SCOOPS' PICKS: I LOVE THE MONTH OF SHOCKTOBER

Last Week: 6-5
Season: 36-30
Net Gain/Loss: + $184.00

Record wise, just a typical ho-hum week for Scoops. But when of those 6 is the equivalent of tossing a Hard 10 with the dice at the craps table and paying at +425 like the Gopher pick over Illinois, it gives you a nice bonus and a the ability to handle the just above .500 week. With the Gophers off this weekend, it offers me a good chance to flip around the dial and take in lots of games.

IOWA (-3.5) over Wisconsin: Ah, the old battle that causes Scoops to ask himself “Is it better to cheer for having herpes or syphilis?” Wisconsin was taken doggy in front of a national primetime audience by Penn State, dropping their Big Ten record to 0-3 and spawning the creation of firebretbielema.com. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy & coach, if you ask me. Bielema always seemed like the typical jock in high school: taping kids’ with duct tape, shoving smart kids into lockers; just your typical jughead. Anyway, Iowa is coming off of two decent games with the close loss at Michigan State and the thumping of Indiana where they turned in a 17-9 halftime lead into a route, courtesy of Kellen Lewis getting injured. When all else fails with these two Neanderthal fanbases that have IV’s of paint thinner hooked up to their veins, I go back to the records against the spread. Iowa: 3-2-1. Wisconsin: 2-4. Hope those Rose Bowl tickets can be sold, Badger fans.
SCOOPS’ PICK: IOWA 24, WISCONSIN 20

Purdue (+145) over NORTHWESTERN: Was Northwestern exposed or were they simply another Javon Ringer victim? Tough to say and we may find out more this week. Purdue, meanwhile, is coming off two losses to the two best teams in the Big Ten and hasn’t played as poorly defensively as their ranking shows, keeping Penn State’s SpreadHD to 20 points and not giving up an offensive touchdown at Ohio State last week. They have offensive problems and aren’t the same Purdue, but I’m not sold on Northwestern’s defense quite yet and their offense is struggling just as much as Purdue’s.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PURDUE 27, NORTHWESTERN 20

MICHIGAN STATE (+3) over Ohio State: The game of the week in the Big Ten, where MSU can establish themselves as a potential BCS team. Meanwhile, Penn State is looming for the Buckeyes who are struggling right now offensively with shoddy offensive line play and Pryor struggling with the passing game. They key will be how well the OSU front seven can play against Ringer. If they can make Hoyer have to throw the ball more than the Spartans want, OSU will come out with the win. But as General Corso says, “close.”
SCOOPS’ PICK: OHIO STATE 23, MICHIGAN STATE 21

PENN STATE (-23.5) over Michigan: For some reason, I have a feeling that PSU is absolutely licking their chops and is determined to put on a complete ass kicking to Michigan for the harm that Ann Arbor & her whoreish ways have caused Penn State, particularly 2005. Meanwhile, things are just fine for RichRod after a loss to a 1 win Toledo team that had previously lost to Florida International. Penn State will be “very lucky” to not keep the score under 50.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PENN STATE 48, MICHIGAN 17

ILLINOIS (-16.5) over Indiana: I’m sure homecoming was a great time for all the Illini faithful this past weekend after dropping one to the upstart Gophers. However, I do think Illinois begins to crank things into high gear offensively this weekend and for the rest of the season. Juice has complete balance and the Illini roll.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ILLINOIS 42, INDIANA 20

TEXAS (-6) over Missouri: The Big XII is definitely fun this year, with the Longhorns, Tigers, Sooners, Jayhawks, Red Raiders, & Cowboys. Missouri dropped one they shouldn’t have dropped, but are still in a good position to get another shot in the Big XII title game. Meanwhile, Texas did what most thought they couldn’t do and that was take down the Sooners. Look for the completion percentages by both McCoy & Daniel to be well above 70% and some points scored, but the defense of Texas will make a few more stops than the Mizzou defense will.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS 48, MISSOURI 35

NORTHERN ILLINOIS (-7.5) over Toledo: So a 1 win Toledo team becomes a 2 win Toledo team after defeating a very mediocre Michigan team and the result is quite predictable: given more points the next game than they deserve. Meanwhile, NIU is being quite sneaky in their covers.
SCOOPS’ PICK: NORTHERN ILLINOIS 27, TOLEDO 17

Ole Miss (+13.5) over ALABAMA: Everytime I’ve gone against Alabama this year, they’ve not only won & covered, but done it by double digits. But 13.5 just seems like too many points for me here, especially since Bama now has the pressure of national title talk.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ALABAMA 27, OLE MISS 20

BOWLING GREEN (-9.5) over Miami, Ohio: Ah, I love my MAC picks. And I love picking MAC teams that the Gophers have already played. Miami, meanwhile, is putzing around with a 1 win football team and playing against one of the better passing attacks in the MAC.
SCOOPS’ PICK: BOWLING GREEN 34, MIAMI, OHIO 20

Miami, FL (-4) over DUKE: When was the last time the Hurricanes were only a 4 point favorite over Duke? Cutcliffe has the Blue Devils playing better football for sure, but Miami still has a bit too much talent.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MIAMI 20, DUKE 13

OKLAHOMA STATE (-16.5) over Baylor: This is one I don’t understand. Just the opposite of the Toledo effect. OSU comes off a big upset over Missouri and now is only getting 16.5 over Baylor at home. Are they counting on a Mike Gundy meltdown? Do they know something I don’t? Anyway, one of my gambling rules is “if you have to think 3 times before putting money on Baylor, it’s not a wise move.” I’ve done that here.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OKLAHOMA STATE 49, BAYLOR 20

TEXAS A&M (+1,000) over Texas Tech: Do I think the Red Raiders are going to lose? Probably not. But with an interstate rivalry and Texas Tech having a habit of losing a few games to teams they shouldn’t, it’s definitely worth it to gently put down $10 on the Aggies for the chance to go 10x on the money. Score? Who knows….I’ll go for them winning on a 2 point conversion.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS A&M 39, TEXAS TECH 38