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Virginia Tech (-3) vs. Kansas (Thursday, Jan. 3, 8:00 p.m. ET) – This is a showdown between two talented but flawed teams. Ultimately, I have to actually go for the team I emotionally like much less. Virginia Tech is a much tougher defense than Kansas has ever seen, and they are much more used to the bright lights of public scrutiny than Kansas is. That makes them attractive at this spread. Pick: Virginia Tech.

Post from: Ultra Sports Bet

Western Michigan (+14.5) at Iowa – Western Michigan is hit and miss and have not been a great team to bet on this year. that being said, I like them here. It comes down not to what they bring to the table, but rather that I have no faith in Iowa’s ability to beat anyone by more than two touchdowns right now. Pick: Western Michigan.

Iowa State (+27) at Kansas – I love the Jayhawks story this year, and I hope they run the table and really make a mess of the BCS. That being said, they are getting a ridiculous number of points here. Iowa State has won two in a row, covered four straight, and has regularly shown their ability to get up for a big game. This is the biggest of games – a chance to knock of the last major conference undefeated team. Kansas has covered every game this year, and I think that this is a case of the books trying to set a line high enough to get them beat. Pick: Iowa State.

Cal (-7) at Washington - The season has taken a horrible, horrible turn for Cal after such a great start. They are still a talented team, though, and I think that this is where they start to get it back on track. Two more wins gets them a decent bowl game. Washington has been terrible, and QB Jake Locker is likely out for this game. They have the look of a team that could quit, and I like Cal’s chances of winning by at least a touchdown. Pick: Cal.

NC State (+6.5) at Wake Forest - I love the way that the Wolfpack is playing lately. Tom O’Brien is a great coach, and his message is clearly catching on. They have won four in a row, covered five straight, and are playing tough, competitive ball. They are one win away from bowl eligibility, and I believe that that will be a huge motivator for the squad. Wake Forest has has two straight missteps, and they need to improve from where they have been to win this game. I think NC State is getting too many points here, and that makes this a betting opportunity Pick: NC State.

Boston College (+8.5) at Clemson – This line makes no sense to me. I know that the Eagles have lost two in a row, but they are a solid team with a talented QB, and they can be expected to bounce back. These two teams have played very tight games the last two weeks, and they are reasonably well matched. Clemson is on a tear over the last four, but they looked pretty mortal before that and could easily crash back to earth. I think that this game could go either way, but I will happily bet that BC can stay within a touchdown. Pick: Boston College.

UPDATE: First, Michigan sucks. What a disgusting effort. Or rather, lack of effort. So long, Lloyd Carr. It’s only sort of been good to know you. That lousy game was part of a pretty lousy day of football from a betting perspective. I was happy with how Western Michigan did, and I was glad to see Boston College win a tight one, but that was the end of the good news. Kansas is a very solid team – better than I have given them credit for. I am very much looking forward to their showdown with Missouri next Saturday night. Cal is just a mess – what a collapse. NC State didn’t show up either. That brings me to 2-3 on the day. Yuck. My first losing weekend since week 6.

Post from: Ultra Sports Bet

Kansas (-3.5) at Colorado – The Jayhawks are a huge surprise this year with their undefeated record. Colorado is much better than they are supposed to be, too. Colorado is coming off a bad loss, though, while Kansas has covered every time out. I expect them to do the same here. Pick: Kansas

Stanford (+14) at Arizona – Neither team is very good, but Stanford is playing with heart as of late. They had the huge upset over USC and then they hung tight with TCU. That’s two covers in a row. They obviously don’t mind going on the road. They marched into L.A. and took a win, so I can’t think of a good reason why they couldn’t do the same in Tucson. At the very least, they should be able to stay close. Pick: Stanford

Michigan State (+19) at Ohio State – The Buckeye defense is the best in the country, but Michigan State can score a lot of points. Purdue could too, and Ohio State shut them down. Michigan State has a much more balanced offense than Purdue does, though. I don’t have much doubt that Ohio State will win, but I am willing to bet that the Spartans can stay within 19. Pick: Michigan State

UPDATE: After a couple of rough weeks for me in college football, the betting gods were smiling down on me today. Kansas held on late to remain undefeated and cover, Stanford stayed hot with a big upset (at least according to the spread), and Michigan State faltered early but fought back late to stay close and cover easily. That 3 for 3. I’ll take that any day. Obviously.

Post from: Ultra Sports Bet