Well it only took 7 weeks, but finally Dragon’s picks were directly affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic FIU vs. UNC Charlotte was canceled at the last minute last Friday forcing me to pick two games late in the day on Saturday. As we enter Week 8 of the college football season, it’s really beginning to feel like fall with the BIG10 coming online tonight with Illinois vs. Wisconsin. Let’s see if I can work my magic yet again and keep this above .500 record
Record: 12-11
Minnesota +3.5 vs. Michigan: The Gophers were favorites on Monday, but that has slowly been eaten away and now the Wolverines are a slight favorite. This is the first action in the BIG10 season and there are so many unknowns and questions. Michigan struggled last year on offense, but they slowly improved as the season progressed. They have a talented sophomore class, but they are still very inexperienced. Minnesota is a veteran team with a ton of talent Rashod Bateman is a stud at wideout. The Gophers football team was in many ways at the epicenter of the George Floyd protest and they’ve gone through a lot emotionally. I’m banking on Minnesota using the conflict in Minneapolis as an opportunity to bond closer, and they are going to come out on fire. Minnesota +3.5
Iowa St. +3.5 vs. Oklahoma St: I can’t believe I’m looking at either of these teams, considering how many times both have burned me already this season, but alas it’s 2020 and here I am. Iowa St. was the talk of college football after the first week of the season thanks to a lost to the other UofL. Myself along with many others immediately dismissed Brock Purdy and co. Since then the Cyclones are running the table in the Big 12 going 3-0. Oklahoma St got off to a slow start to the season, but somehow Mike Gundy has managed to float having quarterback injuries and defenses clamping down on Chuba. Cowboys starting QB Spencer Sanders is supposed to be back, but there’s talk that backup Shane Illingworth will get some snaps on Saturday as well. This feels like the perfect spot for Gundy to outsmart himself by employing a duel QB system (sound familiar?). Iowa St. +3.5.
Kentucky -4 vs. Missouri: UK has won two consecutive games by averaging less than 300 yards of offense. That takes a special type of skill. Missouri has a freshman quarterback who completed 85% of his passes last week (wish we had that problem). Mizzu pulled off a great upset last week, but their defense is still very leaky giving up 35 points per game. UK has one of the best defenses in the country and they will be ready to shut down an inexperienced quarterback. This line has floated between 4-5.5 depending on the sportsbook. If you can get it at UK-4 jump all over it. UK -4.
Penn St. -6 vs. Indiana: Penn St is young and inexperienced. They have questions all over their offense where inexperienced players are going to be asked to fill some big shoes. It’s strange to think that IU may actually have the better team… on paper in this matchup. The reality is IU has dropped 35 straight against teams ranked in the top 10. PSU may have some rust and issues to work through, but they have more than enough talent to push them beyond a one TD victory. PSU -6.
Miami -13 vs. UVA: Well this is where we’ve come to when it comes to Virginia football a near two touchdown dog to Miami. This line has only grown as the week progress having opened at 10. Oddly enough gambling history shows that underdogs have covered 13 of the 16 matchups between these two including eight outright wins. That’s a crazy number. Last year the Hoos laid an absolute egg against the Canes. This year, as I’ve mentioned before I have no feel for this UVA team. I feel like at some point they will surprise us with a big win, but the last two weeks have not given me any confidence that Saturday will deliver that win.