Kansas State(-3)(-115) over Colorado (1*)
- - Simply put, this Kansas State squad is significantly better than Colorado in so many fundamental aspects of the game that I’m not going to get into it, and they should be chomping at the bit to line up and prove it. Or not.
Rutgers(-1') over Wisconsin (1*)
- - Will a very hard nosed Rutgers team have the answers to keep their damn fine season on track?
Penn State(-3)(-130) over USC (1*)
- - USC looks to step up and finish off the most physical stretch of football games they have faced in a long time. Penn State finally gets their first chance in years to take a big step toward a seat in the College Football Playoffs without facing an elite Michigan squad or an elite Ohio State squad. Penn State has been gearing up for this trip and carries my cash.
Iowa(-2') over Washington (1*)
- - The one certainty is the situational aspect that the Washington kids just played and won the Super Bowl that was circled all year on their calendar. I think I know that a long trip to play the Hawkeyes in Iowa City at the crack of dawn would not usually be on a short list of ideal spots for following up.
UCLA(+4') over Minnesota (1*)
- - When I bet on Penn State last week, I was worried because I had to agree with someone’s observation that UCLA has been displaying an identity of playing really hard. And then they proved it again against Penn State. Now Minnesota is off a pretty ginormous win, and they likely have their hands full with a hungry opponent all the way to the buzzer to claim a win in the Rose Bowl.
Ohio State(-3) over Oregon (1*)
- - I more or less made my choice on this game more than a week ago, and while I can’t say I’m all geeked and hyped about the choice, I don’t know why I should have a change of opinion.
Cincinnati(+3') over Central Florida (1*)
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Oklahoma(+15') over Texas (1*)
- - I’ve had decent success in this historic rivalry by always giving the dog a hard and serious look. Texas having a really huge game on deck against Georgia was enough for me to say all righty then, I’ll take a chance with Oklahoma. But then on Friday I decided a rested and focused Texas team that has my backing as the #1 team in all the land when the playoffs get seeded would be my play. But then a few minutes ago I pulled the voting lever for getting 15' with Oklahoma.
Illinois(-23) over Purdue (1*)
- - When many people were touting Purdue as a threat against an embarrassed Notre Dame squad, my opinion was a bet on ND because Purdue was not close to being a good team, and Purdue got smoked. I have confidently gone against Purdue every week since, with very good results, and then two weeks ago I heard some analysis that the Purdue personnel is poorly suited to run the schemes of inexperienced HC Ryan Walters. I see no reason Illinois should not be ready to give a strong effort this week, and IMO that spells trouble for Purdue. But this line climbing from -19' to -23 might spell trouble for moi. (Deep Dive research of something I did not know: Purdue stomped Illinois 44-19 last year in the rivalry game for the Purdue Cannon, and today is the 100th meeting between the rivals.)
West Virginia(+3)(-105) over Iowa State (1*)
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BYU(-3)(-105) over Arizona (1*)
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LSU(+3') over Mississippi (1*)
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Alabama(-21') over South Carolina (1*)
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Pittsburgh(-3)(-130) over California (1*)
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Vanderbilt(+12') over Kentucky (1*)
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GL
