So, no more chatter, just straight to 15 more picks—against the spread—this week. Find all lines at VegasInsider.com and, again, for clarification, these are spread picks only.
Here we go:
1. Connecticut vs. Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh (-5.5)
The Huskies are undefeated at home this year but the Pitt Panthers not only come in on a three-game winning streak, but are going for their third straight over Connecticut as well.
I like the Huskies to play the Panthers close tonight.
The Lady's Pick: Connecticut to cover.
Final: UConn 30, Pitt 28—The Lady Wins!
A close one, just as I expected, with a thrilling finish by the Huskies late in the fourth quarter. The Big East is no longer Pitt's to win—it just got interesting.
2. Boise State at Idaho: Boise State (-34.5)
It's Boise. They've been bored all season playing the mediocre talent of the WAC and the Idaho Vandals will offer them no respite from that trend.
The Lady's Pick: Boise to cover.
Final: Boise 52, Idaho 14—The Lady Wins!
Boise State beat up on another under-manned opponent. Yawn.
3. West Virginia vs. Cincinnati: West Virginia (-7)
The Bearcats lost Zach Collaros to a leg injury a couple weeks back, but he is set to return this week against the Mountaineers. Cincy's offense is far more productive and dangerous with Collaros at the helm and the Mountaineers have struggled to find their footing the last two weeks.
The Lady's Pick: Cincinnati to cover.
Final:West Virginia 47, Cincinnati 10—The Lady Loses
Wow, way to NOT show up Cincy. Geez—miss Brian Kelly and Mardy Gilyard much?
4. Auburn vs. Georgia: Auburn (-8)
More than a clinch of the SEC West is at stake for the Tigers in this one. Georgia currently holds a four-game win streak over the Tigers as well. Add to that, an angry Cam Newton, and you have an Auburn team that looks set to rout the Bulldogs on Saturday.
That said, Georgia is playing for every bit as much as the Tigers. They want to end the season on the upswing and what better way to do so than to beat the No. 2 team in the country—at home?
Georgia has a good defense, some solid playmakers, and a golden opportunity. Expect them to be in this one til the bitter end.
The Lady's Pick: Georgia to cover.
Final: Auburn 49, Georgia 31—The Lady Loses
It looked promising for Georgia, early, but the Newton train proved too much to contain in the end. Now the Bulldogs will have to scare up win number 6 in their final game of the season—can they handle the pressure?
5. Florida vs. South Carolina: Florida (-6.5)
Okay, so the Gators are feeling groovy after two straight wins and, despite their three-game losing streak, they still have a shot at the SEC East title if they win—at The Swamp—this weekend.
Steve Spurrier's group has had their ups and downs this season with big program wins over Alabama and Georgia, but heartbreaking losses to Auburn and Arkansas. However, they can sweep all that under the rug if they can upend Urban Meyer's team.
Expect the Gamecocks to make a game of this one.
The Lady's Pick: South Carolina to cover.
Final: South Carolina 36, Florida 14—The Lady Wins!
This was kind of like watching a horror film. I didn't want to see a good outcome for either team, but settled on Spurrier because he was the lesser of two evils. Still, it was great to see Chris Rainey be rendered a non-factor.
6. Alabama vs. Mississippi State: Alabama (-14.5)
Mississippi State lacks a lot in the offense department. Chris Relf isn't a very good quarterback and Vick Ballard has had good games against midling run defenses. The Bulldogs are where they are in large part because of their defense—period. So, a hat tip to their defensive coordinator, former Middle Tennessee head coach, Manny Diaz is in order.
That said, don't look for Alabama to run all over MSU this weekend. They have struggled mightily against physical front sevens and the talent in the secondary can be opportunistic when they are on their game.
14.5 points is too much to give to an Alabama team that has not shown much dominance this year.
The Lady's Pick: Mississippi State to cover.
Final: Alabama 30, Mississippi State 10—The Lady Loses.
Now the Tide play like winners. Hope they have a plan for Auburn next week—personally I hope they decimate Cam Newton and ram road the heck out of Nick Fairley.
7. Iowa State at Colorado: Iowa State (-2.5)
This is a tricky one because Colorado has been every bit the atrocious team we thought they would be to start the season—culminating in their embarrassing loss to Kansas last week. By contrast, the Cyclones beat Texas and have an under-rated leader in quarterback, Austen Arnaud.
So, the Cyclones should easily cover that 2.5, right? Wrong.
This is exactly the sort of game that just screams for big performances out of the Colorado players who just saw their coach get fired and want to save face. Plus, to be clear, Iowa State is not as good as their win over Texas seemed to allude.
The Lady's Pick: Colorado
Final: Colorado 34, Iowa State 14 —The Lady Wins
Ah yes, the coach gets fired and the Buffs play one of their best games of the season—who could have imagined that?...oh yeah—ME.
8. Notre Dame vs. Utah: Utah (-5.5)
The Irish are just trying to get out of the season and into full recruiting mode. They lost their top quarterback for the season and don't seem to have much life left.
Plus, Utah is mad as a hornet after being trounced by the Horned Frogs last week. They're looking to do some trouncing of their own on a bruised and battered Irish team.
The Lady's Pick: Utah
Final: Notre Dame 28, Utah 3—The Lady Loses
Ouch, TCU took Utah's pride AND their will to live.
9. North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech (-3.5)
The Hokies have gotten back on the winning track in a big way since losing to James Madison in week two—rattling off seven straight wins.
Butch Davis' Tarheels have rebounded well, too, playing themselves into bowl eligibility after many left them for dad following an agent scandal that, all but, decimated their defense. Can they keep up with Tyrod Taylor and upset the Hokies this weekend?
The last loss the Tarheels suffered was at the hands of Miami—Virginia Tech has a much more balanced team.
The Lady's Pick: Virginia Tech.
Final: Virginia Tech 26, UNC 10—The Lady Wins!
Oh those Heels' sure made a game of it for a little bit, but Virginia Tech woke up and remembered they still had plenty to play for and closed this one out before it got too out of hand.
10. Purdue vs. Michigan: Michigan (-13)
Michigan's defense is terrible and no one can feel confident that Denard Robinson is capable of finishing any game in which he takes a big hit. That said, Purdue has a halfway decent defense—despite their record—and they are playing at home.
For some reason, I like the Boilermakers chances to make a game of it on Saturday.
The Lady's Pick: Purdue
Final: Michigan 27, Purdue 16—The Lady Wins!
All I can say is, whew.
The Lady's Luck Picks:
11. Kentucky (-14) vs. Vanderbilt
Final: Kentucky 38, Vanderbilt 20—The Lady Wins!
12. Colorado State (+6.5) vs BYU
Final: BYU 49, Colorado State 10—The Lady Loses.
13. Penn State (+18) at Ohio State
Final: Ohio State 38, Penn State 14—The Lady Loses.
14. Illinois (-21) vs Minnesota
Final: Minnesota 38, Illinois 34—The Lady Loses.
15. Kansas State (-13) at Missouri
Final: Missouri 28, Kansas State 38—The Lady Wins!
Final tally: 8-7...just great *sarcasm*
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