Fyodor's College Football Picks of the Week.

1) The guys who set the lines are professionals. Their job is to make each game look as attractive as possible to everyone. That way they even out the amount of money bet on each side.
Instant translation: The house wins no matter who wins. That's why people get into the gambling business.

2) I am just a fan. I won't even keep track of these picks week to week if it gets too embarrassing.

3) There is no such thing as "inside information". Especially in the pros.

4) If those idiot touts on tv and in the paper were that good, they wouldn't go public with their genius. They'd sit at Harrah's sports book from open to close and then go out and buy $2,000 an hour hookers who dress like high school girls.

5) Gambling is stupid. You cannot win.

That being said, here are my college picks for this week.


Saturday 10/15



Alabama (-13) at Mississippi
This one seems a bit big, but I'll take 'Bama to cover.
FINAL: Alabama 13 Ole Miss 10 - Fyodor loses! (It turned out to be way too big. Rebels played a good game.)


Michigan State (+6.5) at Ohio State
Buckeyes are not happy. Take 'em.
FINAL: Ohio State 35 Michigan State 24 - Fyodor wins! (Wild, wild, game. I've never seen a coach explode on camera like Sullivan did at halftime. If I was his special teams coach, I'd keep my head down for awhile.)




Wake Forest (+14) at Boston College
I don't think Wake is that bad. Take the Demon Deacons.
FINAL: BC 35 Wake 30 - Fyodor wins! (Good comeback, Eagles.)




Northwestern (+7.5) at Purdue
I'll take Northwestern here.
FINAL: Northwestern 34 Purdue 29 - Fyodor wins!




New Mexico (+7) at Wyoming
I'm giving the Cowboys another chance. Wyoming covers.
FINAL: New Mexico 27 Wyoming 24 - Fyodor loses! (Fool me once...)





Toledo (-20) at Ball State
I'll give Ball State another chance to stink out loud. Take Toledo.
FINAL: Toledo 34 Ball State 14 - PUSH! (I'm now out of the Ball State business too.)





East Carolina (+2) at Southern Methodist
The Crummy Game of the Week! Take the Pirates on the road.
FINAL: East Carolina 24 SMU 17 - Fyodor wins!





USC (-11.5) at Notre Dame
You know for whom Fyodor will root, but that number looks mighty large either way. Take the Fighting Irish.
FINAL: USC 34 Notre Dame 31 - Fyodor wins! (Another meaningless gambling victory. This game was a perfect example of why college football at its best beats the NFL hands down.)





Florida (+6) at LSU
Take the Tigers to cover.
FINAL: LSU 21 Florida 17 - Fyodor loses!





Penn State (+3) at Michigan
The Nittany Lions are due to go flat, but I'll pick them to cover and win anyway.
FINAL: Michigan 27 PSU 25 - Fyodor wins! (I told you they were due. Lions blew a very winnable game.)





Georgia Tech (-21) at Duke
Big favorites bit me last week, but Duke is really, really bad. Take Tech.
FINAL: Tech 35 Duke 10 - Fyodor wins! (It's almost basketball season, Blue Devils.)





Colorado (+17) at Texas
Longhorn letdown? Laughable. Take Texas.
FINAL: Texas 42 Colorado 17 - Fyodor wins! (I think Texas and Virginia Tech are better than USC right now.)





UCLA (-5) at Washington State
Here's a weak pick: Take UCLA here. (I would not bet my money on it, though.)
FINAL: UCLA 44 Washington State 41 - Fyodor loses! (I didn't think it was that weak.)





Florida State (-7) at Virginia
FSU is an enigma, but enigmas often beat mediocre teams...
FINAL: Virginia 26 FSU 21 - Fyodor loses! (...but not often enough.)





Nebraska (-2.5) at Baylor
The powerhouse Bears return home after their first road conference win since the Garfield administration. I'm tempted to...Yes! Yes! Take Baylor!
FINAL: Nebraska 23 Baylor 14 - Fyodor loses! (What was I thinking?)





Georgia (-16) at Vanderbilt
Georgia wins underwhelmingly. Take Vandy to cover.
FINAL: Georgia 34 Vanderbilt 17 - Fyodor loses! (So close, and yet so far...)




Colorado State (-2) at BYU
I should not pick this game, but I will. Rams cover.
FINAL: BYU 24 CSU 14 - Fyodor loses! (Told ya I shouldn't have picked it.)