Wisconsin (-16¹/₂) over MINNESOTA: Wisconsin may have a new head coach, but its pounding, run-down-your throat approach hasn’t changed. The Badgers rushing attack is now averaging 307 yards per game and 6.9 yards per carry in conference action while the Gophers’ rush defense has allowed 5.9 yards per carry the last three games. Wisconsin’s style of offense allows it to go on the road in any weather condition. In the last four seasons when tabbed as a double-digit favorite, it is 7-0, winning by an average of 28 points. The Badgers have beaten the Gophers by 24 points per game their last three meetings and will handle them again.
LSU (-4¹/₂) over Texas A&M: Tiger Stadium ranks among the strongest home edges in college football and LSU has gone 31-2 there with its two losses both coming versus teams that were ranked No. 1 in the AP poll. A&M, meanwhile, is traveling for only the third time this season and struggled against this same defense last year, scoring only 19 points at home. LSU has allowed more than 420 yards in only two home games the last four years, and while it did happen this season, it was to my No. 8 offense (Auburn), while A&M ranks slightly higher with my No. 3 ranking. The Aggies’ two losses this season have come when they scored 41 and 42 points, and LSU has not allowed over 35 points at home in a game since 2008.
LAST WEEK (NCAA): 1-1
SEASON: 11-12-1