College Football Week 12

Saturday Lox Week 12


Premium Lox

Rutgers (-8) @ Syracuse

Rutgers still has a lot to play for in the Big East while the Cuse got their first victory in conference play last week vs. Louisville. I have had success going against the Orange this year and I think Rutgers will continue the streak. PICK: Rutgers 31 – Syracuse 17

Texas A&M (-5.5) vs. Baylor

Baylor has had a tough year after losing their star QB early. The Aggies meanwhile have been blown out against good competition but have won the games they should. This game fits in the latter category and they should handle business at home in preparation for the rivalry game vs. Texas. PICK: Texas A&M 27 – Baylor 20

Arizona State @ UCLA (Under 41.5)

Both teams rely on their defense to win games. Add to that a new starting QB for the Sun Devils and this game has the makings of a slugfest. Turnovers could lead to enough points and ruin the under but I will take my chances. UCLA has shown some signs of life on offense but ASU held USC to 14 and I think will do similar damage to the Bruins. PICK: UCLA 20 – Arizona State 17

Regular Lox

Connecticut (+6) @ Notre Dame

UCONN has lost three in a row since the tragic death of CB Jasper Howard but have had a week off to get back to some semblance of normalcy. The Irish meanwhile would love to get back to normal but will not until the end of the season and the Charlie Weis questions are answered. Notre Dame should play a good game for their embattled coach but UCONN has a way of playing teams close and ND has a tendency to let teams stay in games. I think this game comes down to the final drive as many have for the Irish and I would not be surprised at the upset. Golden Tate has been tremendous for the Irish and I can see him making the difference once again. PICK: ND 31 – UCONN 30

Texas Tech (+6.5) vs. Oklahoma

Both of these teams have a lot to play for in the Big 12 South. The Sooners would like to avoid a trip to a second rate bowl game while the Red Raiders would like to beat Oklahoma for the second time in a row in Lubbock. I think both teams are fairly even with all the injuries suffered by the Sooners and this spread is more about tradition than reality. Tech has looked bad in a loss to A&M while looking great in wins over Nebraska and the Kansas schools. They lost last week at OK State in a close game and at home might have enough to pull the upset Saturday. Just in case buy the half point and hope they stay within a TD. PICK: Oklahoma 34 – Texas Tech 31

Air Force (+10) @ BYU

Air Force is playing its best football of the year winning 3 in a row after a close loss to Utah. BYU has had an up and down season and is probably more worried about their rivalry against Utah next week. Air Force is 20-7 ATS in conference over the last 3 years. Couple that with BYU’s struggles covering the spread against good teams and I will take the Falcons on the road. They have not fared well in this rivalry but I expect a close game here and a good showing from the Air Force Academy with conference bragging rights on the line. PICK: BYU 27 – Air Force 21

Upsets

LSU (+3.5)(+130) @ Ole Miss

I thought about several upsets, including Michigan State at home over Penn State and North Carolina visiting Boston College. But the Spartans just haven’t done enough to show me they can beat even a mediocre Nittany Lions team. Boston College plays great at home and in fact has covered every home game and not covered in every road game this year. So I will not go against that trend. But my Upset pick of the week is also a team that struggles on the road. LSU visits Ole Miss with second place in the SEC West up for grabs. Even with a multitude of injuries I expect LSU to find a way to win in Oxford and hand the Rebels another tough loss in what was supposed to be a great season. The Tigers’ defense will be the difference as Jevan Snead will struggle again playing a talented defense. PICK: LSU 20 – Ole Miss 19