The Wiz of Odds

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 14 games.

Double D, Boston Herald: Southern Methodist is a 9-point underdog at Central Florida. The nearly double-digit head start seems a bit generous. Take the Mustangs and ride them to victory.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: Connecticut has won four in a row and can win the Big East title with a victory at South Florida. It would make for a great story, but it's not going to happen.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus says the NCAA didn't free Cam Newton just to have Auburn lose the Southeastern Conference title game. Take the Tigers and give the the points.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: The Friday night special. The Mid-American Conference title is on the line in Detroit and there's no stopping Northern Illinois, which has too much offense for Miami (Ohio).

Heisman Pundit: Lane Kiffin usually wins when all appears to be lost and he loses when all appears to be going well. Kiffin's USC Trojans will beat UCLA, but they won't get the cover. Take the Bruins and the points.

Erick Smith, Campus Rivalry: Landry Jones has been outstanding as Oklahoma totaled 100 points in defeats of Baylor and Oklahoma State in the last two weeks. Nebraska hasn't looked the same since Taylor Martinez went down because of an ankle injury. Take the Sooners to win the Big 12 title game.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 13 games.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: No team has played Boise State tougher than Nevada. The Wolf Pack are getting 14 points at home, and that's more than enough to get the cover.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: West Virginia's defense will be too much for Pittsburgh in the Backyard Brawl. The underdog Mountaineers are going to win straight up.

Double D, Boston Herald: Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs need a victory to become eligible for a bowl. A loss to Georgia Tech could mean that Richt is out of a job. Take Georgia and give the points.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus is loading up on favorites, including Alabama over Auburn.

Heisman Pundit: Ryan Mallett is going to have a big game and Arkansas will pull away from Louisiana State.

Erick Smith, Campus Rivalry: One can't imagine Bo Pelini's reaction if Nebraska were to lose to Colorado and miss the Big 12 title game. It won't happen. The Cornhuskers will roll, 35-19.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 12 games.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: Factual reasons Army will cover against Notre Dame. Army is eighth in the nation in rushing, averaging 272 yards a game. Notre Dame is 66th in rushing defense, giving up 155.2 yards a game. Army plays an option offense similar to Navy's. In Navy's 35-17 win over the Irish, the Middies rolled for 367 yards on the ground. Notre Dame is playing with more confidence than it did against Navy, but not well enough to cover.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: The Friday Night Special. Boise State has outscored Fresno State, 206-68, in its previous four games on the blue turf. Yes, it's a big number, but the Broncos will cover.

Double D, Boston Herald: Wisconsin is a 4-point favorite and figures to move the ball at will vs. Michigan. This could get ugly in a hurry. Lay the points.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus predicts Texas A&M will take care of business against Nebraska.

Heisman Pundit: This one won't be close. Take Ohio State and give the points against Iowa.

Erick Smith, Campus Rivalry: Oklahoma has had trouble on the road and is at Baylor. It won't be easy, but the Sooners should squeeze out a victory.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 11 games.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: Syracuse's only Big East win last year was over Rutgers, but Saturday will be payback time in Piscataway. The Scarlet Knights are going to run all over the Orange.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: The Friday Night Special. Idaho gave up 38 first downs and 844 yards in a 63-17 loss to Nevada last Saturday. Now Boise State is coming into Moscow and the Vandals are going to be worked over again. Take the Broncos and give the points.

Double D, Boston Herald: South Carolina's only chance to win the Southeastern Conference's East Division is to beat Florida in Gainesville, something it has never done in 12 tries. Give the points and take the Gators.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus believes Iowa will be laser-like in its focus against Northwestern and should have no trouble covering the spread.

Heisman Pundit: Utah, coming off a stinging loss to Texas Christian, will rebound at Notre Dame.

Erick Smith, Campus Rivalry: If you think California is going to upset Oregon, think again. The Ducks, who have outscored their opponents 87-7 in the fourth quarter, are going to roll.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 10 games.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: South Carolina has a problem. "It's called pass defense," Steve Spurrier said. On Saturday, Arkansas and quarterback Ryan Mallett come to Columbia. The pick? Easy. Take the Gamecocks and give the points.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: The Friday Night Special. Central Florida is at Houston in what could be a preview of the Conference USA championship game. The Knights, behind freshman quarterback Jeff Godfrey, have won four in a row. Look for them to make it five.

Double D, Boston Herald: Rich Rodriguez's hot seat is about to get a little warmer. Illinois is visiting the Big House and the Fighting Illini are going to put a hurting on the Michigan Wolverines.

Jon Wilner, College Hotline: Stanford is looking for revenge against Arizona, which rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat the Cardinal, 43-38, last season in Tucson. This year, the game's at Palo Alto.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus says Penn State's elevator is going up and the Nittany Lions should get the cover against Northwestern.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 9 games.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus has been distracted in recent weeks because he has been working on political campaigns. He told one candidate for the U.S. Senate that saying "I am not a witch" has always proved to be a poor choice for a campaign slogan. It didn't work in Salem, and it won't work now.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: The Friday Night Special. Connecticut struggled last week against Louisville, and now comes angry West Virginia, which was stunned at home by Syracuse. Take the Mountaineers and lay the points.

Double D, Boston Herald: Dion Lewis, who closed 2009 with eight consecutive 100-yard games, failed to reach the century mark in his first five games this season. Not coincidentally, Pittsburgh staggered to a 2-3 start. But Lewis appears to have found his footing and it's time to lay the points and take the Panthers against visiting Louisville.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: Coach Butch Jones' Cincinnati squad will cover as 3-point favorites over Syracuse, and could win by a lot if quarterback Zach Collaros can play.