"Cash Cow" - NCAA Picks: Week 8

Definition - A business, product or asset that, once acquired and paid off, will produce consistent cash flow over its lifespan.

AKA = Me

Yeah, I know what you are thinking...is this writer really that cocky? You might think that, but after this weekend you'll know not only to listen to me, but to love me. I may not be right all the time (documented 48-32 60% www.picksbypikes.com), but if you listen to me consistently, you will come out a winner. Remember, the gambling public only needs to win 53% of the time to come out a winner over the long term. As you can see from my documented winning percentage, I have consistently surpassed the mark.

Enough about me, lets get to what everyone is looking for, this weeks winners...

This weekend looks to be an easy one for the college football gambler. Why, you might ask? Because last week the public gambler cleaned house against the odds maker. What does this mean in English? Vegas wants its money back! So if you are a public player...i.e. the guy who bets on his favorite team every week, the USC, Notre Dame, and Texas lovers...DONT GAMBLE this weekend! You can thank me later.

This week's Winners...

Michigan over Iowa by 3

If anything can be learned from Iowa's lackluster effort at Indiana last week, it's that the Hawkeye's can't beat anybody if they're not concentrating. Last week, they had the look ahead fever - they will definitely be concentrating on today's game. Iowa is a strong 7-1-1 ATS against Michigan, annually saving its best for the Wolverines. Iowa is also 6-1 ATS in the second of BB road games, 9-2 ATS taking doubles, and 25-10 ATS in its last 35 Big Ten games. Big Blue is just 1-6 ATS in the first of back-to-back homers. Last week's battle in Happy Valley might have taken something out of UM. Oh, and for you www.picksbypikes.com followers...this happens to be my KICK YOUR BOOKIE'S @$$ Game of the Year! It's also an advanced winner for anyone who is following this Blog!

Nebraska over Texas by 7

Folks up in Lincoln are calling this a preview of the Big 12 championship game. Obviously, the local paper doesn't cover teams from Missouri. Regardless of what you call it, Nebraska needs to bring everything in their arsenal to this game. Texas has improved since getting whipped at home by Ohio State and QB Colt McCoy is beginning to show why he was so highly recruited. Nonetheless, the defending National Champ Longhorns find themselves in a very undesirable role here. Defending champs are just 41-56-1 ATS on the road coming off a win. By putting these overstuffed champs in this role we are 21-7-1 ATS for a neat 75% winning angle! Better yet, bring these young heifers in off back-to-back victories and our win-loss results zoom to 17-1-1 ATS! We're all over the Cornhuskers here today!

Arkansas over Mississippi by 21

The SEC West division leaders took a week off (playing SE Missouri State last week) to prepare for the Mississippi offensive juggernaut. Mississippi has won one game in the stats this year and that was against Kentucky's 118th-ranked defense. Arkansas is 15-2 ATS at home against avenging opponents in its last 17 tries. They also own a vaunted rush machine (235 RYPG on 6.1 YPG) the likes of which will make Ole Miss want to run back to the locker room. Considering that the Rebs are 18-50 ATS in conference play when they surrender 200 or more yards on the ground, you don't want to Miss this one.

Alabama over Tennessee by 1

Here comes Alabama in what has become its favorite role, an underdog with no perceived chance to win the game. Certainly, if this turns into a scoring contest Tennessee will win. Bama knows it can't let that happen. There is no home field advantage in this series with the visitor cashing in 13 of the last 14 meetings. That stat is coupled with the fact that Tennessee has been known for its home failures in big games under coach Phil Fulmer. Alabama is 24-7-2 as an underdog vs a more than .800 foe coming off a win. Double-digit dogs with better defenses always command our attention.

Best of Luck,

Pikes