Back to School, Week 7.

In shocking news Sports Illustrated ran a tell all cover story this week in which former agent Josh Luchs reveals that he paid college football players and it is a very common practice. In other news, the earth is round. The article was interesting because it goes into great detail about the practice and names names, but really, the thing that surprised me was how little these guys were and are getting paid. Usually the amounts were about $500 a month. It's worth the read and worth seeing which players copped to the truth when contacted by SI and which denied it. That, and who declined the money are the more interesting story lines in my opinion.

We had our first losing week last week going 4-5, putting the blog at 14-11 on the college season. Auburn should have taken care of business at Kentucky but settled for a late FG to win by 3 when they were laying 6.5. Baylor had a chance, but a porous secondary and terrible end-of-game clock management undid them. We'll look to do better this week.

Florida St. -21.5 vs. Boston College
Another week, another line I really don't understand. Since getting waxed at Oklahoma in Week 2, the Seminoles have put up more than 30 in each of their four wins while giving up an average of ten. Boston College stinks. They have lost three straight, are offensively challenged and gave up 44 on the road last week at NC State. I would have made this line 27. The Noles look like great value to me and hopefully they get the Saturday schedule off on the right side of the ledger.

NC St. -7 at East Carolina
ECU should change their nickname from Pirates to Pumice given how porous their defense has been. They have given up at least 40 points in every game but one. In that one they held Memphis to 27. Memphis has scored 20 points in its last three games--total. You get the picture. NC St. is the best team in the country that nobody is paying attention to. They've scored at least 28 in every game. The over/under is 68, but even adjusting for home field I don't see ECU keeping pace. Wolfpack by two touchdowns.

Ohio St. -4 at Wisconsin
If you are reading this you probably know that lines of 4 and 5 mean Vegas isn't really sure what to do and they let the public sort it out. Playing in Madison under the lights will certainly be a challenge for the Buckeyes. The Badgers have won 13 of their last 14 at home and 25 of 28 under the lights, but this is the game I think Terrelle Pryor puts his name front and center in the Heisman race. I don't see Wisconsin's running attack doing enough to keep up with the dual threat nature of Pryor and his offense. Go Buckeyes.

Baylor -1 at Colorado
The Buffs are 3-0 at home and 0-2 on the road, but they might lose every game in the Big 12 after getting smoked by Missouri 26-0 last week. They are 106th in the country in points averaging 18 a game. Baylor's secondary is terrible, but Colorado can't throw. Baylor will score thirty and cover this one.

Here are some other picks (not leans). If I get a chance to write them up before Saturday I will.
Miami -19.5 at Duke; Michigan St. -7 vs. Illinois; Clemson -14 vs. Maryland