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 Vegas and am feared by fantasy football mavens nationwide, but when it comes to the college game, I choose to punt.

That’s where Bob Nastanovich comes in. He craves action and loves a good underdog as well as a cheap claiming horse with a big heart.

Let’s kick off the football, spring the horses from the gate and pad our bankrolls!

**Wednesday night lines from scoresandodds.com**

College Pigskins – by Bob Nastanovich

College Football Week 6

Foiled in week 5 by a hapless performance from Louisiana-Monroe and a meaningless late tally by San Jose State against the sieve that is the New Mexico D. Washington State stepped up and saved face on Saturday night when whipping a downtrodden and road-weary Oregon squad. In the end, I'm still not entirely convinced that Auburn is the bomb though they do have a running game and I hope the soft spot I now have for Washington State doesn't turn against me.

Last Week's Record: 1-2 (.333)

Record to Date: 6-9 (.400)

Saturday, Oct. 8

Maryland -1 ½ at Penn State (Noon ET, Big Ten Network)

Maryland gets tested for class visiting the Nittany Lions but they smoked Purdue and looked like a mean conveyance doing so. Penn State is not up to standard and, although playing at Michigan is a harsh yardstick, they were overwhelmed. An opportunity for the Terps to emerge from Beaver Stadium victorious is rare but I'll side with the team in flying form over the one in slow fade mode. 

Notre Dame football (Courtesy Cherie Cullen/Wikimedia Commons)

I had to read this matchup line a few times because it just seems odd that the Irish would visit Raleigh, N.C., for a gridiron test. But, I guess when it comes to round ball they're just a pair of ACC teams. Regardless, the Wolfpack looked mighty disposing of Wake Forest's undefeated mark and are very tough at home. Notre Dame, whose loss to Duke at home is still hard to fathom, looks, in a similar fashion to Penn State, like a hub of past glories donning antique unis. Catch NC State on a march.

(17) North Carolina -2 vs. (25) Virginia Tech (3:30pm ET)

Here, we have two good teams playing good football presently and this is a pivotal meeting. Virginia Tech has humiliated Boston College and East Carolina in back-to-back weeks inside the friendly confines of their Lane Stadium. North Carolina returns home in a heroic mode after their thrilling win at Florida State. The Tar Heels get the nod based on their faithful being fired up at Kenan Memorial Stadium and inspiring their porous defense. If you like points scored in waves, tune in.

Pro Pigskins – by Joe Kristufek

Pro Pigskins Week 5

It was a nice bounce back week.

The underdog Raiders edged the Ravens in Baltimore and the Steelers bounced back from a drubbing at the hands of the Eagles to provide a beat down of their own against the Chiefs.

On the downside, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three more interceptions in a home loss to the Seahawks.

At least our arrow is pointed back in the right direction.

Last Week: 2-1 (.67)

Joe’s Season Total: 4-9 (.31)

Sunday, Oct. 9

Tom Brady (Courtesy Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons)

I could easily summarize why the Patriots are going to crush the Browns in one word – motivation. New England gets QB Tom Brady back fresh off an embarrassing shutout loss to Buffalo, and TE Rob Gronkowski, who has been invisible all season, is tired of hearing from his fantasy owners on trips to the grocery store. The Browns aren’t as bad as you might think, but they run into a buzz saw this week.

Philadelphia Eagles -3 at Detroit Lions (1 p.m. ET)

The Eagles are good, and with the return of RB Ryan Matthews and TE Zach Ertz, they could get even better. They’ve had two weeks off the bye to prepare for a Lions team that simply lacks weapons on offense. Their top two RB are hurt and I’m sorry, Golden Tate is not a number one WR.

Cincinnati Bengals PK at Dallas Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET)

Cowboys rookie QB Dak Prescott has been a revelation, but this week he gets a reality check. Even if WR Dez Bryant plays, he won’t be close to 100 percent and the Bengal defense is one of the best in the league. Having last played a Thursday game, Cincinnati comes in with extra rest and prep time. The offense has moved the ball but they’ve had a tough time sticking it in the end zone. That likely changes on Sunday.

Ponies – Races of the Week

Last week’s Jefferson Cup at Churchill was forced off the turf. Bob’s pick Bondurant scratched and Joe’s choice Barahona made the lead before fading. At least we know now that he’s not a dirt horse. Zappercat ran a decent third in the Chandelier at Santa Anita.

Joe Last Week: 2-0-0-1 = $3.80 ($12 wagered; $3.80 returned)

Joe’s Season Total: 8-1-0-2 = $22.40 ($48 wagered; $22.40 returned)

Bob Last Week: 0-0-0-0 = (selection scratched)

Bob's Season Total: 4-0-1-2 = $11.70 ($24 wagered; $11.70 returned)

Saturday, Oct. 8

Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Ky.

Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes

Stonetastic (Eclipse Sportswire)

You’ll have to take a short price, but this speedy mare looks like a standout against what appears to be a very average field for the level. She’s run some huge races in the past and has fired fresh on several occasions. With an alert break from the gate, she should lead at every call.

Claiborne Breeders' Futurity Stakes

Joe’s Pick: #3 Singing Bullet

Already in possession of one of the top 2-year-old males in training in Not This Time, trainer Dale Romans fires another live “bullet” here. Sired by Hard Spun, he’s out of the $1.2 million earner Life at Ten. He debuted with a sharp sprint win at Ellis Park and now stretches out to a distance he’s bred to prefer with first time Lasix.

Bob's Pick: #9 No Dozing

Intriguing juvenile should be suited to this 8 ½-furlong test. No Dozing is by the freshman stallion and 2012 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags out of a Pulpit mare that cost $550,000 as a breeding prospect. His two sprint wins impressed as this Lael Stables homebred twice rallied from inside berths. The jockey Joe Bravo-trainer Arnaud Delacour combo strikes at a lofty 50 percent rate.