darrell,

4-1 last week as we hit with Vanderbilt, Louisville, Minnesota and New Mexico. Illinois was the sole loss. Five more picks this Saturday...

WUNDERDOG 2006 RESULTS (UNITS)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	UNITS
NFL	6-3 last 9 picks	67%	+3
CFB	11-5 last 16 picks	69%	+6
MLB	24-12 last 36 picks	67%	+2.3
NHL	208-140 last season	60%	+24.6
CBB	174-128 last season	58%	+46
NBA	207-197 last season	51%	+10
TOTAL			+91.9

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

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Good luck to you...

Game: Tulsa at Navy (Saturday 9/23 1:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 stars on Navy -4.5

For all the concerns Tulsa faces following a sluggish offensive start in last week's 28-3 win over North Texas, the biggest is whether the defense can find a way to slow Navy's triple-option offense. The Midshipmen are averaging 346 rushing yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry on way to a 3-0 start this season. This wacky offense gives opponents fits because so few teams see the triple-option -- especially the way Navy runs it. Navy opponents must spend lots of extra prep time on this instead of other things they could/should be working on. The Midshipmen offense is lead by talented Senior QB Brian Hampton. This may be his first year as starter but he has looked very good in their first three games. Navy is averaging over 28 points per game and should be able to get to the four-TD mark again this week. If they do, it looks good for a Navy cover considering that over the past 15 years, when Navy scores 28+ points they are 43-12 ATS. And, when allowing 28+ points, Tulsa is 22-62 ATS over the same time span. This game will come down to how well each of the defenses do stopping the other teams offense. As described above, it's a very large task to prepare in one week for this triple-option and I think Tulsa will have problems this Saturday.

Wake returns 19 starters from last season including four offensive lineman from a squad that led the ACC in rushing. RB Andrews is averaging 4.4 yards per carry thus far. He was injured last game is expected to play here. Ole Miss returned just 10 total starters from last year and so far Wake has looked like the more experienced team as they have found ways to win all three games so far, led by solid defense. Missippi won their opener vs. Memphis but has since lost to both Missouri and Kentucky, getting blown out in both games. The inexperience has shown (12 penalties and 5 turnovers last week). Folks, I think the wrong teams is favored in this game as Miss is just 1-8 ATS the past three seasons during September and Wake loves the dog role.

For the second time during his stay at Syracuse, Greg Robinson has a chance at a two-game winning streak. If you've forgotten, the first time was last season, when the Orange beat Buffalo to even their record at 1-1, with Virginia coming in. Syracuse lost a close one to the Cavaliers and then didn't win again the rest of the year. I think the same thing could happen this year. After playing competitive games against two Big Ten opponents, Miami Ohio was upset by Kent State, 16-14, in its MAC opener. This doesn't bother me much as the Redhawks played very well vs. Purdue the week prior. And, underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points off a big upset loss to a conference rival are a 75% ATS proposition the next week. The main difference between these two teams is the way they pass the ball. The Redhawks are averaging 242 yards per game versus the Orange who are getting just 140 yards per game. In non-conference matchups, underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points that pass well (230-275 PY/game) facing an average passing defense (175-230 PY/game) are 35-10 ATS the last 10 seasons. The Syracuse offense is very predictable as they rarely try to stretch the field play very conservative under coach Robinson due to turnover happy QB Perry Peterson. This game should be very close and come down to field goal either way.

Missippi State laid two eggs in their first two games, not scoring a point. But, don't overreact like most of the betting public! That was against two of the best defenses in the country (South Carolina and Auburn). Ouch - that's a tough schedule to start out the year. They bounced back offensively against Tulane but still lost the game as a 12 point favorite. So why am I backing them this week? Because I think that double digits is too much for UAB to lay. UAB is 1-2 SU and ATS and they were blanked last week by Georgia. They are not THAT much better than Mississippi State. I actually think Mississippi State's defense is better. With Watson Brown as head coach, UAB is just 13-25 ATS as a favorite. In what should be a very low-scoring game, getting 10 points is a ton. Back MSU.

Michigan State went into South Bend last season and pulled one of the biggest upsets of the year, beating Notre Dame at home in overtime. Now as Notre Dame heads to East Lansing this week, the Irish are limping after getting blasted by Michigan. The Spartans seem to have some momentum again after an impressive win in which they came from 10 down in the first quarter to beat Pitt. This game matches two high powered offenses and two All-American QB's (Brady Quinn and Drew Stanton). Right now though Quinn is not looking like the Heisman candidate he was at the start of the season. And I like the Spartan defensive advantage here. The Notre Dame defense was exposed big time last week. A small secondary and lack of speed was very apparent as Michigan QB Chad Henne shredded the ND secondary. Michigan State in past years has always given Notre Dame trouble and I see this week being no different. Michigan State has been solid in the beginning of the year and they will be jacked up to play the favored Irish here. They smell blood and won't be intimidated by Charlie Weiss' crew, as they showed last year. Spartan Stadium will be rocking for this rare night game and will give their team the edge. Michigan State is on a 9-2 SU run vs. Top 10 opponents as they get up for the big games. Take the home dog here in a game that they may very well win outright.