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Minnesota +6½ over WISCONSIN (3:30 PM)<o></o>
We’ve always been big believers in playing on teams as soon as everyone jumps off and this is a prime example of that. The Golden Gophers were on a roll to begin the year, however, after a lopsided loss to Michigan and a devastating loss to a weak Indiana team last week, the whole world has written off the Gophers for dead. You can throw those two losses aside here and expect Minnesota to bring it all to the table this week. This is a big-time rivalry and the Gophers are not nearly as bad as their past two games would suggest. In fact, this is a dangerous doggie that could very well pull the upset. The Badgers offense continues to struggle and it’s quite possible this visitor can get on the board first and make this one very interesting indeed. Furthermore, the Badgers have played a bunch of weak offensive teams so their stellar defensive numbers are somewhat misleading. Sure, they’re 8-0 and can’t be better, however, they’ve played Central Florida, UNLV, Arizona, Penn St, Illinois, and Ohio St, and frankly, they couldn’t have hand-picked a six pack as weak offensively as those mentioned. They do deserve props for holding the Boilermakers to just 17 points, however, Purdue is not the juggernaut that they appeared to be early in the year. Gophers have been blown out the past two weeks and as a result of that, plus Wisconsin’s 8-0 mark and fifth place ranking, they’re overpriced here and we trust that this wounded Animal will give the Badgers much more then they bargained for. Possible upset. Play (#315) Minnesota +6½ (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o></o>
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Northwestern +3½ over PENN ST. (12:00 PM)<o></o>
If this is the sucker play of the week then shame on us, however, we can’t imagine not taking back points against this gruesome offense that can barely score 3½ points a game, let alone lay them. Northwestern has not won on the road this year but they have to feel pretty good about their chances here. Thus far, the Wildcats have four losses with three of those coming against nationally ranked Arizona State, Minnesota and Wisconsin and the other loss being on the road, in OT, in the season opener to TCU. That’s actually a pretty decent resume to take into this game. They also held the Boilermakers to 10 points last week and beat them 13-10. Aside from playing four ranked opponents, the Wildcats have also played Kansas and Ohio St, both wins, and they haven’t looked a bit out of place in any game thus far. This is a huge step down in class for them and even if they should lose, we highly doubt it’ll be by more then the points being offered. This Nittany Lions once proud program is about as anemic as it can possibly get with a QB or QB’s that belong at the high school level. Extremely tempting to play the Wildcats straight up but taking back 3½ points against this offense is like taking back 14 points against others. Play (#321) Northwestern +3½ (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o></o>
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Notre Dame +7 over TENNESSEE (3:30 PM)<o></o>
You’ll often hear us talking about “stepping in” at the right time and this is one of those times to be stepping in against Tennessee. The Vols are ranked ninth in the nation, however, there are plenty of concerns surrounding this host this week. Most notably is the fact that this Tennessee team has played a string of close, emotional games to put themselves in a virtual lock for a BCS bid. This game, despite being the Irish in town, really doesn’t have too much significance and the Vols focus will likely be off here. You see, they close out the last two weeks of the season against Vandy and Kentucky and those games are much more important then this one as wins will ensure them of a shot at the SEC title game, an opportunity they desperately want. Furthermore, the Vols 43-29 win over South Carolina last week was as misleading as any we’ve seen all year. The Gamecocks, despite a very average offense, racked up 30 first downs and more then 550 total yards on offense. By contrast, Tennessee had just 14 first downs and if not for South Carolina turnovers, the Vols would have found themselves on the losing end of that tilt. Lastly, the Irish are well rested, coming off a bye week and this Tennessee team is really banged up. This is a game they can relax in and get healthy for the more important ones coming up in the following two weeks. An upset is a distinct possibility and a cover is highly likely. Play (#367) Notre Dame +7 (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).</o>
fficeffice" /><o> Minnesota +6½ over WISCONSIN (3:30 PM)<o
></o>We’ve always been big believers in playing on teams as soon as everyone jumps off and this is a prime example of that. The Golden Gophers were on a roll to begin the year, however, after a lopsided loss to Michigan and a devastating loss to a weak Indiana team last week, the whole world has written off the Gophers for dead. You can throw those two losses aside here and expect Minnesota to bring it all to the table this week. This is a big-time rivalry and the Gophers are not nearly as bad as their past two games would suggest. In fact, this is a dangerous doggie that could very well pull the upset. The Badgers offense continues to struggle and it’s quite possible this visitor can get on the board first and make this one very interesting indeed. Furthermore, the Badgers have played a bunch of weak offensive teams so their stellar defensive numbers are somewhat misleading. Sure, they’re 8-0 and can’t be better, however, they’ve played Central Florida, UNLV, Arizona, Penn St, Illinois, and Ohio St, and frankly, they couldn’t have hand-picked a six pack as weak offensively as those mentioned. They do deserve props for holding the Boilermakers to just 17 points, however, Purdue is not the juggernaut that they appeared to be early in the year. Gophers have been blown out the past two weeks and as a result of that, plus Wisconsin’s 8-0 mark and fifth place ranking, they’re overpriced here and we trust that this wounded Animal will give the Badgers much more then they bargained for. Possible upset. Play (#315) Minnesota +6½ (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o
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></o>Northwestern +3½ over PENN ST. (12:00 PM)<o
></o>If this is the sucker play of the week then shame on us, however, we can’t imagine not taking back points against this gruesome offense that can barely score 3½ points a game, let alone lay them. Northwestern has not won on the road this year but they have to feel pretty good about their chances here. Thus far, the Wildcats have four losses with three of those coming against nationally ranked Arizona State, Minnesota and Wisconsin and the other loss being on the road, in OT, in the season opener to TCU. That’s actually a pretty decent resume to take into this game. They also held the Boilermakers to 10 points last week and beat them 13-10. Aside from playing four ranked opponents, the Wildcats have also played Kansas and Ohio St, both wins, and they haven’t looked a bit out of place in any game thus far. This is a huge step down in class for them and even if they should lose, we highly doubt it’ll be by more then the points being offered. This Nittany Lions once proud program is about as anemic as it can possibly get with a QB or QB’s that belong at the high school level. Extremely tempting to play the Wildcats straight up but taking back 3½ points against this offense is like taking back 14 points against others. Play (#321) Northwestern +3½ (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o
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></o>Notre Dame +7 over TENNESSEE (3:30 PM)<o
></o>You’ll often hear us talking about “stepping in” at the right time and this is one of those times to be stepping in against Tennessee. The Vols are ranked ninth in the nation, however, there are plenty of concerns surrounding this host this week. Most notably is the fact that this Tennessee team has played a string of close, emotional games to put themselves in a virtual lock for a BCS bid. This game, despite being the Irish in town, really doesn’t have too much significance and the Vols focus will likely be off here. You see, they close out the last two weeks of the season against Vandy and Kentucky and those games are much more important then this one as wins will ensure them of a shot at the SEC title game, an opportunity they desperately want. Furthermore, the Vols 43-29 win over South Carolina last week was as misleading as any we’ve seen all year. The Gamecocks, despite a very average offense, racked up 30 first downs and more then 550 total yards on offense. By contrast, Tennessee had just 14 first downs and if not for South Carolina turnovers, the Vols would have found themselves on the losing end of that tilt. Lastly, the Irish are well rested, coming off a bye week and this Tennessee team is really banged up. This is a game they can relax in and get healthy for the more important ones coming up in the following two weeks. An upset is a distinct possibility and a cover is highly likely. Play (#367) Notre Dame +7 (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).</o
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