1) UCONN -17 vs. Temple

JUSTIFICATION: UCONN proved that they are not ready to play with the big boys last week in a crushing loss to West Virginia. However, they are still a dominate team versus second tier competition. Temple doesn't even qualify as a second tier team. They are one of the worst teams in the NCAA. The Owls rank 80th in NCAA rush defense stats, 99th in pass defense stats, and 103rd in scoring defense stats. UCONN has a great offensive team lead by QB Dan Orlovsky and RB Cornell Brockington. Together, the UCONN offense ranks first in the Big East in passing and rushing. Defensively, the Huskies rank 32nd nationally in scoring defense (18.7 ppg). All of which adds up to a long day in East Hartford for the Temple Owls.

2) Georgia -7 1/2 @ Arkansas

JUSTIFICATION: Georgia appears to be back on track offensively. They managed to get over 500 total yards last week and totaled 33 points. The Arkansas defense has struggled this season (60th nationally) and last week let Auburn jump out to a 31-0 halftime lead. Any team that averages giving up nearly 400 yards per game, against some relatively weak teams, is going to have difficulty keeping one of the better offensive teams in the country contained. The Georgia defense ranks 13th nationally which doesn't bode well for the Razorbacks. They do posses a good offensive attack but, will likely be playing with an injured QB Matt Jones. If the old axiom of a good defense beats a good offense then Georgia should win this game easily.

3) Navy -10 vs. Rice

JUSTIFICATION: Navy got sunk last weed versus Notre Dame but they still have hopes and dreams of making it to one of the better bowl games. This is a matchup of two teams with solid rushing and scoring offenses. Rice averages over 344 yards per game and Navy averages over 250 yards per game.  Rice averages 31 points scored per game and Navy averages 24 points per game. The difference is the defense. Rice ranks 92nd nationally giving up 31 points while Navy, against arguably tougher competition, has only allowed 18 points per game. The ability of Navy's defense to control the Rice rushing attack should be enough to allow the Midshipmen to get back on course.

4) North Carolina State +7 vs. Miami

JUSTIFICATION: Miami caught lightning in a bottle last week versus Louisville but, in victory, the game plan for how to exploit the Hurricane defense was carved in stone. North Carolina State has been a bit of a schizophrenic team so far this year but they do have some potent offensive weapons and enough defense to rush Brock Berlin into making some more poor decisions. Miami has to consider themselves lucky so far this year. They have managed to win, and you have to give them credit for that, but in handicapping winning isn't enough. You have to cover too and Miami will be fortunate to win this game let alone cover the spread.

5) Tennessee -7 vs. Alabama

JUSTIFICATION: I have been really impressed with Freshman QB Erik Ainge.  He doesn't succumb to the pressure one would expect of a Freshman and makes good solid decisions on the field. He seems to get better with each passing week. Alabama started the season off a bit slowly but have rebounded nicely to win five games and two in a row. However, their competition doesn't match up to the quality of the Tennessee Volunteers. QB Marc Guillion may not play but, even if he does, he will be somewhat limited in what he can do. I expect that Tennessee will try to put a lot of pressure on whoever is the QB and try to force some poor decisions and get a couple of turnovers.
If they are successful, covering the seven points should not be any trouble at all.



Don Pinchin
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