Last week I actually made a pick on every college game between 2 FBS teams, both the side and total. At just over 53% it wasn't a total train wreck but it also wouldn't have been profitable. Now, I'm obviously not actually betting all these games because that would be insane. The games I actually bet went 2-3, so that's not good. So here we are, running the experiment for a second straight week. After giving you all my choices, I'll let you know which ones I'm actually betting.
Colorado +16.5 at THEE Ohio State University, 46.5 I'll be taking the Buffaloes in this game. The number just seems a bit too high for OSU to cover. They will be starting their freshman quarterback for the first time this season, but I don't think it will matter. The offense out of Columbus is very lackluster and Colorado should score just enough to cover the spread while keeping the total UNDER.
Tulane +10 at Duke, 56 This is certainly not a marquee matchup, but interesting to me since I won taking both of these teams last week. Duke's offense hasn't been as good as advertised this season but the defense has been pretty good. Tulane hammered UAB last week on the road and should be able to keep this game close. I am also looking at the game going UNDER.
Syracuse -2 vs. Toledo, 52.5 Toledo seems to be everyone's pick as they covered in Columbus and were somewhat respectable against Boise State. But OSU isn't a very good team and in both games Toledo made mistakes that repeatedly cost them points. I don't see that changing and expect Syracuse to win this game by 3 to 6 points with the total staying UNDER.
East Carolina -14 vs. UAB, 62.5 Last week UAB lost at home to Tulane by 39 points as a 12.5 point favorite. Now they have to play on the road against a team that had a bye last week. ECU is 2-0 ATS this year but both times were big underdogs. Now as a big favorite it will be interesting to see if the Pirates continue to exceed expectations. I expect they will and the total to go OVER.
UTEP +29.5 at South Florida, 48.5 Two good defenses here and one good offense. I am sure the spread will tell you which team has the good offense. That being said, the Miners defense should limit the Bulls just enough to keep the game within 4 touchdowns and keep the total UNDER.
Western Michigan +13.5 at Illinois, 52.5 This game smells like a Ron Zook classic. Coming off a big win over Arizona State, I think Illinois will have their hands full with the Broncos offense. Plenty of points on the scoreboard in this game with WMU possibly winning straight up. But I'll take those points and the OVER.
Rutgers -4 vs Ohio, 50.5 The Scarlet Knights have played pretty well in their first two games, going 2-0 ATS. The Bobcats have been very good this season and are coming off a 44-7 pasting of Marshall. But if history tells us anything, MAC teams are not usually as good as we think. I'll take Rutgers with an extra week to rest and prepare with the total staying UNDER.
Eastern Michigan +28.5 at Penn State, 46 EMU played at Michigan last week and only allowed the Wolverines 31 points. Michigan's offense is light years ahead of PSU, so I don't see how the Nittany Lions cover this spread. The Eagles will control the ball just enough to keep within the number and see the total go UNDER.
Kansas State +12.5 at Miami(FL), 47.5 Combined last week both teams gave up 6 points. While Miami faced slightly tougher competition in OSU, this game should be low scoring. The atmosphere for a day game in Miami will be vastly different than the night game last week. A small emotional drop from the Hurricanes will allow the Wildcats to stay close with the total staying UNDER.
SMU -23.5 at Memphis, 54.5 Memphis is in contention to be the worst team in FBS as they battle for that title with Akron. Until they show me different, I will be picking against them. The total should go OVER.
Temple +8.5 at Maryland, 52.5 Both teams lost tight, emotionally charged games last week. But one thing that tends to carry over from week to week is defense, and the Owls have an edge there. They should be able to limit the Terrapins enough to keep it within one touchdown and keep the game UNDER.
Michigan State -21.5 vs. Central Michigan, 49.5 CMU got blown out by their rival Western Michigan last week while MSU was getting beat soundly by Notre Dame. That should help the Spartans focus for this game and run wild over the Chippewas. Michigan State will cover and see the game go OVER.
Georgia -10 at Mississippi, 53.5 I can't possibly bring myself to back a team that got blown out by Vanderbilt. I recognize that teams can be flat or be looking ahead, but that was still a conference game. Georgia basically had a bye last week, playing Coastal Carolina. I expect the Bulldogs to score early and often as the game gets OVER.
Bowling Green +3.5 at Miami(OH), 53 I am jinxing myself here, but I've picked every game for the Falcons correctly this year. Both teams are coming off of close losses last week, but in this series, no matter the players or the coaches, the visiting team seems to have an edge. I'll take the points but expect BGSU to win straight up while putting up enough points for the game to get OVER.
Ball State +4 vs. Army, 50.5 This line feels a bit off to me. Perhaps it is a bit high because Army is coming off the win over Northwestern, but these teams are pretty even and Ball State is at home. I'll take the points in what should be a low scoring, tight game. I'll also take the UNDER.
Virginia Tech -20.5 at Marshall, 47 This is a tough spot for the Hokies. This is game 4 of an underwhelming non-conference schedule with Clemson on deck. The game is also in Huntington, which isn't usually easy for visitors. But I'm backing Frank Beamer here as I expect him to have his team ready to fire on all cylinders after back to back lackluster performances. I also like the game OVER.
Alabama -11 vs. Arkansas, 50.5 As the debate rages on about which defense is better, Bama or LSU, the Crimson Tide get a shot to send a message early on Saturday. With injuries hitting the Razorbacks hard, Alabama should control this game from start to finish and cover easily with the game staying UNDER.
Washington -1 vs. Cal, 58.5 Cal tends to play much better at home, but this game is in Seattle. The Huskies scored plenty of points against Nebraska last week, so that shouldn't be a problem. This is a conference game though, so I expect things to be a bit tighter and more physical with Washington getting the cover and the game going UNDER.
LSU -5.5 at West Virginia, 48 The Mountaineers will be fired up for this game, especially now that it is the prime time game for the week. But LSU is used to these situations and will be able to handle the pressure much better than either WVU or their first year head coach. LSU will handle this game with relative ease and keep the total UNDER.
San Diego State +10 at Michigan, 57 Normally, I go against west coast teams playing in the noon EST time slot, but this will be the Aztecs second time this year doing it, so they should be able to handle it a bit better. They also have the type of balanced offense that should be able to keep the game close. Both teams should get points to push the game OVER.
Georgia Tech -6.5 vs North Carolina, 58 The Yellow Jackets offense is rolling right now, having scored 63, 49 and 66 points in their three games. While this UNC defense will be the best they have seen so far this year, they should still score enough to cover and push the game OVER.
Florida -19.5 at Kentucky, 44 Florida has been good but not great this season. Last week against Tennessee they should have won much bigger, but defensive pass interference penalties aided the Volunteers. Kentucky will not be able to put that type of pressure on the Gators defense and I expect Florida to hammer the Wildcats. The game will also go OVER.
Notre Dame -7 at Pittsburgh, 55 While I'm not a fan of the Irish, they seem to be improving slightly from week to week. Pitt doesn't get much of a home field advantage and Notre Dame always has plenty of fans for their road games in the east. If Iowa could get points against the Panthers, I see no reason the Irish won't. I like Notre Dame this week along with the OVER.
Clemson -2.5 vs. Florida State, 48 Both teams come off of emotional games from the previous week, but Clemson is riding high with a win in that game. Florida State not only lost the game, but may have lost their quarterback for this game. I expect a tight, low scoring game with Clemson winning by about a touchdown. The total will also be UNDER.
San Jose State -10.5 vs New Mexico State, 46.5 I'm sure this game is high on everyones radar for Saturday. Neither team is very good, but I think the Aggies are worse, especially going to San Jose. Yes, I know NMSU won at Minnesota this year, but they also lost at home to UTEP only scoring 10 points. They won't score many more than that on the Spartans as SJSU covers with the game going UNDER.
Fresno State -3 at Idaho, 52 The Vandals burned me last week, but I still cant back a team that lost at home to Bowling Green. Obviously, playing in Moscow isn't a huge advantage, so I'll take the Bulldogs along with the UNDER.
Buffalo +9 vs. UCONN, 46 No dynamic offenses here, so please give me 9 points. This game should be low scoring and it won't surprise me if Buffalo wins outright. I also like the game UNDER.
Oregon State -4.5 vs UCLA, 52 The Bruins seem to have no direction and Neuheisel is firmly on the hot seat. I don't like taking a winless team as a favorite, but that won't stop me. I also think both teams score enough to push the total OVER.
Texas Tech -15.5 vs Nevada, 61 I said it last week and will continue to say it, the Wolfpack are nowhere near the same team without Colin Kapernick. The Red Raiders should roll in this game since it is only Kansas on deck for next week. The game also should go OVER.
Vanderbilt +15.5 at South Carolina, 49 The Commodores are 3-0 this season and playing good football. With new coach Tony Franklin there seems to be some excitement around the program. Look for them to sneak up on the Gamecocks and keep the game close as well as UNDER.
Louisiana Tech +19.5 at Mississippi State, 59 MSU has had plenty of time to stew and regroup after being handled by the LSU defense. They will score quite a few but I expect Tech to score just enough to keep it within the spread. This game will go OVER.
Baylor -20 vs. Rice, 66.5 Baylor's offense has been explosive this season, led by Robert Griffin III. They will score plenty of points to cover but Rice will not help out so the game stays UNDER.
Virginia -3 vs Southern Miss, 52 I am a big fan of Mike London at Virginia, and even though the Cavaliers let me down last week, I am on them again this week. Southern Miss has not played well this year against any serious competition. Both teams score but Virginia scores enough to cover with the total going OVER.
Texas A&M -4.5 vs. Oklahoma State, 68 This should be a very exciting game with two high scoring offenses. The edge for me in this game is home field and a slightly better defense with the Aggies. Those two things combine to allow A&M to cover but the total will still go OVER.
Wyoming +21 vs. Nebraska, 57.5 Not a good spot for the Cornhuskers. After playing a game against PAC-12 Washington last week they take to the road for a game in Laramie. Never an easy place to play, Nebraska also has a game at Wisconsin on deck for next week. On top of that, Nebraska is 0-3 ATS this season and I expect that stat to go to 0-4. The Cowboys score enough points to cover as the game goes OVER.
Oklahoma -19.5 vs. Missouri, 57 In what could be a let down spot for the Sooners after the game at Tallahassee, they welcome the team that gave them their first loss last season into Norman. Oklahoma will be looking to send a message in their first Big 12 game of the year and rolls the Tigers. The game will also go OVER.
Utah State -10.5 vs. Colorado State, 56 CSU is coming off a game against their in state rival Colorado and now has to travel to Utah State. The Aggies have been very good this year and will look to make an impression on homecoming weekend. I'm laying the points and taking the OVER.
Tulsa +28 at Boise State, 63 This pick is being made based on the information that Tulsa's starting quarterback will be playing. With Kinne in the lineup I think Tulsa can score enough points to keep it within 4 touchdowns but the game will still go OVER.
Oregon -14.5 at Arizona, 65.5 The Ducks are on a mission after losing that opening game, and will not take it easy on anyone. The Wildcats are in trouble and Stoops may be lucky to make it through the year. Oregon scores enough to cover and not to get the game over, so go UNDER.
USC +2.5 at Arizona State, 53.5 The Trojans finally looked like they are starting to click with the easy win over Syracuse last week. Even though they are playing a lot of sophomores and freshmen in a big road game, I think they win this game. There won't be a ton of points scored so I like the UNDER.
Auburn -31.5 vs Florida Atlantic, 58 The Owls didn't score against Michigan State and didn't even get 50 yards of offense. Now they go against Auburn coming off its first loss in 18 games. I'm glad I don't play for the Florida Atlantic offense. Auburn rolls with the pressure of the win streak gone and the game gets OVER.
Iowa -17 vs Louisiana Monroe, 50 The Hawkeyes will be riding some positive momentum after the comeback win over Pitt last week. They tune up for Big Ten play with an easy over the Warhawks as the game also goes OVER.
Troy -12 vs. Middle Tennessee State, 64 Troy has owned MTSU in recent years and that shouldn't end in this game. I like the Trojans and the OVER.
Indiana -6 at North Texas. I realize the Hoosiers lost to Ball State, but only laying 6 against North Texas??? Perhaps I'm not very smart, but I think Indiana wins easily and the game goes OVER.
Louisiana Lafayette +17 vs Florida International, 50.5 The Golden Panthers are riding high after back to back wins over Louisville and Central Florida, so I expect a small letdown as they return to Sun Belt action this week. They still win the game, but don't get the cover as the game goes OVER.
So there you have it, my choices on every FBS game this weekend. As for what I'm betting, here ya go. I like Michigan State -21.5, Western Michigan +13.5, LSU -5.5, Buffalo +9 and Baylor -20. Good luck, and remember, never bet what you cant afford to lose.
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