The Picks

With the season record at 24-16-2, we enter a weekend chock full of big rivalry games. On one hand, the skills of the gambler should be finely honed this late in the season. Yet, on the other, the rivalry games are so filled with raw emotion as to make this one of the more unpredictable weekends of the year.

The two big games of the week are Ohio State at Michigan and Alabama at Auburn. In Ann Arbor, the Wolverines are three point underdogs to the Buckeyes. I think Ohio State is the best team in the Big Ten and will prove they can win a big game on the road. Give up the 3 points and bet Ohio State.

With 'Bamas bubble being burst and Auburn's confidence rising, I am on the Auburn bandwagon. But so are the bookies who've made the Tigers 7 point favorites against the Crimson Tide. I just can't bite on a spread that big in this all-important rivalry. Look for Alabama to lose late by 3; that means, take the Tide and the 7 point cushion.

Oregon is favored by 13.5 at home against Oregon State. The Beavers have killed themselves all season with turnovers. Last week their starting QB, Matt Moore, sprained a knee and will either play hurt or not at all. The Ducks, on the other hand, have given their backups three weeks of experience since starting QB Kellen Clemons went out with a season ending injury. Expect the Ducks to win big; give the points.

Michigan State has imploded while Joe Pa has proven he's still got it. Penn State is favored by 8 on the road against the Spartans. Look for the Nittany Lions to win big; give up the points.

In a nonrivalry game, two top twenty teams do battle when Fresno State visits USC. The Trojans are favored by 23.5. They Trojans'll build a big lead, but lose interest late. The Bulldogs will score a late touchdown in a 41-20 loss. Put the cash on Fresno State.