Week 6 Predictions

Boston College @ NC State (-9.5)

The Wolfpack fell apart at the end of their game with the Hokies last week, but they should be able to bounce back. The Eagles haven't been able to stay with teams with a pulse.

The Call: NC State by 13

The Result: NC State 44-17
If NC State can get through these next two games, a 10-win season is pretty much assured. Astounding considering how bad they've been the past few years.
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Syracuse (+8) @ South Florida

Let's give some more love to the unrecognized. Both the Orangemen and Bulls are 3-1 so far this year - pretty good, yeah? So why no pub? Maybe because they've beaten the likes of Akron, I-AA Maine, I-AA Colgate, I-AA Stony Brook, Western Kentucky, and Florida Atlantic. Maybe.

The Call: South Florida by 10

The Result: Syracuse 13-9
Yeah, it's gonna be a tough first year for Holtz. The Bulls had a good peak back in 2007, but it's appearing more and more that that was just a fluke.
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Minnesota @ Wisconsin (-22)

The Badgers suffered a bit of a setback at Michigan State last week, but they're still solid overall. The Gophers just aren't good this year. At the same time, this is a conference game, which evens things out a bit...

The Call: Wisconsin wins, but Minnesota covers the spread

The Result: Wisconsin 41-23
That's what you get for going for 2, Bielema - the Gophers covered. Ha!
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Baylor (+1) @ Texas Tech

The Bears are off to a somewhat surprisingly good start. At the same time, there's something wrong with the Red Raiders - they just can't seem to get anything going.

The Call: Baylor by 7

The Result: Texas Tech 45-38
The Red Raiders have the meat of their Big12 slate coming up, and they only need to win one of them to become bowl eligible (as long as they beat Weber St & Houston). But it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't win any of them.
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Tennessee @ Georgia (-11)

Yeah, I know what I said last week. But how exactly are the Dawgs giving 11 points to Tennessee? Maybe someone's holding out even longer than I was...

The Call: Tennessee by 3

The Result: Georgia 41-14
Dammit.
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Colorado State @ Air Force (-24.5)

I know that the Rams aren't having a good year, but the luster is quickly coming off the Falcon's 4-1 start - BYU isn't as good as advertised, I get the feeling the close loss to the Sooners was when they were having a down week, and a couple of close calls against Wyoming and Navy. Too big of a spread for that body of work.

The Call: Air Force wins, but Colorado State covers the spread

The Result: Air Force 49-27
And he splits the uprights again. Nice.
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Michigan State @ Michigan (-4.5)

I'm not gonna bet against Denard Robinson - are you?

The Call: Michigan by 9

The Result: Michigan State 34-17
At the same time, I feel perfectly fine about betting against the Wolverine D. That's just a gimme right now. Who knew the Spartans had it in them this year - with no Buckeye's on the horizon, their toughest game is going to be against Iowa. After that, a BCS bowl is a good bet.
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Arkansas @ Texas A&M (+5.5)

So far the Aggies have lost a close one to Oklahoma State and beat up on three cupcakes. The Razorbacks took Alabama to the bell, though they had trouble with now-down Georgia too. Still, I don't see this one being too close.

The Call: Arkansas by 17

The Result: Arkansas 24-17
Hmmm... closer than expected. Aggies still like moral victories, right?
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Alabama (-7) @ South Carolina

This will be a huge test for the Gamecocks. Not so much for the Tide.

The Call: Alabama by 13

The Result: South Carolina 35-21
Well, nobody saw this one coming. At least it'll make the BCS race a bit more exciting this year. But when all is done, Bama is still a Top 5 team, and I'd favor them against any other team in the SEC. The Gamecocks are going to have to show more consistency for me - sorry, Coach.
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Wyoming @ TCU (-34)

Okay, we're doubling down here - last week the Horned Frogs didn't cover a 5-TD spread against an inferior opponent. This week will balance that out.

The Call: TCU by 35

The Result: TCU 45-0
Another goose egg for the Horned Frogs. They're going to get some tougher competition now, but I think they'll handle it fine.
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Oregon State @ Arizona (-8)

I know people are saying that the Wildcats are #3 in the Pac10 behind Oregon and Stanford, but the Beavers might have something to say about that.

The Call: Oregon State by 7

The Result: Oregon State 29-27
And he calls the upset. Tough loss of James Rodgers though - that'll make getting through the rest of the Pac10 pretty tough. Arizona can bounce back, but they'll need some help getting to 10 wins.
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LSU (+6) @ Florida

Things will start to really crumble for one of these two this week. The Gators were exposed against Alabama last week, while the Tigers are teetering on the edge themselves... I can't shake the feeling that this one will come down to the last drive.

The Call: Florida wins, but LSU covers the spread

The Result: LSU 33-29
And the Mad Hatter does it again. I wonder if there's statistical research that shows an uptick in heart attacks in Louisiana since 2007. The Gators need to recouperate, but luckily they're in the SEC East.
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Florida State @ Miami FL (-6)

While the importance of this game isn't nearly what it used to be, the game itself should be pretty exciting. Both teams have pretty big flaws, but they keep grinding away and making it work somehow.

The Call: Florida State by 7

The Result: Florida State 45-17
The Seminoles are working their way back to the top of the ACC. The Hurricanes... not so much.
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USC (+9.5) @ Stanford

We know the Trojans haven't forgotten the beatdown the Cardinal gave them at the Coliseum last year. That's big time motivation. But here's the thing - the Cardinal are just as motivated to do it again.

The Call: Stanford by 17

The Result: Stanford 37-35
Another tough, last-minute loss for the Trojans. Sucks not having any D, huh? The Cardinal get back on track with a solid performance, and pretty much have a break until November.
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8-6 straight up & against the spread this week. Not bad.