Bob's Picks - Take the Bears, the Middies, the Nittanys, Bama and the Irish

Why on earth does Iowa State get no respect?

I warned you not to bet the rent on last week’s picks.

Lawsuits against me for giving fraudulent gambling tips will be summarily dismissed because sports wagering is not allowed in California.

How was I supposed to know that Sac State, trying to prove its Pac-12 worthiness to Commissioner Teresa Gould, would fail to show up for a home game against Cal Poly?

The Hornets had more turnovers than Betty Crocker in that one and now mercifully have a week off to try to regroup and at least qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

This week’s picks are as follows:

CAL over DUKE ... If this were lacrosse, you’d definitely take Duke. But this is college football, in Strawberry Canyon, the most beautiful venue in all the land. The stumbling, sometimes bumbling Bears have so far managed to be just a little bit better than the opposition, a trend that will continue Saturday in Memorial Stadium.

NOTRE DAME over BOISE STATE ... The Irish know they need to win every game after their 0-2 start if they hope to earn a playoff spot, but if they manage to do so, watch out. This team is loaded.

ALABAMA over VANDERBILT ... Huge win for the Tide between the hedges last week and now here comes Vandy, 5-0 for the first time since the Time of Christ. God help us all.