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.


Friday 10/6


Louisville (-30) at Middle Tennessee State
Why not? I'll take the Cardinals to cover the huge number though they are due for a poor game.
FINAL: Louisville 44 MTSU 17 - Fyodor loses! (I should have known better!)


Arkansas (+15) at Auburn
Auburn is too good and they're playing at home. Pick the Tigers to cover.
FINAL: Arkansas 27 Auburn 10 - Fyodor loses! (Nice win for the Hogs!)


Penn State (-3) at Minnesota
Practically a pick 'em game. Gotta go with PSU.
FINAL: PSU 28 Minnesota 27 - Fyodor loses! (The Lions got lucky.)


Clemson (-17) at Wake Forest
I'll take the Demon Deacons and the points on a hunch.
FINAL: Clemson 27 Wake Forest 17 - Fyodor wins! (Finally!)


Pittsburgh (-7) at Syracuse
The Panthers will cover the 7 easily.
FINAL: Pitt 21 Syracuse 11 - Fyodor wins!


Northwestern (+20.5) at Wisconsin
I wouldn't bet this game unless I had too, so I'll take the Badgers to cover.
FINAL: Wisconsin 41 Northwestern 9 - Fyodor wins! (What do you know...)


Purdue (+11) at Iowa
Iowa was exposed last week, but they should be able to cover the 11 at home.
FINAL: Iowa 47 Purdue 17 - Fyodor wins!


Navy (+2.5) at Air Force
I'm picking Navy even though the new Air Force recruiting commercials are cool.
FINAL: Navy 24 Air Force 17 - Fyodor wins! (Notre Dame better watch out for Navy on October 28. Navy always plays them tough and this year they have the horses.)


Stanford (+29.5) at Notre Dame
Stanford stinks, but the Irish are too inconsistent for my taste. Take Stanford and the points.
FINAL: Notre Dame 31 Stanford 10 - Fyodor wins!


West Virginia (-20.5) at Mississippi State
I'll go with the Mountaineers as the big road favorite.
FINAL: West Virginia 42 Mississippi 14 - Fyodor wins!


Washington (+19) at USC
Hunch time again, kiddies. Take the Huskies and the points.
FINAL: USC 26 Washington 20 - Fyodor wins! (I love it when a hunch comes true.)


LSU (+1) at Florida
The Game of the Week! Pick LSU on the road!
FINAL: Florida 23 LSU 10 - Fyodor loses! (Eek! Gators!)


Maryland (+14) at Georgia Tech
The Terps stink out loud. Take Tech to cover. Big time.
FINAL: GT 27 Maryland 23 - Fyodor loses! (The Yellowjackets come up small. Very small.)


Bowling Green (+35.5) at Ohio State
The number is too big. Take Bowling Green and the points.
FINAL: OSU 35 BG 7 - Fyodor wins! (Fyodor is a genius! Barely.)


Oklahoma (+3.5) at Texas (Actually, Dallas, I think. It does not matter in this rivalry.)
Somebody has been betting the line down from 6. Not me. Take Texas. They'll win easily.
FINAL: Texas 28 Oklahoma 10 - Fyodor wins! (Yep.)


Michigan State (+15) at Michigan
Have the Spartans given up on this season? I say not yet. Take State and the points.
FINAL: Michigan 31 Michigan State 13 - Fyodor loses! (Fyodor is an idiot!)


Arizona (+12) at UCLA
I should be tired of picking the Bruins to cover, but I'm not. Pick UCLA.
FINAL: UCLA 27 Arizona 7 - Fyodor wins!


Connecticut (+6.5) at South Florida
The Bulls are better than you think. Pick South Florida.
FINAL: South Florida 38 UConn 16 - Fyodor wins! (Connecticut football has turned back into a pumpkin.)


Washington State (-3.5) at Oregon State
The Cougars should cover this easily against the Beavers, yet I am picking them reluctantly. What is wrong here?
FINAL: Washington State 13 Oregon State 6 - Fyodor wins! (Nothing wrong! Fyodor is genius again!)


Duke (+29) at Alabama
Thank goodness this spread isn't 29.5. Go with Alabama.
FINAL: Alabama 30 Duke 14 - Fyodor loses! (IDIOT!)


South Carolina (-5) at Kentucky
A rather unappealing game. Coach Superior is due. Pick the Gamecocks.
FINAL: South Carolina 24 Kentucky 17 - Fyodor wins!


Tennessee (-2.5) at Georgia
Even though the Vols might find a way to screw this one up, I will pick them to cover.
FINAL: Tennessee 51 Georgia 33 - Fyodor wins! (HALF A HUNDRED? No screw up and Georgia's defense is exposed! Brilliant!)


Nebraska (-6.5) at Iowa State
The Cyclones can win this one, but won't. Take the Huskers to cover.
FINAL: Nebraska 28 Iowa State 14 - Fyodor wins! (Picking games involving Nebraska is a nightmare.)


Oregon (+4.5) at California
I'll go with Cal at home.
FINAL: Cal 45 Oregon 24 - Fyodor wins! (Who knew this would turn into The Battle of the World's Worst Uniforms?)


Sunday 10/8


Northern Illinois (-14) at Miami of Ohio
I doubt Miami can slow them down. Go with Northern Illinois.
FINAL: Northern Illinois 28 Miami 25 - Fyodor loses! (That's what I get for paying attention to a Sunday night college game.)