Overall record: 9-6 (.600)
This week was good to us. We took a bad loss with Tulsa, but 4 out of 5 is pretty good. If we could do that every week... goodness gracious. Now, with a 3-week sample size for most teams, the lines will get closer, so it may be kinda tough from here on out. Luckily we got some wins in the first 3 weeks. Currently, we're averaging 3-2 every week, and that's not too shabby.
1. Toledo @ Cincinnati (-10) | WINNER (Cinci 58 - Toledo 34)
Friday 6pm CT | ESPNU | Cincinnati, OH
Cinci took advantage of a depleted Toledo team, and a raucous opening home crowd, then rode QB Gunner Kiel and his 6 passing TDs to a big win. We thought they'd come out and hammer the Rockets, and they proved us right. Started out strong, then let Toledo get a lil closer... but ultimately rolled off with a 24 point win.
2. Arkansas (+1.5) @ Texas Tech | WINNER (Arkansas 49 - Texas Tech 28)
Saturday 2:30pm CT | ABC | Lubbock, TX
Arkansas ran for eleventy billion yards and Texas Tech had absolutely no answer for it. The Hogs have two NFL running backs in the backfield, and they combined for 6 TDs on the day, along with over 300 yards rushing. Texas Tech looked like their offense could keep up in the first half, but Arkansas's adjustments at the half held the Raiders to only 7 points after halftime.
3. Illinois @ Washington (-13) | WINNER (Washington 44 - Illinois 19)
Saturday 3pm CT | FOX | Seattle, WA
Chris Peterson's offense finally came to live against a terrible Illinois team. How this line was only 13 still boggles my mind, considering how poorly coached the Illini are. Washington has players, and the coaching to make them a contender in the Pac-12.
4. Tulsa (+1) @ Florida Atlantic | LOSER (FAU 50 - Tulsa 21)
Saturday 6pm CT | FCSA | Boca Raton, FL
We knew Tulsa gave up 52 points to Oklahoma... but 50 to Florida Atlantic? That's a disgrace. There was always a chance they'd lose, but to be blown out by this team is a disgrace. Bad pick on my part.
5. Northern Illinois (-10) @ UNLV | WINNER (Northern Illinois 48 - UNLV 34)
Saturday 6pm CT | MWC Video Online | Las Vegas, NV
NIU looked the part on offense... but their defense giving up 34 to UNLV was terrible. This was a lot closer than I anticipated, but we got a 14 point win, which covered the 10 point line and left us with a 4-1 week. I'll be looking for a lot of people to undervalue this team as the season progresses.
Here are the opening lines I'm keeping an eye on this week...
Auburn @ Kansas St (+9) *Thursday night
Tulane @ Duke (-16.5)
Indiana @ Missouri (-14.5)
Northern Illinois (+15) @ Arkansas
Oklahoma @ West Virginia (+8.5)
Utah (+5.5) @ Michigan
