Michael Penix Jr.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Eric Crawford and I are avid listeners to the Tony Kornheiser Show podcast, which some fans also affectionately refer to as "This Show Stinks."

Something that does not stink about the show are the regular discussions of football betting.

Chuck Todd of NBC Sports, the former host of "Meet The Press," gives his NFL picks every week.

James Carville, the guy who directed President Bill Clinton to multiple election victories, calls in his picks on a crackling flip phone connection while quoting a gambling guru from the Bayou.

But the guy who makes me sit up and listen is Jeff Ma, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who is respected for his work in business analytics, gambling and picking winners.

Although Ma primarily focuses on the NFL, he started the 2023 season picking mostly college games ... and by going 0-7 before hitting several winners.

That helped me exhale after starting 0-4 before I picked a pair of winners.

And like me and Crawford, Ma has work to do to catch the unbeaten and untied Tom Lane.

On to this week's picks:

Tom Lane

Last week bankroll: $2,600

This week bankroll: $2,900

Last week: Hit on Colorado and Oregon to cover and the Texas/Alabama over.

Week 3:

  • $100 on Florida State at Boston College over 48 points, Saturday at noon.
    • "I think FSU is the real deal and they're averaging over this number by themselves so far."
  • $100 on Kansas State (-4.5) at Missouri, Saturday at Noon.
    • "Wildcats have been more impressive in the early season than the Tigers. They win and cover on the road."
  • $100 on Washington (-16.5) at Michigan State, Saturday, 5 p.m.
    • "Sparty could go one of two ways, but I'm hoping the tumultuous week (with the suspension of coach Mel Tucker) works against them and quarterback Michael Penix and the Huskies keep rolling."

Eric Crawford

Last week bankroll: $2,100

This week bankroll: $2,200

Last week: Had Notre Dame and California covering, lost with Wake Forest

Week 3:

  • $300 on Florida State (-26) at Boston College, Saturday, noon.
    • "Please, BC can't stay with Florida State on any side of the ball."

  • 
$100 on Washington (-16.5) at Michigan State, Saturday, 5 p.m.
    • "A lot of teams when they lose their head coach will rally a bit. I don't know if that happens with the Spartans. And (Washington QB) Michael Penix is no joke."

  • $100 taking the under (58.5) for Tennessee at Florida, Saturday, 7 p.m.
    • "The Gators are struggling offensively and Tennessee has been running the ball. I like UT to cover the 6.5 spread, but not as much as I like the under.''

Rick Bozich

Last week bankroll: $1,575

This week bankroll: $1,650

Last week: Had Rutgers and California covering but lost on Western Michigan.

Week 3:

  • $75 on Northwestern (+19) at Duke, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
    • "I'd like to say something fancy about Northwestern's personnel. But I think the line has overreacted to Duke's win over Clemson. So does Jeff Sagarin's computer formula. It only like the Blue Devils by 6."
    • $75 on Cincinnati (-14) vs. Miami (Ohio), Saturday, 7 p.m.
    • "Scott Satterfield's team has covered the spread with ease -- twice. And Sagarin's numbers like the Bearcats by almost 20."
  • $50 on Kansas State (-4.5) at Missouri.
    • "As you can tell, I'm all in on Sagarin. He likes the Wildcats by 14. That's what I consider value."

Fingers crossed.

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