Sports

Champs or chumps

Crunch time. This is the final Piggy Profit of the regular season. We’ve been strong on best bets but pedestrian overall. We need a big week to keep our head above water and our knees from being broken.

TONIGHT

West Virginia (-1 1/2) over S. FLORIDA — The Mountaineers have been less than impressive yet they get to the last weekend of the season with a chance to clinch a BCS berth. The Bulls have lost two straight and six of seven.

TOMORROW

N. Illinois (-3 1/2 ) over Ohio in Detroit —The Huskies have played a tougher non-conference schedule. They have a terrific QB in Chandler Harnish. Ohio has developed into a very solid program over Frank Solich. If the Bobcats can control pace during the MAC Championship Game they can win and/or cover. But if the Huskies turn it into a shootout …

OREGON (32) over Ucla —The Bruins come into the Pac-12 title game with a coach, Rick Neuheisel, that has been fired. That was a fait accompli after getting annihilated 50-0 by USC. The only reason the Bruins are in this game is because the Trojans are not eligible and the Pac-12 South Division was the biggest flop in college football. Oregon, at home, at night, with the Rose Bowl on the line.

SATURDAY

HOUSTON (-13 ) over S. Miss — The Cougars haven’t been waiting to play in the Conference USA title game for a year. They’ve been waiting two years. Houston thought it would win it all last year until Case Keenum went down. Southern Miss is a solid program but its two losses were on the road vs. two bad (Marshall, UAB) teams.

Syracuse (+10 1/2) over PITTSBURGH — Both teams need this game to become bowl eligible. Pitt wins, but doesn’t deserve the spread.

CINCINNATI (-9 1/2 ) over UConn — Do not touch this game until Saturday. If West Virginia wins at South Florida, the Bearcats can’t get the Big East’s BCS berth. If the Mountaineers lose and Cincy wins, the Bearcats go big-time bowling. Since we must pick today, how can you bet against a team led by a QB named Munchie Legaux ?

KANSAS ST. (-11) over Iowa St. — There is no team that plays harder than Iowa State. Unfortunately, the Cyclones just don’t have a lot of talent. Take Bill Snyder and his seniors at home.

Wyoming (-5 1/2) over COLORADO ST. — The Rams have lost seven straight.

BAYLOR (-2 1/2) over Texas — Robert Griffin III can move to the head of the Heisman class by dazzling the huge contingent of Texas voters. The Bears can win 10 games for the first time since 1980. Texas is tough against the run, but RG III is a dual-threat monster. Gut pick: Taking the Bears at home.

Lsu (-13 1/2 ) over Georgia in Atlanta — Georgia has won nine straight, but had a very easy SEC schedule. The Tigers almost surely will play in the BCS title game regardless of the outcome of the SEC Championship Game game. Don’t expect them to take a chill. However, if the Tigers have comfortable lead late, Les Miles might rest a few starters.

Byu (-7 1/2) over HAWAII — Historically we have jumped on the Warriors getting points at home. But BYU, which has won seven of its last eight, is one of the few teams that handles that trip well.

SAN DIEGO ST. (-8) over Fresno St. — All four of the Aztecs’ losses have been to teams with winning records in the Top 50. The Bulldogs have lost three of four and the one win was a three-pointer at scandal-ridden Hawaii.

OKLAHOMA ST. (-3) over Oklahoma — The Cowboys are tired of living in the shadow of the Sooners. Key injuries to OU have taken their toll. This is Okie State’s time.

Virginia Tech (-7) over Clemson in Charlotte — Clemson hasn’t just lost its edge, it’s gone dull. The Tigers lost their last two games by a combined score of 71-26 as they head into the ACC Championship Game. Tech has won seven straight since a loss to Clemson. The Hokies are accustomed to playing in these big games. The Tigers are not.

Wisconsin (-9 1/2
) over Michigan St. in Indianapolis — It’s a rematch in the Big Ten title game. The Spartans won the first meeting on that crazy deflected pass that was caught in the end zone in the final seconds. But when faced with elite competition, Sparty just doesn’t measure up.

BEST BETS — Houston, Cincinnati, San Diego State

LAST WEEK — 8-7; Best bets 2-1

SEASON — 98-95-2 overall; 25-14 in best bets