College Football Picks (9/28/05)

Season Record 16-9
Last Week 3-1
Mortal Lock Record 2-2

Just another day at the office last week with our college football selections. The Stool went 3-1 vs. the spread to improve our season record to 16-9. We also nailed our mortal lock as Arizona State -6 humiliated Oregon State by the count of 42-24 and it wasn’t even that close. The Beavers scored two meaningless TD’s in the 4th quarter to hide what a huge blowout this game really was. As I look forward to this week’s action I’ve got to say that it only looks to get easier. It’s almost as thought the Vegas bookmakers went on strike this week and had scabs making the line. There are lots of mistakes out there and we’re going to be there to cash in and make the bookie pay. I smell a huge week coming up

Indiana at Wisconsin -17.5

Wisconsin is not only undefeated, but they are 4-0 ATS this year. And El Presidente has been there every step of the way. Any time a legendary coach is retiring El Presidente smells bookie blood in the water. Last week we predicted that the Badgers would beat Michigan on a last second field goal and that is exactly what happened. This week Wisconsin welcomes the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers to town. Yup, that’s right the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers the Rose Bowl express should come to a crashing end this week in Madison. While Indiana did look good whipping up on Kentucky a few weeks ago, their previous two wins weren’t exactly mind blowing against the likes of Central Michigan and Nicholls State. (As a side note who is Nicholls State? You know it’s bad when I haven’t bet on a game involving your school) Anyway, despite the fact the Badgers will have a let down in this game, they should wake up in time to still win by 20 points and keep their perfect record in tact.

The Pick – Wisconsin

Michigan at MSU -5.5

I’ve bet against Michigan twice this year as favorites. They got out righted in both games by ND and Wisconsin. This week Michigan is unranked and the underdog against their arch rival Michigan State Spartans. And not only is MSU favored, but they are a fairly big favorite at 5.5 points. Not good for the Spartans. This is just one of those games where you know that Michigan is going to bring the kitchen sink. Whoever has the ball last in this game will win. I have to pinch myself that the Wolverines are getting points here. Sure, MSU looked impressive beating Illinois, but they’re not going to find Ron Zook on the sidelines in this one. Michigan State should never be favored over the Wolverines in any circumstances, end of story.

Mortal Lock – Michigan

VA Tech at West Virginia +10.5

You know how you always hear coaches say that their team isn’t going to look past an opponent towards a bigger game in the future? Well I hope Rich Rodriguez didn’t make that statement last week for the Mountaineers because WV flat out ignored East Carolina and barely squeaked out a victory 20-15. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech was firing on all cylinders as they laid a woodshed beating on previously undefeated Georgia Tech 51-7. Mark my words that things will be different for both teams this week. West Virginia is much better than they played last week and Virginia Tech isn’t as good. There is something about playing in Blacksburg that leads to massive blowouts. Right now that stadium is the most blowout conducive place in America. But the Hokies are a totally different team on the road and Morgantown is as difficult a place to play as anywhere in the country. West Virginia has been preparing for this game since they trounced Maryland two weeks ago and has a legitimate shot to win this game out right.

The Pick – West Virginia

Mississippi at Tennessee -22

All is right in the world at Tennessee. The QB controversy that had been plaguing this team is now over Rick Clausen from the Throwing Clausen’s family, picked the Vols up by the bootstraps and led them to a dramatic 2nd half comeback vs. LSU last week. It wouldn’t shock me if Tennessee didn’t lose another game the rest of the season. Their defense is awesome and they have tons of talent on offense. Now that Philip Fulmer has finally decided to get out of the way and let Clausen play, the sky is the limit for Tennessee. There is no doubt in my mind that this team is going to pick up right where they left off against LSU and hammer a horrible Ole Miss team. How horrible you ask? They lost to Vanderbilt and Wyoming at home last week.

The Pick – Vols

Minnesota at Penn State +3

I keep hearing broadcasters across America say that Joe Pa and Penn State are back. And yes the Nitney Lions are 4-0. And yes they won their first Big 10 opener in about a billion years. But let’s not go crazy here. After all, they did need a last second touchdown to beat Northwestern last week. Now the Lions get their first real test of the season as Minnesota and their unstoppable running game come to town. Unfortunately for Joe Pa, it will be a test that PSU will fail miserably. I’m not buying any of the Penn State hype and neither are the bookmakers who have installed Penn State as a 3 point underdog at home. This doesn’t bold well for Linebacker U. The only drama in this game will be whether Joe Paterno somehow makes an ass out of himself complaining about something on the sidelines which seems to be the norm nowadays in Happy Valley.

The Pick – Minnesota

Temple at Bowling Green -28.5

Bowling Green fell victim to the Blue Turf last week losing to Boise State 48-20. That is what people in the business call a throw away game. Everybody gets crushed on the Blue Turf. There is just nothing that you can do to stop it. It’s inevitable just like the turning of the seasons. But what better cure for blue turf syndrome than to play your home opener the next week against Temple? If this isn’t what the doctor ordered than I don’t know what is? It’s almost as if this was the Bowling Green’s AD apology for scheduling Boise the week before.

The Pick – Bowling Green