Friday, November 04, 2005
The Wizard and Week 10
It was a spiritual connection of sorts, and it came across and lifted a dark October cloud. A spirit — let’s hope it wasn’t Truman Capote or Jeffrey Dahmer — was channeling the Wizard. From somewhere above came seven selections — seven magnificent selections — just when all seemed lost (29-32-2, 47.5%). And the Wizard, the sharing person he is, has offered this gift, this holy gift, to the masses. All it takes is a click of the comments tab below for you to become enlightened, my gambling child.
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Vanderbilt (plus 19) -- The Gators have not beaten the Commodores by more than 19 points since 2001 (Spurrier's last season), and this is the best Vandy team since the beginning of time. Vandy is 4-4, but only one of the losses was by more than 19 points (LSU, 34-6). Vandy has one of the best QBs in the SEC in Cutler. Florida's offense continues to struggle, averaging 17.25 points the past four games. Vandy had two weeks to prepare. Florida is coming off an emotional game against Georgia. Baker, Gators' top receiver, is not expected to play.
Iowa (minus 1.5) -- Both teams coming off emotional home losses to Michigan, but the difference here is that the Hawkeyes have had two weeks to prepare. The Wizard, a veteran observer of the Hawkeyes, notes the team's success against spread offenses, beating the likes of Texas Tech and Northwestern with a philosophy of giving up yards but not the big play. And with a Wildcat defense that is 117th, the Wiz will take his chances.
Iowa State (minus 7.5) -- Iowa State looked terrific in drilling Texas A&M and has put together two quality games after losing three in a row. A victory makes the Cyclones bowl eligible. Kansas State has lost three in a row, the last two at home. Its only road victory was at Marshall, and the Wildcats should have lost that one. A hunch that the Cyclones will continue their recovery from the midseason nosedive and put a whooping on the Wildcats.
Minnesota (minus 13) -- OK, Minnesota hasn't won at Bloomington since 1985 (they had a similar skid against Michigan, too, and that was ended this season). Giving this many points with the Gopher defense is always a risk, but the belief is this: Minnesota can run the ball, Indiana can't stop the run. Gophers are No. 1 nationally in run, Hoosiers 96th stopping it. Gophers have incentive, as a win sends them into the postseason. Indiana has lost three in a row and hasn't come within 17 points in all three. In other words, Hoosiers seem to be running a fade route. The Wizard doesn't like to give points, let alone double-digit points, but will risk it here.
California (plus 1.5) -- Oregon's preferred method of operation has been by pass, but it has lost veteran quarterback Clemens, who has been overshadowed by Leinart and Olson in Pac-10. Sophomore Dixon takes over. Rain and wind predicted. Combine wet, windy conditions and an inexperienced quarterback ... the Wizard will take the team that can run the ball. That team is California.
South Carolina (plus 4) -- Gamecocks are coming together at the right time, having won three in a row and are within a victory of becoming bowl eligible. Arkansas is a mess and has an unsettled situation at quarterback. Razorbacks will start freshman Dick. Getting points with a surging team that has incentive against an opponent that is starting a freshman quarterback seems too good to be true.
Central Florida (plus 2.5) -- A hunch more than anything. Central Florida is 3-0 at home and this is its final home game. The Golden Knights need a victory to become bowl eligible, quite an achievement after earlier ending a skid that reached 17 games. Central Florida has won five of its last six, so George O'Leary's outfit is peaking at the right time.
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