More College Football Week Five Picks and Games I’m Not Touching

I thought USC was a little overrated, but I never expected the domination that took place in Corvallis last night.

I haven't turned on ESPN yet, but I'm sure the media spin machine is running in full force, talking about how it was a conference game and how it was such a tough place to play.

You never have to worry about that here. I say it how it is: The Trojans were 25-point favorites and got waxed by a team that was run out of the building by Penn State and lost to Stanford. When you see my ballot next week (I had USC fourth this week) you won't see the Trojans ranked higher than 20 barring some major upsets.

The only questions that really remain are, 1) Did Pete Carroll really prepare his team that badly? 2) Were they that overrated? 3) What impact is that nationally televised disaster going to have on recruiting, and really, the future of that entire program?

My guess is that the sky is falling for yesterday's top dog—and for what they put on the field last night, it should be.

Things went a little better for Tulane, but not for us. The Green Wave were easily covering by halftime and then for some reason just put on the brakes, like they were saving it for another day. They gave up 14 late fourth quarter points that will just leave us scratching our heads.

Thankfully we have a full slate to work with this week and our cushion, so the sky isn't falling, though we'll look to get back to our winning ways in a hurry. Here's more of this week's action.

Ball State -19 vs. Kent State (Saturday, Sept. 27, 12 EST): 2 Units

Here is another one of those games where I had to check through a few of my previous posts because I thought I had listed it. The spread has moved a point higher, but I honestly don't believe it will make a difference as Ball State should win and cover easily at home this week.

Nate Davis is an excellent yet underrated QB for Ball State, and he should be able to have his way with the Golden Flash defense. Ball State is currently undefeated at 4-0 and perfect against the spread at 3-0. Kent State is 0-3 against the spread and 1-3 overall.

The positives for Ball State and negatives for Kent State that are taking place this season are nothing new to either program as they are longstanding trends.

The Golden Flashes are 1-11 against the spread in their last 12 conference games, 0-5 against the spread in their last five road games, 0-7 against the spread in their last seven following a straight-up loss, and 0-7 against the spread in their last seven following a non-cover.

On the road at Ball State isn't the place to cure negative trends as the Cardinals are 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 conference games, 9-3 against the spread in their last 12 following a straight-up win, and 7-2 against the spread when playing a team with a losing record. I think the Cardinal easily help us add to our winning ways this season.

Minnesota at Ohio State (Saturday, Sept. 27, 12 EST)

Line: Minnesota +19

NO PLAY

On paper this looks and sets up to be an easy Minnesota cover, but I am not the type to wake a sleeping giant. Minnesota has had a very nice turnaround this season at 4-0 overall and 2-1 against the spread.

Ohio State hasn't covered all season, and while they are 3-1 in the regular win-loss department, they are 0-3 against the spread. Ohio State has only has one game on the road, so home hasn't helped in the cover department.

Aside from just this season, the Gophers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five overall, 7-3-1 against the spread in their last 11 conference games, and 5-1 against the spread following their last six straight-up wins.

The Buckeyes are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five home games, 1-4 against the spread in their last five against a team with a winning record, and 0-4 against the spread in their last four overall.

However, Ohio State has covered in four of its last five against Minnesota, and I think this is one where it just seems too difficult to make a call.

See what else Mitch isn't going near at The College Football Place.