Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 6
BH and The Skinny both eked out winning records last week, as both went 3-2 against the spread to. This week is screaming for some reversion to the mean.
On to this week's picks.
BLATANT HOMERISM--Week 6
Last week: 3-2; Overall: 14-11
Cincinnati at Connecticut (+3)
Something about this line doesn't smell right. Even with Cincy quarterback Hayden Moore likely sitting this one out, I figured the Bearcats would be giving more than a field goal to the Huskies. I'm going with the somebodies.
The pick: You don't just walk into Storrs and expect a win. UConn outright.
Notre Dame at North Carolina State (-2.5)
Another case of a funky spread.
Even though I hate going against the more talented team when it's an underdog, N.D. just isn't good. Great quarterback in DeShone Kizer surrounded by lots of mediocrity at the skill positions. The coordinator change on D has yet to pay dividends, as the Fighting Irish gave up 500 yards last week to pitiful Syracuse. Manti Te'o played a long time ago.
The pick: Wolfpack 44, Irish 35.
Tennessee at Texas A&M (-7)
I was as high on the Volunteers as anyone coming into the season. Even then, however, I had pegged this game as a loss. This stretch of games would take a toll on any team, and the Vols were clearly living on borrowed time in last week's miraculous win over division rival Georgia.
With ESPN in town and whatnot, look for Kyle Field to be rocking. The Vols will likely wear down in the second half.
The pick: UT gets gigged. (Not that UT.)
Florida State (+3) at Miami
Without question, the Hurricanes have come out hot in Mark Richt's first season coaching his alma mater. A schedule of Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State and Georgia Tech can have that effect.
Despite FSU's struggles this season, especially on defense, I can't get on board with The U laying points in this matchup right now.
The pick: FSU, 24-21.
Washington State (+7) at Stanford
Once again, I'm fading the Cardinal. To quote Vanilla Ice, I should probably stop that train. I wanna get off, but Wazzu looks like the kind of team that is built to light up this Stanford team.
The Cardinal could ride Christian McCaffrey to a win, but in light of their broken passing game, they're awfully easy to defend at the moment. Stanford should have enough success flustering Mike Leach's Air Raid to escape with a win. The Cougars will keep it interesting, though.
The pick: Cardinal by less than a touchdown.
The Skinny--Week 6
Last week: 3-2; Overall: 10-15
SMU (+17) at Tulsa
Colorado (+6) at USC
Washington St. at Stanford (-7)
Houston (-17) at Navy
Washington at Oregon (+9)