USC Playing For Helton (Gulp), Air Force Over Roswell, Oregon At Pitchforks

A 5-1 week leaves us so much to be thankful for as Rankman & Son have climbed back to 35-35-2 for the season as part of a larger comeback for the Home Office. TEAM TMG started fast, hit a mid-season spike strip, but is now picking on all cylinders as we focus on the closing weeks. As a group we are now 185-164-9 Against The Spread for the season, led by the incomparable Mr. CFB at 43-27-2. Herb Gould is second at 38-31-3 followed by Locksmith (37-33-2). Rankman & Son, as noted, are back to treading water while Jersey Guy continues to be the carnival dunk-tank victim, although even JG had a 4-2 week to get him back to fifth place in the AL East at 32-38.

Father Knows Bets

UCLA (+13.5) at USC

Father will never forget the last time USC players, with a close loss to ND already on the books, entered the UCLA game playing to save their coach’s job. The Trojans face-planted against UCLA and Ed Orgeron is now coaching No.1 LSU.

The pick: UCLA

Oregon State (+10.5) at WASHINGTON STATE

Father thinks this could be the most exciting matchup of 5-5 schools this season. The “over/under” of 76.5 was tempting but dad will stick with Leach at home to cover the 10 plus change.

The Pick: Washington State

Air Force (-22.5) at NEW MEXICO

Looks good on paper, right, until you dig deeper to find AF hasn’t won at UFO-U since 2011 and has allowed 56, 47 and 45 points in its last three visits. Wow. AF is too good to lose this game but not good enough to cover.

The Pick: New Mexico

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Son’s Picks

Pittsburgh (+3.5) VIRGINIA TECH

What’s this, a decent ACC game featuring two 7-3 squads? The CFP selection committee can’t wait to move the winner into next week’s top-25 ranking to give Clemson some company.

The Pick: Virginia Tech

North Texas (-6.5) at RICE

Rice is walking tall after recording its first win of the season, over Middle Tennessee, but will take a home- seat-won’t-cover defeat to the Mean Green.

The Pick: North Texas

Oregon at ARIZONA STATE (52.5)

Son’s eyes light up anytime he sees a Pac 12 game with an over/under at 55 or less, unless it’s Stanford/Cal this week at 40.

The Pick: Over