This season, Rivals.com's weekly college football predictions involve anyone on the national staff brave – or foolish – enough to risk embarrassment by making their picks against the spread.
Here are the Week 11 picks versus Wednesday's Vegas line, according to MGM Mirage.
MORE: Trocchi's Betting Man
LOCKS OF THE WEEK
ROB CASSIDY: Oklahoma (-7) over TCU. "Oklahoma has TCU outgunned at most positions. The Frogs are a fine team, but talent generally wins out especially when that talent is chasing a playoff spot. The Sooners ride their post-Bedlam momentum and one of the nation’s most effective quarterbacks to an easy win."
MIKE FARRELL: Colorado (–13.5) over USC. "Call it a gut feeling, but I think the Buffs keep this one close in the cold at home."
ADAM FRIEDMAN: N.C. State (-3) at Boston College. "The Wolfpack have dropped two straight games and Boston College is going to feel their frustration this weekend. Yes, Boston College is solid in the trenches, but N.C. State's front seven should keep Boston College from running wild."
ADAM GORNEY: Missouri (–11.5) over Tennessee. "If there's a motto in the Gorney household, it's to dance with the one who brung ya. I don't dance much, but I've won three straight Locks of the Week with the Tigers, so you get the point. Tennessee doesn't have much of an offense and the Vols are dealing with injuries and the constant drumbeat of Butch Jones possibly being fired at any moment. Missouri is coming off three blowout wins - including last week against Florida - and the offense is humming. Put your dancing shoes on, boys."
JOSH HELMHOLDT: Iowa State (+7) against Oklahoma State. "I don't even need a full hand to count how many teams I would take giving up seven to Iowa State in Ames this year, and Oklahoma State does not get one of those digits.."
DEREK SAMSON: Boise State (–5.5) over Colorado State. "The Broncos are rolling. They've won five straight by double figures, and haven't allowed more than 14 points in a game since Sept. 22."
BILL TROCCHI: Michigan State (+15) over Ohio State. "Michigan State has covered its last four visits to Columbus and is catching a depressed Buckeye squad at a noon kickoff. It adds up to the visitors keeping it close enough to cover this one with ease."
WOODY WOMMACK: Rutgers (+30.5) at Penn State. "The Scarlet Knights are showing signs of life and this is a huge number for a conference game at this point in the season. Obviously I expect Penn State to bounce back following a couple of rough weeks, but I think Rutgers can keep the game within four scores."
FIVE SPOTLIGHT GAMES
Midweek lines according to MGM Mirage (all games Saturday & Eastern time):
- Michigan State (+15) at Ohio State, noon
- Georgia (–2.5) at Auburn, 3:30 p.m.
- Iowa (+13) at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m.
- Notre Dame (–3) at Miami, 8 p.m.
