College Football Odds Week 4: 10 ATS Winners for Saturday (9/25)

The Lady is stuck being average—for the second week in a row—thanks to giving a little too much respect to Notre Dame and my beloved Georgia Bulldogs. However, a new week beckons and, although the season record stands at an unimpressive 13-12, there is a chance that redemption isn't far from probable as we head into week four.

So, getting back on the horse, yet again, here are ten against the spread (ATS) picks for the Saturday slate of college football.

All lines are courtesy of Vegas Insider. 

1. Michigan vs. Bowling Green: Michigan (-20)

That embarrassing display of football the Wolverines played last week has likely scared off a few people for this week. However, the Falcons lost their starting quarterback and will once again trot out the sophomore, Aaron Pankratz, who led them to victory against the Thundering Herd. Pankratz will be expected to perform well again in Schilz absence, but Michigan isn't Marshall and the Big House isn't anything like home.

The Lady's Pick: Michigan

2. Boston College vs. Virginia Tech: Boston College (-2)

The Hokies have lost their aura of invincibility and, despite their home win over East Carolina last week, I'm not convinced that they are any better of a team now than they were at the start of the season. By contrast, the Eagles have played well (against lesser competition) and look to be hitting their stride defensively. Virginia Tech will be without starting tailback, Ryan Williams, this week as well—leaving the ground game in doubt.

The Lady's pick: Boston College

3. Ohio State vs. Eastern Michigan: Ohio State (-42)

There is something very scary about giving that many points to any team, but the way Ohio State has played this year, you have to feel pretty confident about their chances to cover. It also doesn't hurt that Central Michigan was able to thump the Eagles by 38 points last week—just saying.

The Lady's pick: Ohio State 

4. Georgia Tech vs. NC State: Georgia Tech (-9)

The Yellow Jackets don't seem to be excelling in Al Groh's 3-4 just yet and that has given teams an opportunity to stick around a bit longer in games than Paul Johnson might like. NC State is 3-0 and Russell Wilson will be a challenge to cover because of his ability to scramble. I like the Wolfpack's chances to keep it close.

The Lady's pick: NC State

5. Tennessee vs UAB: Tennessee (-14)

The Volunteers should be able to control the Blazers on offense without too much static and the offense shouldn't have too much trouble scoring on the Blazers defense. This match-up will be a welcome respite for the Vols after the last two weeks of play.

The Lady's Pick: Tennessee

6.  Kansas vs. New Mexico State: Kansas (-23)

The Aggies defense is deplorable—no really—it's bad. Kansas may not be anywhere near the team that Turner Gill expects it to be in the very near future, but they have a lot more going for them than the Aggies who not only find scoring difficult (15.5 ppg), but can't seem to stop anyone else from scoring either (giving up more than 40 ppg). The Jayhawks are by no means prolific, but they should be more than capable of putting points on the board against New Mexico State.

The Lady's Pick: Kansas

7. South Carolina at Auburn: Auburn (-1)

Steve Spurrier's team is 3-0 so far this season but they haven't really been that impressive in getting there.  Auburn struggled against Mississippi State and almost lost to Clemson last week, but you have to believe that the Tigers defense is more than capable of handling whatever Stephen Garcia has to throw at them. The Gamecocks get their first loss here.

The Lady's Pick: Auburn

8. Alabama at Arkansas: Alabama (-4)

I know that a lot of people are drinking the Bobby Petrino/Ryan Mallett Kool-Aid but, the fact is, this will be the first time the Razorbacks meet a team with this much talent this year. Georgia, honestly, wasnt playing with a full deck last week and they almost engineered the comeback. Alabama has all of it's offensive players back in play and Dareus is back too—on defense—so if the Tide can contain Mallett, you have to like their chances to win it here.

The Lady's Pick: Alabama

9. Nevada at BYU: Nevada (-4)

The Wolfpack won a big one against Cal last week, 52-31, and you have to wonder if they will be due for an emotional letdown this week against a BYU squad that just named its true freshman as the full-time starter. Everything points to a Wolfpack win and that is precisely why I am skeptical.

The Lady's Pick: BYU

10. Oregon State at Boise State: Boise State (-16)

This is the upset pick of the week—crazy right? Listen, the Beavers gave TCU all they could handle early this season and they are looking to make a statement against the Broncos as well so expect this game to be competitive.


The Lady's Pick: Oregon State

Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson Often Saw More Tragedy Than Triumph

The Vanderbilt Commodores just saw their SEC Media Day profile get a little more interesting as head coach, Bobby Johnson, has reportedly offered his resignation to the university.

A press conference has been scheduled for 2 pm (EST) today.

The exact reason for his departure is not yet known, but several media outlets are reporting that his health may have been a major factor in the decision.

His replacement has not been named, but VandyMania.com lists veteran assistants, Robbie Caldwell, Jimmy Kiser, and Ted Cain as possible candidates for the job.

In eight seasons as the Commodores head coach, Johnson compiled a 29-66 record. An unimpressive total to be sure, but considering Vandy's history as an SEC whipping post, Johnson was very well-respected for fielding competitive teams.

During his tenure, he led Vanderbilt to several signature wins over SEC East opponents, including big road wins over Georgia (06'), Tennessee (05'), and South Carolina (07'). He also celebrated the teams' first bowl win in over 50 years—a 16-14 victory over Boston College in the 2008 Music City Bowl.

Johnson first flirted with leaving Vanderbilt in 2007. 

He was a part of the coaching search to replace the fired Ted Roof at Duke. He eventually withdrew his name from consideration and decided to remain with the Commodores.

Vanderbilt was not expected to be nearly as competitive in 2010 as in recent years. The loss of one of his top assistants, Warren Belin to the Georgia Bulldogs coaching staff as well as the tragic death of his top tailback recruit—Rajaan Bennett—cast a pall over the program.

Bennett's loss was especially painful given the fact that it wasn't the first time coach Johnson lost a promising player to a heinous crime.

In 2002, top defensive prospect Marcus Dixon was charged with rape and imprisoned—he never played a down for Vandy.

In December 2004, star tailback, Kwane Doster was murdered in his hometown of Tampa, FL while away for winter break.

In both instances, these were players that Johnson hoped would be able to sustain the momentum of his program. Instead, they became setbacks to success and affected the trajectory of Johnson's goals as a coach.

By the time Rajaan Bennett lost his life to murder, Johnson seemed like a defeated shell of a man. He appeared to question his overall purpose to the university in light of such a tragic loss (see video):



As much as he tried, Johnson couldn't seem to escape the obstacles that each tragedy seemed to bring and it was tough to watch him try to make the best of the bad situations.

Perhaps he finally just burned out—it would be understandable.

In the end, though, the fact is Vanderbilt just lost their head coach—two months before the start of the season. Tragedy or no tragedy, the Commodores have been left empty-handed. So, the real question for the 85+ men that coach Johnson just left behind is, what now?