THE COLLEGE PICKS

Is Houston quarterback Case Keenum the Rodney Dangerfield of college football ? He must be, because he certainly gets no respect for his athletic prowess. After a high school career in which he threw for 6,783 yards and 48 touchdowns and ran for 2,000 yards and 41 scores, he received just one scholarship offer from a major college . And things aren't much different at Houston. This season the junior has thrown for 3,293 yards and 25 touchdowns with just five interceptions. His 411.6 yards passing per game and 420.9 yards of total offense per game easily lead the nation. More importantly, the Cougars sport a lofty No. 13 national ranking despite playing in the mediocre Conference USA. Yet in a season in which no one has dazzled the voters, Keenum remains an afterthought in Heisman Trophy talk. Keenum's career stats are also spectacular. He has passed for 300 yards 20 times, and has thrown at least one touchdown pass in a school-record 24 straight games. He's tossed five TD passes in a game twice and four times has led the Cougars to a win after being tied or behind in the last minute of a game. Tomorrow, Houston is a 1-point underdog at Tulsa, the last major obstacle on its road to the conference title game. Take the visitor and the point. TOMORROW MISSOURI (-14) over Baylor - The lack of a running game - Baylor is averaging just 48 yards per game in Big 12 play - and the loss of dynamic QB Robert Griffin is too much for the Bears to overcome. SMU (-17 1/2) over Rice - In just his second season at SMU, dynamic coach June Jones has the Mustangs in contention for a bowl bid. Winless Rice won't slow the momentum. Texas-El Paso (-7) over TULANE - The Green Wave have lost four straight by a combined score of 160-32. Lay the points with UTEP. Alabama (-7 1/2) over Louisiana State - Alabama has allowed one TD in its last three games, yet observers feel the team isn't playing particularly well. With a spot in the SEC and BCS championship games on the line, watch the Tide roll. Oklahoma (-5 1/2) over Nebraska - Nebraska is slumping thanks to an offense that has scored just 37 points in the last three games. It could be embarrassed by an OU team playing for a major bowl bid. Texas A&M (-3) over COLORADO - These teams are headed in opposite directions: The Buffaloes may be the biggest bust of 2009, while the Aggies can clinch a bowl berth with a win. Lay the points with A&M. CLEMSON (-8 1/2) over Florida State - The Seminoles offense has been on a roll lately, but, no matter how many points it puts on the board, the defense gives them back with interest. Southern Cal (-10) over ARIZONA STATE - In Pete Carroll's reign at USC, the Trojans don't lose back-to-back games and don't lose in November. That's bad news for the mediocre Sun Devils. Michigan (-6) over Purdue - The last time Purdue won in the Big House, Bob Griese was playing quarterback. Michigan needs a win to become bowl eligible and, with Wisconsin and Ohio State on tap, this is its best (and only?) chance. ARKANSAS STATE (-13 1/2) over Louisiana-Lafayette - The home team has dominated this series of late, and the Red Wolves are one of the few teams in the Sun Belt Conference playing solid defense. SUNDAY Nevada (-14) over San Jose State - There might be a team in the WAC that can slow Nevada's high-powered running game, but San Jose State with the 118th-ranked rush defense isn't it. Last week: 3-9-0. Season: 49-57-2.