Tigers will Have To Make Final Four Through Back Door: Penn State will roll.
This is getting serious. Eight games under .500 as we move into November is not the path we want to follow for success. And now that it is crunch time among the contenders, we have to make our move.
So let's get after it.
THE GAMES, THE PICKS
Notre Dame-8 at Duke
Irish struggled and were lucky to beat a very average Virginia Tech team last week. Was that a let down after the loss to Michigan or is ND just not that good? Duke is in the VTech category: average at best. And playing at home. Stilll, we think the Irish are better than they have shown the last few weeks. Taking ND to win and cover.
Notre Dame 31, Duke 21
Michigan State vs. Illinois, O/U 45
It will be cloudy and cold in East Lansing on Saturday, with a pair of teams who won't produce many points. Taking the Under with some hesitation.
Michigan State 21, Illinois 17
Louisville, plus 6 at Miami
Miami is playing well and Louisville has been one of the surprise teams of a dismal ACC season (other than Clemson). Canes will win, but won't cover is our guess.
Miami 31, Louisville 27
LSU at Alabama, O/U 65
LSU can lose this game and still make it to the Final Four as an at-large team. Bama needs to win this game to stay in contention. Edge Alabama, but we think both defenses will show up, which means we like the under and Bama to win a squeaker.
Alabama 31, LSU 27
Iowa State, plus 13 at Oklahoma
Iowa State is dangerous, but Oklahoma has a chip on its shoulder and now looks like it will be shut out of the Final Four, even if they win the remainder of their games. Big 12 shootout, and Sooners will prevail, but not by 13.
Oklahoma 41, Iowa State 31
Penn State-7 at Minnesota
Nittany Lions are legitimate and Minnesota is not. At least that what's we think will happen in this Big Ten clash, which has national significance. Taking Penn State giving the points.
Penn State 31, Minnesota 21
Last week: 2-4
Season To Date: 26-34