The Locksmith's Pick Six: Week 10
Want to know the biggest difference between the dissolving Pac-12 and the Big Ten? The over/under for Washington's visit to USC on Saturday night is 76.5. The over/under for the Iowa-Northwestern game earlier in the day is 30 -- after it opened at a record-low 29.5.
It makes it even harder to believe that the Pac-12 is disappearing. It is fun football -- something that is never associated with the Big Ten West.
A solid slate of games this week that should help continue to sort things out. No major beef with the first college football playoff rankings that came out, but it should be noted that just two teams in that Top 25 have not faced any of the other Top 25 teams -- Michigan and Air Force.
Michigan gets another one of its "demanding" tests at home against 2-6 Purdue. No doubt people will continue to be dazzled when the Wolverines beat another bad team handily.
On to the games:
Notre Dame over CLEMSON, giving 3
It just feels like the Irish are finally hitting their stride. If you watched Clemson's loss at N.C. State last week you saw a team that is still wandering aimlessly. Tyler from Spartanburg gets it.
Nebraska over MICHIGAN STATE, giving 3
Let's repeat this for those in the back: Not only are the Spartans a bad football team they are one that is counting down the days until this nightmarish season ends. Dispute it if you want but it sure seems as if this team -- on a six-game losing streak --has quit. If the Cornhuskers avoid their weekly plague of turnovers they can actually be bowl eligible with a win here. Nice turnaround for Matt Rhule.
Penn State at MARYLAND, giving 8 1/2
It's the week before Michigan visits Happy Valley so it probably means that the Nittany Lions will have another one of their go-through-the-motions wins. But doesn't this team need start acting like a good one -- which it claims to be? And isn't it time QB Drew Allar starts showing reasons behind the preseason hype? Terps get terrific play at QB but aren't very well coached.
OKLAHOMA STATE over Oklahoma, taking 6
Looking for Ollie Gordon to be the difference maker here for the surging Cowboys, who have won four straight. Gordon, who leads the nation in rushing, can help OSU play ball control. Let's see how OU gets up off the mat after the Kansas loss.
Washington over USC, giving 3
Let's go with 450 passing yards and five TDs for Michael Penix Jr. against this embarrassingly-bad USC defense. Kia (not a Lincoln any more) Riley continues to put out good offensive teams that are noticeably soft.
Miami over N.C. STATE, giving 4 1/2
Canes' stout run defense -- one of the nation's best -- will force the Wolfpack into a more pass-heavy approach, which is not something N.C, State wants in MJ Morris' fourth career start at QB.
Home team in CAPS
Last week vs. spread: 4-2
Season to date vs. spread: 21-29-4
