Pick 'Em Corner - The Professor's Week 10 Smart Money Picks

What does it say about the Pick 'Em Corner panelists when, at the top of the current Pick 'Em Corner standings stand a pair of hockey guys in The Professor and Strickly Cash, followed closely by The Host, a noted degenerate gambler? What it says is that while The Professor, Strickly Cash and The Host are making money for their constituents hand over fist, the remaining Pick 'Em Corner panelists are frauds...and the Minnesota-centric Pick 'Em Corner knows its frauds (from Tim Brewster as football coach, to Joel Maturi as AD, to a pair of Pick 'Em Corner panelists as SIDs, Minnesota is Fraud U).

Now that I've set up the bulk of Pick 'Em Corner for a heavy dose of schadenfreude (look it up), it's time for Rivalry Week. The Professor is admittedly nervous as the Big Ten has decided to close up shop for the holiday season (save a couple of season-ending non-conference tilts). The Big Ten is obviously The Professor's forté, so much so that The Professor was just honored with the mythical 2009 Pick 'Em Corner Big Ten Game Prognosticator of the Year Award.

With no real Big Ten games on the docket, however, The Professor's confidence is waning. But fear not Pupils. If nothing else, you can always bet your current or future childrens' college tuition on The Professor's Lock of the Week (now 9-1).

The Professor's lecture is getting long, so without further ado, sit up straight, sharpen your pencils and give thanks for The Professor's Smart Money Picks, brought to you by the City of Chanhassen.

Texas -21 TEXAS A&M
I have absolutely no faith that the Aggies will pull off the upset in this one, but this Texas A&M offense is dangerous enough to keep things close for a while in this one. Of course, the Aggie offense is just as capable of crapping the proverbial bed, so beware laying lots of cash on this one.

CINCINNATI -20 Illinois
The Ron Zook Postulate makes this an easy pick for The Professor, but does anybody really think Illinois is going to derail Cincinnati's BCS bowl bid? Of course not, and neither does the Illini. In a strange bit of double-booking, the Ron Zook Farewell Tour (wishful thinking, I know) and the Brian Kelly Big-Time Coaching Gig Audtion hits Cincy in the same game. Two for the price of one. What a deal. Wow, Brian Kelly would look good in Maroon and Gold.

Alabama -10 AUBURN
Not sure when I'm going to learn my lesson, but once again last week, I bet against Bama and lost...big. Never again, I say. I know Gene Chizik has done a fine job at Auburn, but c'mon, the guy was at Iowa State last year. You don't go from Ames to the Iron Bowl and expect to stay within 10 of a national championship favorite. Plus, it's Thanksgiving weekend, so how can anyone resist saying The Host's favorite phrase...ROLL! TIDE TURKEY!

Nebraska -10 COLORADO
This game means absolutely nothing for the Huskers aside from getting ready for Texas in the Big XII title game. It means a bit more for 3-8 Colorado, but the Buffs are too bad to overcome the Black Shirt Defense.

Pittsburgh -1.5 WEST VIRGINIA
A nice 'stache beats a nice coach by two points or more every time.

BOISE STATE -13 Nevada
The over-under for this game is 70. I'd take the over, but if you can figure out how this game will shake out, be my guest. In the end, Smurf Turf coupled with BCS bowl hopes gives BSU the nod here. Wow, Chris Peterson would look good in Maroon and Gold.

Clemson -3 SOUTH CAROLINA
It's The Host's Does Anybody Outside the Locales of the Two Teams Involved Actually Care About This Game? Game, Part I.

Mississippi -7.5 MISSISSIPPI STATE
It's The Host's Does Anybody Outside the Locales of the Two Teams Involved Actually Care About This Game? Game, Part II.

OKLAHOMA -10 Oklahoma State
You hear that sound? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrr-plunk! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrr-plunk! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrr-plunk! It's The Professor's Statistically-Proven Lock of the Week, brought to you by National American University! No analysis needed here. If The Professor's record in locks of the week isn't enough, then you must not like money.

TCU -43.5 New Mexico
I got scared off by a pair of huge spreads last week and lost...big. Not again, especially with a TCU team hoping to impress the voters and computers. Wow, Gary Patterson would look good in Maroon and Gold.

Virginia Tech -13.5 VIRGINIA
The Al Groh Theorem makes this an easy pick for The Professor.

FLORIDA -24.5 Florida State
I doubted you last week, Urban, Tim, et al, and for that I sincerely and deeply apologize. Not this week. Plus, Bobby Bowden isn't quite sure what year it is anymore, so he's obviously not going to know what to do in this rivalry game.

Arizona -3 ARIZONA STATE
Maybe there's a correlation about teams that wear maroon and gold and bad offenses because the Devils move the ball about as well as Brewster's Boys...and that's saying something in the offense-happy Pac-10.

BYU -7.5 Utah
A Mormon-led squad won't be hung over from Thanksgiving like a non-Mormon-led squad will.

WASHINGTON -25 Washington State
The Never, Ever Take Washington State Law makes this an easy pick for The Professor.

LSU -3.5 Arkansas
I'm tired of picking LSU and losing. That's the only reason to go with WOO, PIG SOOEY.

STANFORD -8.5 Notre Dame
The Charlie Weis Farewell Tour hits Palo Alto and the Fat Man isn't allowed to stay out west and recruit after the game. Writing on the wall, anyone? Anyway, there are wayyy too many distractions to expect the Golden Domers to stay within 10.

GEORGIA TECH -7.5 Georgia
I absolutely love picking the Ramblin' Wreck each week, even if early in their games, they make me nervous with their slow-starting ways. Plus, Georgia is still reeling from the death of Uga VII, so take the Jackets in this one.

USC -13 ucla
USC can't lose a third embarrasing game in a month, can they? No, they can't.

Navy -9.5 HAWAII
Anchors aweigh, my boys, anchors aweigh! Wow, Ken Niumatalolo would look good in Maroon and Gold.

Thus concludes The Professor's Smart Money Picks, brought to you by The City of Chanhassen. Happy Thanksgiving, Pick 'Em Corner Prognosticators, The Professor's Pupils and devoted Pick 'Em Corner viewers.