LAST SATURDAY — one that we would like to forget quicker than that blind date with your Aunt Sylvia’s niece from Cleveland who just moved here to pursue a career in holistic music therapy — belonged to the dogs.
Call Week 5 “Dog Day Afternoon,” as 11 of 15 underdogs covered. This week will be the Revenge of the Favorite. The Profit goes with 11 favorites, even one as bodacious as Oregon, which is giving 24 in today’s showcase against California.
Week 6 will see the cream begin to rise to the top. All three of our best bets — Clemson, Arkansas and LSU — are favorites, but we also love Syracuse, West Virginia and Nebraska.
Best dog on the board is Fresno State. The Bulldogs have the Friday Night showcase against Boise State, a program we rarely pick against. But QB Kellen Moore is tweaked and Fresno still loves its role as the Giant Killer, even if that giant isn’t in an AQ conference.
TONIGHT
OREGON (-24) over California — The entire nation can watch the league in which defense is optional. Oregon leads the nation in scoring (55 points). Cal is 15th (39 points). But Cal has played a schedule softer than a pompom. And Autzen Stadium gets so loud you’d rather be at a birthday party for 5-year-olds.
TOMORROW
FRESNO ST. (+20½) over Boise St. — Before Boise State became the poster child for a non-BCS school willing to take on the big boys and win, Fresno State made a run at it but never won those key games. Now it’s a big dog at home to the program that did it. Kellen Moore is coming off a two-interception game against Nevada and was wearing a brace on his right knee (plant leg).
SATURDAY
Oklahoma (-10) over Texas in Dallas — Three questions surround this game: Are the Sooners good enough to compete with Alabama and/or LSU? Is Texas back? And, how much bad blood is there considering the Longhorns almost torpedoed the Big 12 by flirting with every league outside of the MLS? Answers: No. Sort of. Plenty. Bottom line: Longhorns do not get enough pressure on the Sooners to disrupt Landry Jones and his receivers.
W. VIRGINIA (-19½) over UConn — The Mountaineers are scoring 16 more points per game than the Huskies, who have lost 3-of-4. Noon start helps Huskies, but by early fourth quarter the couches burn along with anyone sucked in by the big spread.
CLEMSON (-21) over Boston College — Why isn’t this spread larger? Clemson is playing like the best team in the ACC. Boston College playing like the worst team in the Big East (get it?).
Iowa (+4) over PENN STATE — It’s a field goal game. In fact, one field goal might be all that’s scored.
VIRGINIA TECH (-7½) over Miami — Toughest game to call. If you forget the Hokies’ 66-point outburst in their opening-game win over Appalachian State, they’re averaging a paltry 19 points per game. Hard to imagine a Frank Beamer team losing back to back home games, but Miami can’t stop the run (105th run defense) and Virginia Tech can run it (34th rush offense).
Pittsburgh (-6½) over RUTGERS — The Scarlet Knights had five yards rushing last week at Syracuse. Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham had 221 more against South Florida. Panthers will bang Rutgers up the gut until the team dinner comes up.
Air Force (+16) over NOTRE DAME — Catholics vs. Cockpits. Catholics win fourth straight, but not without having their knees capped by Air Force’s crab-blocking attack.
LSU (-13½) over Florida — Florida starting QB John Brantley (ankle) won’t play. His backup, Jeff Driskel, has a sprained ankle. The Gators, after the beatdown they took from Alabama, will arrive in buses painted white with a huge red cross on the side.
ARKANSAS (-10) over Auburn — The Hogs staged one of the great comebacks in school history last week, rallying to beat Texas (Oops, I did it Again) A&M. QB Tyler Wilson has made Arkansas fans forget Ryan Mallett. Auburn’s rushing offense (106th nationally) can’t keep the Hogs off the field and the Tigers’ 74th-ranked pass defense can’t stop the Wilson Ball Company.
Georgia (-1) over TENNESSEE — I love my SEC brethren. Here’s why: Only in the SEC can a man with a record of 99-36 overall, 2-1 in BCS bowl games and two league titles have two websites dedicated to getting him fired. Don’t look now but if Mark Richt’s Dawgs win, despite those two opening-season losses (Boise State and South Carolina), they’re tied for first in the SEC East. Tennessee is too careless with the ball. Rocky Flop.
N’WESTERN (+7½) over Michigan — Reports the grounds crew at Ryan Field have already ordered new turf can’t be confirmed, but it makes sense. The Wildcats are 24th in the nation in rushing offense (207.75). The Wolverines are 65th in rush defense (150.25). Conversely, Michigan is 7th in rush offense (293.25). Northwestern is 89th in rush defense. Whoever has the ball last wins.
Syracuse (-10) over TULANE — Tulane has lost its last two giving up 48 and 45 points to the juggernauts known as Duke and Army. Doug Marrone screams, “Jumbalaya!” as his teams rolls the Green Wave.
NEBRASKA (-11) over Ohio State — “How could anyone pick the Huskers after watching that creamed corn performance in Madison?” Here’s how: The Buckeyes continued the suspensions of their top RB Dan Herron and top WR DeVier Posey from 2010 for receiving impermissible benefits. They are fresh off a 10-7 loss to Michigan State, after which interim coach Luke Fickell speculated he might re-open the competition for starting QB. This is Nebraska’s first-ever Big Ten home game. Can of corn for Big Red.
BEST BETS: Clemson, LSU, Arkansas
LAST WEEK: 5-10; 1-2 in best bets
SEASON: 38-35-2 overall; 9-6 in best bets