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 any 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.



Thursday 8/31


Boston College (-12) at Central Michigan
A big road number for the Eagles to cover, but they should do it. Take BC.
FINAL: Boston College 31 Central Michigan 24 - Fyodor loses! (And the season gets off to a rousing start!)


Minnesota (-15) at Kent State
Golden Gophers will cover easily. (Watch the Curse of the Big 11 rise up and bite me.)
FINAL: Minnesota 44 Kent State 0 - Fyodor wins!


South Carolina (-6.5) at Mississippi State
The Second Year of the Coach Superior Era starts with a bang. Gamecocks will cover.
FINAL: South Carolina 15 Mississippi State 0 - Fyodor wins! (Thank goodness for Succop and Smelley!)


Saturday 9/2


Idaho (+29.5) at Michigan State
I am sure the Spartans will outclass the Vandals, but that number is just too big. Pick Idaho to cover.
FINAL: Michigan State 27 Idaho 17 - Fyodor wins! (Yes!)


Vanderbilt (+25) at Michigan
The mighty Wolverines pick on that guy from F-Troop in their opener. Pick Michigan to cover.
FINAL: Michigan 27 Vanderbilt 7 - Fyodor loses!


North Texas (+41) at Texas
I don't know why I'm picking this game. The Longhorns will get tired of scoring before it gets to 41. Take North Texas.
FINAL: Texas 56 North Texas 7 - Fyodor loses! (The Longhorns are gonna wish they had saved some of those points for Ohio State next week.)


Marshall (+21.5) at West Virginia
Fyodor has been overcome by WVU hype! Take the Mountaineers to cover. FINAL: WVU 42 Marshall 10 - Fyodor wins!


Florida Atlantic (+33) at Clemson
1) Clemson is supposed to be good this year. 2) Who exactly is Florida Atlantic? 3) Pick Clemson to cover. Big time.
FINAL: Clemson 54 Florida Atlantic 6 - Fyodor wins!


Rutgers (+5) at North Carolina
Fyodor's Week One Upset Special! The Scarlet Knights go south and win outright.
FINAL: Rutgers 21 UNC 16 - Fyodor wins!


Northern Illinois (+17) at Ohio State
I'm betting the Buckeyes' big O will come through and win by at least three touchdowns.
FINAL: Ohio State 35 N.Illinois 12 - Fyodor wins!


Akron (+17) at Penn State
What the heck! I'll give Joe Paterno the benefit of the doubt. Take the Nittany Lions.
FINAL: PSU 34 Akron 16 - Fyodor wins!


California (+1.5) at Tennessee
Cal hype versus the normally underachieving Vols. This is the Game of the Week? Pick Tennessee.
FINAL: Tennessee 38 Cal 18 - Fyodor wins! (It really wasn't that close, kiddies.)


Southern Mississippi (+20) at Florida
I'm not sure about Florida, but since I am forcing myself to pick this game, I'll go with the Gators to cover.
FINAL: Florida 34 Southern Mississippi 7 - Fyodor wins!


Syracuse (+14.5) at Wake Forest
How sad is this? How pathetic is Eastern football? Take the Demon Deacons to spank the Orangemen (I know. I know.) and cover.
FINAL: Wake Forest 20 Syracuse 10 - Fyodor loses!


Utah (+3.5) at UCLA
I have no idea if the Utes are as good as this line says they are. I know the Bruins lost a lot of good players. This is Fyodor's Counterintuitive Pick of the Week. Go with UCLA.
FINAL: UCLA 31 Utah 10 - Fyodor wins!


Alabama-Birmingham (+21.5) at Oklahoma
The Blazers don't have Gene Bartow. The Sooners have a wide receiver at QB. Still, it's UAB at Oklahoma. Pick the Sooners.
FINAL: Oklahoma 24 UAB 17 - Fyodor loses! (Ack! Never go with the wide receiver playing QB to cover, kiddies.)


Virginia (+3.5) at Pittsburgh
Are the Panthers on the right track to return to national prominence? Beats me. Pick Pitt.
FINAL: Pitt 38 Virginia 13 - Fyodor wins! (Yes!)

Hawaii (+16) at Alabama
The Rainbow Warriors, (I know!) dazzled by the sights of Tuscaloosa, allow The Tide to roll to an easy cover.
FINAL: Alabama 25 Hawaii 17 - Fyodor loses! (Never mind.)


Notre Dame (-6.5) at Georgia Tech
I hope the hype has not gotten to Mr. Quinn or his teammates. Take the Fighting Irish to cover.
FINAL: Notre Dame 14 Georgia Tech 10 - Fyodor loses! (Thanks, Charlie, for remembering the running game. Eventually.)


USC (-8) at Arkansas
John David Booty? Pick the Trojans.
FINAL: USC 50 Arkansas 14 - Fyodor wins! (John David Booty!)


Brigham Young (+7) at Arizona
Take Arizoma to cover if you must bet this game. Not a strong play. (Gambling patois provided to you gratis.)
FINAL: Arizona 16 BYU 13 - Fyodor loses!

Sunday 9/3


Kentucky (+22.5) at Louisville
A big number, but the Cardinals are reputed to be a tough team. A rivalry game, but Kentucky is on the road. I have a hunch the Wildcats will keep the margin under 22.5, but I would not bet this game.
FINAL: Louisville 59 Kentucky 28 - Fyodor loses!


Florida State (+3.5) at Miami
Once upon a time, this was a BIG GAME. Now it is mildly interesting. Take the 'Canes to cover.
FINAL: FSU 13 Miami 10 - Fyodor loses!