Handicapping by Liz

Here are the college games I like this week

Let’s start off with one that on paper should be easy pickings, but that’s on paper.

I like Miami, Florida at home against Central Florida (UCF) laying 15.5 points.
I believe that Miami needs this win to prove to themselves they are still a better team than a team from Conference USA. An interesting stat is that UCF is 0-4 visiting in-state schools.

In the past few years I look forward to West Virginia playing Syracuse, and this year is no exception. I know the pointspread is kind of high at 23.5 but after Syracuse blowing a lead last week in the 4th quarter, I just can’t see them faring much better in Morgantown.
I also like the OVER in this game which is 47.5 as it has gone over this number the past 2 years. Also another interesting stat is that the favorite in this series is 15-1 ATS!!

Next pick is a very hot team, Ball State, (ya gotta like the name) Currently Ball State
Is 6-0 SU and 5-0 ATS, I just can’t go against these kind of stats. Take Ball State on the road this week against Western Kentucky and lay the 16.5 points.

And this week I am actually picking a service academy, I love Air Force on the road to cover the 10 point spread over San Diego State. Go Fly Boys!!

I have to pick this next game because Oregon was embarrassed last week and they are home this week against a team that beat them last year. Oregon got throttled last week by USC and they are home against UCLA who shut them out last year, so they should be angry enough to cover the 17 points.

I am also leaning towards Utah, Ohio State, USC, Texas Tech, and of course my blue team Boise State.

And last but not least my underdog play of the week will be on Rutgers getting 9 points on the road at Cincinnati. I also like Northwestern at home getting 2.5 points from Michigan State.

Good Luck and as always bet with your head and not above it.

Now for the Pros

My first pick in the pros is a strange one but strange things have been happening in the pros this year so why not! I am going with the Houston Texans minus the 3 points at home against the Miami Dolphins. Everyone will probably be on the Dolphins now that they beat San Diego and New England back to back. Is this a trap game? I think so!

My next pick is the Minnesota Vikings laying 13 points at home against the Detroit Lions who are just awful this year and I just don’t see them getting better here against a Vikings team, like the Jets, is winning with an older QB in Gus Frerotte, who would have thought it possible? Also following the stats, Kitna is 1-3 SU and 0-3-1 ATS versus the Vikings.  I like those stats so take the Vikings minus the points.

Another pick this week is the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road against the Denver Broncos. I like the 3.5 points here as this “should” be a low scoring game, relatively speaking when it comes to the Broncos  I think the Jaguars running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew will keep the Broncos offense off the field and this game within the 3.5 points. Take the Jags and the points.

I also like the Eagles to bounce back this week on the road against the 49ers. This is the 3rd meeting in 4 years and the Eagles are 2-0 SU and ATS. Lay the 5 points and take the Eagles on the road to cover this number.

My last pick has to be the San Diego Chargers. You think they were looking past the Dolphins last week towards this game?? I sure do !! The Chargers would like nothing more than to pound the Patriots into the ground after losing to them twice last year, once in the regular season and once in the playoffs. I see revenge all over this game.  Lay the 6 points and take the Chargers at home. Sorry Jim

Of course, I love the over in the Dallas/Arizona game which is 49 and the over 45.5 in the New York Jets/Cincinnati game.

I’m already 1-0 this week as I had the OVER in the Monday Night game which is on a torrid streak of 6-0 ATS. How high will the bookmakers have to make it to go under, well we shall see this Monday when the Giants are at Cleveland.

Well that’s it for this week, GOOD LUCK!!