College Football: Kern picks Northwestern vs Ohio St., Temple vs SMU, Penn St. vs Michigan, Toledo vs Ball St., Texas Tech vs Iowa St., more
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Last week we had not quite as many winners as losers, for our first non-winning week in the last three. Fortunately we did a whole lot better in the pros. Maybe it’s a balancing act. I wish I knew. All we can try to do is come out ahead in the colleges this week, and hopefully the NFL again as well.
Here goes:
Toledo (+2.5) over Ball State
The Rockets have been good to me this year, as my friend in Toledo has not forgotten to remind me. They laid an egg last week in losing at Bowling Green, which is horrible, in a rivalry game. Good thing I stayed away, when the line got a little too high. Now they’re on the road again, against a team that’s still unbeaten in the MAC. Toledo has dominated this series recently, taking the last five meetings, all by double digits. And the trends seem to favor them. Plus my friend says the Rockets are going to win. Who am I to argue? So I’ll stick with them, at least one more time.
Texas Tech (+7) over Iowa State
I know Iowa State has had two good wins in the last two weeks, big over TCU at home and big at West Virginia. I was on the Cyclones when they played TCU. But Texas Tech beat visiting Oklahoma State two weeks back, and if not for some bad official’s calls probably would have won last week at unbeaten Baylor. Now the Red Raiders are back in Lubbock and getting a touchdown. I think they might just win outright. But I’ll take the points and at least hope they make it a close one. The last three have gone to ISU, by 9, 18 and 56. Maybe the Raiders are simply due.
Temple (+8.5) over SMU
The Owls are coming off an upset win at home over Memphis, their second win over a Top 25 opponent this year. Both came in South Philly. Now they travel to play a team that’s enjoying its best start in over three decades. And the line keeps going up. But the Owls can play defense. I’m not sure they’re going to win, but I think they have enough to make it a real good game. I usually stay away from playing the hometown guys, so this could be the proverbial kiss of mush. But I have to go with my feelings, well don’t I?
Oklahoma-West Virginia (over 63)
The last three years the Okies have scored 59, 59 and 56 in this matchup. That’s enough for me. And they’re at home, which shouldn’t hurt. I see another big day for Jalen Hurts, in his Heisman quest.
Georgia (-25.5) over Kentucky
Dawgs were embarrassed last week, also at home, against South Carolina. They’re off next week, before heading to Jacksonville for the annual tussle with Florida. I just think Kentucky is in a bad spot here. I know it’s a lot to lay, but I just don’t see this being anything less than a 45-10 kind of day. Unless the Dawgs are still in shock. We are, after all, dealing with 20-year-olds.
Penn State (-9) over Michigan
I’m not necessarily in love with this one, but I think the line is telling me something. Actually, that’s a phrase that I don’t like even a little bit, but in this instance it’s kind of appropriate. It’s a white-out Saturday night, and the Wolves have had issues scoring. Penn State’s defense is good, and I think in general the Nits are better than a lot of folks projected. I don’t see them losing. So to me it’s mostly a matter of by how many. I’ll take a chance it’s by at least a touch and a field goal.
Northwestern (+27) over Ohio State
This one is tonight, so don’t wait. This is actually more of a lean than a premonition. The Buckeyes will win, on the road, probably by at least a couple of TDs. But I think the Wildcats in this spot will be able to keep it reasonably whatever. And OSU could be maybe peeking ahead to Wisconsin in a week. Or maybe not. That’s why you don’t get too carried away. But I see something along the lines of 38-17 or so, just because the Bucks can’t keep pounding everyone. Can they?
Be back soon with the pro picks, where we somehow went 6-1 a week ago, which of course is impossible. At least by my standards. But it just proves that every once in awhile you get the bear before it eats you.
But it's all about what have you done for me today.