Week 6 college picks

I really hate that the college football season is two weeks ahead of the high school football season. With colleges starting in late August and high schools choosing to use the dumb "Zero Week" moniker, it messes me up every week.

My college picking was pretty bleh last week, as I went 5-5 against the spread and slightly better overall. I did pull the reverse jinx on Wisconsin though. Boo ya!

Oregon (+16) at USC
The Trojans probably hate the word Oregon after last week. Luckily, its a word that's not easily used in sentences or that sounds like anything. However, anyone who asks Rey Maualuga what his "country of oregon" is will likely be punched in the face. Two things could happen - USC could punch out the Ducks at home or slog around and play a boring game. I'm going with the punch.
USC 42, Oregon 20

Washington State (+17) at UCLA
This game has been slated for the late game on FSN, which means that Fox is hoping to draw in the intoxicated bar crowd in the East and Midwest and hope they don't realize what this game actually is - a matchup between two unwatchable teams. Actually, UCLA played pretty well against Fresno, though I'm hesitant about giving them over two touchdowns against anyone, no matter how awful Wazzu is.
UCLA 23, Washington State 9

Arizona State (+9) at California
The Sun Devils are fresh off a necessary week off, as they needed time to get over consecutive losses to UNLV and Georgia, or hang out at "The Library" and ogle some co-eds. Quite frankly, ASU needs to steal this game, as Oregon and USC - and a possible 2-5 start - looms if it doesn't. I really have nothing to say about Cal, though I do think they win, but not cover.
California 28, Arizona State 20

Washington (+22.5) at Arizona
If I'm a REV fan, I would hop in a car Saturday morning and drive to Tucson. Former Wildcats QB Ronnie Fouch is making his debut as a starter for the Huskies. There's really no other reason to watch the Huskies, who have been bad under dead-man-walking coach Tyrone Willingham. I do think Washington will cover though - Arizona isn't quite ready to lay this many points.
Arizona 38, Washington 23

Stanford (+6.5) at Notre Dame
According to my sources (Clay Fowler), Norco coach Todd Gerhart is skipping his team's game with Riverside Poly tonight to go to this game and watch his son Toby, a sophomore running back. You can't blame Gerhart for this, as Stanford has a rare chance to steal a game at venerable Notre Dame Stadium. I think they will, as the Irish, while 3-1, have been maddeningly inconsistent.
Stanford 24, Notre Dame 21

Auburn (-4) at Vanderbilt
I never thought I'd be picking a Vanderbilt game in this space. But hey, the Commodores have been part of a huge resurgence from the academic powers of the BCS (Northwestern, Vandy, Duke, Stanford). Auburn has been shaky offensively and are apparently scrapping the spread offense which they brought in during the offseason. Kind of a sign of panic if you ask me. I'm probably stupid for doing this, but I'm taking the 'Dores.
Vanderbilt 17, Auburn 16

Ohio State (-1.5) at Wisconsin
With last weekend's collapse at Michigan, the Badgers could be staring 0-3 in the Big Ten in the face, as they have Penn State after this week's matchup with the Buckeyes. Ohio State freshman QB Terrelle Pryor will get his first road start in a brutal environment, as contact with the Madison locals at night can get you the drunk version of a contact high. I've said too much there. Anyway, I'll go with a desperate home team, though i'm not ecstatic about it.
Wisconsin 20, Ohio State 17

Florida State (+2) at Miami (Fla)
Remember when this game was the end-all, be-all of college football? In the 90s, this was the game to go to, with rappers and former athletes alike wanting to be a part of these showdowns. Now, its a mere footnote on the schedule, one that I almost didn't pick. Too bad, so sad. Anyway, both of these teams have athletes but are extremely raw or incompetent at the quarterback position. I'll take raw at home over incompetent on the road.
Miami (Fla) 16, Florida State 13

Missouri (-10.5) at Nebraska
This should be a gimme. The Tigers have one of the more dynamic offenses in Division I and the Heisman Trophy frontrunner in Chase Daniel. Nebraska, meanwhile, is still a work in progress. But for all of Mizzou's accolades, they still haven't won in Lincoln in decades. Expect the Huskers to come out pumped, but for Missouri to have too much oomph in the second half.
Missouri 44, Nebraska 28

Kentucky (+15.5) at Alabama
This could be called the Bear Bryant Bowl, as the late legendary coach headed both of these programs back in the day. He had his Junction Boys time with Texas A&M, but that's a whole other story. Anyway, Nick Saban has the Tide looking as dominant as it did under The Bear. However, Kentucky has quietly built a good defense and a 4-0 record. There will be a bit of a letdown after the big win at Georgia, so while Bama wins, the Cats cover.
Alabama 24, Kentucky 13

Overall record: 37-13. Record against spread: 24-25-1