Pad Lock Nails Point Spreads, Bails Out Uncle Gil, Prompts Return
Despite going AWOL following a winless weekend three days earlier, our boy Gil Lock of Ryno Rife Sports 
Handicappers still managed to be the impetus for a positive contribution to the family effort. His nephew, Pad Lock, stepped in for his missing uncle and came up just a field goal shy of a perfect weekend. He won easily with Cincinnati over hapless Syracuse and used his special version of mathematics, “Arifemetic”, to predict that the Western Kentucky-North Texas matchup would go over by 50 points. If only New Mexico State had managed a three pointer in its 45-0 shellacking at the hands of Ohio State, Pad would be greeting his returning uncle with a spotless record. Much like his Aunt Jill, however, Pad has been asked to stay on and continue his streak. If only the same could be said for Gil.
It’s been a tough year for Mr. Lock, whose 7-10-1 record is dragging down the otherwise stellar performance of his family, Jill turned in another 2-1 week; putting her mark at an incredible 13-5. Asked where he disappeared to last week, Gil was vague. “I was ashamed of myself. It was my second winless week. I’ll give it another shot this week but my confidence is waning.” Touching, Gil. Now put down the violin and pick some winners.
Point Spreads: Week 10
Jill’s Locks of The Week
Ohio State Buckeyes +4 over Penn State
- This pick has to do more with cleanliness than anything else. Gil took me to Penn State for a game once and it smelled like cow chips all weekend. Besides, that really old guy that coaches Penn State will probably make everyone wear white again. I mean, really. White after Labor Day? The Buckeyes win by ten.
Boise State -20 over Louisiana Tech
I know it seems like I’m picking Boise every week but, hey, they’ve been good to me. If they’re going to a BCS bowl they have to win big so I’m staying with them. And their coach is such a cutie.
Texas A&M – 4 1/2 over Colorado
Can’t believe the lines are so small over Colorado. Not only do they stink, but the football gods have to still be mad at the head coach for benching his own son. Meanie. Last week Missouri was laying just 4 and beat Colorado by 19. Go with the Aggies.
Pad Locks
Pittsburgh -19 over Syracuse
- Two years ago, uncle Gil took me to the Garden to see Pitt vs. Duke. Pitt’s LeVance Fields blew up Duke’s Greg Paulus so completely that Coach K took him out of the game. I remember telling Gil that the beating could only have been more embarrassing if Fields had been allowed to hit him. Well, that’s gonna happen on Saturday when Pitt makes Paulus wish he was still wearing sneakers. Pitt huge.
Fresno – 6 1/2 over Idaho
- If there’s a team in the country comfortable playing on the road, it’s Fresno, who travels every year to play real competition. Besides, how could I not pick against Idaho after their poor showing vs. Nevada sent my uncle over the wall? Fresno by two touchdowns.
Troy-Western Kentucky over 67 1/2
- Yeah, that’s right. Over 67 1/2. Western Kentucky couldn’t stop an offense if they played with fourteen guys. Last week they gave up 68 points to a North Texas team that was 1-6 coming in. Troy might go over by themselves.
Gil Locks
Virginia Tech – 12 1/2 over East Carolina
(Tonight)- Hate picking against ECU because so many hot girls have gone there but Va. Tech really needs the game. Their athletes are way better, I love Tyrod Taylor and think that they’ll get a score on special teams. I also like that the game is tonight because I need to get back on the horse.
Utah -27 over New Mexico-
The forgotten BCS buster, Utah has lost just once since 2007. They still have TCU on their schedule and slim hopes for a BCS bid if Boise slips so they have to run it up on poor New Mexico.
Connecticut-Cincinnati under 52
- UConn has had trouble scoring against good teams all year and that should continue vs. the Bearcats. Cincy’s offense is not the same without QB Tony Pike so I don’t expect an explosion from them, either. I’m thinking along the lines of a 31-10 Cincinnati blowout.
our hero, 
go a pathetic 0-3 with his selections. He started out well enough, as Army took a noon kickoff from Ball State and marched down the field on its opening drive for a 7-0 lead. However, Ball State answered with a TD of its own and things went south from there for our good Mr. Lock. Army won the game 24-17 but failed to cover the 7 1/2 point spread. Baylor, matched up with one of Gil’s least favorite teams; Connecticut, turned everything around as the Bears lost by ten as a ten point favorite. Memo to Gil: Maybe UConn isn’t so bad. Finally, the Toledo Rockets failed to fire in their battle with Ohio State. The Buckeyes dominated to the tune of 38-0 and made a mockery of Mr. Lock’s affinity for the Mid America Conference. Maybe they’ll send their Men’s football team to Columbus next time. So, if you’re scoring at home, or worse; with your bookie, old Gil came up one short of the famous “blind squirrel.” It’ll take a lot of work to restore our faith and get back in our good graces but Lock assures me he’s up to the task. Let’s see who he’s chosen to lead him out of the darkness and into the light. Go ahead, Gil. Let out the leash.
Bowling Green led into the fourth quarter against Missouri before losing by seven; the final margin much closer to Lock’s line of 11 than the 19 you’d have had to lay in Vegas. Then, despite most of the world expecting a big 
won with Oklahoma State and looked good for awhile with Virginia Tech until Alabama decided to run it up in the fourth quarter. The North Carolina State selection was the one with the most severe consequences, as it forced anyone with a financial stake to stay with the 7-3 yawner through its conclusion. With a week under his belt, Gil seems very confident that he’s approaching his regular season form. We’ll see for ourselves, as he’s got three more for us this Saturday.