The Wiz of Odds

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 8 games.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: There was a time when even the thought of taking Navy and seven points against Notre Dame could get you arrested. But the Midshipmen, after losing 43 in a row to the Fighting Irish, have won two of the last three. Anchors Aweigh!

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus says Minnesota, a 9-point home underdog to Penn State, has to stand up and make a positive statement at some point this season, don't they?

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: Never doubt the King of the Friday Night Special. He nailed last week's Cincinnati-Louisville game and is back on the Bearcat bandwagon. Cincinnati will brush aside visiting South Florida, 31-20. Book it!

Jon Wilner, College Hotline: OK, he missed on the UCLA-Oregon game, but his other three Pac-10 picks are guaranteed winners.

Double D, Boston Herald: Air Force racked up 351 rushing yards in a 27-24 loss to BCS leader Oklahoma in Week 3. Now Texas Christian, No. 5 in the BCS, gets its shot at the Falcons. Lay the points and take the Horned Frogs.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 7 games.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: Boston College has scored only 30 points in its last three games and is 104th in scoring offense. Florida State, under new defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, is 16th in scoring defense and leads the nation in sacks. This one is easy. Take the Seminoles and give the points.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus was off his game last week, going a weak 1-2. But his season record of 12-8 is still good enough to live on. This week? Glory, pure glory.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: The Friday night special. Charlie Strong has Louisville playing better, but Cincinnati won't be giving up the Keg of Nails. The Bearcats win, 34-27.

Jon Wilner, College Hotline: Washington State is bad, but the betting public still thinks they're atrocious. Take the Cougars, who are playing at home, and the 24 points against Arizona.

Double D, Boston Herald: Baylor needs only two more wins in its last six games to become bowl eligible. The Bears won't miss an opportunity for an easy victory at Colorado. Lay the points and take the guys from Waco.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 6 games.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: Picking Florida one week after being manhandled by Alabama might seem preposterous. Picking Louisiana State seems more preposterous. In fact, preposterous sums up LSU under Les Miles. Miles parlayed the national championship he won in 2007 with Nick Saban's players into a $4-million-a-year job. This is like asking former JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater to help you with your bags. Mayhem. Take Florida and give the points.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Last week, Hlastradamus went 5-0, raising his season record to 11-6, a 65% winning clip. Does the prophet rest on his laurels? Never.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: The Friday night special. Connecticut, which leads the Big East in scoring, is on the road at Rutgers, which is trying to rebound from an embarrassing loss to Tulane. You have to like the Huskies to not only win, but cover the spread.

Jon Wilner, College Hotline: Stanford should put up plenty of points against the vulnerable USC defense, but the Trojans have enough speed, playmakers and run-pass balance to keep pace with Stanford. Note that the road team has won the last four, and USC hasn’t lost at Stanford in a decade.

Double D, Boston Herald: Georgia is only 9-9 in its last 18 games and an even worse 2-7 in its last nine Southeastern Conference contests. It has never held the lead in its three league games this season, but all that is about to change. The Bulldogs are going to take Tennessee to the woodshed.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 5 games.

Brett McMurphy, FanHouse: According to team rules implemented by Kansas' Turner Gill, the Jayhawks are not allowed to be with a female past 10 p.m., no matter if the female is visiting the player or a player is visiting the female. Also, the day before each game, players must turn in their cell phones to Kansas' coaches. The cell phones are then returned after the game. This one is easy. Take Baylor and give the points.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: The storyline calls for Michigan State to defeat Wisconsin for returning coach Mark Dantonio. The reality is that the Badgers are the better team. Take Wisconsin and give the points.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Last week was an abject disaster for Hlastradamus. Three predictions, three blunders. The prophet needs to join John Stewart's rally to restore sanity. Namely, his own. If he doesn't get at least three correct this week, he promises to get out of the prognosticating business and run for mayor of Chicago.

Double D, Boston Herald: Iowa, which is No. 1 in overall defense, has given up only five scores (four touchdowns) in nine trips to the red zone by opponents. Lay the points and take the Hawkeyes, playing at home, against Penn State.

Jon Wilner, College Hotline: Stanford has covered its past three road games (USC, UCLA and Notre Dame) and every game (home or road) this season … and it has covered them easily. Take the Cardinal and the points on the road at Oregon.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: It's time for the Friday night special. Brigham Young has a freshman quarterback making his first start on the road against Utah State. The Cougars will win, but won't cover the spread.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 4 games.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: Notre Dame is taking a standing eight count after last week's loss at Michigan State. In comes Stanford, which is raging to snap a seven-game losing streak in Notre Dame Stadium. Back up the Brink's truck and load up on the Cardinal.

Brett McMurphy, FanHouse: A bad week for Alabama. Leonard Skinner, the stern, hard-as-nails coach and gym teacher whose name was adapted for the rock group "Lynyrd Skynyrd," died at the age of 77. Skynyrd's biggest hit, "Sweet Home Alabama," is a rallying cry for the Crimson Tide. However, Arkansas is home on Saturday, not Alabama. Take the Razorbacks and the points.

Double D, Boston Herald: USC might not be the team it was in past years, but the Trojans still have a boatload of talent. Covering 22 points against lowly Washington State will not be a problem.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus is winning at a 66.7% clip, a rate that will have you living in Monte Carlo instead of cleaning the swimming pool of some guy named Carlo. This week, the man is urging you to take Oklahoma, on the road at Cincinnati.

Jon Wilner, College Hotline: Arizona emptied the tank last week against Iowa and he's taking California and the points against the Wildcats on Saturday night in Tucson.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: He's taking Texas Christian and laying the 17.5 points against Southern Methodist in his Friday Night Special.

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 3 games.

Double D, Boston Herald: In two games, Duke has given up more than 400 yards to something called Elon and 54 points to Wake Forest. Up next is No. 1 Alabama, and the Crimson Tide should have no trouble laying the lumber and covering the 24-point spread. Roll, Tide, Roll!

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus is off to a 5-1 start, and if this keeps up, he'll be banned from every casino in Vegas. To get this week's winners, click here.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: Nebraska freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez is an athlete playing quarterback, not a quarterback that's athletic. He's starting his first game on the road in the hostile environment of Husky Stadium. This one is Taylor-made for Washington. Take the points and the Huskies.

Jon Wilner, College Hotline: Oklahoma could be primed for a clunker, so he's flying high with the Air Force and the points in Norman. In the Pacific 10, he's picking Arizona to win a nail-biter against Iowa.

Brett McMurphy, FanHouse: He's making Oregon State his pick of the week.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: He's 0-2 on his Friday night specials, but the skid is about to come to an end. He's taking Southern Mississippi and laying the points against Kansas.