Someone needs to check South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier’s betting card from last week.
Spurrier’s Gamecocks were up 14-10 and had the ball on their own 12-yard line with 1:45 to go.
Mississippi State had just one timeout remaining.
After running the ball for three yards on first down, the Bulldogs wasted their final timeout. Two more running plays later and a delay of game penalty put Carolina in a 4th-and-13 from its own 9-yard line.
Instead of punting, Spurrier had sophomore quarterback Connor Shaw run around and take a safety as time expired. The Gamecocks’ lead shrunk to 14-12.
But they still walked away with the victory. I didn’t.
The Vegas line of the game was South Carolina minus 3, meaning the meaningless safety at the end of the game cost me a win.
Other than that mishap, my only other bad picks of the week were Baylor and Michigan. Both teams fell flat on their respective faces this weekend.
This week features only three Southeastern Conference matchups and a slew of West Coast games.
Oklahoma State (-7) over Missouri
The Cowboys’ high-powered offense continues to register huge numbers.
After scoring 38 points against Texas last week, there’s no reason to expect any less against Missouri this week.
 
Oregon (-30.5) over Colorado
Colorado is bad. Oregon is good.
That’s a bad combination for the Buffaloes.
In all six of Colorado’s losses, it has surrendered more than 30 points. Oregon averages 48.7 points per game.
 
Washington (+20.5) over Stanford
Washington is 5-1, and its only loss came at No. 11 Nebraska.
Stanford and senior quarterback Andrew Luck have been nearly unstoppable this season, but the Huskies’ 37 points per contest should be good enough to compete.
Expect Stanford to win the game outright, but three touchdowns is too much to give.
 
North Carolina (+10.5) over Clemson
Last week, Clemson faced a 35-17 second-half deficit at Maryland before rallying to a 56-45 win.
But North Carolina is a much better team than Maryland. Plus, it’s only a matter of time before Clemson becomes Clemson again and falls apart right in front of our eyes.
 
Army (+11) over Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt poured its heart, soul and blood — almost literally, after a coach’s confrontation after the game — into last week’s game against Georgia.
But the Bulldogs walked away with a 33-28 victory.
It will be tough for the Commodores to bounce back and get fired up for 2-4 Army coming to town Saturday.
Expect them to win the game, but the Black Knights will keep it close.
 
Wisconsin (-7.5) over Michigan State
This matchup was going to be an intriguing game of chess between Wisconsin’s wood-chipper style and Michigan State’s impenetrable wall of a defense.
But with Thursday’s announcement that Michigan State sophomore defensive end William Gholston would be suspended for his unsportsmanlike actions in last week’s game against Michigan, the game has lost some of its luster.
Without Gholston, expect Bucky and Co. to roll.
 
USC (+8.5) over Notre Dame 
The doctor always said there’s nothing better for an ailing defense than a trip to South Bend, Ind.
Notre Dame, which has reeled off four straight wins after an 0-2 start, is allowing 21 points per game. That number in itself is not the problem; it’s the memories of Michigan sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson throwing recess-esque rainbow passes at which the Notre Dame secondary flailed helplessly all evening, which is cause for concern.
Expect USC junior quarterback Matt Barkley to air it out big time against the Irish.
 
Arkansas (-15.5) over Ole Miss
Last week, Alabama pounded Ole Miss on the ground.
This week, Arkansas junior quarterback Tyler Wilson hopes to join the 2,000-yard club by passing the Razorbacks to victory. Wilson needs just 221 yards to reach 2,000 passing yards for the season.
The Rebels, who are giving up nearly 30 points a game, won’t put up much of a fight at Wilson and Arkansas’ advances.
 
Alabama (-29.5) over Tennessee
LSU mapped out how to beat Tennessee handily last week.
Alabama will use that road map and junior running back Trent Richardson to roll into its bye week undefeated.
 
LSU (-21) over Auburn
The Tigers should cruise despite not having three starters for the game.
For the third consecutive week, LSU will face a quarterback making his first start of the season in Auburn sophomore quarterback Clint Moseley.
LSU’s secondary minus sophomore cornerbacks Tyrann Mathieu and Tharold Simon is still dynamic and full of athletes that will challenge every ball Moseley puts in the air.
Last week: 6-4
Overall record: 40-29-1
 
Rob Landry is a 23-year old mass communication senior from Mandeville. Follow him on Twitter @RobLandry85.
 
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Contact Rob Landry at [email protected].