Mark Stoops

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Anybody have a number for that University of Michigan football staff member who’s been sidelined because of the allegations that he’s been involved in stealing signals?

Please pass it along.

I’m open to suggestions to anybody and everybody so I pick more winners and make a strong finishing kick to overtake Tom Lane and Eric Crawford in our weekly college football picks against the spread.

Mr. Lane has been consistently terrific, inflating his preseason bankroll of an imaginary $2,000 into nearly $3,000. Mr. Crawford has put together a number of solid weeks while splitting half of his 24 selections.

Me? Other than cashing by always betting against Indiana, I’m looking for assistance.

So somebody please get me that phone number in Ann Arbor. And don’t tell the NCAA.

On to this week’s selections:

Tom Lane

  • Last week bankroll: $3,000
  • This week bankroll: $2,950
  • Record last week: 1-2, won Rutgers, lost Iowa, Duke.
  • Overall record: 15-9
    • “Getting more confused as the weeks go on,” Lane said.
  • $50 on Houston (+17.5) at Kansas State, Saturday, noon.
    • “Hoping Houston can put together an effort like they had vs Texas last week to keep things close enough at K State.”
  • $50 on Minnesota (-7.5) vs. Michigan State, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
    • “Gophers playing for a (Big Ten) West title…need to get enough offense going to handle struggling Sparty.”
  • $50 on Ohio State (-14.5) at Wisconsin, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
    • “Buckeyes keep rolling to 8-0.”

Eric Crawford

  • Last week bankroll: $1,600
  • This week bankroll: $1,700
  • Record last week: 2-1. Won Ohio State, Florida State; Lost Washington.
  • Overall record: 12-12.
  • $300 on Penn State (-32) vs. Indiana, Saturday, Noon.
    • “If anything prompts the Hoosiers to turn things around, it will be me dumping a bunch of (fake) money on their opponent!”
  • $150 on Tennessee (-3.5) at Kentucky, Saturday, 7 p.m.
    • “The Vols were dominated in the second half at Alabama, but they have some real quality at the skill positions. Kentucky has had 2 weeks to simmer after a loss to Missouri, but not sure where the Wildcats’ heads are at this point.”
  • $100 on Georgia (-14.5) vs. Florida in Jacksonville, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
    • “The last time everyone thought Georgia was vulnerable, it obliterated Kentucky. Now missing its best player, I expect a good defensive effort.”

Rick Bozich

  • Last week bankroll: $1,725
  • This week bankroll: $1,625
  • Record last week: 1-2. Won Rutgers. Lost Arkansas, Oklahoma
  • Overall record: 10-13-1.
  • $250 on Penn State (-32) vs. Indiana, Saturday, Noon.
    • The Hoosiers have not come close to covering the spread for 4 consecutive games. Penn State coach James Franklin has a reputation for making certain his teams do cover the spread against overmatched competition. Seems like a gimme.
  • $100 on Tennessee (-3.5) at Kentucky, Saturday, 7 p.m.
    • I don’t always follow what the predictor numbers at Jeff Sagarin’s website suggest. But … when his numbers favor the Vols by 11.5 I cannot ignore that, even if Tennessee could be flat after they imploded in the second half against Alabama last week.
  • $100 on Texas State (+6.5) vs. Troy, Saturday, 7 p.m.
    • Nothing like a big showdown in the Sun Belt Conference, right? Both teams at 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the league. Texas State is a home underdog, coming off a bye week. Texas State is unbeaten at home and has a win over Baylor. What do I have to lose, except falling deeper into last place?

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