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So after a very uninspiring slate of games last weekend, we should have two great weeks of football leading up to the conference championship games.

This week we begin to see many of the great annual rivalries contended, which brings me to one of my favorite maxims of betting on college football — whenever a rivalry game features a double-digit point spread, always take the underdog. As you can tell from this list of games I haven’t necessarily pulled the trigger on any of those games, but just because Michigan is getting 21 points I still can’t advise taking the points. If I had to bet, I would take the points however.

Also, I’ve included the “epic” showdown in the Apple Cup among my best bets and as you can tell I’m not backing the underdog. Frankly, Washington giving seven points is probably my lock of the year. Washington State has not been the least bit competitive this season, which you can’t say for Washington. The Huskies suck, no doubt about it, but they’ve played decent at times and should beat the Cougars by three touchdowns.

Top Games

Texas Tech (+7) at Oklahoma — I really like the line Vegas set here. I went back and forth on this game. Again, the question is — are the Red Raiders for real? I think they are or at least they’re real enough to justify thinking they might keep this game within a touchdown.

BYU (+7) at Utah — This partially falls under my rule of taking the points in a rivalry game. I’ve been unimpressed by BYU for the last half of the season, but the Cougars seem to be getting back into gear and should give Utah all it can handle.

Michigan State (+15) at Penn State — I think Michigan State will be able to control the clock enough to keep this game close, but the Nittany Lions will lock up their Rose Bowl bid.

Cincinnati (-5.5) vs. Pittsburgh — If not for the potentially distracting rumors surrounding Brian Kelly accepting the job at Tennessee I would recommend the Bearcats wholeheartedly. As it is, I still can’t bet against them. The Big East title appears to be theirs for the taking.

Georgia Tech (-3) vs. Miami — Damn, I hate having to pick ACC games. I’m not buying the “Miami is back” meme.

Best Bets

Washington (-7) vs. Washington State — If you look at the records, it is tempting to think WSU and the points might be a solid play, but there’s a difference between bad and wretched. Washington is merely bad, Washington State is wretched.

Toledo (-3) vs. Miami — I think the Rockets will be up for one of Tom Amstutz’s last games as coach of Toledo. Sometimes when you get these games pitting two teams playing out the string, it’s important to evaluate motivation.

Colorado State (-2) at Wyoming — Speaking of which, CSU can likely secure a bowl bid with a win. Wyoming has nothing to play for except a likely lame duck coach and couldn’t score in a whorehouse. Yeah, I’ll take the Rams.

Air Force (+20) at TCU — Why are the Falcons getting so many points here? I don’t doubt TCU will win, but I don’t see them blowing Air Force out.

Oregon State (+3) at Arizona — I’ve come full circle on the Beavers since writing them off after their loss to Penn State. Count me among those who think they’re going to win out and secure that Rose Bowl bid and rematch with the Nittany Lions.

Last Week

4-6 last week, 66-52-3 overall

Top Games

1-4 last week, 33-25-2 overall

Best Bets

3-2 last week, 32-27-1 overall

Actual Bets

0-0 last week, 10-14-1 overall, -$106

Now if you could get Dice K to throw the gyroball to this guy, who hits baseballs with nunchucks, you’d have something. [Home Run Derby]

British soccer club Darlington surrenders mid-match after one their players falls and breaks his neck, but the opposing manager was gracious about his triumph: “I didn’t see what happened, but it was unnerving. [Darlington’s coach] was keen for the game to be called off. Is that a laugh? There was only 12 minutes to go. It was a fantastic performance from my team and we got our just rewards. Over the two games we deserved to win and Darlington got what they deserved — nothing.” [Times Online]

Just weeks after declaring that their mascot “out-enthused” the Phillie Phanatic, Tampa Bay Rays fire their mascot, Raymond. A stunned nation now demands answers. [Tampa Bay Online]

Man convicted of tying up, robbing two North Carolina football players sentenced to 23 years in prison [Raleigh News & Observer]

Golfer J.P. Hayes realized he used an illegal ball on one hole of one round at Q-school, so he voluntarily disqualified himself and won’t get a tour card for next year. Stupid honesty and integrity! [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]

The Deadspin Morning Video Wake Up Call will return for a brief period of time from today through the holidays. If you have any suggested videos to fill this space, email us. Subject: Morning Video Wake Up Call.

Who knows what started this disagreement; perhaps the guy in the white T-shirt made some disparaging remarks about the Oak Ridge Boys, or fried foods. At any rate, brown shirt guy would give him a right-good lickin’, if he could reach him. Video below.

Fun aspect of this video: Everyone is wearing a baseball cap, but not one with a logo I recognize.

NASCAR Rage Fight [Fandome]

Blogdome@deadspin.com takes you by the heart, when it takes you by the hand.

Who will serve us tea?: Cheerleaders in cricket? Actually, that’s a lot like I’d expect it to be. [Lion In Oil]

Available in bulk!: Did you know that you can get discounted Knicks tickets at Costco? I guess that explains why I was able to buy a 55-gallon drum of mayonnaise at Madison Square Garden. [Vent About Sports]

It’s a two-way street: Is ESPN stealing jokes from lowly bloggers? Well, their unintentional jokes keep us all in business, so we guess that’s fair. [Barstool Sports]

It’s the size of the fight… : Barack Obama’s Attorney General pick is the same lawyer who led the NFL’s investigation of Michael Vick. Our nation’s dogs have never been safer. [Examiner]

I Grock Brady: Nobody combines 20-year-old SNL references with obscure Wolverine trivia like our old friend Yostal. [Hoover Street Rag]

Get ready to enter an glorious era of creative sports headline writing: Mariners name Dan Wakamatsu as manager. [NBCSports]