Week Five Picks

Before we get into this week's picks, let's review how I did last week.

It was again a mixed bag with an almost perfect record in straight up games, but not too good against the spread.

Here's the game-by-game look...


For Cornell +15 1/2 vs. Harvard I wrote:

"Harvard wins, but probably by 10 or 11."

Actual Final Score: Harvard 41 Cornell 31


1-0 Straight Up and 1-0 Against the Spread



For Dartmouth +3 1/2 over Yale I wrote:


"I think the Big Green will win this one and shock the league."


Actual Final Score: Yale 30 Dartmouth 0


1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS



For Brown +3 vs. Holy Cross I wrote:

"I think Brown wins this game outright in a dog fight."


Actual Final Score: Brown 20 Holy Cross 13


2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS


For Hampton -15 vs. Princeton I wrote:

"This will be Princeton's first road game of the season and the Tigers have a rough trip ahead of them."


Actual Final Score: Hampton 28 Princeton 23


3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS


For Fordham +12 at Penn I wrote:

"Penn will win, just not by 12 or more."


Actual Final Score: Penn 35 Fordham 20


4-1 SU, 2-3 ATS


OVERALL 2011 RECORD: 15-7 SU, 12-10 ATS.


On to this week's games:


Princeton +21 1/2 at Brown


I have to admit that Princeton is a bit better this year compared to last season, unlike my first impression a few weeks ago. The Tigers will play the Bears close enough to beat the spread, but that's about it.


Holy Cross -14 1/2 vs. Dartmouth

The late Pittsburgh Steeler owner Art Rooney's great-grandson Dan will make his first start at QB for the Big Green as Dartmouth struggles to find some answers. Holy Cross is a strong team looking to get back on track after the loss last week to Brown. Take the Crusaders and lay the points.


Harvard -15 vs. Bucknell

The Crimson are really in a nice groove and Bucknell has gone about as far as it can this season as a "surprise" team. Pick Harvard and give the points.


Colgate -7 1/2 vs. Cornell

This is a tough pick because Cornell is on the rise, but Colgate is at home and starting to look more like itself after a spotty start.


Lafayette +3 1/2 vs. Yale

Yale is not the best road team and Lafayette seems to be righting its ship in Easton. The league's decision to suspend Eli DB Nick Okano for the game won't help Yale's cause. Go with the Leopards and take the points.