McMurphy's Picks: 'Run, Lindsay, Run' Down Memory Lane

Bear with me as I take a quick trip down memory lane ...

Thirty years ago this weekend, Georgia trailed Florida in the final minutes with little hope for victory.

Last weekend, Oklahoma trailed Missouri in the final minutes with little hope for victory.

Georgia was pinned on its 7-yard line, needing a miracle.

Oklahoma was pinned on its 7-yard line, needing a miracle.

Georgia's Buck Belue dropped back to pass.

Oklahoma's Tress Way dropped back to punt.

Belue hit Lindsay Scott for a 93-yard touchdown pass as Georgia's fans went wild.

Way hit a 38-yard punt that was fair caught by Missouri's Carl Gettis as Oklahoma's fans went "huh?"

Georgia won 26-21 and went on to win the 1980 national title.

Oklahoma lost 36-27 and hopes to win the 2010 Big 12 South title.

Georgia's victory is remembered as one of the greatest wins in school history, featuring Larry Munson's legendary radio call.

Oklahoma's loss is remembered as one of the greatest wins in Missouri history, featuring Bob Stoops' legendary fourth-down call.

"Run, Lindsay, Run!"

"Punt, Bobby, Punt?"

Watching Stoops wave the white flag and punt on fourth down against Missouri was part of a tough week for Sooner Nation. Not only did the Sooners literally punt away a football game Saturday, but OU also lost one of its biggest fans on Tuesday.

Arizona executed convicted killer Jeffrey Landrigan by lethal injection. According to a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Landrigan's final words were – and I'm not making this up – "Boomer Sooner."

His second-to-last words, I'm guessing, were "Barry Switzer never would have punted."

Now onto my college football picks, found here every Friday. I'm still above water, hitting 55.4 percent against the number, thank you very much. Reminder: this is for entertainment purposes only. Before the season I was staked an imaginary $5,000 bankroll. Each pick is for $50, except for the $100 best bets (three of them this week). Point spreads from Wednesday's USA Today.

Utah State at Nevada. Nevada and Fresno State reached an agreement with the WAC about their departures from the league in June, 2012. Nevada and Fresno State must each pay a $900,000 exit fee. Oh yeah, one other thing: they can only use 10 players on defense in their remaining games against WAC teams. Nevada -26.

Oklahoma State at Kansas State. A study by British scientists discovered that men officially become more grumpy than happy at the age of 52. I guess that makes Kansas State coach Bill Snyder 123 years old. Kansas State +5.

Baylor at Texas, Best Bet. Welcome to Bizarro World: the beleaguered Baylor Bears are leading the Big 12 South, while the mighty Texas Longhorns are reeling, having lost three of their last four. Things finally return to normal. Texas -7.

Miami at Virginia. With the Cavaliers' only three victories this year against Richmond, VMI and Eastern Michigan, maybe the Cavs had bigger problems than Al Groh. Miami -15.

Michigan State at Iowa. On their first trip outside the state of Michigan last week, the Spartans were fortunate to escape Northwestern with a victory. Some would call it lucky or Les Miles-like. On Saturday, Michigan State hits the road again. This time, it's not so lucky. Iowa -6.

Stanford at Washington. Mel Kiper Jr. reported that Washington quarterback Jake Locker has dropped from being the NFL's first overall pick to possibly a second-round selection. His stock has plummeted so fast, he's actually taking advice from BP officials on how to improve his image. Washington +7½.

Idaho at Hawaii. By the time this game goes final Sunday morning, Locker will have dropped to a third-round pick. Hawaii -15.

East Carolina at UCF, Best Bet. True story: in September 2008, UCF officials mistakenly provided reporters the number to a phone sex line instead of the number to participate in coach George O'Leary's teleconference. Needless to say, Charlie Sheen has called in to every UCF teleconference ever since. UCF -7.

San Jose State at New Mexico State. I, gulp, am taking New Mexico State. To paraphrase Jack Buck: I don't believe what I just typed. New Mexico State +3.

Washington State at Arizona State. Headed to a third consecutive losing season under coach Dennis Erikson, Arizona State athletic director Lisa Love recently addressed his future. Luckily, I interpreted what she really meant and I italicized it in parenthesis. Love's quote: "I fully expect Dennis will be our football coach (we're not Minnesota or North Texas, we don't fire folks until 'after' the season) and my days are spent thinking about how to support this football program (how many boosters will pitch in to buy him out and hire a new coach) and get it to where we want it to be, which is a Rose Bowl-caliber program (the only way Erickson gets us to the Rose Bowl is buying a block of tickets). And I believe we've got a guy who can get us there (if only Chris Peterson would answer his damn cell phone)." Washington State +21.

Three games that defy description (I'm lazy). Western Michigan +8 vs. Northern Illinois; San Diego State -10 at Wyoming and Troy -16½ at Louisiana-Monroe.

Ohio State at Minnesota. Senior quarterback Adam Weber said he wants to be a part of the process in selecting Minnesota's next coach. Weber was asked what kind of coach he wants. "That's interesting," Weber said. "Somebody has to understand the market they're in, knowing that this isn't a normal city when it comes to college athletics." Not normal? When does Mike Leach start? Ohio State -25½.

Houston at Memphis. Tigers fans need to keep their 1-6 record in perspective. Just think: it could be even worse. Memphis could have no shot at ever joining the Big East in football and have to vacate its 2008 Final Four berth in basketball. What? Never mind. Houston -13½.

Oregon at USC. With Lane Kiffin's penchant for two-point conversions and Monte Kiffin's defensive play-calling this fall, Will Ferrell, who will be the guest picker on ESPN's College GameDay, will have only the third funniest material in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Saturday. USC +6½.

Colorado at Oklahoma, Best Bet. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he punted against Missouri because he was worried about what the voters in the polls would think if the Sooners gave up a late touchdown. So that means Stoops believes a lopsided win will impress the voters. Poor Dan Hawkins. Oklahoma -24.

"Cover Me's" Trifecta of Terror: Ole Miss +7 vs. Auburn; Texas A&M -6½ vs. Texas Tech; and his best bet is Nebraska -7½ vs. Missouri.

About last night: On my Twitter page, I took N.C. State +3½ against Florida State. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. N.C. State won 28-24.

Lock of the Week: Pengtong Hardware Ltd. Popular Mechanical digital door lock, 500 series.

Last week

McMurphy's picks: 8-6

"Cover Me's" picks: 0-3

Season totals

Bankroll: Up 300 for season; 5,300 balance

McMurphy: 46-37; +300 (3-6 best bets)

"Cover Me": 12-13; +0 (2-1 best bets)

Brett McMurphy is a national college football writer for FanHouse. Contact him at brettmcmurphy@gmail.com or please follow at Twitter.com/BrettmcmurphY