#13 Houston over TULSA taking 1: This has shifted 4 points in favor of the home team. Okay...we appreciate the Golden Hurricane’s effort against Boise State and yes, this could have the makings of another UTEP-Houston game in which the Coogs lost badly, but UH QB Case Keenum is healthy and is the leading passer in the U.S. with nearly 3300 yards...about 850 more than his nearest competitor (oddly, that bridesmaid is Florida State’s Christian Ponder). Coogs have gone 4-0 SU and ATS since the aforementioned defeat by the Miners, while Tulsa (who got destroyed 70-30 last year as #25 at time) is fading quickly with three straight outright losses. Tulsa ain’t bad defensively, but Houston hung fitty on Southern Miss...Cougars 45 Tulsa 38
Syracuse over #14 PITT taking 21: ‘Cuse has dropped three games already this season by exactly 21 and we wouldn’t be crushed with a push here. With the South Florida game notwithstanding, Greg Paulus hasn’t doinked too many off the rim Suspensions and the loss of WR Williams’ 7 catches per game for 106 yards though will hurt. Panthers are 7-1 SU (5-2 ATS) and have four victories by more than 3 scores. Pitt trying to stay tied with Cincy for Big Greased lead. Best guess for “wish I had it back”, but...Pitt 28 Orange 14
Virginia over #16 MIAMI taking 13 ½: We don’t know which Cavs team will show up on Saturday. After three straight to open the year, Cavs then beat North Carolina, Indy and Maryland...and followed that string with losses to Joja’ Tech and Duke. ‘Canes had a three-turnover advantage vs. Wake Forest and still nearly lost. Had Deacons’ QB Riley Skinner not gone down with injury in the 4th Quarter, Miami could likely have another one in the loss column. Virginia ain’t bad stoppin’ the pass and has allowed only four aerial scores all year. Voting against Miami’s recent history laying points in Coral Gables...Miami 24 Virginia 18
New Mexico over #17 UTAH taking 27 1/2: We’re still leery about layin’ this many with the Utes, even though UNLV whacked the Lobos by 17. Utah’s stayin’ mum on the starting QB until game. Ummm...head games with a winless team? Are they afraid UNM coach Mike Locksley will hunt down the starter in the visiting locker room and punch him before the game or what???!!! Lobos are 2-6 ATS on the year, but 2-2 in the past four games, including near upset at San Diego State. Utah goes to TCU next week...Utah 27 New Mexico 3
#18 Oklahoma State over IOWA STATE giving 7: Cowpokes never got anything going in the wake of five turnovers that kept Texas on a short field. Cyclones have covered five of their games in 2009, including track meet loss at Kansas, but failed to cover either time they only got single-digits. ISU can run the ball (#18 nationally) and the Cowboys are still floundering without their stars, but...OKSU 31 Funnel Clouds 17
Navy over #19 NOTRE DAME taking 11: Middies look to rebound after upset in the home harbor by Temple. Navy can grind it out behind third-ranked rushing game and keep ND’s QB Clausen (#2 passer in the country) on the sidelines. Navy must also dog Irish WR Tate, who’s pulling down catches for about 116 yards per game. Ensigns have covered last 9 in South Bend and Leprechauns have beaten the number just 8 of last 24 giving points in front of the Touchdown Jesus (1-3 this year). Navy has its required six victories, but would love prove Ohio State game was no fluke...ND 24 Navy 21
#20 Oklahoma over NEBRASKA giving 5 1/2: The Corn Cobs would like nothing more to avenge last year’s humiliating 62-28 defeat in Norman over this year’s somewhat-depleted Sooners squad, but Big Dread is on 1-2 SU/0-3 ATS slide, including the 7-9 stinker vs. Iowa State. It looked like the Oklahoma rout was on last week, as Sooners were up 21-0 over K-State after 15 minutes, but OK had to hang on late. Huskers nose-guard Ndamukong Suh got flagged for negligent driving when he allegedly swerved to avoid a cat or dog and hit not one, not two, but THREE parked cars. Oklahoma QB Jones is gonna’ look mighty funny cradling a puppy or kitten in his non-throwing hand in the pocket, but hey...if it throws off Suh’s pass rush..... OK 27 Nebraska 19
Washington State over #21 ARIZONA taking 33 ½: A poor road dog the past few seasons, Wazzou has covered 2 of 3 away from Pullman (3 of 5 including the 2 neutral site games) this year. ‘Cats are second in the PAC-10 and have a balanced attack, led by Michigan State defector Mark Foles at QB. Cougars are losing to conference teams by an average score of 39-11 and AZ has held only Central Michigan to less than 13...Arizona 41 WSU 16
Oregon State over #23 CAL taking 7 1/2: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK. The Berkeley team we expected in the preseason disappeared in major defeat by USC. Bears rallied late last week to edge Arizona State for its third straight win and cover, but the other two victories in question came vs. conference doormats UCLA and Washington State (collectively 0-10 SU in conference action). Beavers won 34-21 last season in Corvallis and 31-28 here in 2007. The Rodgers brothers get it done over former Heisman candidate RB Jahvid Best...OSU 27 Cal 20
INDIANA over #24 Wisconsin taking 10 1/2: We apologize to anybody who wagered on “best bet” Purdue plus-7 ½ over the Badgers last week as Wisky tossed the no-hitter and won 37-0. While poor tackling by the Hoosiers certainly contributed to yet-another significant lead being blown for a second-straight week (14 over Iowa and 25 over Northwestern the week prior), the aforementioned odorous officiating (even with instant replay in use) cost Indy a crucial first-down and two touchdowns, and cost Vindicator a forecast pick, a lock choice and an actual wager. Just the third road game for the Cheeseheads, who are 1-1 this year, but just 4-10 ATS away the past two-plus seasons. Original 5 1/2-point spread suggests the linesmakers think Hoosiers can get up again despite letting last two victories get away. We’re on Indy again too...Wisconsin 31 Indiana 26
#25 Brigham Young over WYOMING giving 13: Mormons got a much-needed rest last weekend and while weather could hamper Max Hall’s throwing, we’ll still take the Mountain Best’s top overall offense over Cowpokes middle-of-the-pack D. Cowboys have covered six of seven this season and the Coogs are in the midst of a 2-4ATS slide, but...BYU 29 Wyoming 13
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
Hats off to Temple coach (and former Joe Pa assistant) Al Golden, who’s taken the Owls from 1-11 in his first year to six straight wins, including last week’s upset over Navy, and bowl-eligibility (with 2-3 winnable tilts still to come!) this season, following an 0-2 SU start. Hooters are also 6-1 against the line thus far!
Gators LB Brandon Spikes will grab some pine for this week’s Vandy game after attempting to gouge the eyes of a Joja’ player. Spikes protested, noting Larry, Moe and Curly never got benched for that!
Shortly after Michael Jackson’s untimely demise, we learned he was at least partially responsible for the New Patriots success as Foxboro Stadium and the Pats eventually wound up in the hands of Robert Kraft in 1994 after Charles Sullivan went deep into the red trying to finance MJ’s “Victory” tour and had to sell the venue. We just wanna’ know which musical freakin’ genius gets “credit” for the Raiders and Lions! (Hadda’ be Billy-Ray Cyrus or William Hung!)
In August, former ref Tim Donaghy got hauled off the clink after being a no-show/no call at his place of employment at a Florida beverage bottling company. Geez, did we really want him in a position to fix the outcome of the manufacturer’s production line on any given day???!!! In June, Donaghy complained about sustaining a knee injury during an assault by another inmate with reported NY mob connections. We just think Tonya Harding, residing in an adjacent cell, flipped out when she saw the ex-NBA official lacing up the skates and contacted Jeff Gillooly!
Black Shirt: The coveted tee this week goes to Boise RB Doug Martin for scoring the covering 36-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left in the game vs. San Jose State!
“Locked in a Box?”: Now 4-5 (.444) after the zebras hosed the Hoosiers.
Shoppe Talk: Miami (1-6), Ohio State (1-6 in last 7) and LSU (1-5 in last 6) all get to hang out this week! Meanwhile, Florida, Boise and TCU have all reached post-season hardware eligibility with their 7th appearance in the forecast and all stand-in at 6-1.
Vindy’s Week 10 Best Bets: Last Week: 0-4 (Medic!) Season: 17-21 (.447)
SMU -18 over Rice, Texas-El Paso -7 over TULANE, IDAHO +7 over Fresno State, Utah State -2 over HAWAII, Weeziana-Monroe +1 over NORTH TEXAS
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