Nelly
Virginia + over Miami, FL
In the game of the season for the Hurricanes, Miami played well last week to lead early against Florida State but they could not hold on in a very disappointing loss. Miami out-gained the undefeated Seminoles and the Hurricanes have great yardage statistics this season but this will be a very tough situation. Virginia has lost four in a row but this is a Cavaliers team with two games to play needing two big wins to make a bowl game. Four of the six losses this season have come by eight or fewer points and the Virginia has out-gained its opponent in four of the six losses this season as Cavaliers have deserved better this season. The home team has won four of the last five in this series with the underdog covering in nine of the last 10 meetings. Miami has an impressive team but with two weeks to prepare and the season on the line Virginia should play well this week. Miami is 1-3 S/U and ATS on the road this season while Virginia has won four of the last five home games S/U including beating the Louisville team that crushed Miami this season.
RJ Robbins
South Florida vs. Memphis
Play: Memphis -20
This game involves a pair of teams going in opposite directions. Memphis has been Red Hot winning 4 in a row, while the Bulls have lost to Cincinnati and Houston, and beat SMU on the last play of the game 14-13, as a DD favorite. Memphis is balance on both sides of the ball! Memphis 41 SF 16
Bruce Marshall
Fresno St at Nevada
Pick: Nevada
Unlikely as it seems, there are MW West title implications at stake in Reno, as winner has inside track for a trip to Boise or Fort Collins in two weeks. Fresno (4-6 SU), however, has less the look of a champ after being whipped by all competent foes, and Nevada qualifies as such. Big edge at QB to Pack sr. Fajardo (in home finale) over Bulldogs' erratic Burrell.
OC Dooley
Iowa State -1
This is one of those wagers where the ODDSMAKERS have made a major statement casting Iowa State as a favorite even though they are 0-6 up against Big Twelve conference competition and 2-7 overall for the season. The key to this pick actually surrounds who the Cyclones will be hosting “next” Saturday as they will have to deal with an angry opponent. It was a year ago when Iowa State in a late season contest traveled to West Virginia and pulled off a stunning outright upset in a TRIPLE OVERTIME thriller. Considering they wrap up against West Virginia and TCU (high ranked in the College Playoff rankings) today is essentially the final shot that Iowa State has at pulling off a straight-up triumph in conference play. One of visiting Texas Tech’s problems has been a severe lack of defensive intensity which sets up the following “three year” angle. Long term when off a game where the defense allowed the opposition to average at least 6.75 yards per play Texas Tech in the ensuing contest (0-8 against the spread) has been a financial disaster