I won't wallow in the corner and complain about tough losses, but Miami and Iowa both dismantling late didn't necessarily aid in boosting my record. I also won't lie and say that that didn't fluster my morale, because frankly, I was frustrated to the maximum.
Week 3 Results
Troy-Wisconsin Under-W
Michigan -17.5 1H-W
Rutgers TT Under-W
Ohio State TT Over-L
Purdue +6.5-L
Maryland -7.5-W
Iowa -5.5-L
Illini 1H Under-W
Michigan State TT Over-L
Duke -3.5-L
Miami -3.5-L
Indiana -1.5-W
Minnesota-Kent State Over-L
Results: 6-7
Record: 21-18
Lock of the Week Record: 1-1
Week 4 Picks
Central Michigan at Michigan State
Line: Michigan State -26.5, 54
I understand the whole debacle versus Air Force: service academy, post-Oregon letdown, obviously Sparty refrained from running up the score on the Falcons. Now that the Chipps folly into East Lansing, give me Michigan State big, as I don't think Central Michigan reaches double-digits in this one.
Pick: Michigan State -26.5
Southern Mississippi at Nebraska
Line: Nebraska -25, 68
Another team I hate wagering on is Nebraska. I can never figure this team out, so when I claim that I like Southern Miss due to the Cornhuskers being cemented in a nice sandwich slot prior to opening up conference play, Nebraska probably rolls.
Pick: Southern Miss +25
Bowling Green at Purdue
Line: Bowling Green -2.5, 79
Talk about a pure (expletive) show. Dino Babers waltzing into West Lafayette with quarterback Matt Johnson and wide receiver Roger Lewis to face up against a defense that squandered 50+ to the Hokies. Sheesh, where do I go with this one? Not really a trend in the book to go with this one but I'll take the first half under 38, as I expect both teams to clean up defensive mishaps.
Pick: 1H Under 38
Kansas at Rutgers
Line: Rutgers -12.5, 66
Once again, how did I get so lucky? One team projected to win a LONE game in 2015 versus the dumpster fire out east. This is either a regroup by Rutgers or Kansas wins outright, except one thing: Kansas is so bad, it's like opening the latch to every door in the petting zoo. I can't believe I'm doing this but give me the Knights (cries into pillow).
Pick: Rutgers -12.5
Indiana at Wake
Line: TBD
Over, please.
Pick: Over
North Texas at Iowa
Line: Iowa -25, 51
There's certainly something brewing up in Kinnick Stadium and frankly, I love it. North Texas gave up a boatload of points last season (opponent's team total over was 6-0), so let's ride the Hawkeye train on Saturday.
Pick: Iowa Team Total Over 38
Maryland at West Virginia
Line: West Virginia -17, 60
This should be where Maryland comes down to Earth and struggles mightily as the season gradually progresses. Skyler Howard at quarterback for the 'Neers and West Va off a bye week? The safest play here is to lay the chalk in my opinion.
Pick: West Virginia -17.5
Western Michigan at Ohio State
Line: Ohio State -31, 58
The offense has been extremely stagnant for Ohio State, and it nearly cost Urban Meyer a loss in last week's encounter with Northern Illinois. Whether that changes or not, I clearly have no idea, but I'll give the Buckeyes one more chance, and after that, later, guys.
Pick: Ohio State -31
San Diego State at Penn State
Line: Penn State -15, 39
San Diego won't find itself in a grand position come Saturday: the Aztecs follow up last week's home loss at home by traveling all the way to the east coast to match up with the Nittany Lions, who seem to have the pieces falling slowly into place. More chalk for me.
Pick: Penn State -15
Middle Tennessee at Illinois
Line: Illinois -6.5, 61
The Blue Raiders 73 points last week was more of a situation-type of occurrence than anything. Middle Tennessee scored 37.6 points per game last year off a loss and nearly doubled that versus Charlotte. This could set up a nice play for the under, as the Illini seem to play better on defense versus those so-called 'cakewalks.' It should be a step down (major step down) from North Carolina.
Pick: Illini-Blue Raiders Under 61.5
Ohio at Minnesota
Line: Minnesota -10.5, 47
I'll be honest, I don't have much of a lean on this one. But on the other hand, I assume Jerry Kill has rounded up the troops to perform better, as the Gophers escaped a near defeat to Kent State last weekend.
Pick: Minnesota -10.5
Ball State at Northwestern
Line: Northwestern -18.5, 52
I'll grab the points with Ball State here. The Wildcats have Minnesota on deck next, and although this is one of the better defensive units in the country, 18.5 points is a lot to cover without much of an offensive identity.
Pick: Ball State +18.5
Hawai'i at Wisconsin
Line: Wisconsin -24, 52
Night game in Camp Randall, Hawai'i couldn't notch a single score in Ohio State--getting two-plus touchdowns for the team total is good enough for me.
Pick: Hawai'i Team Total Under 14.5
BYU at Michigan
Line: Michigan -5, 45
Yes, Michigan opens up as favorites. Why is this so hard to interpret, guys? The line before the season marked Michigan at -7, and yes, Brigham Young is 2-1, but let's not forget that it needed two Hail Mary's to rack up wins. If the Cougs had dominated Boise and Nebraska, then sure, I'd have no problem with Michigan opening up as the 'dog.
I really like nothing about this spread, but perhaps we can see some spreading out here and Rudock continue to utilize his plethora of playmakers. BYU also has some nice receivers that will be tested with Mitchell Juergens, Mitch Mathews and Devon Blackmon. It may not appear to be one on paper, but I'll call for a semi-shootout in the Big House.
Michigan wins, 31-27.
Pick: Michigan-BYU Over 45