Oct 5, 2013; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan State Spartans mascot Sparty celebrates with the rest of the team after their win against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Michigan State beat Iowa 26-14. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Im still alive. I promise. I am still watching two weeks worth of football on the DVR, and it is pure bliss! I am not totally caught up yet, and so I dont ruin the surprise, I will withhold the week 11 results post and combine it with the week 12 results that I post early next week. These are the picks for week 12. Enjoy!
Georgia Tech at (8)Clemson(-11.5): This line is climbing, but I am apprehensive about this whole thing. GT is about as inconsistent as they come. Clemson has been money at home, so I’m taking the Tigers.
Marshall(-12.5) at Tulsa: As poorly as the Tulsa offense has played, the defense is even worse. Poor Cody Green has no talent around him. At all. Give me Marshall.
Washington at (13)UCLA(-2.5): I am a bit surprised that the line is this low. The Huskies have fallen apart since being dismantled by Oregon. I have to go with UCLA, especially at home.
Iowa State at (18)Oklahoma(-24.5): The oddsmakers have much more faith in our offense than I do. They are about as dysfunctional of a unit as you will find on any nationally ranked team. I dont think there is any way Oklahoma covers this. They should win, but probably by 14 or less. Give me Iowa State.
Troy at Mississippi(-27.5): Big line, but Troy has struggled in the mighty Sun Belt, and Ole Miss is very tough at home. I have to go with the Rebels in Oxford.
Cincinnati at Rutgers(-1.5): This line has moved to even almost all the way across the board after opening at -3. I dont buy it, however. Cincy has been below average on offense without Munchie. I like Rutgers at home.
Purdue at Penn State(-21.5): Forget how average Penn State has looked lately. Purdue would be in the bottom half of the MAC right now. Give me the JoePa’s.
(17)Central Florida(-16.5) at Temple: This seems low considering how well the Knights have played on both sides of the ball. Temple just cant keep up. Give me UCF.
Indiana at (22)Wisconsin(-23.5): Wow, this line is up a touchdown already. I’m not sure it should be. Indiana allows way too many big plays on defense, but their offense is no slouch, and the Badgers aren’t as good on defense as in recent years. I expect a high scoring game here, and I expect it to stay within 20 or so. Give me Indiana.
(3)Ohio State(-33.5) at Illinois: The Buckeyes are like a category 5 hurricane, destroying everything in their path. The Illini wont offer much resistance. Give me Ohio State.
West Virginia(-6.5) at Kansas: This is WAY too low. Even without Trickett, the Mounties are a superior team. Give me West Virginia. This shouldn’t be close….
Central Michigan(-2.5) at Western Michigan: The Chippewas are trying to prove that they are the best directional school in Michigan. They shouldn’t have a problem here, considering the Broncs just lost to Eastern Michigan. Give me CMU.
Kentucky at Vanderbilt(-12.5): This seems low considering Vandy beat Florida by more than the line is currently at. Give me Vandy.
North Carolina State at Boston College(-7.5): The Wolfpack are 0-6 in the ACC for a reason. I have to think Rettig and company get it done here. Give me BC.
North Carolina at Pittsburgh(EVEN): This line is even on every board, curiously enough. It shouldn’t be. UNC is clearly the better team. Give me the Tarheels.
Maryland at Virginia Tech(-16.5): Hmm….this looks high. The Hokie offense still has issues, and the Turtles have been better lately. I think Maryland hangs around. Give me the Terps. Fear the turtle!
Florida Atlantic(-17.5) at Southern Mississippi: Look, I know the Eagles are horrbile, but with all of the off-field distractions at FAU I have a hard time believing that they can win by that much. I can’t believe that I’m doing this, but give me Southern Miss…..
Akron(-7.5) at Massachusetts: Akron two scores better than UMass? I’m a bit skeptical about this. Im taking UMass.
Washington State at Arizona(-12.5): Is Arizona really this much better than Wazzu? I doubt it. I wouldn’t even be surprised if the Leaches won straight up. Give me Washington State.
UAB at East Carolina(-27.5): Before you say this is high, take a look at UAB’s body of work. They are horrendous. Give me ECU.
Louisiana-Lafayette(-21.5) at Georgia State: Georgia State still gets no respect. This is too high. I’m going with the Panthers.
Connecticut at SMU(-15.5): Considering how bad UConn has been, this is too low. Gilbert is still a good QB. SMU should cover this easily.
(25)Georgia at (7)Auburn(-3.5): Georgia is finally getting healthy, just in time to ruin someone’s season. I have a feeling it will be Auburns. Georgia straight up.
Syracuse at Florida State(-38.5): The Noles keep getting these ridiculously high lines, but they have not failed to cover a single one of them. I have to keep taking them. FSU it is!
Michigan(-2.5) at Northwestern: The Michigan offense has been a train wreck since the Indiana game, and Northwestern is FINALLY back to full strength. That said, the Wildcats are winless in the Big 10(12). I have to go with Michigan.
(23)Miami(FL)(-3.5) at Duke: The Hurricanes are reeling since getting trampled by Florida State (sound familiar?). Duke even managed to beat the Virginia Tech team that just beat Miami, and Duke is at home. I’m picking Duke for the upset. Someone tell those Cameron Crazies to get on over to the football stadium and raise some Cain!
(16)Michigan State(-6.5) at Nebraska: Lincoln is a tough place to play, but the stout Sparty defense will make Nebraska have to throw to beat them. I’m not sure they can. The Huskers have a better change with Kellogg/Armstrong in there, but I think Nebraska makes a turnover at a critical time and leads to the Spartans scoring the winning touchdown. Give me Michigan State.
(12)Oklahoma State(-3.5) at Texas: The Longhorns got gouged by West Virginia, and I tend to think Okie State will be able to do the same to them. That said, I’m not sure that the Cowboys can stop Texas either. I’m taking the Horns straight up at home.
TCU at Kansas State(-10.5): The Toadies are in the precarious situation of having to win out to make it to a bowl game. The odds are stacked against them. Kansas State is a completely different team than they were in September. They are rolling right now, and I think they win the battle of the purple. The only question is by how much. I’m saying ten or less. Give me TCU.
South Alabama at Navy(-8.5): Navy is cruising right now, but the Jaguars have managed to hang around with some pretty good teams. Not on the road though. Give me Navy.
Utah at (6)Oregon(-26.5): The Utes have been downright terrible on the road. Oregon should cover this easily. Give me the Ducks.
California at Colorado(-2.5): This is a someone has to win game. These teams are a combined 0-13 in the Pac 12. I don’t remember the last time the Ralphies were favored against a division 1 opponent. Well, when in doubt, go with the home team. Give me Colorado I guess….
Memphis(-1.5) at South Florida: Both of these teams have left a lot to be desired this year, but maybe none more so than the Bulls. A couple of years ago, they had dreams of winning the Big East and going to BCS bowls. Now? A home dog to Memphis. You can’t say they don’t deserve it though. I’m still taking Memphis….
Houston at (20)Louisville(-16.5): Way too high. Houston nearly beat a UCF team that is the class of the AAC, and the Knights beat Louisville at home. Houston could do the same. There is no way Louisville wins by anywhere near this. Give me Houston. This is my lock of the week. Possibly even the lock of the season…..
Colorado State(-6.5) at New Mexico: I still don’t believe in the Rams. UNM straight up.
Texas Tech at (5)Baylor(-27.5): The Red Raiders are reeling since losing to Oklahoma, a team that Baylor just wiped the field with. I think they do the same to the Kliffies. Give me Baylor.
Louisiana Tech at Rice(-16.5): Wow, I don’t like lines this high with average teams involved. Is LT below average? I hope so. Give me Rice.
Florida at (10)South Carolina(-13.5): Spurrier past vs. present. The present looks much better than the Gators have lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if South Carolina doubled this line. Give me the Cocks.
Texas State at Arkansas State(-7.5): Im not sure that the Red Wolves are two scores better than the Bobcats. I’m taking Texas State here. I think the Wolvies win by 7…..
(1)Alabama(-24.5) at Mississippi State: Prescott is the type of player that could give the Alabama defense trouble, but the Bulldog defense wont be able to contain all of the weapons that Alabama has. Give me the Tide.
(4)Stanford(-4.5) at USC: This is too low. I know the Trojans have been much better lately, but the Cardinal D is good enough to dominate this game. I think they do. Stanford by at least a touchdown.
Florida International at UTEP(-6.5): Wow, you know you’re bad when you’re a home dog to UTEP. Heads. Give me UTEP.
Oregon State at (19)Arizona State(-13.5): This is a tough one. The Sun Devils have been shredding the rest of the Pac 12, and the Beavers have had trouble with the better teams. Mannion and Cooks can’t do it all. I have to take Arizona State at home.
Wyoming at Boise State(-23.5): This is too high. Boise is still struggling without Southwick. I’m taking Wyoming.
San Diego State(-4.5) at Hawaii: This seems low with the way the Warriors have been kicked around lately. San Diego State should have no problems covering this one. Give me the Aztecs.
San Jose State(-7.5) at Nevada: The Wolfpack are struggling lately, and could be in real trouble if Fajardo can’t go. Still, I don’t think they lose by more than one score at home. Give me Nevada.