Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 4
The Kenney brothers went a combined 5-5 against the spread last week. You wanna mainline that, don't ya?
What kind of thrills do their picks have in store for us this week?
BLATANT HOMERISM--Week 4
(Last Week: 3-2; Overall: 7-8)
TCU (+13) at Oklahoma State
I wrote a preview of this one for Athlon. Horned Frogs have a shot here.
The pick: Take the points.
*I also previewed OU-Baylor.
Army at Tulane (-2.5)
Both of these teams were sacrificed to the paycheck game gods last weekend, as Oklahoma housed the Green Wave and Ohio State got back on track against the Black Knights. As such, neither team has the advantage of being fresher for this matchup.
That means nothing is stopping me from laying the wood with Tulane. The betting markets haven't caught up with Willie Fritz's crew yet.
The pick: Tulane by between three and six points.
Duke (-2.5) at North Carolina
Much obliged to Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe for not pushing for a cover late in last week's win over Baylor. Frankly, those of us who were on the underdog owe the Duke kicking team an ever bigger debt of gratitude for how that first half ended.
This week we'll return the favor by sending Coach Cut and his team the positive vibes of a pick to cover. Thank me later, Dukies.
And while we're wagering, odds that Coach Cut has seen "In the Cut," director Jane Campion's provocative 2003 erotic thriller?
The pick: Duke by a touchdown.
Penn State at Iowa (+12.5)
I've watched one Iowa game this year, El Assico, and actually came away with a higher opinion of the Hawkeyes than a team coached by Kirk Ferentz probably deserves. This is a beefy and sweaty squad that likes to feature the tight end in its passing game. I'm envisioning Ferentz's predilection for field position and leisurely tempo frustrating the Nittany Lions, who are getting a touch too much love from the national media.
Dog is live.
The pick: PSU, 23-20.
UCLA at Stanford (-7.5)
The Bruins getting more than a touchdown here feels like the sucker bet of the week. In back-to-back weeks, the Cardinal have looked pedestrian in losses to USC and San Diego State. The quarterback matchup between Josh Rosen and Keller Chryst also tilts heavily to Westwood.
The rub is UCLA's stank run defense. Jim Mora Jr.'s defense is allowing almost six yards per rush through three games.
This week, the Bruins have to stop Cardinal running back Bryce Love, who is running for more than 12 yards on average every time he carries the ball. Enjoy.
The pick: Give the points.
THE SKINNY--Week 4
(Last Week: 2-3; Overall: 6-9)
Notre Dame at Michigan State (+3.5)
TCU (+13) at Oklahoma State
New Mexico at Tulsa (-12)
Alabama at Vanderbilt (-18.5)
Auburn (-17.5) at Missouri