Pac-12 Football odds and picks: The Gamble-Tron, Week Nine

Welp, it was a good run. Ok, it was a decent run. Ok, it was a barely-above-average run that was bound to crash and burn. Most things in life, be they progression or regression, are rarely linear. There are ebbs and flows, fits and starts et cetera. Cougar Football is a good example. After a disastrous debut for Mike Leach in 2012, the 2013 bowl team came out of nowhere and things seemed to be headed in the right direction.

Then 2014 happened, and we were right back to where we were, record-wise. WSU’s progress has been somewhat linear since then, until 2019. Due to a number of circumstances, this season has seen somewhat of a dropoff. Something similar happened with the Gamble-Tron, only worse. We started off really well, steadily trended downward, and then fell off the proverbial cliff.

So here we sit, after our worst weekend of the season, trying to figure out how we’re going to rebound. Most people would take the slow and steady approach, dialing back the number of picks in an effort to start a slow climb out of the hole. (By the way, anyone who says “I’m trying to dig out of this hole” is, well, just keep your distance). Anyhoo, as Master Yoda would say, in the saddle we shall be back. Or something.

Why I love gambling: Every hot streak is just a few days away.

Why I hate gambling: Because people tend to hate things they suck at.

Last week: 7-15

Season Total: 62-67-3

Reader Results:

• 425CougFan: 4-10
• stewak: 1-1
• pf_flyer: 4-9
• NWFlyfishing: 3-3
• .:R: 3-4
• BothwaysUphill: 4-2
• BRCoug99: 6-4
• bburn33: 5-8

USC Trojans at Colorado Buffaloes (+13.5): Yeah, I know Steven Montez gets more terribler by the week. And yeah, I know Mel Tucker said there’s no transfer portal in the real world, (because here in the real world you can go from job to job without having to sit out a year). But for some reason I think the Buffs can at least kick down the back door.

The Pick: Ralphie

California Golden Bears at Utah Utes (-18.5): Will the next Cal quarterback to get injured please turn out the lights? I don’t know whether Devon Modster or a true freshman to be named later will get the start, but it probably won’t matter.

The Pick: Utes

Arizona Wildcats at Stanford Cardinal (+1): Screw the point spread, I’m interested in the over/under on the number of fans who will be at the game. If I’m David Shaw, I tell my guys to go into the seats and personally thank every fan for coming out. Won’t take more than a few minutes.

The Pick: Arizona

Washington State Cougars at Oregon Ducks (-13.5): This line has come down a full two points, and crossed a key number in the process. While this has massive letdown potential, gimme Oregon, for all of the money.

The Pick: Ducks

We also made a couple picks before the ink dried on the betting sheets. Nebraska is already a favorite in many places, and the Notre Dame line has gone from +4 to to -1. Hopefully we found some value. What we likely found were some sucker bets.

First half lines sure to go wrong:

Illinois Fighting Illini at Purdue Boilermakers (-4.5): Feels like some serious letdown potential here.

The Pick: Boiler Up

Appalachian State Mountaineers at South Alabama Jaguars (+13.5): App St is a contender for the G5 representative in the New Year’s Six. You read that correctly.

The Pick: App State

Texas Tech Red Raiders (-2.5) at Kansas Jayhawks: Both you and I know that Kansas is still patting itself on the back because it almost didn’t lose to Texas.

The Pick: Guns (please God) Up