Your Pigskins and Ponies Picks for Oct. 29 - Nov. 1

Welcome to ABR’s Pigskins and Ponies column, where winners play!
Horse racing is my means to an end, and I love the sport like no other, but I admit it, like most of you, on a Sunday afternoon in the fall, it’s hard to pull me away from my couch … and NFL RedZone.
I have a wanted sign in Las Vegas and am feared by fantasy football mavens nationwide, but when it comes to the college game, I choose to punt.
That’s where Derek Cooley comes in. The dude is a loaded gun of university knowledge.
Let’s kick off the football, spring the horses from the gate and pad our bankrolls!
**Lines as of Wednesday Night from scoresandodds.com**
College Pigskins – by Derek Cooley
It was another solid week. We started the day with four consecutive winners, but then Georgia Tech blocked a kick (which really didn't affect a spread action but a missed FG means overtime and a possible Florida St. TD, etc., etc.) and everything went downhill from there ... meaning Utah in SoCal.
Victories included Wisconsin's better-late-than-never cover against Illinois, Oklahoma blowing the doors off Texas Tech, Tennessee playing up to competition (or Bama playing down) in Tuscaloosa and Ole Miss playing well at home once again, beating up on Texas A&M.
10-2 the last two weeks ATS.
Last Week: 4-2
Season Total: 25-24-1 (.51)
Week 9
(5) TCU -14 vs. West Virginia (Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET, FS1)
West Virginia hasn't been playing too well on the road this season. Now factor in that this game is on a Thursday night and the Mountaineers face off against fifth-ranked and undefeated TCU in Ft. Worth. Both WVU and TCU had the week off last week, but I don't think well-rested Mountaineers team makes a huge difference. Just not a good combination overall for West Virginia, making this a pretty easy pick for me.
(21) UCLA -21 vs. Colorado (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, PAC12)
Colorado is 2-5-1 against the spread this year, with one of those wins resulting from their latest victory at Oregon State. The Buffs haven't played a team as good and talented as UCLA, which spells trouble for Colorado in L.A. Josh Rosen will play inspired due to the fact that he can't have a hot tub in his dorm room. I thought this was America?! UCLA … BIG.
Maryland +17 @ (10) Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2)
I do think Iowa will win this game, but a 17-point spread is a pretty big number for Iowa. Yes, they destroyed Northwestern two weeks ago and were playing really well going into their bye week. I think the Jordan Canzeri-less Hawkeyes will be a tad rusty, and Maryland will continue to play tough following the dismissal of Randy Edsall. Iowa wins by two scores, but the Terps cover. 
(11) Florida -3 at Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
This will be a great game, as is the usual for the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. Florida snapped a 3-game losing streak to Georgia last year, and will establish its own winning streak, beginning this year with their second in a row. I think it will be close maybe at halftime, but with the way Florida has been playing on both sides of the ball, I like the Gators to stretch it out in the second half.
Minnesota +13.5 vs. (15) Michigan (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
There are a lot of differentiating factors that will contribute to the outcome of this ballgame in Minneapolis. For one, both teams had last week off. Michigan is probably still thinking about the "Miracle at Michigan" last week, and Minnesota just had its head coach, Jerry Kill, retire from coaching football. If anyone saw that Kill press conference, it was quite emotional. I think the Gophers will play with a lot of emotion and cover this spread. Yes, they quite possibly played their worst game of the season two weeks ago, but I think you will see a different team this week.
(9) Notre Dame -10.5 at (21) Temple (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ABC)
Temple is a great story for this year, and personally, I hope they win this game. That would make for quite the excellent story. However, this game is being playing at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Eagles, which will result in A LOT of Notre Dame fans going to the game. Add that minor factor to the major factor of physicality in this game. There will be a lot of sheer physical mismatches on the field, and the Irish will take advantage.
EXPECT THE IRISH TO WIN THE PHYSICAL BATTLES

Riddick vs Michigan by Larrysphatpage - https://www.flickr.com/photos/larrysphatpage/3944368976/. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Pro Pigskins – by Joe Kristufek
You’d figure I’d give up on the Colts by now. Fortunately for us, they were the only blemish in what was a sensational 5-1 week. Seattle, St. Louis and Miami all took care of business without much drama and we also nailed the over in Minnesota/Detroit and the under in Arizona/Pittsburgh.
Last week: 5-1
Season Total: 19-22-2 (.463)
Week 8
Thursday, Oct. 29
Miami Dolphins +8 at New England Patriots and UNDER 50.5
Going into the season, I was very high on Miami as one of the league’s most improved teams, and the head coaching change seemingly has sparked the talented roster. Playing in New England in a nationally televised game is no easy task, but one I believe this newly invigorated squad will rise to.
Sunday, Nov. 1
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears OVER 42
Alshon Jeffrey was sensational in his return and Jay Cutler is quieting having a nice season for Chicago. Minnesota’s Stefon Diggs has been a receiving revelation in recent weeks. There’s surely enough offense (and in the Bears’ case lack of defense) to push the number over the total.
Baltimore Ravens -3 vs. San Diego Chargers and UNDER 50.5
Baltimore isn’t very good but they’re surely better than their record, and they welcome a reeling San Diego team across the country. The Ravens are not happy in their misfortune and there is enough leadership on this team to hold it together. They played a representative game last week against Arizona and will play inspired at home this week, most likely using defense and a running game to turn back the Chargers.
Seattle Seahawks -6 at Dallas Cowboys
There is some hope that WR Dez Bryant can return this week, but he’s far from 100% and his effectiveness with QB Matt Cassel at the helm against a venomous Seattle defense is surely in question. Seattle’s arrow is back pointed in the right direction and they surely will be focused on building the momentum. Dallas is beat up and in turmoil. What else is new?
Green Bay Packers -3 at Denver Broncos
The Packers have as good a chance as any team in the league to get to the Super Bowl, while at this stage of the season, the Broncos are the worst undefeated team that I can remember. The Denver defense is stout, but Aaron Rodgers and company have had an extra week to prepare and they are very capable of keeping him off balance. On the other side of the ball, Peyton Manning will face lots of pressure. The luck runs out here, potentially in a big way. 
AARON RODGERS AND THE PACKERS CAN HANDLE THE BRONCOS

Aaron Rodgers - San Francisco vs Green Bay 2012 by Mike Morbeck - Flickr: Aaron Rodgers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
A show parlay was the only way to maximize our three picks last weekend.
The Valley View Stakes was taken off the Keeneland turf, and Mrs McDougal proved she could handle dirt OK by finishing a creditable third.
On the Hawthorne green, Be Playful (Stickney Handicap) and Peej (Cicero Handicap) also earned the show dough in their respective races.
Last week: 3-0-0-3 ($2 WPS * $18 wagered * $10.20 returned)
Season Total: 24-3-4-6 ($2 WPS * $144 wagered * $87.80 returned = $3.66)
Friday, Oct. 30, 2015
Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland – Lexington, Ky.
Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1)
#9 Nemoralia (morning line, 15-1)
This Euro import ran a representative race in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes, finishing second in the slop. She returns to grass for this one, and her performances on that surface overseas were visually impressive. Her pedigree screams of early development with turf on top and route on the bottom and most importantly, the price should be right!
Race 9 – Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1)
#1 I’m a Chatterbox (morning line, 8-1)
In what appears to be one of the most competitive races run Breeders’ Cup weekend, I’ll take a horse with versatility and upside. This 3-year-old daughter of Munnings has performed well all season and she is tactical enough to sit close if the pace is tepid or rally from the back if the fractions are hot.

Bill Denver/EQUI-Photo
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015
Keeneland – Lexington, Ky.
Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1)
#6 Tourist (morning line, 15-1)
The presence of several Euro beasts does not get lost on me, but I’m going to stick to my guns with this guy. His comeback win in the More Than Ready Stakes at Kentucky Downs was one of the most visually impressive all season and, if not for an adventurous trip, he probably would have won the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile, too.
Race 9 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)
#4 Unbridled Outlaw (morning line, 15-1)
Go back and watch the replay of the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs. To say this guy had a nightmarish trip would be a gross understatement. He returns fresh by design for a Dale Romans operation that has pulled off a 2-year-old upset or two in its day, and the presence of Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith breeds added confidence.