Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 10
I don't want to talk about it. Let's just move on.
BLATANT HOMERISM--Week 10
(Last Week: 1-4; Overall: 23-22)
Wisconsin at Indiana (+13.5)
I’m just not a believer in Wisconsin. The few times I’ve watched them this year, nothing stands out. I really doubt the Badgers have it in them to beat the Hoosiers by two touchdowns in Bloomington. (Five field goals? OK, maybe.)
The pick: Wisky by 1.
Auburn at Texas A&M
The Aggies appear to be entering their customary November swoon, also known as the point in the year when they’ve cleared the cupcakes from their system. With the Tigers coming off a bye, I have a hard time seeing A&M moving the ball with any type of consistency.
The pick: Auburn 38, A&M 14.
South Carolina (+23.5) at Georgia
The No. 1 Bulldogs now have a big target on their backs, a position that Kirby Smart and the rest of the program aren’t accustomed to. Add in the letdown factor post-Cocktail Party and you get a high probability of an unfocused effort out of UGA.
The Gamecocks don’t have the goods to win this game, but they play hard for Will Muschamp. (“His kids played hard” will probably go somewhere on Coach Boom’s tombstone one day.) I’m betting on USC uglying it up enough to keep the score within the number.
The pick: Take the points.
Iowa State at West Virginia (-2.5)
Speaking of playing hard, I present the Cyclones. ISU is doing the whole lunch pail thing at the top of the Big 12. Of note, Matt Campbell’s gritty defense has hustled up a fumble in the red zone in each of its key wins this season against Oklahoma and TCU. That can’t continue.
The Mountaineers looked like a real pile last week, which suggests Dana Holgorsen will see his squad bounce back this weekend.
The pick: WVU, 36-30.
Clemson at North Carolina State (+7.5)
Seeing Notre Dame stomp them last week should have scared me off the Wolfpack. I'll still ride with N.C. State in a revenge spot from last season. I mean, why not, right?
The pick: Hell, let's say the home team wins outright.
THE SKINNY--Week 10
(Last Week: 1-4; Overall: 21-24)
Baylor (-7.5) at Kansas
Virginia Tech (-2.5) at Miami
Texas (+7) at TCU
Arizona (+7.5) at USC
Memphis at Tulsa (+13)