Ramblings from the Ultimate Sports Sentimentalist

I got back on track with my picks last week by posting a solid winning record.  I’m now 12 games above .500 for the year and I’m looking to improve on that this week.  Unfortunately, this college football week is not only full of meaningless games its also full of spreads which very enticing.  There are a few games I like, but because I had a difficulty coming up with 10 to recommend in this column, I decided to revert to my old bread and butter strategy and pick several weekday games.  I’ve been pretty solid in picking Wed-Fri games over the years, and I’m hoping this week is no different.  These spreads are based on the current lines according to the World Sports Exchange, and they are ordered from most confident to least confident.

Pick # 1: Georgia (-9.0) vs. Kentucky- I’m anticipating a solid late-season, job-saving finish by the Bulldogs.  I think they actually have a decent shot at beating Georgia Tech next weekend, and they should roll here over a Kentucky squad that has been up and down all year.  I will admit, however, that I liked this spread a lot more when it opened at 7.5

Pick # 2: Central Michigan (-15.0) vs. Ball State- I didn’t know how the Chippewas would respond after laying an egg at BC a few weeks ago.  They seemed to have shaken it off though when they issued resounding beatdown to Toledo last Wednesday.  Ball State got beat at home by Toledo earlier this year, and even though they have been surprisingly competitive in most of their MAC games this season, they’ve yet to play a team with the offensive firepower as CMU.

Pick # 3: Rutgers (-9.0) vs. Syracuse- This is another pick that I liked more earlier in the week before the line shot up.  However, Rutgers has look like one of the best teams in the conference the last few weeks, and after the Cuse’s heartbreaking loss to Louisville last week, I think they’re probably going to throw in the towel for the rest of the season.

Pick # 4: FIU (+44.5) vs. Florida- Do I think Florida is 45 points better than the Golden Panthers? Yes, definitely.  Would Urban Meyer run up the score on FIU if he wanted/needed to?  Yes, definitely.  However, I’m banking on the fact that Florida is going to play back-ups most of the game for several reasons.  First of all, after Tebow’s early-season concussion, Meyer doesn’t want to get any more flack about leaving him in too long.  Also, because of the odd last-season timing of this game, Florida really has no reason to try to develop any inexperienced players.  I think the Gators just want to get through this one with as little effort as possible before two huge games against FSU and Bama.

Pick # 5: Arizona (+6.0) vs. Oregon- The Wildcats spoiled the Duck’s Rose Bowl hopes two years ago in Tucson, and I think we could see the same thing happen this year.  Arizona is also vying for the Pac-10 crown (which would be its first-ever), so you know you’ll see a record-setting, raucous crowd.  The Ducks also have been pretty mediocre on the road this year, so if this upset special doesn’t hit, then expect it to be closer than 6 points.

Pick # 6: UL-Monroe (-2.5) vs. UL-Lafayette- The Warhawks will be trying to secure their first-ever bowl berth with a win in this one, so they have a ton to play for.  You know the Ragin’ Cajuns will be up for this rivalry game, but when push comes to shove, Monroe is just the better football team, especially when you consider that their only 4 losses came to Troy and 3 BCS teams.

Pick # 7:  Kent State (+12.5) vs. Temple- With the Owls looking ahead to a potential division championship game against Ohio next week, this could be a potential trap game for Temple.  Kent State has been one of my most successful surprise teams this season and will be playing here for its first bowl bid since the 1970′s.

Pick # 8: Buffalo (-3.5) vs. Miami-OH- I’m hoping to start off the week with a flurry by going 2-0 in tonight’s games.  I wanted to pick Bowling Green against Miami last week, as they were only 3.5 point favorites against the Redhawks.  As soon as the game kicked off, I regretted that I didn’t, as BG cruised to a 21 point victory on the road.  I’m not going to make the same mistake again, as I’m hoping that this week’s game against Buffalo yields a similar result.  The Bulls probably aren’t as talented as the Falcons, but I’m betting on the fact that the 1-10 Redhawks have packed it in for the season.

Pick # 9: Middle Tennessee State (-11.0) vs. Arkansas State- You’d have to consider Arkansas State one of the disappointment teams of the year after being picked by many to win the Sun Belt.  The PC Wolves (no I’m still not forgiving them for making a mascot change for purpose of political correctness) are now 2-8 and were demolished on the road last week by FAU.  I picked that game correctly, so I will stick with the same premise and call for MTSU, who has dominated its last 4 opponents, to win big  at home against Arkansas State.

Pick # 10: Arkansas (-11.0) vs. Mississippi State- If MSU plays anything like it did last week, the Razorbacks and their high-powered offense could win by 50.  The Bulldogs had one of the most disappointing home performances of the season against Bama in a game that I thought they could compete in.  While I do think MSU will perform better than they did last week, they won’t be able to score enough points to keep this one close on the road.

Last Week Record: 6-4, Overall Record: 62-48.