We knew Auburn’s offense was going to take a colossal step back when Cam Newton left for the NFL. Heck, the guy’s putting up monster numbers in his first two weeks as a legitimately paid professional.
But since when did an Auburn team forget how to defend? The Paper Tigers twice had 14-point leads at Clemson before being incapable of tackling a cheerleader — male or female.
Boston College lost at home to the worst program in a BCS conference — Duke. Where Eagles dare? Please. You dare not lose, no less fail to cover against Duke.
Lastly, the Profit would like to thank Tennessee for reminding us they see dead gators. They played the first quarter in Gainesville as if they need to change their boxers. Volunteers coach Derek Dooley is a guest on CBS studio show today and I’m seriously thinking of Tweeting — What Was That!
Anyway, the Profit did have a winning week and hopes to continue to build his nest egg despite being sidetracked by expansion. Speaking of which, we’re taking UConn and Rutgers to the ACC, -6 months.
TONIGHT
CINCINNATI (-7½) over NC State — The Bearcats can put up points and they can run the ball. Isaiah Pead is the best running back you haven’t seen. He’s been waiting for this spotlight game. Cincinnati doesn’t get to play many of them.
TOMORROW NIGHT
BYU (-2½) over Ucf — And you thought the shocking expansion sweeping the college football landscape has been the most stunning thing you’ve seen this season? Try this: BYU can’t score. The Cougars are 111th in scoring. They’re coming off a humiliating loss to rival Utah. Big bounce back game for the Stormin Mormons, who ride a home crowd surge.
SATURDAY
MICHIGAN (-10) over San Diego State — I am marketing a new rubber bracelet — WDVK: What Does Vegas Know? We know that this will be an emotional game for Michigan coach Brady Hoke, who was at San Diego State before returning to Ann Arbor. but this line is way too low. Wolverines romp.
Notre Dame (-6½) over PITTSBURGH — Todd Graham orchestrated the most painful defeat the Irish suffered last season when he led Tulsa to a win in South Bend just days after student Declan Sullivan was tragically killed when a lift collapsed. That will not help him Saturday. ND can be thrown on, but Tino Sunseri will get picked twice when he starts to force it.
MISSISSIPPI (+9½) over Georgia — An SEC home team, which plays good defense, getting this many points? Ole Miss was embarrassed last week at Vanderbilt. League home opener. Rebels keep it close until Georgia freshman Isaiah Crowell has the Ole Miss coeds crying in their sundresses.
MARYLAND (-9) over Temple — Terps showed heart in staging a comeback that fell just short of beating rival West Virginia. Owls had their hearts broken again, losing to Penn State late. Temple is emotionally spent.
Ohio (+4½) over RUTGERS — The Bobcats are 12th in the nation in rushing (248 per game), which allows their defense to stay off the field. It also puts pressure on opposing offenses to make something happen. This is a recipe for turnovers.
ALABAMA (-11½) over Arkansas — The Tide has settled on starting QB A.J. McCarron to go along with a defense that hits like Floyd Mayweather after the break. It’s the SEC opener. No letdown for the Tide.
CLEMSON (-2) over Florida State — Vegas doesn’t believe Florida State QB EJ Manuel is going to play as this line has moved 5 points. The Seminoles defense will keep them in the game but they won’t have the emotional juice and home crowd they had last week. If only Clemson was more consistent we’d make it a best bet.
Colorado (+15) over OHIO STATE —The Buffaloes are playing much better under new coach John Embree. The Buckeyes have survived Toledo and gotten dusted at Miami. Luke Fickell seems more and more like an interim coach each week.
MIAMI (-12½) over Kansas State —Vegas counting on a Miami letdown. We would have believed this in years past, but Al Golden won’t let it happen. And it’s K-State.
Oklahoma State (+4) over TEXAS A&M — The toughest game of the week to predict, loaded with subplots. A&M is headed to the SEC. Oklahoma State is not headed to the Pac-12. Cowboys have played a tougher schedule and no one has been able to stop their passing game. Aggies have a better defense and as loud a home field advantage as there is. Cowboys have won three straight. Ultimately, Aggies don’t have enough firepower to keep up.
KENTUCKY (+19½) over Florida —Every reason to pick against the Wildcats, starting with the fact that they have lost 24 straight to the Gators. Throw in the fact that they lost to in-state rival Louisville last week and have a confidence level lower than the unemployment rate. This is a gut pick. Gators used a lot of juice in last week’s beatdown of Tennessee. They haven’t played a road game, and new coach Will Muschamp needs to prove he can get a team to avoid the dreaded letdown.
Lsu (-5½) over WEST VIRGINIA —Simple. LSU has been in tons of these games over the last 10 years. WVU has not. Mountaineers will throw an emotional haymaker that the Bayou Bengals will absorb. Then LSU brings the hammer.
Missouri (+21) over OKLAHOMA —Mizzou QB James Franklin is a much better passer than what the Sooners saw last week in Tallahassee. Boomer Sooner sluggish after that win vs FSU.
BEST BETS: Michigan, BYU, ND
LAST WEEK: 9-6 overall; 2-1 best bets.
SEASON: 25-18-2 overall; 6-3 best bets