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So after a very uninspiring slate of games last weekend, we should have two great weeks of football leading up to the conference championship games.

This week we begin to see many of the great annual rivalries contested, which brings me to one of my favorite maxims of betting on college football — whenever a rivalry game features a double-digit point spread, always take the underdog. As you can tell from this list of games I haven’t necessarily pulled the trigger on any of those games, but just because Michigan is getting 21 points I still can’t advise taking the points. If I had to bet, I would take the points however.

Also, I’ve included the “epic” showdown in the Apple Cup among my best bets and as you can tell I’m not backing the underdog. Frankly, Washington giving seven points is probably my lock of the year. Washington State has not been the least bit competitive this season, which you can’t say for Washington. The Huskies suck, no doubt about it, but they’ve played decent at times and should beat the Cougars by three touchdowns.

Top Games

Texas Tech (+7) at Oklahoma — I really like the line Vegas set here. I went back and forth on this game. Again, the question is — are the Red Raiders for real? I think they are or at least they’re real enough to justify thinking they might keep this game within a touchdown.

BYU (+7) at Utah — This partially falls under my rule of taking the points in a rivalry game. I’ve been unimpressed by BYU for the last half of the season, but the Cougars seem to be getting back into gear and should give Utah all it can handle.

Michigan State (+15) at Penn State — I think Michigan State will be able to control the clock enough to keep this game close, but the Nittany Lions will lock up their Rose Bowl bid.

Cincinnati (-5.5) vs. Pittsburgh — If not for the potentially distracting rumors surrounding Brian Kelly accepting the job at Tennessee I would recommend the Bearcats wholeheartedly. As it is, I still can’t bet against them. The Big East title appears to be theirs for the taking.

Georgia Tech (-3) vs. Miami — Damn, I hate having to pick ACC games. I’m not buying the “Miami is back” meme.

Best Bets

Washington (-7) vs. Washington State — If you look at the records, it is tempting to think WSU and the points might be a solid play, but there’s a difference between bad and wretched. Washington is merely bad, Washington State is wretched.

Toledo (-3) vs. Miami — I think the Rockets will be up for one of Tom Amstutz’s last games as coach of Toledo. Sometimes when you get these games pitting two teams playing out the string, it’s important to evaluate motivation.

Colorado State (-2) at Wyoming — Speaking of which, CSU can likely secure a bowl bid with a win. Wyoming has nothing to play for except a likely lame duck coach and couldn’t score in a whorehouse. Yeah, I’ll take the Rams.

Air Force (+20) at TCU — Why are the Falcons getting so many points here? I don’t doubt TCU will win, but I don’t see them blowing Air Force out.

Oregon State (+3) at Arizona — I’ve come full circle on the Beavers since writing them off after their loss to Penn State. Count me among those who think they’re going to win out and secure that Rose Bowl bid and rematch with the Nittany Lions.

Last Week

4-6 last week, 66-52-3 overall

Top Games

1-4 last week, 33-25-2 overall

Best Bets

3-2 last week, 32-27-1 overall

Actual Bets

0-0 last week, 10-14-1 overall, -$106