darrell,

We suffered a losing week last week going 2-3. Five picks this Saturday as we look to get back to the winning ways.

Sports Handicapping Forum: Like talking about sports betting? Want to see lots of picks, trends and angles? Post your picks for this weekend! Check out Capper's Lounge.

Wunderdog Picks Results Check out my 12-month performance here.

Please Tell A Friend about this newsletter and they'll thank you!

Good luck to you...

Note: risk 1% of bankroll per unit. Never risk more than 5% of total bankroll on any single pick.

Game: Louisville at Syracuse (Saturday 10/21 12:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Louisville -16.5

Last week the Cardinals struggled with Cincinnati for nearly three quarters before taking the late lead in the forth quarter and just squeaking out a win 23-17. They gave up a very ugly 212 yards on the ground but the big problem was turnovers (3 compared to 1 for the Bearcats). The Cardinals, 6-0 for the first time sound since 1972, moved up to No. 6 in both national polls this week, matching the program's highest ranking ever. But, the public is a bit down on them after last week's lackluster performance. Don't be mislead by that performance as this Louisville squad is a outstanding football team and should have no problem with the Orange this week. Last week was QB Brian Brohm's first game back after sustaining a injury in the Miami game and he looked a little rusty. That rust is off and with another week under his belt I look for him and this offense to bounce back. The Orange have lost two in a row and look to be on a downward spiral. The main reason for this slide is their defense that has given up over 410 yards per game including over 200 on the ground and with the high powered Louisville offense coming to town this doesn't bold well. The Orange allowed 562 yards and 41 points last week to West Virginia. The fast surface of the Carrier Dome should help the speedy WR's of the Cardinals. Look for a lot of big plays in this one as Brohm and a host of talented WR's will take advantage. Louisville is loaded with offensive and defensive talent and they have won both ways this season (not just a offensive team anymore). They have proven themselves as one of the elite teams in the country and they will be focused here after last week's scare. Cardinals here.

Prior to last week's poor outing (7 points), Ball State was averaging nearly 33 points per game thanks to 10 returning starters from last year including their QB. They looked bad last week vs. Central Michigan but that score is misleading as they had 5 turnovers. In the six prior games they averaged less than 1 per game. This week they look to get back to normal. The Broncos on the other hand are coming off a close victory over a pretty good Northern Illinois team, giving them wins in three of their last four games. But both of these teams are pretty evenly matched. I like Ball State's offensive fire power. The Cardinals average 275 yards through the air and 366 yards of total offense per game. This offense has put up some big numbers including 55 and 38 points in both of their wins this season. They have a big advantage in yards per play over W. Michigan (6.1 vs. 4.6). This one could be another shootout. Last year these teams scored a combined 117 points! Ball State has covered 3 of the last 4 in this matchup. This one looks to come down to a field goal either way. We will take the better offensive team in the role of a home dog in this one.

Last week I mentioned that there's a handful of Texas high-school football teams that could beat the Temple Owls. It was part of my reasoning for taking the UNDER in their game against Clemson. Well, I was right and wrong. I missed the UNDER because Clemson put up 63 points on Temple. It was the third time this season they have allowed over 60 points. They have given up 40+ two other times. And, they haven't scored more than 17 points all season. I guess this is what happens when you bring back 2 starters from what was already a horrible 2005 team. In five road games Temple has been outscored by an average of 37 points per game. Granted, Northern Illinois is not as good as some of the teams Temple has faced. But they are very motivated. They lost 14-16 as a favorite last week on the road at Western Michigan. They managed just 157 total yards. They are going to come back very strong here against a helpless Temple team. With head coach Joe Novak at the helm, N. Illinois is 22-12 ATS following a loss and 12-4 ATS off a game in which they had 2+ more turnovers than their opponent. And, the Novak-led Huskies are 11-1 ATS versus teams that can't run the ball (teams averaging under 90 rushing yards per game). N. Illinois is averaging 34 points per game at home. They should be able to get 45+ today and keep Temple in single digits. Take the Huskies in a big-time blowout.

The Vols are for real this year and Bama is not. While the Tide is 5-2, they have not won games in convincing fashion. They are just 2-4-1 ATS on the year as they have underperformed in nearly every game. They are not at the level of last year's team when they advanced to a bowl game with one of the best defensive units in the nation. The Volunteers on the other hand continue their hot play with another cover as a road dog two weeks ago against the Georgia Bulldogs in which they came from 17 down to win by 18 (51-33). While the Vols had a down season last year they have more than made up for it in 2006 with an outstanding season thus far. They are 5-1 SU and ATS on the year. The Tennessee offense, led by QB Erik Ainge, has been hot with Ainge throwing for 14 TD's so far. He is not alone on offense, surrounded by outstanding skill position players including WR Robert Meachum who has already caught six TD's passes and should give the Crimson Tide secondary fits. This guy a has big play written all over him. The Volunteers have had two weeks to prepare for the Tide and have way too much talent on both sides of the ball for this game to be competitive. Throw in the fact that Bama has played in two OT games in the last four weeks and they are going to get run over here. The Tide look like a tired team while the Volunteers have had time to rest. The Vols are on a roll scoring 35 pts per game and allowing just 19 and it doesn't look like it going to stop this week. Tennessee is statistically stronger on both sides of the ball and Bama's defense just isn't anywhere near what it used to be. With 110,000 pumped up fans cheering them on, look for Tennessee to cruise to the double-digit victory here.

San Jose State won last week to notch their fourth straight win. But, they dissapointed by winning by only a touchdown as 16 point favorites. They really should have blown out Utah State and the fact that they did not is cause for concern. Nevada is coming off a tough loss at Hawaii prior to its bye week. One thing that should not be lost on Nevada is that they are a very good football team while on their home turf, as demonstrated by their early wins over Colorado State and Norhtwestern. Nevada running back Brandon Fragger is the real deal and should continue to perform. Nevada won and covered both of the last two matchups with SJ State, winning by 18 at home in 2004 and 7 on the road last year. While these teams have not yet shared any opponents this season, last year they played 7 common opponents. Nevada was 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in those games while San Jose State was 2-5 SU and 1-6 ATS. I like the Wolfpack's motivation here, too. Big home favorites coming off a bad road loss hit at about a 70% clip in their next game. I have a system I track that relates to this that is 7-1 ATS already this year. I think Nevada comes out fighting in this one. They are 11-3 ATS as a favorite the past three seasons including 8-0 at home in that role. Take Nevada minus the points.