Your Pigskins and Ponies Picks for Nov. 5-8

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 profitable week against the number. Our BIG underdogs, Maryland and Minnesota, both did us proud and our favorites all won ... but only two of them covered.
UCLA just could not get away from Colorado, while Notre Dame nearly lost to Temple. That was an inspired Temple Owls bunch that really left everything on the field. Our other two favorites, Florida and TCU, killed it for us last week. We’re 14-4 ATS in the last three weeks.
I call this upcoming week a glue week in college football. Eyes glued to the television, and the rest of you glued to the couch. What a week we have on tap!
Six games on deck for week 10, let's get to it.
Last Week: 4-2
Season Total: 29-26-1 (.510) 
Week 10
Kansas State +17 vs. (6) Baylor (Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET, FS1)
Weird things happen on the road on Thursdays ... and I think they get even more weird when you are in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State and Baylor have both had some time off to prepare for this Thursday night tilt, with the Bears using it to get Jarrett Stidham ready for his quarterbacking debut. Joe Hubener has struggled lately for the Wildcats, but if he can get some lanes to run against this Baylor defense, it'll open things up for him. I think the Wildcats keep this closer than expected. Baylor will still win.
(21) Northwestern -2.5 vs. Penn State (Saturday, noon ET, ESPNU)
I'm not a fan of Penn State on the road, as they've really only had one true road game. Northwestern and Ryan Field isn't the most difficult environment for an opponent to thrive in, but Northwestern's defense against the Nittany Lions’ front will make things difficult. I like the 'Cats to win and cover at home.
(16) Florida State +12 @ (1) Clemson (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
A big decision looms for Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher as he takes his Seminoles into Death Valley to play the newly anointed (according to those "in the know") number one team in the nation. Start Everett Golson or go with the hot hand, QB Sean Maguire. It's not a bad problem to have for Fisher, but this decision could impact the outcome of the game. Regardless of which QB starts for FSU, Clemson has the target on its back. And with that newly fitted target comes some added pressure. The result of this game will be by less than 12-point margin either way.
(8) TCU -4.5 @ (14) Oklahoma State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
Here’s one of the first Big 12 matchups we've been waiting for this season ... finally a battle of two of the unbeatens. Both of these teams should feel slighted by the new Playoff Poll, however they haven't really proven their worth yet. Here's the chance for both clubs, and it will be Trevone Boykin's moment. I believe Boykin will come out to play on Saturday afternoon and lead his Horned Frogs to a nice victory. Heisman moment, maybe? He'll at least gain on Fournette with Saturday's performance.
(19) Texas A&M -7.5 vs. Auburn (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC)
If last week's victory over South Carolina wasn't enough, this performance will be. Kyler Murray's time has arrived for the Aggies, and the QB will shine against an Auburn team that's really its own worst enemy. I'm not sure how healthy the Auburn QB group is, and I think Murray will run and pass all over the Tigers, leading to an easy Texas A&M victory in front of the 12th man.
MURRAY SHOULD LEAD THE AGGIES TO AN EASY WIN

"Kyler Murray" by ScottyMo1 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
(4) Alabama -6.5 vs. (2) LSU (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, CBS)
This game has been circled since early on this season, and it's about time! It's also time for something to give! Alabama is 0-5 ATS at home this year, and LSU is 0-2 ATS on the road this year. I think the Crimson Tide defense will be able to contain Leonard Fournette enough to hold LSU's point total down. And I said contain, not stop. No team can stop Leonard Fournette. Also, the .5 point movement from a 7-point spread sold me on the Tide, as I believe they will win by a touchdown.
Pro Pigskins – by Joe Kristufek
If there’s one thing I learned last week, it’s the Denver Broncos are for real, but …
we were 2-1 with over/unders, but Seattle failed to cover and then neither Miami nor Green Bay could even make it a game.
Last week: 2-4-1
Season Total: 21-26-3 (.463)
Week 9
Sunday, Nov. 8
Oakland Raiders +4.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Raiders are young but talented, and they’re starting to believe in playoff possibilities. Big Ben returned last week, but he’s still shaking off the rust and, although DeAngelo Williams is a good running back, he’s not Le’veon Bell.
St. Louis Rams +2.5 at Minnesota Vikings
This is pretty simple. I think the Rams are better than the Vikings.
Washington Redskins at New England Patriots UNDER 51.5
The Redskins are capable of running the ball and playing representative defense, but I don’t think they’ll put more than a touchdown or two on the board. The Pats should cruise without too much exertion, which screams under to me.
San Francisco 49ers +7 Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have been exposed a bit the last two weeks. Even though the 49ers are a bad team overall, their defense is still more than capable. Colin Kaepernick takes a seat this week and perhaps a change will spark some inspiration.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2.5 vs. New York Giants
With QB Jameis Winston leading the way, the Bucs have shown improvement on both sides of the ball and they should be fired up at home to face a mistake-prone Giants team.
WINSTON AND THE BUCS ARE IMPROVING

"Jameis Winston 2015" by Keith Allison - Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Indianapolis Colts +5 vs. Denver Broncos
Even though they lost to Carolina last week, Indy shown signs of tightening things up on both sides of the ball. Denver looked virtually unbeatable last week against Green Bay, but they can’t possibly play that well again, especially on offense. Can they?
Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers UNDER 49.5
The Chargers lost WR Keenan Allen and the Bears will play a rare game without Matt Forte. Those are big hits to the offenses on both sides and enough for me to swing under on what is a high-enough total.
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
The disappointing part about three of our four Breeders’ Cup plays was that none of them had a visual excuse for not running better. I’m a Chatterbox, Tourist and Unbridled Outlaw all were in a position to make an impact in their respective championship day races, but failed.
The longshot Nemoralia was the lone bright spot. She finished a late-closing third in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, falling short of second by a mere nose.
Last week: 4-0-0-1 ($2 WPS * $24 wagered * $9.20 returned)
Season Total: 28-3-4-7 ($2 WPS * $168 wagered * $97.00 returned = $3.46)
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015
Churchill Downs – Louisville, Ky.
Race 10 – Chilukki Stakes (G2)
#6 Gold Medal Dancer (morning-line odds, 5-2)
Highlighted by a win over Untapable in the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn, this classy 5-year-old mare tossed in an unexpected clunker in the Fleur de Lis Stakes in mid-June. Freshened 4 ½ months, she returns off a solid string of workouts in a very logical spot. The one-turn mile should be right up her alley. 
Aqueduct – Ozone Park, N.Y.
Race 8 – Long Island Handicap (G3)
#10 Walk Close (morning-line odds, 8-1)
Enters fresh off a career-best win in the Grade 3 Modesty Handicap at Arlington Park in July, and she should get the ideal race flow to suit her closing style. Offers value in what is a very competitive race.
WALK CLOSE WINNING MODESTY

Four Footed Fotos
Gulfstream Park West – Miami Gardens, Fla.
#2 Katie’s Kiss (morning-line odds, 7-2)
Swings back off a lifetime-best win, which came on this turf course. She drew perfectly and has the ability to stalk the abundance of speed very likely to battle in front of her.