Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 10
Last week brought the inevitable regression, including a bagel for Skinny.
On to this week's picks:
Blatant Homerism--Week 10
(Last week: 2-2-1; Overall: 28-16-1)
Arizona at UCLA (-6.5)
The Wildcats are in the bizarre position of being underrated nationally from an accomplishment standpoint and overrated in terms of quality. Look for the Bruins to tip the scales back a bit with comfortable win on Saturday evening.
The pick: UCLA by about 13.
Indiana at Michigan (-6.5)
Did you know that the dude making his first road start at quarterback for Indiana this weekend is a freshman named Zander Diamont? More importantly, do you trust the Hoosiers to run the ball on the Maize and Blue?
The pick: I don't like backing Michigan any more than you do, but here we are.
Oklahoma (-16.5) at Iowa State
Yeah, I said it. I hate picking OU in PTNTS and rarely do it unless I feel pretty good about it.
I have the same worries as most in Sooner Nation regarding the team's state of mind and the fact that Mark Mangino will be standing on the other sideline. None of that matters. The Cyclones don't match up well at all with the Sooners, especially in the trenches. OU also had a bye week to regroup.
Road or not, this should be a blowout.
The pick: If OU doesn't win this by three touchdowns, take that as a bad sign for the rest of the season.
Duke at Pittsburgh (-3.5)
A quote apropos of nothing from Coach K: "For me, [watching a basketball game] is like music ... It puts me in the right mood."
Va-voom!
Terrible matchup for the Blue Devils, who own one of the more inflated records in the country. Pitt bruiser James Conner will probably break 200 yards rushing.
The pick: If it will put you in the right mood, Dukies, hoops season is less than two weeks away.
Auburn (+2.5) at Ole Miss
Frankly, I just think the Tigers are better.
The pick: I'll roll with an Auburn win.
The Skinny--Week 10
(Last week: 0-5; Overall: 23-21-1)
Oklahoma State at Kansas State (-14.5)
Arizona (+6.5) at UCLA
Duke (+3.5) at Pittsburgh
Arkansas (+10.5) at Mississippi State
Kentucky (+7.5) at Missouri