Needless to say I’m not happy about my performance over the last couple weeks with my College football free picks. 5-5 is my best outing for Alf’s sake. That’s right, I’m resorting to Alf, of all freaking weird individual made up creatures, for my inspiration this week. Am I desperate? Yes, I might as well be asking the muppets for help. I’m not one to quit, that’s for sure, so this is my attempt to get back on top and produce a winner in Week 4. I’m taking eleven games here, four favorites and seven dogs – lets go get a winner!
Mississippi Rebels (-3.5) @ South Carolina Gamecocks: Road favorite on Thursday Night is scary. I just think Mississippi is that much better than South Carolina. You never know what can happen on these Thursday games, but I think the history of these things, the upsets that have happened, have at least gotten the attention of good teams, and most are ready to rumble these days. The Rebels have yet to be tested this season, while South Carolina has gone toe to toe with some solid teams. Still, this line is too close, and Mississippi is better than the Gamecocks.
North Carolina Tar Heels @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-2.5):Georgia Tech saw what happens when you go backwards on stupid penalties. That kills this team, and I’m willing to bet they don’t go through that type of problem for the rest of the season. The Tar Heels are solid, but Tech is better. They can really run the ball – if they can just stop from going backwards, and I think they clear that up this week, they should win this game by a couple scores.
Indiana Hoosiers (+21) @ Michigan Wolverines: Michigan’s one win over Notre Dame makes them a 21 point favorite? That’s a little much for me. They are bigger, faster, and stronger than Indiana, no doubt, but the separation between these two teams isn’t three touchdowns, not in my opinion. The Irish aren’t that amazing and Indiana isn’t Eastern Michigan or Western Michigan. They may not be great but this is a big kickoff to conference schedule, and I think Indiana will have a few big plays that keeps them within three scores of the Wolverines.
Miami Hurricanes @ Virginia Tech Hokies (+2): The Hurricanes are very talented, and they’ve played well beyond what most people expected. I’ve taken them a few times early, and won because of it, but I’m going against them in this one. Va Tech is very tough at home, and I think these two teams are pretty similar. Hokies as an underdog at their own place seems like enough for them to play with a chip firmly planted on their shoulders. That should be enough to hand Miami their first loss. I almost always, always, bet on the lower ranked favored team, but nothing is always right, and I think this one goes the other way.
TCU Horned Frogs @ Clemson Tigers (-2.5): The Tigers are very tough in the trenches, NFL talent all over the board, I think they take down the 14th ranked Horned Frogs is what would supposedly be an upset. However, as you can tell, Vegas doesn’t think it will be much of an upset.
Arkansas Razorbacks (+17) @ Alabama Crimson Tide: Arkansas has a lot of talent. Alabama can really run the ball, and they play tough defense, but the Tide will allow a couple big plays to Mallet and company, and probably end up winning this game 24-13 or something like that. I just smell a cover.
Akron Zips (+16) @ Central Michigan Chippewas: This game is actually a nice little rivalry between a couple solid small college programs. The Zips have had a tough start to the year, playing tough competition right out of the gate, and Central has a nice win and has played well overall. I still think these two teams always play it close, and I like that to stay the same this weekend.
Kentucky Wildcats @ Florida Gators (-21.5): I know, the flu is going around Florida’s squad, and things are looking slowed down a bit after Tennessee played them close, but Kentucky isn’t going to run clock, and Tim Tebow doesn’t have sickness, he’s made of antibiotics. I think Florida wins by four scores, proving a point this week after a mediocre performance against the Vols.
Boise State Broncos @ Bowling Green Falcons (+17): I think Bowling Green comes to play in this one, and keeps it close. They play the Broncos tough defensively, and at home for the first time I think they’ll be ready.
Iowa Hawkeyes (+10) @ Penn State Nittany Lions: Iowa has taken out the Nittany Lions 6 of the last 7 meetings, that’s gone past coincidence in my book, so I have to go against my gut and hopes and heart and take Iowa. I think Penn State will be pretty focused on redemption for last year’s late season loss – that will probably get in their way a bit, and Iowa will keep it close. I like the Lions to pull it off, but 10 points might just be enough.
Washington Huskies (+7) @ Stanford Cardinal: I think Stanford is solid, and UW is coming off a huge emotional win at home against the USC Trojans. They can’t get any higher. So obviously they are vulnerable here. However, I still think this line is good value and I can’t pass it up. Jake Locker is too good, too much of a freak to just let his team get smashed after a big win. I have to believe he keeps the Huskies close.