3 Kansas State (-8.5)
Colin Klein.
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