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Presupposed Pac-10 Picks – Week 14

Nick, OTP — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:24:48 +0000

I’m freaking out about my record against the spread. It’s been getting worse every week and this is the last go-round. I don’t want to finish below .500. I’m desperate not to. I actually thought of just reversing all the picks below and seeing how I fare. But even in the face of mounting evidence that I don’t, in fact, know what I’m talking about, I still believe in me (hugs self).

On the Season
Straight Up: 56-15
Against the Spread: 33-32

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

Arizona State @ #23 Arizona (Thu., ESPN, 5:00 p.m.)
Oh, poor Territorial Cup. Bet you thought it was all special and stuff when ESPN gave you a Thursday night game to your self, didn’t you? Unfortunately, TNT’s got this little “Lebron returns to Cleveland” thing going on and I’m pretty sure no one is going to watch your game.

Just so you know, OTP cares about all forms of college football and won’t necessarily give you up for a cheap NBA thrill.

Straight Up: Arizona State
ATS: Arizona State +5

#2 Oregon @ Oregon State (Sat., ABC, 12:30 p.m.)
I can’t envision one single way that Oregon loses this game. I’ve tried, you know, just to brace myself for something terrible. It’s always nice to be prepared for the worst in life. But there’s just nothing popping into my head that makes any sense when it comes to comprehending Oregon State winning.

The AP No. 1 team is 95-3-1 in November and December games against teams with losing records. That’s staggering. An upset hasn’t happened since 1976. A loss here would be one of the greatest upsets in the history of college football. So no, I’m not nervous and I’m looking forward to nursing a bottle of champagne through four quarters.

Straight Up: Oregon
ATS: Oregon -16.5

Washington @ Washington State (Sat., Versus, 4:00 p.m.)
Do you realize that if Washington wins this game, it will be going to the freaking Holiday Bowl? Do you hear me? Washington. In the Holiday Bowl. In all of its 6-6 glory.

And you know what? I think I’m gonna’ root for it. Well, I’m not sure yet, but hear me out. The Huskies haven’t had a winning season in…God, when was that? I literally have no idea. Maybe OTP stats and research can clue us in. Anyway, this team was 3-6 and it’s safe to say, most gave up on their season. What’s more cruel than coming all the way back to 6-6 only to lose in a bowl game and extend the losing season streak? I mean, that’s the appropriate amount of pain to wish on your enemy, right? I think so. Go Huskies.

Straight Up: Washington State. What? I didn’t say I think they’ll win, only that I might root for them.
ATS: Washington State +6

USC @ UCLA (Sat., FSN, 7:30 p.m.)
The FSN game is always one of my favorite activities every week. Not actually watching it, but looking up what Cox Cable in San Diego is showing in lieu of a Pac-10 football game. This time, it’s L.A. Kings hockey which is slightly less degrading than the Inside Israeli Basketball special that trumped the Big Game a couple weeks back.

The game itself is just an awkward meeting of two teams finishing their seasons far earlier than what could be considered normal. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t grow up with this game relegated to east coast slumber time while Oregon and Oregon State duke it out on ABC in the middle of the day. I’m fine with it and don’t really need to relive the past, but it is a tad unusual.

Straight Up: USC
ATS: USC -6.5

Procrastinated Pac-10 Picks – Week 13

Nick, OTP — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:13:10 +0000

Ok, if the police ask, OTP did not poison the WOTB. The food poisoning she is battling had nothing to do with that turkey I made. I swear it. I mean, wouldn’t the rest of us be sick, too?

In any event, this is the only post I’m going to do. No Click Tales, no SearchBag. It’s just the life of a lazy blogger. I did my best to mail this puppy in just so not to be give the appearance of too much effort.

On the Season
Straight Up: 53-13
Against the Spread: 32-28

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

UCLA @ Arizona State (Fri., FSN, 12:30 p.m.)
Anyone interested? Hello? These guys are going to play a game today whether you like it or not and they will fight to the death to keep alive hopes of a .500 season.

Cox Cable in San Diego may not be showing the game, but at least it’s choosing NHL hockey this time around. Last week, it was Inside Israeli Basketball instead of the Big Game. This has to be Tom Hansen’s fault.

Straight Up: Arizona State
ATS: Arizona State -12.5

#21 Arizona @ #1 Oregon (Fri., ESPN, 4:00 p.m.)
Not that I have the option, but it’s weather reports like this that make me think game attendance is overrated. HDTV will do just fine, thank you.

Something tells me this one isn’t close, but if it is, Ninkasi’s Total Domination is always waiting in reserve.

Straight Up: Oregon
ATS: Oregon -19.5

Washington @ Cal (Sat., CSN, 12:30 p.m.)
Winner gets bowl eligibility! Well, technically the Huskies still have to beat the Cougars, too, and that’s not a given. While the Home Bears have lost their invincibility, my faith in Jake Locker is at an all-time low. I’m not sure what that means exactly given that I’ve never had a measurable level of faith in Purple Jesus.

Straight Up: California
ATS: California -7

Oregon State @ #6 Stanford (Sat., Versus, 4:30 p.m.)
Beaver brother (let’s call him BOTB) is in the house for the weekend. We’re going to try and get through the Duck game first and then it’s this one on Saturday.

It should involve pretty smiles through gritted teeth while we “root” each other on.

As a peace offering, he gets the pick against the spread here. Like hell I’m giving up the straight up pick, though. I mean, let’s be real. Hi BOTB!

Straight Up: Stanford
ATS: Oregon State +13.5

Notre Dame @ USC (Sat., ABC, 5:00 p.m.)
I remember watching this game as a kid and having a reverence for its importance on a national level. Unfortunately, I’m not a kid anymore.

Straight Up: USC
ATS: USC -4.5

Persistent Pac-10 Picks – Week 12

Nick, OTP — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:43:02 +0000

I might as well just quit picking against the spread. The streak I’m on is colder than a Chip Kelly halftime interview (zing!). But I’m not a quitter. In gambling, you always know that the next one is going to be HUGE.

On the Season
Straight Up: 50-13
Against the Spread: 30-27

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

UCLA @ Washington (Thu., ESPN, 5:00 p.m.)
So this is what the Pac-10 gets to put on display for the nation on Thursday night? Should turn out well. The first go-round with UCLA was a real treat.

Don’t cry for ESPN, though. They are the masters of storyline creation. Here’s what you’ll hear all game:

(1) Rick Neuheisel used to coach at Washington
(2) Jake Locker had an injury
(3) Jake Locker should have gone pro last year
(4) Jake Locker is still a first round talent
(5) Craig James: “Boise can just stuff itself inside a tool shed”
(6) Jesse Palmer: “Do you like my pink tie?”
(7) Reece Davis: “Can I go back to the studio?”

Straight Up: Washington
ATS: Washington -2

#6 Stanford @ California (Sat., FSN, 12:30 p.m.)
The real battle in this game is not who wins or loses. It’s who fakes* the best injury. Stanford’s Chase Thomas is pissed at the attention Cal is getting. He thinks his fake was way more obvious than anything a Golden Bear did against Oregon. They will go back and forth throughout the game trying to one-up the other’s theatrics. It will be epic, that I promise you.

*I know, I complain about all the fake injury talk and then just feed right into it. I’m weak and have no moral center.

Straight Up: Stanford
ATS: California +6.5

USC @ Oregon State (Sat., ABC, 5:00 p.m.)
Oh you better believe somebody knows something here. USC should crush the Beavers, right? So why’s the spread only 3.5? Because Vegas is begging you to put money on USC and it knows it’s strong L.A. base will have no problem doing that on such a small number.

It doesn’t make any sense to me, but I’m picking Oregon State. Wait, really? I have to think about this. Vegas is really screwing with my head here. There is no way the Beavers should win. None. Aaaahhh! This is why Vegas has nice, tall buildings. I’m not taking the bait.

Straight Up: Oregon State
ATS: Oregon State +3.5

Poised Pac-10 Picks – Week 10

Nick, OTP — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:29:46 +0000

It’s a second straight week with a full slate of Pac-10 football. The best Saturday’s are always free of a bye. The blog foresees many* a close game Saturday but these picks are feeling calm, cool and collected.

*many of course is different than, say, “all” or “every” or “entire.” You get the point, right?

On the Season
Straight Up: 46-9
Against the Spread: 27-21

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

Washington @ Oregon (Sat., ABC, 12:30 p.m.)
Washington’s defensive vitals:

Rushing: 114th
Passing: 68th
Total: 100th
Scoring: 106th

Draw your own conclusions.

Straight Up: Oregon
ATS: Oregon -35.5

California @ Washington State (Sat., FSN, 14:00 p.m.)
This here is the ultimate showdown. Cal is 0-4 in road games and has lost by a total score of 145-61. Its ineptitude on the road can only be matched by that of Wazzu’s general football state of being. I wish I was dumb enough to call it, but I’ve already used up my “believe in Wazzu” tokens for the year.

I’ll say Cal wins on the strength of a blocked field goal by Wazzu that is subsequently fumbled back into the waiting arms of a Bear who trips over the five yard line on his way to a TD but has enough momentum to cross the goal line….whew! That was a sentence, huh?

Straight Up: California
ATS: Washington State +14.5

Oregon State @ UCLA (Sat., Versus, 4:00 p.m.)
The Bruins showed us enough against Arizona to believe they ain’t dead yet. If they are playing for any hope of bowl eligibility, this will be UCLA’s version of Custer’s last stand.

For the history-deprived, Custer lost.

Straight Up: Oregon State
ATS: Oregon State -5

#15 Arizona @ #13 Stanford (Sat., ABC, 5:00 p.m.)
Whichever team wins has a very real shot at a second BCS bid for the conference. If Boise State gets into the national title game, that could even mean a Rose Bowl appearance.

I made an awful preseason prediction and put the Cardinal 6th in the conference, but I’m atoning for that by being a weekly believer in all that is Harbaugh.

Straight Up: Stanford
ATS: Arizona +9.5

Arizona State @ USC (Sat., FSN, 7:30 p.m.)
I’ll set the scene for you. It’s a Saturday evening in the dilapidated Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. About 50,000 beaten and downtrodden Trojan fans file in as the NCAA sanctions dictate some people still have to show up. USC players take the field because Lane Kiffin tells them to. But Lane stays home and watches video of Oregon play offense. He picks up a PS3 controller and tries to control it, but he’s just a little kid without a quarter for the machine. He still pushes the buttons.

Back in the Coliseum, the Trojans play uninspired football. Matt Barkley forgets to take his headphones off which nets 55 delay of game penalties. USC loses.

Straight Up: Arizona State
ATS: Arizona State +5.5

Plentiful Pac-10 Picks – Week 9

Nick, OTP — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:20:40 +0000

Finally, a full Saturday of Pac-10 play. And it’s a juicy one. Will the Cougars break through? Can Cal keep it within 40 in a road game? Can Stanford keep on winning with no one noticing? And how ’bout that game in L.A.? No, not you UCLA.

On the Season
Straight Up: 42-8
Against the Spread: 25-18

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

#15 Arizona @ UCLA (Sat., FSN, 12:30 p.m.)
It’s really hard to watch last Thursday’s game and think UCLA has anything resembling a shot to win. But the Bruins have a few things going for them. It’s a home game and you have to account for Richard Brehaut…hahahaha. I can’t do it. Just read that sentence again and tell me you can take that seriously.

Straight Up: Arizona
ATS: Arizona -9

California @ Oregon State (Sat., Fox College Sports, 12:30 p.m.)
Cal can do this. They absolutely, positively can keep this game within 40 points. Granted, it’s on the road and that pretty much means a Kevin Riley meltdown before or after the Bears’ defense turns to microwaved butter. Sometimes, it happens all at once. You can’t really know the exact moment, but it will happen. Eventually. That’s why gambler Nicky Ducks* is making it his stone-cold LOCK OF THE WEEK. That one’s on the house. You want more free money? Just call 866-555-4238 to get more picks just like this!

Straight Up: Oregon State
ATS: Oregon State -3

Washington State @ Arizona State (Sat., 4:00 p.m.)
To hell with it. I’m calling it. Cougars win.

And this guy spontaneously combusts in the middle of a Dennis Erickson rant (though I warn you, if you don’t like the swears, choose a different link).

Straight Up: Washington State
ATS: Washington State +21

#13 Stanford @ Washington (Sat., Versus, 4:00 p.m.)
Sure, if we lived in a normal world where past success/failures actually predicted future outcomes, you could call the blowout. But this is the Pac-10 which is a synonym for “who the hell knows.”

Jake Locker will throw for five touchdowns, three interceptions and complete 51% of his passes which will all be just enough to lose by 3.

Straight Up: Stanford
ATS: Washington +7

#2 Oregon @ USC (Sat., ABC, 5:00 p.m.)
Pretend for a moment you’re not a neurotic Duck fan. Look at some stats between these two teams and tell me you’re even remotely concerned about losing.

Don’t make no daggone sense to worry now, does it?

So what’s the problem? Relax, have a drink and…and… I AM COMPLETELY FREAKING OUT!

Straight Up: Oregon
ATS: Oregon -6.5

*Who is Nicky Ducks? If you’d read last week’s SearchBag, you’d know.

Perfunctory Pac-10 Picks – Week 8

Nick, OTP — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:22:04 +0000

As I look at my season against the spread, that 1-9 effort in week two continues to haunt me. I’d be setting mythical records if not for that uninspired effort. Then again, I don’t put a lot of effort into any of these picks. Luck has been my friend.

Note: Moving some posts up a day this week. SearchBag will likely run tomorrow.

On the Season
Straight Up: 38-8
Against the Spread: 23-16

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

UCLA @ #2 Oregon (Thu., ESPN, 6:00 p.m.)
The homer in me says Oregon is just going to blow the doors off this thing Thursday night. All the talk, all the speculation…I think these guys are chomping to play some football and the fact it’s the only game on TV in front of a national audience tells me it could get ugly.

Straight Up: Oregon
ATS: Oregon -24.5

Arizona State @ California (Sat., FSN, 12:30 p.m.)
Arizona State hasn’t flopped in a game all year. Cal has. Twice. The Bears never seem to do it consecutively and it is a home game so I’d have to guess it’s going to be competitive. That’s all you can do with Cal is guess. If you bet on them, you deserve whatever you get, good or bad.

Straight Up: California
ATS: Arizona State +3.5 (hedging my bet)

Washington State @ #12 Stanford (Sat. Fox College Sports, 2:00 p.m.)
Hmm, it seems to this blog that the Cougars are much more competitive now. But Vegas goes and lays down a 35 point line and somebody knows something I don’t. Could it be Washington State on the road is a different animal? Jim Harbaugh’s not exactly known for letting up, so maybe 35 makes sense.

Still, given what the Cougars have shown lately, I’m thinking they cover. Of course, holding an internal debate about whether a team is good enough to cover 35 points isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for a program.

If this was a Bill Simmons column, I’d say something like ” yep, these are our Cougars.”

Straight Up: Stanford
ATS: Washington State +35

Washington @ #18 Arizona (Sat., Versus, 7:15 p.m.)
Most interesting game of the weekend by far. We don’t know what we have with Arizona going to backup Matt Scott for a few weeks. The Huskies are a good and bad team all at once (mostly bad says the Duck in me).

I could see the upset here, but if the Wildcats are a nationally viable team, they should win, starting quarterback or not.

Straight Up: Arizona
ATS: Washington +6.5

Prosaic Pac-10 Picks – Week 7

Nick, OTP — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:52:15 +0000

Possibly more exciting than Pac-10 football this weekend.

It’s a dull week in the Pac-10 with just three games, none of which can be considered marquee matchups. Feel free to read a book, go to a play or visit a museum on Saturday.*

*Well, not really.

On the Season
Straight Up: 36-7
Against the Spread: 20-16

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

California @ USC
The Trojans are favored by two and a half points? Vegas must expect Cal kicker Giorgio Tavecchio to misfire on a last second field goal. Either that, or they understand Cal is riding a high off last week’s win and therefore cannot win.

Straight Up: USC
ATS: USC -2.5

#17 Arizona @ Washington State
I ain’t pickin’ Washington State to win. That’s just foolish. But I am mildly curious to see how this one turns out. Arizona hasn’t played well since beating Iowa and the Cougars are improving (you know, because they only lost by 20 last week).

Note: How bad is your program when a 20 point loss points to improvement and is a sign that your coach’s job security might be in good shape.

Straight Up: Arizona
ATS: Washington State +23.5

#24 Oregon State @ Washington
I can’t see how the Huskies are favored here. That’s not a good team. And Oregon State is starting its annual run toward the top of the Pac-10. Ok, the Beavers lost James Rodgers, but underdogs to Washington? I don’t see it.

Straight Up: Oregon State
ATS: Oregon State +1.5

Presumptuous Pac-10 Picks – Week 6

Nick, OTP — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 22:45:56 +0000

Outside of that 1-9 week against the spread, I’m pretty much on fire. I’m starting to feel a little arrogant so let’s have a bad week, huh? I’m road doggin’ it and hoping for the best.

On the Season
Straight Up: 32-6
Against the Spread: 18-13

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

UCLA @ California
The only way to explain this matchup is to bill it as Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde vs. Me, Myself and Irene.

You know it’s bad when this game could be a blowout but you have no idea which team is going to administer the whooping.

Straight Up: UCLA
ATS: UCLA +7.5

#3 Oregon @ Washington State
The truth is, I picked Oregon against the spread before even looking up the line. Coach Paul Wulff may think the scoreboard is lying, but when it says 63-0 at the end of the third quarter, he may want to accept the hint of truth it offers.

Straight Up: Oregon
ATS: Oregon -36.5

Oregon State @ #9 Arizona
If there’s one thing Oregon State has proven over the years, it’s that they will beat someone they absolutely should not once October rolls around. And then they win a bunch more games. And then they lose the Civil War. And then they play in a mid-level bowl. And then they do it all over again. And then…well, no and then!

Straight Up: Oregon State (did I really just do this? I’m getting full of my own prognostication powers. This doesn’t even make sense.)
ATS: Oregon State +7.5

USC @ #16 Stanford
[INSERT "WHAT'S YOUR DEAL?" JOKE HERE]

Haha, that was hilarious!

But what’s even more humorous is Stanford favored by 10 over USC…and I’d call that a sound investment.

Straight Up: Stanford
ATS: Stanford -10

Arizona State @ Washington
ASU has lost three times by a combined 15 points and covered the spread in every one of those games. And each one of those games was against a good team. The only question is whether or not they are broken from three straight losses. At some point, teams lose the fight.

I still hate Washington for ruining my 12 team parlay last week (if gambling were legal) so I’m riding the road dog for the fourth time in five games.

Straight Up: Arizona State
ATS: Arizona State +2

Poisoned Pac-10 Picks – Week 4

Nick, OTP — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:30:02 +0000

Last week's picks were poisoned by a sweet elixir called ego. I humbly offer these improved predictions.

An ego is pure poison. Sure, I went 7-3 last week, but any sap could have done that. It’s the 1-8 record against the spread that was the betting equivalent of gargling acid. Just like that, I don’t know what I’m doing.

Straight Up: 24-4
Against the Spread: 10-11

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

#20 USC @ Washington State
Ways to win by 22 knowing the Cougars are capable of no more than 6 points:

2-3 on two point conversions and a defensive shutout.
2-4 on two point conversions and hold Washington State to two field goals.
0-4 on two point conversions and hold the Cougars to a safety.

Hell, I don’t know what combination of two point conversions Vegas is expecting here, but 22 points seems like the easiest/worst bet one can find.

On the one hand, beating Wazzu by 22 is a given. On the other hand, Lane Kiffin.

The Cougars’ awfulness trumps USC’s ineptitude.

Straight Up: USC
ATS: USC -22

#16 Stanford @ Notre Dame
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly (affectionately referred to by WOTB as “the little man that came out of the big man“) says Jack Harbaugh (dad) is the best coach in the family. And you know what else, Jim? The oddsmakers think you’re only 4.5 points better than these guys. Yeah, seriously! Uh oh, I sense a late and unnecessary score to make it 59-17. That’s his deal.

Straight Up: Stanford
ATS: Stanford -4.5

UCLA @ #7 Texas
Do you think Rick Neuheisel got back on the mic after beating Houston last week? What did he tell the crowd that booed him after the Stanford debacle? “Scoreboard, baby,” I’m guessing. It’d be easy to say the Bruins will return to form against a top 10 team on the road, but I’m not convinced about the Longhorns credentials.

Straight Up: Texas
ATS: UCLA +16

#23 Oregon State @ #3 Boise State
Oooo Sssss Uuuuu…. No, that’s as far as I go. A college football nation turned its lonely eyes to this game the minute Virginia Tech lost to Boise. Oregon State Beaver gear is sold out in the far reaches of Norman, Austin, Fort Worth, Lincoln and so on. Eugene… still on the racks, but r-r-r-r-rooting for the Beavs anyway.

Straight Up: Boise State
ATS: Oregon State +17.5

California @ #14 Arizona
Now that California’s back where they are most comfortable (in expectation exile), it would make perfect sense for them to win this game. They won’t because, well, Andy Ludwig is still offensive coordinator, but it’s a “closer than you’d think” game.

Straight Up: Arizona
ATS: Cal +7

#5 Oregon @ Arizona State
Perhaps Vegas is on the take because 11.5 points is way too low for this game. Maybe they know something I don’t, but Oregon will win this by at least three touchdowns. I’m sure of it. Completely and totally… somewhat, kinda’ certain.

Straight Up: Oregon
ATS: Oregon -11.5

Pompous Pac-10 Picks – Week 3

Nick, OTP — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:01:06 +0000

There goes the blog and its ego again.

This week, you’ll just have to indulge a little OTP ego because I’m pretty sure this is about the only time I’ll be able to show it off. Kind of went undefeated last week. As in, 8-0 straight up and 5-0 against the spread. Coincidentally, I moved to Las Vegas at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday night.

Aside from my newfound braggadocio, this is a pretty big week for the Pac-10. Lot to gain, plenty to lose.

Posted spreads are from sportsbook.com at time of publishing.

Washington State @ Southern Methodist
Ok, so every family has its Washington State. Don’t hold it against us. We do the best we can with them. Mostly, we just hope someday they can put it all together and make a nice little life for themselves. Until then…

Straight Up: SMU
ATS: SMU -23

#18 USC @ Minnesota
One of those games you can’t make a reputation on, but you can certainly ruin it. And it may be a case where we should just take the hit as a conference and root like hell to see the Trojans lose. Not because it helps, but because it would almost certainly lead to the biggest temper tantrum curmudgeon Lane Kiffin has thrown since he was 3.

Straight Up: USC
ATS: USC -13

Arizona State @ #11 Wisconsin
Newly admitted FCS member Arizona State plays its first game against an FBS school. There is hope for the Sun Devils to add a win to their guaranteed paycheck. James Madison is the inspiration here, guys (and now, that’s the last of that joke).

Straight Up: Wisconsin
ATS: Wisconsin -14

#8 Nebraska @ Washington
This game is a lot harder to pick than it seems. Washington is an emotional girl that can give you some neat highs and stupid lows (I’m sorry female readers. Really, I am. You know what I’m talking about, though, right?).

A lot of questions surround both teams. Is Nebraska really a top ten team? Does Washington have enough talent on the field to beat a top level team? Will Jake Locker accept his Heisman Trophy at halftime?

I’m going to call the upset here. And regret the ensuing end of my perfect streak.

Straight Up: Washington
ATS: Washington +3

Louisville @ #25 Oregon State
What an impressive bye week for the Beavers. The ACC completely imploded while OSU sat around waiting to get their ranking back. While Oregon State is simply a better team than Louisville, we have to account for the fact that the Beavers still owe us, at minimum, one more loss this month. Guess they can save it for Boise.

Straight Up: Oregon State
ATS: Oregon State -19.5

Portland State @ #5 Oregon
Make no mistake, what Oregon is going to do to the Vikings will be a criminal act and the only way they avoid prison time is by paying Portland State a lot of money for the right to abuse them. That’s how the system works, you know.

Straight Up: Oregon
ATS: OFF

#23 Houston @ UCLA
I wish UCLA would get it’s offensive act together. I can’t take another joke referencing the pistol offense. Please, no more “the Bruins are getting pistol whipped.” For the love of God, stop with the “UCLA’s offense is gun-shy.” It has to stop, please.

Straight Up: Houston
ATS: Houston -3

#9 Iowa @ #24 Arizona
Can I be serious for a moment? Unless you’ve hacked in to the blog, I guess I can do whatever I want. This is a big one for the Pac-10. It’s one of only two non-conference games where both teams are ranked on the day of the game. I have national title aspirations for Oregon and need a couple of statement games to emerge on the schedule. Arizona can be one of those teams.

Straight Up: Arizona
ATS: Arizona +1.5

Wake Forest @ #19 Stanford
The line on this game confuses the hell out of me. Wake Forest beat Stanford a year ago. The team is 2-0 and averaging 53.5 points per game and yet are heavy underdogs to a team I don’t totally trust yet. I’m pretty sure this is one where Vegas has you either way. Doesn’t matter what you pick, you’ll lose.

Straight Up: Stanford
ATS: Wake Forest +17