After our worst week of the year, we
came back strong. Look for much more of the same in our weekly installment of Five Picks
To Click, non top-25 version.
Pittsburgh at South Florida
WagerWeb.Com Line: Pitt
-4.5
Both Pittsburgh and South Florida have had two weeks to prepare for
each other. I would say the advantage should go to the Panthers because of their much more
seasoned coach in Dave Wannstedt. The Panthers have won and covered the past two meetings,
winning last year 31-17. In an even more obscure stat, the past three years when the
Panthers have been a favorite between 3.5 and 10 points, they are 5-1. Tyler Palko is a
senior, and he wants his games against West Virginia and Louisville late in the season to
matter.
Pick: Pitt
Purdue at Michigan State
WagerWeb.com Line: MSU
-2.5
The Spartans are in trouble. The school has already announced that
head coach John L. Smith will not be back in 2006, plus the Spartans come off one of the
most embarrassing losses in school history, 46-21 to Indiana. Michigan State hasn?t covered in the past six meetings, 0-5-1,
including five straight losses ATS. Look for
Purdue to get out of its funk. The Boilermakers haven?t scored an offensive touchdown the past two games (Penn State, Wisconsin).
The Curtis Painter-to-Dorien Bryant connection will prosper against a weaker Michigan State
defense.
Pick: Purdue
Tulsa at Houston
WagerWeb.com Line: Tulsa
-3.5
This is a huge C-USA matchup, with the winner having control of the
C-USA West Division. Houston has the fifth-best aerial attack in Division I-A, 296 yards
per game, going against the Tulsa defense, which is ranked No. 4 in the nation in
passing yards allowed, 138 yards per game. When something?s gotta give, give the advantage to the home team. Houston won the
last meeting on the road, 30-23, and Saturday?s game will be senior QB Kevin Kolb?s final one at Robertson Stadium.
Pick: Houston
BYU at Colorado State
WagerWeb.com Line: BYU
-15.5
I just don?t
understand how BYU isn?t ranked
in the AP Top 25, but nevertheless, that gives me an opportunity to pick the Cougars.
Anytime the Cougars have been favored in a game this year, they have won by at least 19
points. One common opponent has been Air Force. CSU lost by three, while BYU won by 19. BYU has won and covered the past two against Colorado
State.
Pick: BYU
Kansas at Iowa State
WagerWeb.com Line: Kansas
-2
I understand Iowa State hasn?t won a Big 12 game yet, but this team isn?t that bad. Kansas comes into the game starting true freshman QB
Todd Reesing. Freshmen in their first start on the road can never can be good. Iowa State
is 6-2 in its past eight games against Kansas. And ordinarily, Kansas hasn?t been good in November. In the past 44 games
in November, the Jayhawks are 12-32. Ouch. Iowa State wins this one.
Pick: ISU
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 22-13
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