If I Were A Betting Man: Week 11 picks

Notre Dame is again riding high near the top of the college football world, but in order to continue to storm to a possible playoff berth, they will have to survive what has been a nightmare city for the Fighting Irish.

The Catholics vs. Convicts clips are going to be fired up all week, and that long-ago story had a happy ending for the Irish. Lou Holtz’s crew survived 31-30 over No. 1 Miami in the famous t-shirt game. But that game was in South Bend, where happy things happen to the leprechauns. In Miami, it is another story.

Since 1980, Notre Dame has visited Miami either for a matchup with the Hurricanes or an Orange Bowl appearance nine times. ND is 1-8 in those nine games. Included in that run were three painful losses for the blue and gold.

A 58-7 humiliation in 1985 by Jimmy Johnson and friends; a 10-9 Orange Bowl loss to Colorado when Raghib Ishmail’s game-winning punt return was negated by a flag; and a 42-14 demolition by Alabama in the 2012 national championship game.

Saturday night, ND will venture into South Florida again with high hopes. An undefeated Miami team will be waiting, and history is not on ND’s side.

Note: The lines listed are from Covers.com

Week 10 record: 1-3

Week 10 net payout: -$365

Season record: 25-24

Season payout: -$440

A bigger question than if Brandon Winbush can lead the Irish to a tight, fourth-quarter win (he’s 0-for-1) is whether A-Rod and J-Lo are going to their second-straight Hurricane game. The answers are yes and hopefully no.

The bet: $50 on ND to win (-75)

The Spartans have covered their last four visits to Columbus and are coming off an emotional win over Penn State. The Buckeyes’ have played three quality opponents (Oklahoma, Penn State, Iowa) and have one win to show for it — one that required a 15-point fourth-quarter comeback. The noon start won’t help the atmosphere at the Shoe. Spartans keep it close.

The bet: $100 on Michigan State +15.5

Indiana is 0-6 in the Big Ten, but five of those losses were to No. 8 Wisconsin, No. 12 Michigan State, No. 13 Ohio State, No. 14 Penn State and Michigan. Illinois is a certified disaster right now, and when the Hoosiers have their first conference win in their sites, they will not let up.

The bet: $50 on Indiana -9

This line seems odd. West Virginia has lost to Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State and TCU, all by 11 or less. Big quarterback edge goes to Will Grier and West Virginia. K-State’s most impressive game was a 42-35 loss to Oklahoma in which it blew a 21-7 lead. I like the Mountaineers outright.

The bet: $100 on WVU to win (+115)

The Tide’s linebacking situation is getting a big worrisome, but let's take a second and understand the depth Alabama has at the position. Four linebackers are out, yet former five-stars Dylan Moses and Ben Davis are still not starting in 'Bama's 3-4 scheme. That is insane. The Tide will have to work for this one against a quality QB, but it is safe to say they will stay undefeated.

The bet: $100 on Alabama to win (-550)

TCU has given up 27 points the last four weeks, which is 11 less than Oklahoma surrendered by halftime against Oklahoma State. The Sooners may very well win the game, but I’ll take this defense getting seven.

The bet: $50 on TCU +7