Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 4
No one would have blamed you for not betting last week's picks. You would have won some money, however, as BH and The Skinny went a combined 8-2 against the spread.
And if that's not begging for a fade this week...
Blatant Homerism--Week 4
(Last week: 4-1; Overall: 9-6)
Auburn (-9) at Kansas State
I previewed this game for The Student Section, and the more I looked at it, the less inclined I became to back the Wildcats. And I was already pretty disinclined in the first place. Auburn is just better.
The pick: Betting against Bill Snyder never hurt anything, did it?
Hawaii at Colorado (-8)
The Rainbows’ first road trip of the year will have them playing at altitude in Boulder, and I think this game kicks off at what would be something like midnight on the Big Island.
CU has been so putrid for so long that it’s hard to see the improvement, but it’s there. In a couple years, Mike MacIntyre could really have something.
(That entire paragraph totally sounds like something Mack Brown would say, right down to the appropriate vagueries. I’ll go ahead and let Mack make the pick.)
The picks: I like the fight I saw in this team last game. They just have to keep improving every week and believing in themselves. Buffs cover.
North Carolina (+3) at East Carolina
I don’t love UNC’s team or Larry Fedora. Actually, I’d say it’s quite the opposite. However, this sets up nicely for the Tar Heels from a situational standpoint.
The Pirates scored an emotional upset win last week over Virginia Tech and are coming off two straight road trips against big dogs. The Heels took last week off and should have revenge on the brain after getting flat-out whipped by Ruffin McNeil’s squad a year ago in Chapel Hill.
The pick: Hold your nose and bet the Heels.
Virginia (+14.5) at BYU
This is a CFBMatrix-inspired pick. I’ll take the more talented team getting two touchdowns.
Famous last words when UVa is involved.
The pick: Wahoos.
Texas A&M at SMU (+33.5)
Have I mentioned how much I don’t like this week’s card? Why not really hang it out there?
This line is screaming for you to take the Aggies against what has been possibly the worst team in FBS football this year, SMU. A&M didn’t look all that sharp last week against Rice, though, which makes me wonder if they’re just killing time until conference play revs back up next week versus Arkansas. Quarterback Kenny Hill is also going to be missing arguably his best offensive weapon, Speedy Noil.
June Jones’ conscience must have caught up with him after stealing a couple paychecks from the Ponies through the first two games of this season. With Jones saying “aloha” to Southern Methodist in the “goodbye” sense (for real this time), defensive coordinator Tom Mason will be the head honcho for the Mustangs’ final 10 games of the year. (Yes, there will only be 10 more.)
Mason has had two weeks to get his team prepared. Don’t be shocked if SMU has a little extra pep in its step and doesn’t get completely obliterated. As in, doesn't lose by five TDs.
The pick: Who am I kidding? This is pure gambling.
The Skinny--Week 4
(Last week: 4-1; Overall: 7-8)
Florida at Alabama (-14.5)
If not for some friendly clock-watching, Will Muschamp might be watching this game from home. Florida showed this season is going to more of the same in the Muschamp era. Line opened at 17 and is now down to a seemingly reasonable 14.5.
The pick: Roll Tide.
South Carolina at Vanderbilt (+21.5)
South Carolina is in prime letdown position after last week's big win.
The pick: Gamecocks.
Iowa at Pittsburgh (-6.5)
I am going against Iowa for another week. I have been impressed with the little I have seen of Pitt.
The pick: Not Iowa.
Auburn at Kansas State (+9)
Auburn maybe the best team in the SEC West, but going into Bill Synder's house is never easy. K-State will be up for this game.
The pick: I like K-State getting the points.
UConn at South Florida (-2)
Betting against UConn in its first road game.
The pick: Bulls.