Week 9 College Football Picks: Oklahoma and Favorites That Won't Cover

If you are a gambler, like a lot of people are, last week was very unkind to you if you put a wager on the 22-point favorite Oklahoma Sooners. And it was not a dumb bet to put on. They were at home, they were playing an unranked Texas Tech and they were coming in as the No. 3 team in the BCS standings and No. 1 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

However, the Oklahoma non-cover—or uncover, as my wife calls it—was not the only money-costing bet that was put down last week. 

Teams like Wisconsin and Notre Dame were both laying big numbers in their game, only to fall flat on their faces. 

Hopefully you did not waste your money on those underperforming teams last week.

There are favorites this week that look like they are a great gamble, as at first glance you will think they are guaranteed covers. However, these are false idols—do not waste your money on these three games. 

West Virginia (-7.0) at Rutgers 

With news coming out that WVU is planning on departing from the Big East for the Big 12, it should provide extra juice for this Rutgers team, which is going to be left in the sinking Big East, to give the Mountaineers a parting shot. 

Plus, consider West Virginia’s blowout loss last week on the road to Syracuse and news today that paralyzed Rutgers player Eric LeGrand will lead his former teammates out onto the field before the game. 

So, emotional victory plus parting shot equals Rutgers uncover. 

Oklahoma (-14.0) at Kansas State

Just like last week, Oklahoma has a huge point spread to cover against a team from the Big 12. And again, the Sooners will not cover, as Kansas State will be able to match anything Oklahoma throws at it.

Oklahoma will win this game on Saturday in Manhattan, but this game will be close from start to finish. 

Kansas State drops this game in a heartbreaker on a failed last scoring drive with the final score being: Oklahoma 31, Kansas State 27.

Pittsburgh (-10.0) vs. Connecticut 

This Pitt team has one great offensive weapon in RB Ray Graham and one horrible option in QB Tino Sunseri. It is a shame Graham cannot throw the ball because if he could this Pitt team would be 5-2 and not 3-4. 

As long as Sunseri is the quarterback on this team, Pitt will not be a “high-octane” offense against UConn. 

Take UConn against Pitt this week, as Sunseri will keep on living up to his Jersey roots, fist pumping the Panthers to another loss.

Three teams to stay away from this week. Save your money and find other games to bet on. 

Thanks for reading; you can follow me on Twitter @tjmcaloon.