LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It’s Rivalry Weekend and to be honest, there hasn’t been much of a rivalry between Eric Crawford and me when it comes to picking college football games this season.

Eric was ahead of me most of the time, both in wins and in bankroll. Unless I get my act together this weekend and next, EC will take the crown, which will probably result in a free lunch.

But we both have a chance to finish over .500 with solid performances over the last two weeks. Playing against the spread and finishing at .500 is no picnic.

There are lots of great games to choose from this week. I wish we could have included Texas at Texas A&M, Notre Dame at USC, Auburn at Alabama and Georgia Tech at Georgia.

But the five games we choose will be challenging enough.

Season update

• Eric Crawford: 1-4 last week, 35-30 for the season. The bankroll is $1,325 after starting with an imaginary $1,000.
• Rick Bozich: 2-3, last week, 32-33 for the season. The credit is $975.

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This week’s tips

Louisville (-3.5) at Kentucky, Saturday at noon.

• Crawford: $25 for Kentucky. Look, I think the way Louisville is trending, it should win this game. I also thought Louisville should have won the game last year. That wasn’t the case. And until then, I’m choosing Kentucky. The Wildcats have talent, especially on defense, and had a knack for beating Louisville. The Cardinals have looked timid against Kentucky in recent years and made too many mistakes.
• Bozich: $25 for Louisville. The cards can score points. The Wildcats can’t. Playing the cards to end a 5-game losing streak in the series. The Wildcats are playing to make the Governor’s Cup a permanent fixture at Kroger Field. The cards are better and should be more motivated to win. Louisville’s defense is at its best this season – and it’s facing a freshman quarterback.

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Purdue (+29) at Indiana, Saturday, 7 p.m

• Crawford: $25 for Indiana. Indiana needs to make a statement. Those are a lot of points, but if the Hoosiers are a true playoff team against a one-win Purdue team that has lost 10 straight, they should deliver them.
• Bozich: $50 at Purdue. That’s too many points in a rivalry game played in temperatures hovering around 20 degrees when it kicks off Saturday night. The Boilermakers are trying to end Indiana’s chances of making the College Football Playoff. They looked competitive against Michigan State last week. The Hoosiers are in danger of going bust after a disappointing loss at Ohio State. IU wins, but not by more than four touchdowns.

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Michigan (+20.5) at Ohio State, Saturday, noon.

• Crawford: $25 for Ohio State. Again, probably too many points to award. But Ohio State is playing for seeding and Michigan is playing for pride. I’m going with the Buckeyes.
• Bozich: $50 for Ohio State. The Buckeyes have lost three straight to Michigan, which has no quarterback and can’t move the ball. All Ryan Day has heard for three years is that he has to beat Michigan. He will try to beat them as much as possible because anything less will not satisfy the Ohio State faithful.

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South Carolina (+2.5) at Clemson, Saturday at noon.

• Crawford: $25 for South Carolina. I don’t trust Clemson’s offense, even at home, and South Carolina is putting together a very solid season.
• Bozich: $25 for South Carolina. Both teams are trying to get into the playoffs through the back door. Clemson’s best win is over…Pitt or Virginia Tech? The Gamecocks have won five straight and beaten two top-25 teams. Advantage Shane Beamer.

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Tennessee (-11) at Vanderbilt, Saturday at noon.

• Crawford: $25 for Tennessee. The Commodores have been a great story this season and Tennessee has disappointed at times. But I don’t think the Vols will let up in this rivalry game. They would never know the end.
• Bozich: $25 for Vandy. The Commodores defeated Alabama and played within a touchdown of beating Missouri, Texas and LSU. I’ll go for cover with the home team, not to win. Of Vandy’s five losses, only one was by 11 or more.

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