by Eddie Mayrose

As soon as the dust settled on the South Carolina Gamecocks’ upset victory over previously unbeaten Alabama, the BCS spin doctors kicked into high gear while trying to protect what they perceive to be the integrity of the controversial system used to determine college football’s national championship.

Strength of schedule is the most common, and tired, argument offered as the reason schools from conferences that don’t automatically qualify for the BCS should not be part of the equation.  As if a one-loss team from the SEC merits more consideration than Boise State, a team that’s lost but once in three seasons while winning  both of its BCS Bowl games. Or a TCU squad that was two seconds away from playing for last year’s title.  Had Nebraska held on in the Big XII title game, the Horned Frogs would’ve squared off with Alabama instead of the overmatched Longhorns.  Then there’s Utah, sporting a 9-2 record against BCS opponents since 2007 and, before Saturday,  the last team to beat Alabama.

Until a playoff system is established, (don’t hold your breath), the championship of college football will always be tainted.  Worse, the current system is little more than a conspiracy among the BCS conferences to keep the television dollars in their own pockets while college football fans are cheated of the games they’d really like to see.  As for Boise, TCU, Utah and Nevada, they’ll have to keep smacking the overrated BCS schools around and hope that someone notices.

CollegeSportsView.com Top 25

1  Boise State  (5-0)
2  Oregon  (6-0)
3  TCU  (6-0)
4  Nebraska  (5-0)
5  Ohio State  (6-0)
6  Oklahoma  (5-0)
7  Utah  (5-0)
8  South Carolina  (4-1)
9  Alabama  (5-1)
10 Auburn  (6-0)
11 LSU  (6-0)
12 Stanford (5-1)
13 Nevada  (6-0)
14 Oklahoma State  (5-0)
15 Michigan State   (6-0)
16 Missouri  (5-0)
17 Arizona  (4-1)
18 Florida State  (5-1)
19 Arkansas  (4-1)
20 Wisconsin (5-1)
21 Iowa  (4-1)
22 NC State  (5-1)
23 Air Force  (5-1)
24 Kansas State  (4-1)
25 Oregon State  (3-2)

Five to Watch

Michigan  (5-1)
Florida  (4-2)
Northwestern  (5-1)
Texas  (3-2)
Miami (Fla)  (3-2)

by CollegeSportsView.com

Had a riotous conversation the other day with our good friend, Gil Lock, of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers. Turns out that, not only did Gil turn in a perfect 3-0 for CollegeSportsview.com last weekend, but he liked five other games, as well, each of which was also a winner.  However, Gil’s perfect Saturday wasn’t enough to help a hapless old friend who just won’t listen.  I’ll let Gil take it from here.

“I have a good friend; much older than I am, who I met way back when I was a teenager.  I was a counselor in training (CIT) at North Star summer camp somewhere in northern New England.  Tripper was one of the counselors there; the kind of guy all the kids liked.  I can’t remember what he did in the winter; I think he drove a beer truck.” 

“Anyway, Tripper is the worst gambler I’ve ever met. The guy can’t pick his nose.  Horses, baseball, football; you name it, he’s lost money on it.  Tragically, though, no matter how much I try to help him, he goes the other way and ends up making the long walk to the bunkhouse.  But Saturday was the topper. It would have been bad enough if he’d just ignored the eight winners I gave him.  But this meatball decided to go the other way on three and then pick three of his own, all of whom failed to fire.  Poor Tripper. Can’t get out of his own way.”

Jill Lock had a little bit of the Tripper flu, herself, last week as she lost all three games.  Pad Lock was 1-1-1 and is still shaking his head over Oklahoma State’s terrible fourth quarter while Uncle Gil, to Tripper’s dismay, crushed the schedule.  Here’s how the Locks see week 6.

Locks of the Week: (28-13-4)

Gil Lock (10-4-1)

Navy -3 1/2 over Wake Forest- The Middies’ loss to Air Force essentially cost them the Commander in Chief trophy and they’ll take that frustration out on the Demon Deacons.  

California -7 1/2 over UCLA-  The Golden Bears take advantage of a UCLA letdown in Berkeley.  The Bruins looked very sloppy last week vs. Wazzou.

Stanford – 7 over USC- After getting kicked around by Oregon, the Cardinal will be plenty ticked on Saturday; bad news for lil’ Lane Kiffin and his Trojans.

Jill Lock (10-5

UNLV + 27 1/2 over West Virginia- I met Gil in Vegas and have a soft spot in my heart for them.  Besides, West Virginia is a gloomy state.

Notre Dame – 8 over Pittsburgh- Has anyone seen Notre Dame’s new coach?  He’s so neatly dressed on the sideline.  As for Pittsburgh, see above note on West Virginia.

Fresno State – 11 1/2 over Hawaii-  Gil’s a native Hawaiian so he gets mad when I pick against them so… that’s why I pick against them.

Pad Lock (8-4-3)

Oklahoma State – 24 over Louisiana-Lafayette-  I’m still mad at the Cowboys for blowing a two TD lead last week but I’ll get over it. Uncle Gil worries about letdown games but I don’t.  Okie St. averaging 52 PPG.

Boise State – 39 over Toledo-  I’d lay 60 in this one. Boise scored 59 last week and dropped a spot in the polls. They’ll have to roll everyone to get to the BCS title game.

New Mexico-New Mexico State Over 51- Two most dreadful teams in College Football. Someone’s gotta win this game, and it’ll be whom ever has a less horrific defense. They both stink.

by CollegeSportsView.com

Last year, Gil Lock would’ve done anything to post a 7-2 record over the course of a College Football weekend.  Not so in 2010, however, as last week’s stellar mark was actually a step down from an undefeated Week One.

“Actually”, said the native Hawaiian, “last season was the anomaly.”  “Maybe it’s the competition with my wife and nephew bringing out the best in me, but I really feel like I’m back on my game.”

Apparently so, even though the good Mr. Lock failed to mention that his wife is currently undefeated and leading him by a game.  Let’s see how they fare this week.

College Football Locks of the Week

Gil Lock (5-1)

Notre Dame +3  1/2 over Michigan State- The Irish had no trouble scoring against Michigan last week while QB Dayne Crist was on the field.  That he sat for most of the first half put the Domers in too much of a hole.  I’m not impressed with Michigan State or the Big Ten and think Notre Dame will win this one outright.

California-Nevada over 66- Nevada continues to be a hidden gem, as no one seems to stay up late to watch them.  They score like a basketball team and have no defense to speak of.  This one may go over 80.

Auburn -6 over Clemson-  The Roof,the Roof, the roof is on fire… as Auburn D coordinator Ted Roof sends his vaunted D against a punchless Clemson squad. Roof cut his teeth coaching a young Gil Lock at UMass years ago, a UMass squad in need of a priest this weekend vs. Michigan. 

Jill Lock (6-0)

North Carolina -2 over Georgia Tech- North Carolina had all those kids suspended from the opener for acting fresh and they still almost beat LSU.  They should all have learned their lesson for the first home game and their uniforms are such an adorable blue.

Boise State -23 1/2 over Wyoming-  If ever I leave Gil, it’ll be for Boise’s coach, Chris Petersen.  I love him.  Now, since Virginia Tech screwed him by losing to James Madison, Chris will have to beat the snot out of everyone in order to make it to a big Bowl Game.

Utah -22 1/2 over New Mexico-  The powder-puff Flag Football team from my sorority would be laying six to New Mexico. 

Pad Lock (4-1-1)

USC -11 over Minnesota-  Love the Pac Ten and think the Big Ten is the most overrated conference in the nation.  Minnesota barely beat Middle Tennessee and lost to South Dakota at home.  South Dakota?!?  Trojans in a walk.

Kansas State -3 1/2 over Iowa State-  Cyclones showed nothing last week vs. Iowa.  Love State coach Bill Snyder, especially at home.

East Carolina +19 1/2 over Virginia Tech-  Yeah, I know, don’t think the Hokies are as bad as they looked vs. JMU.  But, the Pirates are as good as they looked vs. Tulsa and can score on anyone.

By Eddie Mayrose

After years of controversy regarding the BCS exclusion of Mid-Major conferences from consideration for the BCS Championship game, Boise State, the poster child for successful, smaller programs with title aspirations, looks to have its fate in its own hands.  Ranked as high as #2 in major College Football polls as well as #1 by CollegeSportsView.com, the Broncos seem to be in a position to have a perfect season rewarded.

Led by legitimate Heisman hopeful Kellen Moore, Boise brings as much talent and depth to the table as any of the elite programs.  Head Coach Chris Petersen is as innovative as any coach in the country, they play an up-tempo style on both sides of the ball and their blue field, (Smurf Turf) is just plain cool.  Everything is in place for the Broncos to stake their claim to the College Football throne, if they can just get past Week One.

In the kind of matchup from which Boise never shies away, they’ll head to Virginia Tech to open the season against Frank Beamer’s highly rated Hokies; themselves featuring a Heisman front runner in Ryan Williams.  It’s always a little risky to have your top rated team play their opener against a top opponent, as they may be knocked off their perch before the uniforms have been washed.  However, we here at CollegeSportsView.com say, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.”  Boise is the pick to win it all.

CollegeSportsView.com Top 25

1 Boise State
2 Ohio State
3 Alabama
4 Oklahoma
5 TCU
6 Texas
7 Virginia Tech
8 Florida
9 Oregon
10 Arkansas
11 Nebraska
12 USC
13 13 Miami (Fl)
14 Iowa
15 Georgia Tech
16 Pittsburgh
17 Utah
18 North Carolina
19 Wisconsin
20 LSU
21 Florida State
22 Notre Dame
23 Georgia
24 Oregon State
25 Stanford

Five to Watch

Navy
South Carolina
BYU
Connecticut
Nichols

With five unbeaten teams headed into the Bowl Season, anti-BCS sentiment was running at an all time high and figured to ramp up to an intolerable level if as many as four were left standing after their Bowl Games. A likely scenario, as contracts between the Bowls and certain conferences should have had Cincinnati facing Georgia Tech in the Orange, TCU against Florida in the Sugar, Boise matched up with Iowa in the Fiesta with Texas and Alabama deciding the Championship.  While the loser of the BCS title game would have dropped from the ranks of the undefeated, it wouldn’t have surprised anyone if all of the other perfect teams finished that way.  How then, would the powers-that-be quell the demand for a playoff?

Here’s how.  Using loopholes to get around the conference agreements, the Sugar Bowl drafted Cincinnati as its BCS at-large team and the Fiesta paired Boise State with TCU; robbing both schools and college football fans of the opportunity to see how these “outsiders” would fare against the big boys.  What they did create, though, was a scenario where only one team beside the champ is unbeaten.  TCU is much better suited to handle Florida than the boys from Cincy who’d have had a much easier time with Georgia Tech in the Orange. Considering that the Bearcats will head into the Sugar Bowl without their head coach, beating Florida will be difficult.  As for the Fiesta, the loser is out of the conversation.

Every year we hear the same nonsense from NCAA officials about the logistical difficulty of staging an eight or sixteen team playoff.  Travel and academics are the two obstacles most often cited.  They’d have merit, too, if only the NCAA’s lower divisions didn’t already participate in a 32 team format.  What’s the old saying?  When they say it’s not about the money, it’s always about the money.

Locks Wrap Up Season And Look To Go Bowling

This is it for the Lock family.  The final week of prognostications before their NCAA Football Bowl selections in a few weeks.  It’s been a successful season for the most part, especially since the firing of Gil Lock of Ryno Rife Sports Handicapping.  With wife Jill and nephew Pad picking up the slack, the Locks have forged an impressive record while saving the dignity of the family name.  Many were disappointed that Gil was not included in last week’s column; as they’d come to rely on him as a reverse indicator.  Jill and Pad have taken their protests under advisement and may invite Gil back for the Bowl Season.  With that decision still up in the air, here are the Locks of the Week for the final Saturday of the season.

Locks of the Week

Jill Locks (21-10)

Conference USA Football Championship

Houston -1 over East Carolina-

The Cougars, needing two straight wins for a Championhsip berth, responded by scoring 128 points while drubbing both Memphis and Rice.  They’ll face defending champ East Carolina on the Pirates’ home turf; the main reason the line is so low.  However, while the two didn’t meet in ’09, Houston did ring up over 600 yards of offense last year as the Cougars ran away with a 41-24 win at East Carolina.  Houston QB Case Keenum leads the nation in total offense and will be too much for the Pirates to handle.

ACC Football Championship

Georgia Tech -1 over Clemson

- Georgia Tech escaped with a 30-27 win when the two met back in September and Clemson will be looking for revenge. However, that game wasn’t as close as the score would indicate as the Yellow Jackets ran for over 300 yards in dominating the line of scrimmage. Clemson may have the league’s best player in C.J. Spiller but he managed just 18 rushing yards last week in a loss to South Carolina.  Don’t think Tech hasn’t watched that film a few times.

Big 12 Football Championship

Texas – 14 1/2 over Nebraska

-  This doesn’t shape up to be much of a game.  Texas has been rolling along unchallenged for most of the season and then got its wake up call last week courtesy of Texas A&M.  There’s no way they won’t be ready Saturday which is very bad news for Nebraska.

Pad Locks (8-5)

San Jose State vs. Lousiana Tech over 46 1/2-

San Jose State is one of the nation’s most generous teams while Louisiana Tech reminds no one of the Steel Curtain.  La. Tech may go over by themselves.

Boise State vs. New Mexico over 58 1/2-

This week’s “Arifemetic” lesson.  Boise is favored by 47 points so, the line is telling you you’ll probably need just a TD from New Mex.  Plus, I love the fact that Boise needs to run it up to lock up a BCS bid.

California -6 over Washington-

It’s been an up and down year for both teams but California has finally started playing consistently well and has a lot more talent than the Huskies even with Jahvid Best out of the lineup.

Season Record (40-31-1)

Does BCS Stand For “Boise Can’t Stay”?

Fans of the College Football Bowl season were spared a post-season stinker last Saturday when Oklahoma State was drubbed by Oklahoma 27-0 and saw its BCS aspirations dashed. Those in the know expected that State would receive a bid to the Fiesta Bowl; creating a matchup with one of the Big Ten’s overrated, weak sisters, Iowa or Penn State. Representatives of the Fiesta Bowl were prepared to snub an undefeated Boise State squad for the second consecutive year and completely ignore the Broncos’ heroics in their 2007 Fiesta victory over Oklahoma; possibly the best Bowl Game ever played.

It’s a ridiculous system employed by the NCAA when it comes to football. There are playoffs at every level except the highest, where multiple teams with unbeaten records are denied an opportunity to play for a title. That one of College Football’s most successful teams needed help to get an invite over a school with three losses is as ridiculous as it gets. We’ll count our blessings, however, that things broke the right way and saved Fiesta Bowl officials from their own stupidity.                                                                                                                        

Conference Championship Weekend

Five of the six BCS conferences will have their championships decided this weekend; three in conference title games and two by way of convenient scheduling. Only the Big Ten, wrapped up a few weeks ago by Ohio State, won’t crown a champ on Saturday. In addition, Army and Navy will battle for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy in Philadelphia while Johns Hopkins travels to Delaware for the Division III quarterfinals. Johns Hopkins? Read on.

SEC Football Championship: Florida vs. Alabama

This is the one we’ve waited for all year as the two schools have been ranked 1 and 2 for most of the season. The anticipation seems to have distracted fans from the fact that both have suffered lapses; especially the Crimson Tide. Florida football fans expect the world from QB Tim Tebow but will have the title delivered by the Gators’ dominating defense, especially if ‘Bama RB Mark Ingram can’t rebound from the bruised hip that limited him to just 39 yards vs. Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Florida 23 – Alabama 13

ACC Football Championship Game: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech                                                 

Both teams come off disappointing losses in intra-state rivalry games; perhaps caught looking ahead to this rematch. Georgia Tech knocked off Clemson in Week 2 on a last second field goal that gave the Yellowjackets a 30-27 win. Clemson will look to RB C.J. Spiller to pull the upset but Tech’s Josh Nesbitt will lead his squad to the Orange Bowl.
Georgia Tech 34 – Clemson 27

Big 12 Football Championship Game: Texas vs. Nebraska

Heisman front runner Colt McCoy should have no trouble continuing the recent Texas football tradition of playing for a National Championship. While Nebraska has played well recently in capturing the Big 12 North title, they’ll be no match for the Longhorns.  Texas, currently enjoying its second week atop the CollegeSportsView.com Top 25, has barely been challenged in the Big 12 all season.  Saturday will be no different.
Texas 48 – Nebraska 20

Pac Ten Football Championship: Oregon vs. Oregon State

This year, the Civil War will determine who goes to the Rose Bowl. Ducks’ QB Jeremiah Masoli has emerged as the league’s most important offensive player after leading blowout wins over Cal and USC. A slip vs. Stanford served as a wakeup call, one that rang the alarm bell for Oregon’s run to Pasadena.  Their gutty, overtime win over a desperate Arizona squad on the road last week served notice as to the team’s resilience.  That they’ve managed to navigate such a tough conference without their best player, LeGarrette Blount, spells big trouble for Ohio State on New Year’s Day.   Besides, is there a college football fan anywhere that’s not waiting to see Oregon’s Rose Bowl uniforms?
Oregon 38 – Oregon State 34
 

Big East Football Championship: Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh            

While Pitt took one on the chin vs. West Virginia last week in the Backyard Brawl, the loss had no impact on its Conference Title chances. Cincinnati QB Tony Pike returned to the starting lineup and celebrated with a school record six TD passes.  However, Cincy has surrendered quite a few points over the last two weeks and can’t help but be distracted by Head Coach Brian Kelly’s flirtation with Notre Dame.  Dion Lewis runs wild as Pitt heads south for the Orange Bowl.
Pittsburgh 31 – Cincinnati 28

Army-Navy                                                                                                                                                  

It’s a good thing that the tradition is the big sell in this matchup as it’s been a long time since Army’s been able to compete in this one.  Navy’s ground attack, behind sophomore OT John Dowd, will be too much for the Cadets to handle as the Middies grab their eighth straight victory in the series.  No matter the outcome, don’t miss the singing of the Alma Maters after the game as it’s the best moment of the College Football season.  Always emotional, it’ll be the last game for the Army seniors while just a bowl game remains for the Annapolis grads before many find themselves in harm’s way.  Godspeed.                                                                                                                                                     John Dowd
Navy 37 – Army 10                                                                                                                                           

NCAA Division III Quarterfinals: Johns Hopkins vs.Wesley

It’s been a wild ride over the last two weeks as Johns Hopkins has knocked off two previously unbeaten teams on its way to the third round of the D-3 playoffs. Operating behind an offensive line led by junior guard Ryan Lino (right), the Blue Jays have gained more than 400 yards in each game with a balanced attack run by QB Hewitt Tomlin.  RB Andrew Kase has posted consecutive 100 yard games, as has WR Dan Crowley.  Their last minute heroics vs Kentucky’s St. Thomas More in Saturday’s 31-29 victory put K Alex Lachman in position for a game winning 42 yard FG as time expired.  They’ll have their hands full this week, however, taking on a Wesley team ranked third in the nation.  If Lino and Company can continue their dominance and give Tomlin enough time to throw, Crowley should turn in another big game and it’s on to the Final Four for the Hops. 
Johns Hopkins 26 – Wesley 24

CollegeSportsView Top 25

1. Texas 12-0
2. Florida 12-0
3. TCU 12-0
4. Alabama 12-0
5. Boise State 11-0
6. Cincinnati 11-0
7. Oregon 9-2
8. Ohio State 10-2
9. Georgia Tech 10-2
10.Pittsburgh 9-2
11.Virginia Tech 9-3
12.BYU 10-2
13.Oregon State 9-3
14.Miami 9-3
15.Iowa 10-2
16.LSU 9-3
17.Penn State 10-2
18.West Virginia 8-3
19.Houston 10-2
20.USC 8-3
21.Nebraska 9-3
22.Central Michigan 10-2
23.California 8-3
24.Oklahoma State 9-3
25.Stanford 8-4

Five to Watch
Johns Hopkins 10-2
Navy 8-4
Mississippi 8-4
Northwestern 8-4
North Carolina 8-4

The turkey wasn’t the only casualty at the table this week when the Lock family sat down for their holiday meal.  Jill and Pad decided that it was finally time to show the door to their beloved husband and uncle, Gil.  Apparently taking their cue from the administration at Notre Dame, they decided to let Gil know a little of what Charlie Weis has been going through in South Bend.  The clincher was his third consecutive 1-2 weekend that continued to drag down the family record; one that featured Jill’s perfect 4-0 a week ago.  It wasn’t pleasant; Gil was in a cold sweat through most of the meal, but it was necessary.  After all, 1-2 is not what the Locks expected. 

Locks of the Week

Jill Locks (20-8)

Nevada-Boise State over 72.5-

These are two offensive machines that have been very good to me all year.  Boise needs to keep winning in order to secure a BCS bid and Nevada is on an eight game win streak. 

North Carolina -5 over North Carolina State

- The Tar Heels may be playing better than anyone in the ACC right now as Butch Davis has his team clicking on all cylinders headed into the bowl season. 

Clemson +2 1/2 over South Carolina

- I’m thinking Clemson is a dog because the games at South Carolina and they might be caught looking ahead to the ACC title game.  However, the wheels have come off of the Gamecock’s wagon over the last month and they won’t have enough to stem Clemson’s momentum.

Pad Locks (6-4)

Arkansas State-North Texas over 53.5

-  My weekly dose of “Arifemetic” as a tribute to my fallen uncle.  Both teams stink and neither has a good defense.

Arizona -2 1/2 over Arizona State-

  Arizona has got to be pretty pissed at blowing their shot at the Rose Bowl last week.  They’ll take it out on an Arizona State squad that is clearly overmatched.

Texas Tech – 22 1/2 over Baylor

-  Since losing QB Robert Griffin, Baylor has lost 6 of 7 and hasn’t even competed over the last two weeks; being outscored by Texas and Texas A&M by a combined 85-17.  Things won’t be easier this week as Texas Tech looks to pad its Bowl resume.

Season Record (37-28-1)

By Eddie Mayrose

Two Point Try A Shot At USC Football Coach

November 23, 1968.  Ohio State, on its way to a National Championship, squares off with arch rival Michigan at Ohio Stadium.  Late in the game, Buckeye fullback Jim Otis blasts over the goal line to put the home team up 48-14.  Yet, instead of opting to kick the extra point, Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes decides instead to attempt a two point conversion in order to hang the half century mark on his bitter enemy.  Asked after the game why he went for two, Hayes famously responded, “Because they wouldn’t let us go for three.”

Thought of that last Saturday when Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh left his offense on the field to go for two after a touchdown gave the Cardinal a 55-21 lead over USC in the fourth quarter.  Now, I have no idea what may have been Harbaugh’s motivation; for all we know, he may have a beef with Pete Carroll dating back to their days in the NFL.  But what Harbaugh actually accomplished was pushing his team’s incredible performance over the last two weeks out of the spotlight.  Instead of talking about the fact that Stanford rang up more than 100 points on two Top Ten teams in successive games, or trumpeting the Heisman candidacy of RB Toby Gerhart, who scored three times while running all over the Trojans or Stanford’s incredible, out-of-nowhere run that has them talking about a trip to the Rose Bowl, we’re scratching our heads trying to find a reason for the feud between the two coaches.  And that’s sad.

Games of the Week

Oregon at Arizona

-  Arizona is still alive in the Rose Bowl hunt but they’ll have to win out and get some help.  Oregon may have the services of RB LeGarrette Blount for the first time since the season opener.  Can’t see Oregon blowing this opportunity, especially considering they’ve already had their stumble vs. Stanford.  Still, the Pac Ten is a tough place to win on the road.  The pick here is Oregon 38-27.

St. Joseph’s Dallas Carter vs. Philadelphia City Six

- It’s Tournament time in the land of the cheese steaks for the Intramural Football Champions of Philly’s five major universities and Villanova.  St. Joe’s Dallas Carter heads into the title round at Drexel carrying the favorite tag based on a roster chock full of New York guys.  QB Danny Mayrose and WR James Lopez look to add a football crown to the victory list they’ve compiled since kindergarten and will turn to Joe Mreczko and rookie sensation Marc Strange for some much needed help along the way.  Asked for a prediction, the four concurred, “The Hawk Will Never Die.”  We’ll agree, especially if Mayrose and Lopez have their hands on the ball in crunch time.

CollegeSportsView.com Top 25

1. Texas 10-0
2. Florida 10-0
3. TCU 10-0
4. Alabama 10-0
5. Boise State 10-0
6. Cincinnati 10-0
7. Pittsburgh 9-1
8. Georgia Tech 10-1
9. LSU 8-2
10.Oregon 8-2
11.Ohio State 9-2
12.Oklahoma State 8-2
13.Stanford 7-3
14.BYU 8-2
15.Clemson 7-3
16.Iowa 9-2
17.USC 7-3
18.Wisconsin 8-2
19.Oregon State 7-3
20.Houston 8-2
21.Virginia Tech 7-3
22.Nebraska 7-3
23.North Carolina 7-3
24.Nevada 7-3
25.Navy 7-3

Five to Watch
Miami 7-3
Utah 8-2
Rutgers 8-2
Arizona 7-3
West Virginia 7-3

It wasn’t the best performance we’ve seen from the Locks but it still produced a winning weekend.  Jill turned in her first losing record, going 1-2, while nephew Pad and husband Gil logged 2-1 Saturdays.  Gil’s was especially sweet, as he had been coaxed out of semi-retirement by his nephew.  “I was happy to be back but I’m still not at the top of my game.  I picked Cincy-UConn under 52 and both teams almost went over by themselves.”

Well, there’s just no pleasing some people but, with a stellar record, the Locks have pleased more than not.  Let’s take a look at this week’s selections.

Locks of the Week

Jill (14-7)

Idaho-Boise State over 63-

I’m staying with Boise but only on the over as they let me down last week. I expect the Broncos to try and run it up on their in-state rival but Idaho can score, too, as eveidenced by the 45 points they scored vs. Nevada that sent Gil over the wall.

Utah + 17.5 over TCU- 

TCU is ranked fourth with an outside shot at the BCS Championship.  They’ve been killing teams lately but Utah’s lost just once in two years and they’ve already beaten Oklahoma.  I think the Utes lose here but not by double digits.

Oregon -17 over Arizona State-

Took a look at Arizona State’s record and, boy, do they give up a lot of points.  Oregon’s going to be real pissed after getting their Ducks knocked off last week and should win going away.

Pad (4-2)

Clemson – 6 over North Carolina  State-

Clemson is really starting to hit its stride and has its sights set on an Atlantic Division title.  NC State is really weak but, somehow, managed to beat Pitt.  That’ll remain their one upset as the Tigers keep rolling.

San Jose State-Utah State over 55.5-

Another case of “Arifemetic”.  Bothe teams can score, neither can defend.  Good bet that one of them will come close by themselves.

Western Michigan -10 over Eastern Michigan-

Eastern Michigan is 0-9 and will get no sympathy from its biggest rival.

Gil (9-11-1)

Cincinnati-9.5 over West Virginia (Friday)-

Playing a hunch here that Cincinnati will take advantage of its second straight week on National TV.  Would feel a lot better about it if they hadn’t given up 45 to UConn but I think that’ll be a wakeup call.

Missouri +2  1/2 over Kansas State-

The Big 12 North is a weak division but Missouri is one of its better teams.  They have more talent than K State so I’m picking the Tigers.

BYU -27 over New Mexico-

Went with Utah over New Mex last week and found out what a generous team they are.  BYU QB Max Hall should have a field day.

Season Record 27-20-1