CKO

11 *CONNECTICUT over Syracuse
Late Score Forecast:
*CONNECTICUT 38 - Syracuse 13

Now that UConn is back on track following the mid-season stabbing death of popular CB Jasper Howard, Huskies have the postseason in mind. And 5-5 Connecticut can become bowl eligible with a victory in this one. RBs Jordan Todman (956 YR) & Andre Dixon (844 YR) pound defensive fronts relentlessly, and in all kinds of weather—an important consideration at this time of year in the east. Jr. QB Zach Frazier needs to control his interceptions. But the fired-up Huskies are stepping down in class after facing WV, Rutgers, Cincy & Notre Dame, all likely bowl participants (and three of the four on the road)! Rutgers took depleted Syracuse for granted last week; UConn (8-1 vs. the spread!) not likely to make the same mistake.

10 MARSHALL over *Utep
Late Score Forecast:
MARSHALL 38 - *Utep 26

With demoralized 3-8 UTEP finding different ways to lose (try 3 fumbles in 4th Q vs. Rice!), expect muddling Miners to drop their 5th straight TY vs. upbeat, chemistry-rich Marshall, which became bowl eligible for 1st time since 2004 in 31-24 victory vs. bowl-bound SMU. Miner HC Mike Price is not optimistic about the season finale when lamenting, “I thought playing superior teams early would make us a better team down road. It didn’t. We didn’t do better in November. We played teams we can compete with physically and we’ve blown it.” Conversely, the Herd has shown resourcefulness by producing season highs in both yards & points vs. the Mustangs, with backup RBs Martin-Ware & Edwards-May (combined 249 YR) admirably filling in for injured star Marshall, and blossoming 6-3 frosh TE Dobson (4 catches for 127 yds., 2 TDC) creating mismatches like sidelined Slate had done for years. Plus, Miners just 11-12 SU at home last 2+Ys, while Herd has covered 4 straight away.

10 *WASHINGTON over Washington St.
Late Score Forecast:
*WASHINGTON 45 - Washington St. 8

This is our last chance to recommend against Wazzu, and darned if we’re going to pass it up. Cougs simply non- competitive in Pac-10, with final margins solely dependent upon whims of the opposition. And sources say angry host U-Dub aching to make a statement vs. hated rival after galling defeats in last two Apple Cups and series of frustrating near-misses throughout ’09. Pac-10 sources report last week’s “bye” did a world of good for Husky QB Jake Locker, whose bruised thigh needed a week of rest. And Jake and the remainder of U-Dub’s “O” will feel like they’re on a date with Megan Fox when facing a depleted Wazzu “D” that was down to just 13 scholarship players and forced into unnatural 3-4 alignments in last week’s latest beatdown administered by Oregon State. Cougs, not closer than 26 in last 5 games, cannot count on any mercy from rival Huskies.

NINE-RATED GAMES: MISSOURI (-5) vs. Kansas (at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO)——Tiger defense not totally reliable, but Jayhawks in turmoil and have lost eight in a row vs. the spread...TCU (-43) vs. New Mexico—Rowdy Horned Frog defense will never let up with outright Mountain West title, undefeated season, and likely BCS bid at stake...TROY (-10) at Louisiana- Lafayette——Trojans a money-maker when in Sun Belt play; 20-6-2 last 28 vs. spread...