Week 5 picks

Northwestern to cover, getting 10, vs the Illini in Champaign (o/u 51)

The 10 seems really high to me. I know it is Persa’s first game back and the Illini have a signature W over the Sun Devils. But they struggled with Western Michigan last week, and the Wildcats had the day off. If I have a chance to take Pat Fitzgerald after a bye week and you are giving me 10, I will take it.

 Minnesota to cover, getting 20.5, vs Meeeeechigan in the Big House (O/U 53.5)

I simply refuse to believe that Michigan is any good. They have given up on any kind of balance and their entire team is Shoelace’s running. It is a pathetic joke. I love Jerry Kill and even though the Gophers have been terrible this year, I will take the 20.5 and cross my fingers.

Texas Tech to cover, giving 6.5, to the Jayhawks in Lawrence (o/u 66)

It is going to be a nice day on the plains and the Red Raider offense should have no problem scoring fast and often on the Jayhawks.

Stanford to cover, giving 21.5, to the Bruins in Palo Alto (o/u 55)

Take Luck and the Cardinal until you get burned. The Bruins are disaster and unfortunately the Ricky era is all but over. The only meaningful question regarding the Bruin football program is that with the conference upheaval, Kellen Moore’s and the ridiculous Boise State NCAA punishment, will this be the offseason the Chris Petersen finally leave the blue turf for Pasadena. Does a national championship appearance help or hurt that cause.

HONCHO Special Spread of the Week

Tide to cover, giving 4, to the Gators in the Swamp (o/u 44.5)

This line should be ten, the Gators haven’t played anybody worth a shit yet and Saban and the Tide D relish opportunities like this. Yard after catch will not be available for the Gators microbacks and if they take shots down the field, bad things are going to happen. Was thinking hard about the under, but the chance that either the Tide offense gets hot or the Gators get a D/ST touch are little bit too high.

 The Dawgs, giving 7, to Miss. State between the Hedges (o/u 53)

Mississippi State maybe awful and not everybody realizes it yet. By no means is this Georgia team any good, but they do enough things well, especially running with their frosh back, that they should cover the 7 at home.

 STAY AWAY, SERIOUSLY, STAY AWAY

Clemson at Va Tech with the Hokies getting 7

I was extremely jacked up to see this line and go heavy on the Hokies, but C’MON. They have played the equivalent of Jim Boheim’s traditional Nov/Dec schedule. Clemson is coming off two big wins but Lane Stadium has traditionally been a house of horrors for them especially after a big win. I was looking for the Hokies by 3, the 7 is ridiculous. But can’t take Clemson.

Wisconsin to cover, giving 10, vs the Huskers in Madison (o/u 56)

I think Wisconsin is the one team that has a chance to beat the winner of the Nov.5 game against Bama and the Bengals. Their ability to run on demand and then strike big off a play action, makes them extremely dangerous. Nebraska’s D has not been able to take the fight to their opponents and I think they will get pushed around. Taylor Martinez will make some errors and Wisconsin will cover the 10.

Irish to cover, giving 12, vs the Boilermakers in West Lafayette (o/u 48)

I was in West Lafayette last Friday and ended up watching practice. The Boilermakers are awful.