I will say I do agree with Chance's insight on the Cal/Oregon game. In fact I feel California will win that game out right.

Boise State hosts Southern Miss on the blue rug

Cue the Outer Limits intro: "There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture." Yes, that really is a blue 'Smurf Turf' on the field at Bronco Stadium. And
Boise State looks to leave the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles feeling blue after Thursday night's contest to open Week 5 action.

Big chalk isn’t what it used to be. Favorites went 26-20-1 against the spread during Week 4 of the college football season, but faves of 20 points or more were just 7-6 ATS. That includes Louisville (-37), who lost 38-35 to Syracuse. No Petrino, no peace.

Boise State hosts Southern Miss on the blue rug

Many of the following teams in Week 5 action have had their own struggles with double-digit pointspreads. Let’s see who’s able to get the job done this time around.


Southern Mississippi (+10½) at Boise State

Thursday, Sep 27, 7:30 p.m. (ET) ESPN
The Broncos cleaned out Weber State in the opener, but dropped out of the Top 25 by losing to underdog Washington, then failed to cover the 12-point spread in a 24-14 win over Wyoming. Boise State is still a good team, but that high-powered offense that we’re used to seeing on the blue turf is not what it was with QB Jared Zabransky finishing his senior year and center Paul Lucariello blowing out his knee. Southern Miss has a solid foundation of running and defense, upon which QB Jeremy Young is developing nicely.

No. 5 West Virginia at No. 18 South Florida (+7)

Friday, Sep 28, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN2

The Mountaineers have been huge favorites in each of their first four games, going 3-1 ATS, so it’s difficult to get too angry at them for 'only' beating Marshall (+25.5) by 25 points. Patrick White has thrown six TDs with zero interceptions, Steve Slaton has rushed for six yards per carry, and the Mountaineers’ defense is doing its part. But watch out for those Bulls. QB Matt Grothe is also pick-free, and USF already toasted a slumping Auburn as a 7-point puppy.

No. 6 California (+5½) at No. 12 Oregon
Saturday, Sep 29, 3:30 p.m. (ET) ABC

The Game of the Week is undoubtedly on the West Coast. You’re looking at two of the best offenses in the nation, playing against two defenses that are vulnerable in the trenches -- Cal more so than usual because of foot injuries to tackle Matt Malele and end Rulon Davis. Throw in a neck injury to linebacker Zach Follett, and whether these three men play or not, Ducks QB Dennis Dixon has a solid opportunity to get some revenge after last year’s 45-24 disaster at Cal. Yet this should still be a close game; Oregon by a figgie looks about right.

Kansas State at No. 7 Texas (-14½)
Saturday, Sep 29, 3:30 p.m. (ET) ABC

Texas has been giving handicappers fits, failing to blow out Arkansas State (+39½) and nearly losing to Central Florida (+17). K-State, meanwhile, is coming off a bye week and is one of the three teams that covered against Auburn. However, the Longhorns are not likely to forget last year’s 45-42 loss to the Wildcats. That game saw Texas QB Colt McCoy suffer an injured shoulder in the first quarter. He’s healthy now, and a year older.

Maryland at No. 10 Rutgers (-16½)
Saturday, Sep 29, 3:30 p.m. (ET) ABC

Don’t fear the Turtle. Maryland was supposed to be a dark horse in the ACC, but dark horses don’t go 0-3 ATS to start the season. Last week’s collapse against a beatable Wake Forest team is going to stick in Maryland’s craw for a while. QB Jordan Steffy has been average at best, the run defense is 71st in the nation, and Rutgers happens to have one of the premier backs in the nation in Ray Rice. Watch him roll for around 200 yards as Rutgers does its best to push the score over the posted total of 46.

Auburn at No. 3 Florida (-18)
Saturday, Sep 29, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN

The fade was on the Tigers after they started the season 0-3 ATS, so naturally they thumped New Mexico State by 35 points. That hasn’t stopped the betting public from hopping on the Gators this Saturday. Nor did Florida’s near-miss at Mississippi (+24.5) last week, a 30-24 victory over the Rebels that went down to the wire. Florida’s defense is eventually going to cost it a game or two, but Auburn is in much worse shape after losses to USF and Mississippi State.