Season record: 18-22-2

Last week: 3-3-1 (Virginia Tech +17.5, Florida +6.5, Washington +3, Indiana -11, SMU +6, SMU/Memphis over 72, USC +4.5)

I really thought I was going to turn it around, but some of these teams had other ideas. Virginia Tech got things rolling, and almost came away with an outright win. Florida was beaten by Georgia, but almost got a backdoor cover. Washington and USC both had double digit leads, but neither covered. Indiana covered because Northwestern continues to stink on offense. SMU and Memphis was a shootout so it went well over the total, and thanks to a late touchdown and two point conversion, SMU pushed.

I have to do better this week, and it is time to change things up. In honor of College Football Playoff Committee, I am putting research to the wayside and relying on the “eye test”.

Let’s see how it goes…

Purdue Boilermakers (3-6) @ Northwestern Wildcats (1-7) | November 9 | 11:00 AM CT | Ryan Field

Line: Northwestern -2.5 | Line: 39

Purdue might be down to their third-string quarterback, but that should not matter against a Northwestern team that simply cannot score. They have scored a total of six points in their past three games.

Give me Purdue +2.5.

Louisville Cardinals (5-3) @ Miami Hurricanes (5-4) | November 9 | 2:30 PM CT | Hard Rock Stadium

Line: Miami -6.5 | Total: 48.5

Miami has not covered in three of their last four games as a favorite. That is enough for me to take Louisville +6.5.

Illinois Fighting Illini (5-4) @ Michigan State Spartans (4-4) | November 9 | 2:30 PM CT | Spartan Stadium

Line: Michigan State -14.5 | Total: 45.5

Illinois has won three straight, while Michigan State has lost three in a row. The Spartans are coming off of a bye.

Doesn’t matter! Illinois +14.5

LSU Tigers (8-0) @ Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) | November 9 | 2:30 PM CT | Bryant-Denny Stadium

Line: LSU +6 | Total: 63

The “eye test” tells me that Joe Burrow is the best LSU quarterback I have ever seen. Burrow’s stats do, too, but that does not fit this week’s theme. The Tigers will need more than that to win in Tuscaloosa, but having him sure gives them a chance.

LSU +6

Clemson Tigers (9-0) @ North Carolina State (4-4) | November 9 | 6:30 PM CT | Carter-Finley Stadium

Line: Clemson -31.5 | Total: 53.5

Clemson was ranked fifth in the first College Football Playoff poll. I imagine the Tigers want to show they deserve a better ranking. How do they do that? Destroying an out-manned North Carolina squad who was just defeated 44-10 by Wake Forest.

Clemson -31.5

OUTTA HERE!