Week 13 College Football Picks and Results

Tuesday
Bowling Green at Toledo (+6): Bowling Green has lost four straight, including one to Temple (their lone win of the season). Toledo hasn't faired too much better, but well enough for me to pick them at home in this one.
Toledo 28 Bowling Green 17
Toledo 31 Bowling Green 21 (1-0) (1-0)

Thursday
Boston College (+3.5) at Miami (Florida): Without Kyle Wright at quarterback and all the other adversity Miami has had to face throughout the season, it's tough for me to pick them in this one.
Boston College 21 Miami (Florida) 10
Miami (Florida) 17 Boston College 14 (1-1) (1-1)

Friday
Northern Illinois (+7) at Eastern Michigan: Northern Illinois has been up and down all year. They should carry some momentum with them into this game following their 31-10 blowout win over Central Michigan.
Northern Illinois 28 Eastern Michigan 14
Northern Illinois 27 Eastern Michigan 0 (2-1) (2-1)

Ohio (+3.5) at Miami (Ohio): At 8-3 and rolling as of late, Frank Solich's Bobcats should seal the deal on their way to the MAC title game.
Ohio 24 Miami (Ohio) 14
Ohio 34 Miami (Ohio) 24 (3-1) (3-1)

Kent State at Ball State (+4): Kent State has been very inconsistent during their 6-5 campaign. I look for them to finish the season on a high note against the Cardinals.
Kent State 24 Ball State 21
Ball State 30 Kent State 6 (3-2) (3-2)

Texas A&M at Texas (+13): Colt McCoy is expected to be back, but that's still not enough for me to take the 'Horns to cover the spread. Texas has the better team, but with McCoy's health being questionable and TAMU having a knack for playing the close games, I'm thinking this rivalry will not disappoint its fans.
Texas 31 Texas A&M 24
Texas A&M 12 Texas 7 (3-3) (4-2)

Central Michigan (+17) at Buffalo: CMU fell flat on their face in the loss to Northern Illinois last week. This will be a good bounce-back game against the 2-9 Bulls.
Central Michigan 31 Buffalo 17
Central Michigan 55 Buffalo 28 (4-3) (4-3)

Western Michigan at Akron (+2): The Zips need this one to finish with six wins and an outside chance at a bowl game. But, going up against the rugged and tough WMU defense, I don't think that'll happen.
Western Michigan 21 Akron 17
Western Michigan 17 Akron 0 (5-3) (5-3)

LSU (+1.5) at Arkansas: I'm pulling for the 'Hogs, but I like how LSU's defense matches up with the Arkansas offense more than Arkansas' defense with the LSU offense. It should be a good and semi low-scoring game, but I like LSU to officially end Arkansas' title dreams.
LSU 24 Arkansas 21
LSU 31 Arkansas 26 (6-3) (6-3)

Tulane at Tulsa (+6.5): Tulsa has lost three straight after starting the year 7-1. With the game at home, I like the Golden Hurricane to end their current skid.
Tulsa 31 Tulane 21
Tulsa 38 Tulane 3 (7-3) (7-3)

Colorado at Nebraska (+15): Will Colorado's offense make an appearance like they did in their two wins against Texas Tech and Iowa State? I'm not thinking so, but their defense should keep things from getting too ugly.
Nebraska 24 Colorado 10
Nebraska 37 Colorado 14 (8-3) (7-4)

Oregon at Oregon State (+3): The Ducks are struggling and should fall on the losing end in the Civil War in Corvallis unless they get things turned around and fast!
Oregon State 28 Oregon 21
Oregon State 30 Oregon 28 (9-3) (7-5)

Air Force (+11) at UNLV: UNLV is stuck at one win, with that win coming against a Division I-AA squad. They'll remain stuck at that one win following this game.
Air Force 24 UNLV 14
UNLV 42 Air Force 39 (9-4) (8-5)

Fresno State (+12) at Louisiana Tech: Following their brutal schedule in the first half of the season, Fresno has a chance to close the season out strong. Already winners of two in a row, this one should make that three.
Fresno State 31 Louisiana Tech 17
Fresno State 34 Louisiana Tech 27 (10-4) (8-6)

Saturday
South Florida at West Virginia (+19.5): USF has struggled some on the road this year. The only thing playing in their favor is the possibility of West Virginia overlooking them as they play Rutgers next week. Even if that's the case, I see the Mountaineers coming out victorious.
West Virginia 45 South Florida 21
South Florida 24 West Virginia 19 (10-5) (8-7)

Kentucky at Tennessee (+19): The Vols played exceptionally well last week against their in-state rivals Vanderbilt. Kentucky had a serious let-down against Louisiana-Monroe and nearly lost the game. UK should be focused again in Knoxville, not enough to pull off the upset, but enough to make things fairly interesting.
Tennessee 35 Kentucky 24
Tennessee 17 Kentucky 12 (11-5) (9-7)

Wake Forest at Maryland (+1.5): Neither team has won pretty this year and both are coming off devastating losses, as Maryland got beat down by Boston College 38-16 and Wake got similarly annihilated by Virginia Tech 27-6. With the game at home, I'm giving the slight edge to Maryland.
Maryland 24 Wake Forest 21
Wake Forest 38 Maryland 24 (11-6) (9-8)

East Carolina at NC State (+2.5): How can the Wolfpack be favorites? They lost by two touchdowns last week to then one-win North Carolina. I don't care what conference they play in, I'm going with ECU.
East Carolina 21 NC State 14
East Carolina 21 NC State 16 (12-6) (10-8)

Syracuse at Rutgers (+14.5): Will the Scarlet Knights bounce back like West Virginia and Louisville both did following their losses? Or will they collapse and fall flat on their face the rest of the way through due to that one flat effort and showing? With the game back at home, I'm thinking the former is more likely than the latter.
Rutgers 24 Syracuse 7
Rutgers 38 Syracuse 7 (13-6) (11-8)

Kansas at Missouri (+7): These two clubs are going in opposite directions and even with the game in Columbia, I give the edge to the Jayhawks.
Kansas 31 Missouri 24
Missouri 42 Kansas 17 (13-7) (11-9)

North Carolina (+6.5) at Duke: Here it is, Duke's last chance of the season to get a victory. Unfortunately for them, I'm not seeing it happen.
North Carolina 24 Duke 10
North Carolina 45 Duke 44 (14-7) (11-10)

UAB at Central Florida (+2): George O'Leary's Golden Knights have not played up to their expectations this season following a bowl appearance last year. In any case, UAB hasn't been playing well either and with the game at home, I look for UCF to close the year out with a win.
Central Florida 24 UAB 21
Central Florida 31 UAB 22 (15-7) (12-10)

San Diego State at New Mexico (+10): I'm not picking SDSU to beat the spread anymore. Just from saying that, they'll probably do it this week.
New Mexico 31 San Diego State 17
New Mexico 41 San Diego State 14 (16-7) (13-10)

Oklahoma (+6) at Oklahoma State: The Cowboys have a way of giving their inner-state rivals fits, especially in Stillwater. I look for recent history to repeat itself with OSU pulling off another win at home against the Sooners.
Oklahoma State 31 Oklahoma 28
Oklahoma 27 Oklahoma State 21 (16-8) (13-11)

SMU at Rice (+4): Both teams are playing better ball of late. SMU is bowl eligible at 6-5 following a win against Tulsa a week ago. Rice is also 6-5 and winners of five straight. Being on such a roll and with the game at home, I give the slight edge to Rice.
Rice 24 SMU 21
Rice 31 SMU 27 (17-8) (13-12)

New Mexico State (+6) at Utah State: Here it is! New Mexico State has the opportunity to beat a Division I-A team. Both their wins this season have come against Division I-AA clubs. Unless they lay a flat egg on offense, I see the Aggies doing just that.
New Mexico State 28 Utah State 21
New Mexico State 42 Utah State 20 (18-8) (14-12)

Marshall at Southern Miss (+7.5): The Thundering Herd needs this one to become bowl eligible. In Hattiesberg, that's going to be quite difficult. I do look for them to keep it close until the end, though.
Southern Miss 28 Marshall 21
Southern Miss 42 Marshall 7 (19-8) (14-13)

Florida (+10) at Florida State: The Gators are a ten-point favorite over FSU in Tallahassee? When's the last time that happened? Florida, while being 10-1, hasn't dominated many opponents in terms of final score. I'd be hard-pressed in seeing this game being anything different.
Florida 24 Florida State 17
Florida 21 Florida State 14 (20-8) (15-13)

BYU (+11.5) at Utah: BYU is rolling, winners of eight straight. Chalk up number nine as they beat their inner-state rivals by a couple touchdowns.
BYU 31 Utah 17
BYU 33 Utah 31 (21-8) (15-14)

Mississippi State at Mississippi (+3): The one thing that would shock me about the outcome of this game is if there were many points scored. Neither team's offense has fared all too well, while their defense has been aggressive, stingy, and what's kept them afloat in some ball games. At home in Oxford, I'm giving the slight edge to the Rebs.
Mississippi 17 Mississippi State 14
Mississippi 20 Mississippi State 17 (22-8) (16-14)

San Jose State (+7) at Idaho: Idaho is coming off a humiliating loss at the hands of 3-7 Fresno State. Look for them to fall again.
San Jose State 28 Idaho 14
San Jose State 28 Idaho 13 (23-8) (17-14)

Arizona State at Arizona (+4): Arizona has beaten: Washington State (6-6), California (8-3), and Oregon (7-4) consecutively to become 6-5 and become bowl eligible. ASU has been all over the place and is playing their rival at the wrong time.
Arizona 28 Arizona State 24
Arizona State 28 Arizona 14 (23-9) (17-15)

TCU (+9.5) at Colorado State: TCU is coming off a 52-0 shutout win over San Diego State and is playing some of their best ball of the season. Following a strong start (due to their weak schedule), CSU has struggled immensely. These trends should continue in this game.
TCU 31 Colorado State 14
TCU 45 Colorado State 14 (24-9) (18-15)

Cincinnati (+4) at UConn: This has all the ingredients of a let-down game for the Bearcats and UConn is not a team they want to have that fallback against. But with how tough a schedule they've played thus far and how competitive they've been against those teams (outside of the loss to West Virginia), I can't see this tough-nosed team doing that.
Cincinnati 17 UConn 10
Cincinnati 26 UConn 23 (25-9) (18-16)

Louisville (+12) at Pittsburgh: What happened to Pitt? This is a club that started the year 6-1, but have since lost four straight and it'll come as quite a shock if that doesn't become five after this game.
Louisville 38 Pittsburgh 24
Louisville 48 Pittsburgh 24 (26-9) (19-16)

Georgia Tech at Georgia (+2): Georgia has a very solid defense, but Tech's defense isn't to be overlooked. Offensively, GT definitely holds the advantage with one Calvin Johnson. If quarterback Reggie Ball can get him the football and avoid making mistakes, Tech should come out of Athens with a big W.
Georgia Tech 17 Georgia 14
Georgia 15 Georgia Tech 12 (26-10) (19-17)

Virginia at Virginia Tech (+17.5): Both teams are playing some of their best football of the season. Virginia Tech improved to 9-2 following the 27-6 dismantling of then one-loss Wake Forest a week ago on the road. Virginia improved to 5-6 following their 17-7 win over Miami. With the game at Lane Stadium, I like the Hokies in this one, but think the spread is a bit much.
Virginia Tech 24 Virginia 10
Virginia Tech 17 Virginia 0 (27-10) (20-17)

South Carolina at Clemson (+5): The Tigers have been struggling as of late and Carolina has been playing some good football, especially on the defensive end. Even though I think Clemson may be the more talented and better of the two teams, I'm leaning toward the Gamecocks to pull this one out.
South Carolina 24 Clemson 21
South Carolina 31 Clemson 28 (28-10) (21-17)

Notre Dame at USC (+7): When's the last time Notre Dame played a defense as good as USC's? Michigan. What happened in that game? They lost by twenty-six points. The Irish are coming off wins against: Stanford, Air Force, Navy, North Carolina, and Army. It'll be hard for them to go from playing the academies alongside a one-win Stanford club and a two-win North Carolina program to a 9-1 USC team at the Coliseum.
USC 31 Notre Dame 17
USC 44 Notre Dame 24 (29-10) (22-17)

Memphis at UTEP (+11.5): How inconsistent is UTEP this year? Geesh. Even so, at home, with Jordan Palmer at the helm, I like the Miners to break even for the year and pray for a bowl game at 6-6.
UTEP 35 Memphis 21
Memphis 38 UTEP 19 (29-11) (22-18)

Boise State (+3) at Nevada: This has to be one of the toughest games Boise State has had to face this year. How focused are they? Are they upset that they have no chance to go to the title game as an unbeaten? Or are they bound and determined to just go to a BCS bowl game? Nevada has won five in a row and eight of nine. I'm half-tempted to take the Wolfpack, but with how much is at stake in this game for the Broncos, I'm going to go with them by a field goal.
Boise State 31 Nevada 28
Boise State 38 Nevada 7 (30-11) (23-18)

Purdue at Hawaii (+17): Does Purdue want to show itself as being legit? Beat the 9-2 Warriors at their home stadium. Purdue has yet to beat a team with a winning record this year. I don't expect them to start there in this game.
Hawaii 49 Purdue 24
Hawaii 42 Purdue 35 (31-11) (23-19)

Troy at Middle Tennessee State (+9.5): This game is for the Sun Belt title. At home, I give the edge to the 7-4 Blue Raiders (only four losses to: Oklahoma, Louisville, Maryland, and South Carolina). I look for Troy to keep it fairly close, however.
Middle Tennessee State 24 Troy 17
Troy 21 Middle Tennessee State 20 (31-12) (24-19)

Arkansas State at Louisiana-Lafayette (+5): Just like with the previous Sun Belt game, I'm going to give the advantage to the home team.
Louisiana-Lafayette 28 Arkansas State 21
Louisiana-Lafayette 28 Arkansas State 13 (32-12) (25-19)

Florida International at Florida Atlantic (+4.5): Could the winless Golden Panthers win their one and only game against their inner-state rival? I'm not thinking so and neither is Howard Schnellenberger.
Florida Atlantic 24 Florida International 14
Florida Atlantic 31 Florida International 0 (33-12) (26-19)

North Texas at Louisiana-Monroe (+7): Flip a coin on this one. I'm going with the Mean Green of North Texas in a very close game.
North Texas 17 Louisiana-Monroe 14
Louisiana-Monroe 23 North Texas 3 (33-13) (26-20)

Week 13 Record For the Win: 33-13 (.717)
Overall Record For the Win: 453-168 (.729)
Week 13 Record Vs. the Spread: 26-20 (.565)
Overall Record Vs. the Spread: 305-316 (.491)