Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 11
Gravity set in for BH last week, as a 1-4 card put him back to just a few games better than .500. For The Skinny, it was more of the same, hitting on only two of five picks.
Given the sharpness of the lines this late in the season, hopes for a winning week aren't high. Still, on to this week's picks.
BLATANT HOMERISM--Week 11
Last week: 1-4; Overall: 26-23-1
USC (+9.5) at Washington
Yes, the Huskies have a great team this year. Yes, they have a lot to play for with a playoff bid on the line.
Even so, this is more of a play on USC, The Trojans have taken off since making the switch to Sam Darnold at quarterback, winning five straight games and covering four of them. Darnold's impact on the team has overshadowed the play of the defense, which is consistently slowing down the high-powered offenses of the Pac-12.
Even if the Trojans don't get UW here, they will have a shot in the conference championship game if they make it.
The pick: Take the points.
Stanford at Oregon (+3)
The Cardinal lack the firepower to keep up with Oregon. Considering how poor the Ducks are on defense, that says something about Stanford's offensive ineptitude.
The pick: It's job-saving time for Mark Helfrich – UO outright.
LSU (-7) at Arkansas
You're never supposed to back a team in LSU's position: a road favorite in a night game, coming off an emotional loss. Additionally, the Razorbacks looked awfully formidable in trouncing Florida last week.
Sadly for the Hogs, LSU is playing for Ed Orgeron. Beating the brakes off Florida these days also doesn't count for much. The Tigers want revenge for last year's shellacking, too.
The pick: LSU 27, Arky 13.
West Virginia at Texas (-2)
The Mountaineers are traveling west for an early kickoff against a surging Texas squad. Sounds like fade all day long.
The pick: Don't like it either, but UT is the right side.
Wake Forest (+34.5) at Louisville
The Cardinals typically smash inferior competition. However, they're in danger of a flat showing with Houston coming up.
The Demon Deacons play fairly good defense and run their ground-centric offense at a methodical speed. That's conducive to covering a spread of five touchdowns.
All signs for UofL are pointing to a squeaker here.
The pick: Deacs lose by far less than 34.5.
The Skinny--Week 11
Last week: 2-3; Overall: 19-29-1
Tulsa at Navy (-2)
LSU at Arkansas (+7)
California at Washington State (-14.5)
West Virginia (+2) at Texas
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (-14)