Bobby Maxwell
Saturday's winners... 600-Unit SEC Super Lock - SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

South Carolina is at home and angry after last week’s loss to Alabama. The Gamecocks are definitely the play in this one, and get them early before the line jumps to more than two touchdowns.

The ‘Cocks lost last week at Alabama 20-6, but cashed as 18-point road ‘dogs. They went into that game on a four-game winning streak (2-2 ATS) that saw them score 28 points or more in four of the previous five contests.

QB Stephen Garcia has proven he can lead this offense, throwing for 1,482 yards and Nine TDs this season with just four INTs. He’s also got some revenge on his mind as the Commodores have taken each of the last two against South Carolina, upsetting the ‘Cocks 17-6 in 2007 as a 13-point road ‘dog and then winning 24-17 last year at Vandy as a 9 ½-point home ‘pup.

The 2007 win for Vandy snapped a seven-game losing streak (4-2-1 ATS) in the series. You know the two straight losses to lowly Vanderbilt is really sitting wrong with South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. If he gets the chance, he’s going to pile on the points tonight in this one.

The Commodores have lost five of their last six games with the only victory a 36-17 road win at Rice, cashing as 7 ½-point favorites against one of the worst teams in college football this season. Scoring points has been the big problem for Vandy, as it’s been held to 13 points or less in five of the last six games, including a 34-10 loss to Georgia at home last week, coming up well short as 7 ½-point underdogs.

South Carolina is on ATS runs of 4-0 against losing teams, 5-2 in SEC games, 5-2 overall and 13-6 following a spread-cover. Meanwhile the Commodores are on ATS slides of 1-4 in SEC games, 1-4 overall and 0-4 in October games.

I’m loving Spurrier and the ‘Cocks tonight. Play South Carolina to win this one big!



100-Unit MWC Must-Play - TCU HORNED FROGS

This is a huge game for the Mountain West Conference as it has three ranked teams currently in the Top 25 and two of them are squaring off today in Provo. But the biggest difference-maker in this game is the defense of Texas Christian.

TCU’s has allowed 17 points or less in 13 straight Division I-A games and 17 of 18 dating back to the beginning of the 2008 season. And they have given up 10 points or less nine times in that 18-game stretch.

The Horned Frogs destroyed Colorado State 44-6 last week as a 22-point home favorite and they got 211 yards and two TD throws from QB Andy Dalton. The combination of that stingy defense and a QB that can complete some passes when they need it makes this a very dangerous team.

BYU racked up 512 yards of offense last week, but failed to cover as 17-point road favorites when the Cougars beat San Diego State 38-28. The Cougars have won four straight, but have only been able to alternate spread-covers in the last six. And a problem for them early in the season was INTs by QB Max Hall who threw 10 picks in the team’s first five games this season.

TCU whipped the Cougars last season 32-7 as a 1 ½-point home favorite. In fact, the Horned Frogs have gotten the cash in three of the last four series clashes. That defense is ranked in the top 10 in almost every major category and it has the Horned Frogs on ATS runs of 15-6 in conference play, 27-13 as a favorite and 6-1 as a favorite of three points or less.

BYU has had trouble at the betting window, currently on ATS slides of 1-5 at home, 3-7 against Mountain West teams, 1-7 in October, 3-9 after a SU win and 1-4 as a home ‘dog of three points or less.

I love the way TCU gets after it defensively. This team could probably quiet down any offense in the country. Play the Horned Frogs to be rough and a bully tonight.



100-Unit Big Ten Big Winner - IOWA HAWKEYES

Iowa has got it rolling and Michigan State is not the power it once was. I’m loving the Hawkeyes in this one as they have a winning attitude and have dominated this series with the Spartans in recent years.

The Hawkeyes have come out of the chute strong with wins at Wisconsin and at home against Michigan, plus their biggest win of the season, a 21-10 beating of Penn State on Sept. 26, easily cashing as a 9 ½-point underdog.

Iowa has dominated Michigan State in recent years, cashing in six of the last seven overall. In this rivalry, the underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last seven years.

Iowa has taken care of the ball this season, leading to other facets of a good football program. The Hawkeyes are on ATS runs of 5-0 on the road (including all three this season), 7-3 in Big Ten action, 5-2 in October, 8-1 against winning teams and 7-1 as an underdog.

Meanwhile, the Spartans are on ATS slides of 1-5 against winning teams, 2-5 at home and 5-12-1 since joining the Big Ten.

Iowa is having one of those magical years where everything is lining up for it. Play the Hawkeyes on the road in this Big Ten showdown