SCOOPS' PICKS: 10/25/08

Last Week: 8-4
Season: 44-34
Net Gain/Loss: + $211.00

I must admit, the picks right now are rolling off my tongue & straight to my wallet. Another successful week going 8-4 and over the $200 mythical dollar amount is the result.

This week, it’s time to cut with the bullshit and get down to brass tax. You have FIVE Big Ten home underdogs.

Minnesota (+100) over PURDUE: The Gophers haven’t won at Purdue since 1990. Talk about two programs seeming to go in opposite directions. The ultimate kicker here is the ability of Minnesota to not come through the game after becoming ranked & a big win. Fortunately for Minnesota, Purdue seems to be in turmoil right now with Kory Sheets bashing Curtis Painter and a lameduck coach that’s trying to maintain a semblance of discipline. Look for Purdue to be a bit better on offense compared to what they have been the past few weeks, but it still not to be enough.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MINNESOTA 30, PURDUE 23

OHIO STATE (+120) over Penn State: I will offer a warning to all my loyal readers. I am going against what the records against the spread are showing right now. But I can’t go with all 5 road favorites. And Ohio State seems like they may have righted something last weekend in East Lansing. The problem with all of this is that Penn State hasn’t been in one close game this season. I think that’s the key here. It will be close, and Ohio State will know how to react just a little bit more. I want Penn State to run the table & represent the Big Ten in the BCS title game, but I see the Buckeyes on the fast track for the Rose Bowl.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OHIO STATE 27, PENN STATE 24

Illinois (-2.5) over WISCONSIN: Wisconsin looked really awful last weekend in Iowa City. They have two awful quarterbacks, an awful defense right now, and they have no depth anywhere except at running back. Meanwhile, Illinois has put up a lot of yards the past 3 weeks and their offense is getting better & better. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Illini run the table the rest of the way.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ILLINOIS 38, WISCONSIN 20

Northwestern (-8) over INDIANA: Northwestern won with relative ease last week against Purdue while Indiana had its doors blown completely off in a Juice Williams barrage. Indiana’s injured, can’t stop anybody, and is struggling to score. Not a recipe for success.
SCOOPS’ PICK: NORTHWESTERN 34, INDIANA 23

Michigan State (-4) over MICHIGAN: Michigan played hard for a while, but got 2nd half doggy drilled by Penn State. Meanwhile, Michigan State had it’s shot and completely looked overmatched against Ohio State. If MSU was ever going to get rid of the Ann Arbor streak, this is the year and I think they get it done, mostly because Michigan can’t cover a spread for its life.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MICHIGAN STATE 30, MICHIGAN 23

Bowling Green (+8) over NORTHERN ILLINOIS: NIU has been covering like it’s their job. Meanwhile, Bowling Green lost to an awful Miami Redhawk team. Bowling Green’s offense is just good enough to keep it within a touchdown.
SCOOPS’ PICK: NORTHERN ILLINOIS 38, BOWLING GREEN 31

TEXAS (-12) over Oklahoma State: Colt McCoy officially moved to video game all-star mode last weekend when they completely blew the doors off of Missouri. He’s running, he’s not throwing incomplete passes, and they have weapons all over the offense. Plus, their defense made Daniel look almost amateurish before the mop up points. OSU now gets to experience the wrath of UT.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS 48, OKLAHOMA STATE 30

Virginia Tech (+185) over FLORIDA STATE: I just don’t like Florida State and I like Frank Beamer & Tyrod Taylor. No other reason than this.
SCOOPS’ PICK: VIRGINIA TECH 24, FLORIDA STATE 20

Texas Tech (+105) over KANSAS: I took a chance that Tech would blow it at A&M and they were trailing at halftime, making me look like a possible genius with them being a +1,000. Naturally, Tech got things in line and ran away. KU, meanwhile, scored & put up yards against Oklahoma, but couldn’t stop them. I think the same thing happens here. If you want to be entertained to the max, tune in.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS TECH 48, KANSAS 45

PITTSBURGH (-9) over Rutgers: Pitt has righted the ship since the opening week loss to Bowling Green with a win at South Florida and the Iowa win is looking better & better each week. Meanwhile, Rutgers is a far cry to what they were two years ago. Pitt takes care of business and keeps marching towards a potential BCS berth.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PITTSBURGH 38, RUTGERS 14