Nov. 07--If Las Vegas bookmakers ran the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame fans would boycott the Strip.
The CFP selection committee ranks the Irish fifth. The spreadmakers, according to RJ Bell of Pregame.com, view the Irish as No. 12.
The so-called "Vegas rankings" have this top 10: Ohio State, Alabama, TCU, Baylor, Clemson, LSU, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Stanford and Florida. Meaning Ohio State would be favored in a playoff game against every team in the nation.
The point spread is designed to balance action on both sides of a game. And guess what? The betting public sometimes gets it way wrong. Nebraska was a 7 1/2-point road favorite against Purdue last week, and Penn State gave only 5 1/2 points to Illinois. The Boilermakers and Nittany Lions cruised.
On to the games:
Illinois (minus 4) at Purdue: Yahoo's Pat Forde reports Purdue will retain coach Darrell Hazell, whose buyout would be $6.7 million. One number in Purdue's favor -- this spread. Take the Boilermakers against the banged-up Illini.
Iowa (minus 7) at Indiana: A double-digit spread might tilt me to the Hoosiers, who specialize in heartbreaking defeats. At this number, back the Hawkeyes.
Rutgers (plus 24.5) at Michigan: They don't get any more American than Jim Harbaugh, whose diet consists of milk, steak and pigskin. Take Michigan.
Penn State (plus 1) at Northwestern: The Nittany Lions stink away from Beaver Stadium, and Pat Fitzgerald's teams struggle after a week off. Something has to give. Penn State is the pick.
Wisconsin (minus 11.5) at Maryland: There's one reason to watch the Terps, and it isn't the helmets. Return man/cornerback Will Likely is finally set to see his role increase on offense. He's dynamic -- but he's not Superman. Back the Badgers.
Minnesota (plus 23.5) at Ohio State: I'm in a quandary over this pick. Speaking of ... what will Urban Meyer do with J.T. Barrett after his suspension ends? As Derrick Rose might say, who knows? Take the Gophers.
Michigan State (minus 6) at Nebraska: Tommy Armstrong's return gives the Cornhuskers a shot ... just not enough of one. Michigan State it is.
Last week: 3-2.
Season: 33-40-1.
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
