Chris Jordan
600♦ UTEP - Love the Miners in this spot, as they have a solid shot at impressing a bowl committee out there with a blowout win. That's what counts these days: blowout wins over teams you're supposed to blow out.
UAB is a mistake-prone squad that generally gets rung up for penalities in the double-digit zone. And if the Blazers make too many mistakes on defense, I expect UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe to explode. He is a very good quarterback, arguably one of the best in the conference.
Now is the time for him to shine, as there are five games left this season, and UTEP needs to win three of them. It's not out of the question, as the tough part of its Miners' campaign is over. They've played the likes of Kansas, Texas, Houston and Tulsa - winning the latter two - so there's no doubt they'll be up for trouncing a visiting 2-5 Blazers team that has the 115th-ranked defense in the nation.
The scoring defense gives up 33.4 points per game, which ranks 108th in the country, and on the road this team is allowing an average of 39.5 points per contest. And since this is a veteran-laden offense on UTEP's team, one that doesn't have a problem scoring well into the 30s, I like this play
600♦ OREGON STATE - This was the first game I bet on last Monday. The very first play I made for the week. That's how much I like the Beavers today. Actually, I think it's more so how much I dislike the Bruins.
UCLA has now lost four straight since knocking off San Diego State, Tennessee and Kansas State - two of which were inside the Rose Bowl. But since then, the Pac 10 has owned this team, and nothing changes today.
Not sure whether to blame it on a defense that can't stop the big play, or an anemic offense that ranks 102nd on the ground, 90th through the air, 106th in scoring and 109th overall. Since posting a 33-spot on SD State in the season-opener, this team hasn't been able to get past the 26-point plateau - that in a 45-26 loss to Cal.
The Bruins are averaging 16.2 points per game during this four-game skid, and they're not going to be able to compete with a team that has been quite successful through the air and can open things up at any time.
OSU has the 25th-best passing game in the nation, and will be fired up after a 42-36 loss at Southern Cal last week. The Beavers are averaging 33.5 points over their last four games, and they're just two wins shy of being bowl eligible.
Everyone knows how Mike Riley makes late-season runs, and this is about the time we see this team look as if it should have been part of the national spotlight talk at the start of the season. Big brother Oregon is embroiled with its clash with USC, so the Beavers will be looking to be the big beave in the Beaver State.
Lay the chalk
600♦ SAN DIEGO STATE - If there's been one handicapper this entire season who's been boasting about going against New Mexico, it's been me. I've been telling you all along how frazzled the Lobos are sans coach Rocky Long. I gave you a huge Mountain West Conference winner a few weeks back with Wyoming dismantling this team.
So why come back today? Cause Long is now with these Aztecs. He's the defensive coordinator. And you see how big of a demise the Lobos have been in this season - it's cause there is no one that knows this team better than Long.
And today, San Diego State's defense will be at its best. Long will have his troops fired up the same way he used have his Lobos prepared. How focused is the former Lobo coach? He's apparently turned down all interview requests this week.
Yeah, it's that deep. After all, Long served as the head football coach at his alma mater for 11 years before resigning last November. He produced a school-record 65 career wins and get this, he's still on New Mexico's university's system's payroll, collecting a $240,000 salary this year because of university obligations to end his contract.
But for the job he's geting paid to do, that's the sole reason I love this game so much and bet it hours after I wagered on Oregon State.
His trademark 3-3-5 defense has helped the Aztecs - who are 3-4 and have visions of getting to a bowl game - improve to 50th nationally in total defense, up from 113th out of 119 Division I-A teams last year.
Lay the chalk as the Aztecs roll to a three-touchdown winner ... at least!
Psychic
CFB
2 units Rutgers +7
2 units Duke +7
3 units Baylor +13 (best bet)
3 units Colorado +3.5 (best bet)
3 units Kansas +6.5 (best bet)
4 units Temple +7 (Major)
5 units Miami -6.5 (ACC Game of the Year)
MLB
2 units New York Yankees +115
NBA
2 units Houston Rockets +
Tom Stryker
5* Texas A & M
Executive
400% Wisconsin
Score
400% Cinn
Heisman Trophy Club
All 10*
Toledo Under
Boise St. Under
Fla. St. Under
Toledo
ASA
7* South Carolina
10* NCAAF TOP TOTAL
Purdue/Wisconsin Under
Rated Picks
Wisconsin: -7 2 units
Virginia: -7 2 units
Temple: +7 2 units
Nevada: -27.5 2 units
Connecticut: -7 1 unit
Ethan Law
All 2%
S. Miss +7
Iowa st +6
UAB +7
Unlv + 35
Vandy + 12
Miss st +3.5
Under 48.5 USC/Org
Dave Malinsky
5* Nebraska
Trace Adams
2000* - Houston Cougars
500* - Indiana Hoosiers
Mti Sports
4* Clippers
GUARANTEED CAPPERS LOCK CLUB
10* SOUTHERN CAL -3
10* MICHIGAN STATE -3.5
Mike Neri
4 Penn St
4 Neb
3 T A&M
3 Utah
3 Virg
Executive
600% Texas A&M
400% Tenn
300% USC
300% Navy
Jefferson-Sports
Tennessee -6
Oregon St -9.5