After the definition of average in Week 4 on picks (11-11), it’s time to get back on the winning track in Week 5.
[Editor’s Note: All odds via Bovada. Top 25 teams vs. FCS teams not included]
Ole Miss at #1 Alabama (-28.5)
Coming off a 59-0 shellacking at Vanderbilt, expect Alabama to take the foot off the gas this week.
— Pick: Ole Miss
#2 Clemson at #12 Virginia Tech (+7.5)
Clemson has looked every bit the part of a national champion but Virginia Tech should keep it within a touchdown with a rocking Lane Stadium behind the Hokies.
— Pick: Virginia Tech
Indiana at #4 Penn State (-18.5)
This has “letdown game” written all over it after Penn State escaped Iowa City with a win last week.
— Pick: Indiana
#5 USC at #16 Washington State (+5)
Washington State ain’t played anybody yet, Pawwwwwl! Go with SC.
— Pick: USC
#6 Washington at Oregon State (+27)
Oregon State is the worst team in the Pac-12 – by a mile.
— Pick: Washington
#7 Georgia at Tennessee (+8.5)
The end feels near for Butch Jones. Near as in Monday, possibly.
— Pick: Georgia
Northwestern at #10 Wisconsin (-15.5)
Northwestern has too much talent on offense to get blown out in Madison.
— Pick: Northwestern
#11 Ohio State at Rutgers (+29.5)
After putting up 44 points in the first half last week, it appears Ohio State has worked out the kinks on offense.
— Pick: Ohio State
#24 Mississippi State #13 Auburn (-8)
Mississippi State got boat raced by Georgia last week but Auburn’s offense is still suspect.
— Pick: Mississippi State
#14 Miami (FL) at Duke (+6)
The Dookies are a legit 4-0 or, as Dickie V would say, awesome with a capital A, baby!
— Pick: Duke
#15 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (+10.5)
Oklahoma State was badly exposed by TCU at home last week and Texas Tech’s offense should take advantage.
— Pick: Texas Tech
#18 USF at East Carolina (+21.5)
East Carolina showed a pulse last week with Thomas Sirk at QB and I expect it to carry over at home vs. USF.
— Pick: East Carolina
Northern Illinois at #19 San Diego State (-10)
Coming off a huge upset of Nebraska, Northern Illinois should keep things close (enough) vs. the scorching Aztecs.
— Pick: Northern Illinois
Vanderbilt at #21 Florida (-9)
It’s hard to pick a team that just lost 59-0 but Vandy is much better than it played last Saturday vs. Alabama.
— Pick: Vanderbilt
Miami (OH) at #22 Notre Dame (-21.5)
Don’t look now but Notre Dame looks like a quality football team again with a rejuvenated defense.
— Pick: Notre Dame
Troy at #25 LSU (-21)
It’s hard to pick LSU when the Tigers can’t even cover vs. Syracuse but I’m holding out hope they can turn their season around.
— Pick: LSU
Week 1 Record: 11-4
Week 2 Record: 8-5
Week 3 Record: 10-7
Week 4 Record: 11-11
Overall Record: 40-27
