Not a big fan of rivalry week as it adds some intangibles that you can't really cap. Here goes:
I'm taking Houston -12.5. The last eight years, Houston has beaten Tulane by 56, 19, 28, 28, 24, 38, 21 and 21. Houston is not as good as in the past but, Tulane is the same...I think we can cover.
Duke has regressed and Miami (-6) has improved. The more athletic team should be able to win and cover...you can find some 5's and 5.5's as of today.
I'm going to stick with two teams that have been undervalued all year...Vandy -12 versus WF and Oklahoma State +8 versus OK. Vandy is particularly strong in the 2H...Wake is not as bad as they looked last week but, I think they were beaten up a bit and Vandy is also a physical team. Oklahoma has lost twice at home already and if you look at the common opponents, I think this number is twice as high as it should be strictly on reputation. Stoops may have to fire his brother as D-coordiator after one year.
I'm going to roll with Washington -11 versus WSU. Even emotional motivation doesn't go very far when you don't have the players. Wash QB has a big, big day.
On Virginia getting 10.5 versus Virginia Tech. Nothing that has happened thus far this year that warrants VT as a big fav.
I also love Rutgers +2 versus Pitt. Rutgers has proven being on the road is not a problem, Pitt has proven that they show up about a third of the time. Rutgers has the potential to be in the BCS and they will be aware that those bowl scouts are watching. Take away Pitt's running game and you are left with 3-4 turnovers.
Next tier of games include LSU -12 at Arkansas..this would be a higer rated play but, the Tigers have lost in their last two visits to Ark. I think their offense is rolling and The Hat will want some style points.
Also will be waiting for numbers to be posted on ND and FSU. Florida's starting QB situation really makes no difference as Driskel has not been a strong contributor to the offense. (will also be on both of these teams in the 1H)
I'm going to take ASU +3 over Arizona and N Illinois (-20) too.
Good luck on your plays this week.