Sage's Week 8 NCAA Picks

[JSazzle3]

1.) Duke +5.5

- Miami is once-again overrated this week. The Hurricanes are one of the worst teams against the spread in the nation for 3 straight seasons. Miami should not be favored in this match-up against an improved Duke Blue Devils team, especially on the road. David Cutcliffe has folks in Blue Devil Country finally talking about football, and folks around the country will be talking about Duke football after a big "upset" over the 'Canes Saturday.

2.) Colorado -2.5

- Colorado's brutal schedule heading into this game with Kansas State will help the Buffs at home Saturday. Colorado has played 4 straight games against quality opponents in West Virginia, Texas, FSU & Kansas. The Kansas State Wildcats are coming off a game where they beat Texas A&M, but their defense was exposed again as they allowed the Aggies to put up 30 points. The odds makers have been forced to make Colorado a small favorite here due to their 3 straight losses, but that just shifts all the value in the Buffs' favor. I'll back this team at home any day, especially against an overrated K-State team that has yet to earn a significant win this season.

3.) Rutgers +1

- Rutgers is always at their best when they have been counted out. The Scarlet Knights are a bunch of competitors, and they have competed extremely well in recent losses to West Virginia & Cincinnati on the road. They lost by 7 points at WVU & 3 points at Cincy. A return trip home Saturday will have the Big East knowing what this team is capable of. UConn started the season 5-0 with five straight wins against teams with .500 records or worse. But the Huskies were exposed in their last game, a 38-12 loss at North Carolina. Rutgers is ancy to break through and get their season turned around, and they'll play the role of the underdog to perfection this weekend. Take the points.

4.) UAB +3

- UAB fits into a great situation in which I like to back teams. The Blazers took a 20-3 halftime lead at Houston last time out, only to watch the Cougars reel off 42 unanswered points in the second half. UAB had Houston by the balls, and they let them off the hook. Now the Blazers are catching 3 points at home against Marshall, and you can bet UAB players will be prepared to dominate for 48 minutes Saturday. I guaranteed practice has not been pleasant all week for UAB, and players will be conditioned to go the extra mile after letting thier last game slip away. Marshall is getting outscored by 17.0 PPG on the road this season. Take UAB and the points.

5.) Virginia +5.5

- Remember, Virginia made it all the way to the ACC Championship game last season against Virginia Tech. After a slow start, the Cavaliers are starting to show what they are really capable of. Virginia has played the role of the home dog to perfection the last 2 weeks, beating Maryland 31-0 as a 14-point dog and pounding E. Carolina 35-20 last week as a 5.5-point dog. North Carolina comes into town this week riding a tremendous high after coming back to beat Notre Dame last week. I'm predicting Virginia knocks the Tar Heels off their pedestal behind a great running game that can keep UNC off the field. The Cavaliers have rushed for 207 & 202 yards the last 2 weeks, respectively. Star RB Cedric Peerman has accounted for 293 of those 409 yards, with 3 touchdowns. He will be a handful for this UNC defense. Take the points Saturday.

[TheFade]

Like Duke and Virginia a lot, but left the other 3 alone! :thumbsup: