Bob’s Picks

Bob's Picks for Oct. 2, 2010: This week, Point Spreads are based on the Bodog.net line in Thursday's USA TODAY.

Road Favorites

Sometimes travel soothes the soul. Top 10 travelers get their props from Las Vegas, but when decent to good football teams make road trips, the oddsmakers often underestimate them and give too much credit to inferior home teams.

There are three road favorites I like to beat spreads this week:

Northwestern (-4) at MINNESOTA: The Golden Goofers are in real trouble. Meanwhile, these aren't your dad's Northwestern Wildcats, winners of 18 games in all of the 1980s. But your "dad" still makes odds in Vegas and can't see Northwestern for the solid program it is now. Pick: Northwestern -4

Notre Dame (-2.5) at BOSTON COLLEGE: This marks the Fighting Irish's first step in an interesting trio of eastern venues this year: lovely Chestnut Hill (where it might still be raining on Saturday), the New Meadowlands Stadium (vs. Navy), and the new Yankee Stadium (vs. Army). Notre Dame is desperate for a win. BC had won six straight in the series until last year when its offense went on strike. BC's attack isn't any better this year. Pick: NOTRE DAME -2.5

Georgia (-3.5) at COLORADO: The Buffaloes are better but probably not enough ultimately to save coach Dan Hawkins' job. Ordinarily, Georgia might overlook this fair out-of-conference opponent, but after three straight losses, the Bulldogs themselves are desperate. Pick: GEORGIA -3.5

--Bob Boyles