Alright so we’re doing this again because I’m a gluten for punishment. After last week’s less than stellar performance I’m sitting at 12-17 on the season and dropping cash like a LSU basketball coach at an AAU tournament. But here I am swinging away again and trying to some money back. Let’s make some picks.
Michigan St. vs. Rutgers over 51
Michigan State has an offense and they use it. Strange to type those words out, but it’s true. Sparty is averaging 38.6 points a game. Rutgers has been gutted by OSU and Michigan in the last two weeks, but they actually are a quality team that can get points on the board. Take the over 51.
Vanderbilt vs. Florida over 59.5
Florida got worked under the lights in Lexington last weekend and have looked a bit out of synch since their close call against Alabama three weeks ago. But here comes Vandy to the not so comfy confines of The Swamp and you can bet that Vandy is gonna Vandy. Love the over in this one. Over 59.5
BYU-5 vs. Boise St.
BYU is undervalued… think we’ve heard that before. The Cougars are rolling on offense and they will square off with a Broncos team that is 123rd in yards per rushing attempt, and 80th in yards per play. Meanwhile BYU has an extra day to prep and get the offense ready to attack. BYU jumps all over a lost Boise St. BYU -5.
UConn -3 vs. UMass
This won’t be pretty, but it could be entertaining. Last week UConn and Vanderbilt put on a show in the rain for 15 people. The Huskies lost on a last second field goal. The previous week UConn lost on a failed 2-point conversion against Wyoming. By my math, the Huskies are due. More importantly if you combined UConn and UMass into one team, Bama beats them by 30. But take UConn -3 here.
Iowa -1.5 vs. Penn St.
A top five showdown in Iowa that even Gameday didn’t want to attend. PSU has looked shaky in their rise to the top, and looking at who they knocked off, Wisconsin and Auburn, I am left unimpressed. Kirk Ferentz group are ballhawks and lead the nation in takeaways per game, and they are going to be fired up to get on the waiting list for the College Football Playoff. Iowa -1.5.
Oklahoma -3 vs. Texas
This is a top 25 matchup once again. That’s something to worth celebrating. That said, I am not sure how real Texas is. Oklahoma is undefeated, but they have not looked like the Sooners we are accustomed to seeing. There are questions at the quarterback position, but through it all they keep winning. Oklahoma would love to take advantage of a national audience to show they belong, and beating your biggest rival would be an added bonus. Oklahoma -3.
Tennessee vs. South Carolina over 56.5
Tennessee is starting to be fun to watch. Josh Heupel is slowly getting the Vols accustomed to the upbeat style of offense he used to make UCF into a powerhouse. I shied away from the spread on this one, because honestly I could see this being a trap game for Tennessee after blowing out Mizzu last week. But what I am confident about is there will be points. Over 56.5
Virginia vs. Louisville under 69.5
I wouldn’t touch this spread for anything. It currently has Louisville as a 2.5 favorite. I’ve watched both of these teams multiple times this season, and I’m not sure what to think of either of them. I do believe the high end speed on the Virginia offense has slowed a touch and the gaudy offensive numbers from the beginning of the season are coming back down to earth. My advice, grab a beer, or something stronger if you need it and enjoy.