I feel like Jerry Seinfield in that episode where things keep evening out for him. One week I go 3-1 and the next I go 1-3. The past two weeks, I haven’t even been that dramatic, going 4-4 combined.

Last Saturday, Minnesota and Oregon State were winners, but Alabama and Toledo left me hanging. The 4-0 Saturday has eluded me so far this year, but so has his evil twin, the 0-4 Saturday, so things could be worse.

No. 1 Ohio State @ No. 18 Wisconsin, 7:00PM ET
The Buckeyes failed to cover in their only road game of the year so far, but that was against Illinois – whom they’ve never covered against…ever. (Don’t look that up – it’s fact.) Wisconsin hasn’t covered all year and I don’t think its fortune turns around this week either. Ohio State is allowing just 13.5 points per game this season and is fourth in the nation against the run. Thanks to John Clay and James White, Wisconsin has the 11th best rushing attack in college football, but the Badgers will meet their match this Saturday against a tough Buckeye front seven. Ohio State leads the all-time series 53-17-5 and will no doubt be jacked up a week after claiming the No. 1 spot in the top-25 polls.
THE PICK: OHIO STATE –3.5

No. 11 Utah @ Wyoming, 6:00PM ET
The Utes should have no problem securing their second 6-0 start in the past three seasons when they travel to Laramie to take on a struggling but somewhat competitive Wyoming team. Utah is averaging 32 points per game this year, while the Cowboys are having trouble keeping opponents out of the end zone (they’re allowing 32 PPG). Utah has won nine of the last 10 matchups and holds a series edge of 50-31-1. That doesn’t mean much when you’re laying 20.5 points, but the Utes are 4-0-1 against the number this year and they look primed for another cover.
THE PICK: UTAH –20.5

No. 3 Boise State @ San Jose State, 8:00PM ET
As I’ve written countless times before, I don’t make it a habit of laying 40.5 points but I’ll make an exception here. (There’s a joke in that first sentence if you can find it.) The Broncos have proven plenty of times in the past that they can handle big point spreads whether they’re playing on the road or not. Outside of a decent effort at Wisconsin earlier this year, the Spartans have struggled virtually every week. They don’t have the players to match up with Boise for four quarters and as long as the Broncos don’t let their foot off the gas in the second half, they should cover the 40.5.
THE PICK: BOISE STATE –40.5

No. 19 Nevada @ Hawaii, 11:30PM ET
Even though Nevada is 6-0 and ranked, 6.5 points seems like a lot to be giving a 4-2 Hawaii program playing at home. The Warriors have covered in five of their first six games and are averaging 47.7 points per game at home thus far. On paper, the Wolf Pack match up well with Hawaii because the Warriors have had issues stopping the run and Nevada owns the fifth best rushing attack in the nation. However, Hawaii is a different animal at home and will no doubt love to upset a ranked team coming into its house looking to improve their top-25 standing. While I don’t have the stones to predict an outright win, I like the Warriors to cover.
THE PICK: HAWAII +6.5

Season Record (aka “the perfect example of mediocrity”): 8-8

No. 20 Oklahoma at No. 3 Texas, 12:00PM ET
It’s kind of a shame that this game is on at Noon on Saturday because it deserves primetime attention. Texas upset top ranked Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry last year, but it’ll be hard for the Sooners to return the favor this season. Sam Bradford’s receivers didn’t help him in his return to action last week, dropping at least 10 passes. A fierce Texas pass rush could overwhelm Oklahoma’s inexperienced offensive line and force Bradford to unload the ball sooner than he wants to. Given how the Sooners’ front seven frustrated him last year, Colt McCoy could struggle as well, but I like the home team to win in what should be an emotional game.
Odds: Texas –3.
Prediction: Texas 33, Oklahoma 27.

No. 22 South Carolina at No. 2 Alabama, 7:45PM ET
Although the Gamecocks pose a threat with their defensive front seven, the Crimson Tide are the most complete team in the nation and should wear South Carolina down in the second half. The Gamecocks simply don’t have the horses up front to move ‘Bama’s front four at the point of attack and if South Carolina can’t stay balanced offensively, Stephen Garcia will struggle. It’s going to be hard for SC to move the ball on the ground against a talented Alabama linebacker corps and therefore Garcia should face plenty of third-and-longs. Some believe the Gamecocks will keep this one close, but after struggling at home last week against Kentucky, I see South Carolina getting rolled this weekend in a tough environment.
Odds: Alabama –17.
Prediction: Alabama 35, South Carolina 14.

No. 11 Iowa at Wisconsin, 12:00PM ET
The point spread in this game doesn’t make any sense. Why is a ranked Iowa team a 2.5-point underdog on the road against an unranked Wisconsin team that they’ve beaten in five of their last seven meetings? The Badgers’ best attribute is that they can run the ball (they’re gaining just over 200 yards per game on the ground), but the Hawkeyes are solid defensively, ranking 31 in the nation in total defense. So what gives? Simply put, Iowa has not looked great this season despite being undefeated. They will enter a hostile Camp Randall Stadium and could have trouble moving the ball offensively against a Wisconsin defense that swarms to the football. After being unable to get on track last Saturday against Ohio State, running backs John Clay and Zach Brown should carry the Badgers this week to an upset win. (If you can even all it an upset given that Wisconsin is favored.)
Odds: Wisconsin –2.5.
Prediction: Wisconsin 28, Iowa 24.

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