Week 5: The Ticket Strikes Back

*4 Penn State (-16) over Illinois. It's a White Out! Happy Valley is going to be bumping, with the start of Big Ten play. The HD Offense, or whatever gimmick they are calling it is in full effect, and the Defense gets their two best D-linemen back from suspension. O Happy Day in Happy Valley. 16 is a lot, but with Juice Williams not playing like the mad man he was last year (presumably because he doesn't have Rashard Mendenhall to take the load off) and Penn State back in the national spotlight, look for Joe Pa to continue to run up the score on opponents.

*3 Auburn (-6.5) over Tennessee. Auburn's defense is absurd. If you were on the edge of your seat last week against LSU, you weren't the only one. It took a few gadget plays to get a score against the Auburn Defense. This week, Tennessee rolls in beaten and no longer overrated. Jonathan Crompton has proven to not be the QB he was in spring ball, and it is obvious why Ainge started ahead of him last year. Tennessee is a sinking ship and the 6.5 wont keep them afloat.

*3 Wisconsin (-6.5) over Michigan. Wisconsin is not the type of team that blows out the other opponent. But Michigan isn't the type of team that can stop Wisconsin this year. Rich Rodriguez's offense needs a QB to run this offense. They don't have it. Their defense is good, but PJ Hill will pound the ball away early, keep the defense on the field and slowly beat up Michigan. Michigan will not be ale to recover, and Wisconsin will have its way in the second half. Give the 6.5 and enjoy PJ Hill and the corn fed farm boys he has up front.

*2 Colorado (+5.5) over Florida State. I have to admit, I know little about Colorado, but what I do know is that Dan Hawkins is building a hell of a program. Lest we forget, he was the one who built up Boise State, before they were prominent. He is doing the same thing at Colorado. They play hard and they are getting 5.5. This game will be on national TV and Coach Hawkins will have his team ready to beat a Florida State team that has fallen from grace. Florida State was able to run up the score against perennial powerhouses Western Carolina, and Chattanooga, but their stellar offense couldn't score more than 3 against Wake Forest. I think they will score more than 3 on Saturday, but Colorado will be able to pull it out, or at least keep it close.

*3 Denver (-10) over Kansas City. The two worst teams in the league are in the state of Missouri. Show me a reason why Kansas City will stop Denver. There are none. Kansas City has a Journeyman QB that was originally beaten out for the No.2 job by a QB from Coastal Carolina. Their line is abysmal. Larry Johnson doesn't look like a superstar without a Pro Bowl Offensive line opening up holes that Big Baby can run through. Their defense gave away their only good player to Minnesota. They can't stop anyone and they can't score on anyone. The only reason the point spread is 10 and not 17 is that Kansas City has played Denver tough at home as of late. But that was before Jay Cutler's rise to Glory. This game is over at the half.

*2 Green Bay (+1) over Tampa Bay. Brian Grieve can't throw 60 times again this week, which is what he is going to need to do to outscore Green Bay's offense. Make no mistake about it, Green Bay has a lot of weapons, and can move down the field and score. The loss of Al Harris is concerning, but Tramon Williams is going to open some eyes. He is young, but he is fast and can cover well. He won't shut anyone down, but look for him to be serviceable in Al Harris' absence. Take the one point and watch Green Bay win outright.

*3 San Diego (-7.5) over Oakland. The House of Davis is in disorder. Run DMC was limited in practice on Thursday, as it appears his toe has gotten worse. LT on the other hand had his first full practice on Thursday. Phillip Rivers is on fire, and should continue to be on fire against the 26th ranked pass defense. Oakland is also the type of team that will fold if you go up on them early, which is what San Diego is going to try and do.

*3 Dallas (-11) over Washington. Dallas can score on the Redskin's defense the same way the Giants did. They will run hard and then go deep. The absence of Jason Taylor doesn't mean much but Demetric Evans' 9.5 sacks over the 80 games he played shouldn't scare Flozell Adams. Give the 11 and Watch Demarcus Ware terrorize Jason Campbell.