We split the two college plays last week to move to 20-13 for the season and are now left with the last college football game of the season. The Georgia Bulldogs are favored by 12 and the total on the game is 63. It’s unlikely this one is going to match the excitement of either of last week’s playoff games.. It’s important to have multiple sportsbooks and it doesn’t cost you anything to open an account – the exact opposite, actually – as you can get yourself some nice bonuses, so there’s no reason not to do it. Enough of the lecturing let’s look at the games.
TCU comes into the game averaging 41.1 points against teams who allowed an average of 30.2 points on the season. The Horned Frogs are rushing for 5.4 yards per carry against teams who allow 4.4 yards per rush, but the Bulldogs are going to be tough to run against. TCU’s best chance is going to be through the air, where the Bulldogs have looked extremely vulnerable the past few weeks. Georgia allowed 502 passing yards to LSU and then 348 yards to Ohio State. The Buckeyes did rush for 117 yards, which is the most yards allowed by the Bulldogs the past five games.
Defensively, TCU golds teams to 4.0 fewer points than they average. The Frogs are slightly better than average against the run but pretty solid against the pass. A punishing rushing attack is what’s going to beat TCU and Georgia is pretty solid in that department, as the Bulldogs average 203 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry. The Bulldogs complete a high percentage of their passes but the running and passing games work in tandem. If teams try to stop the run too much, it opens the passing game. If teams play to stop the pass, Georgia will pound the ball at you and gladly take the 4 or 5 yards per carry.
Georgia has been a little overpriced in recent weeks, going 1-3 against the spread in their last four games. The line in this one looks pretty close to what it should be. As is often the case, this game isn’t the greatest from a betting perspective, but it is the last college football game of the season so people are going to bet on it.
Will go ahead and take a shot on the over 63 here. Georgia’s pass defense hasn’t looked that impressive the past couple of weeks and TCU should have some success through the air. The Bulldogs should be able to move the ball on the ground and mix in some passing plays to keep the TCU defense off balance.
College Football Picks Against The Spread From Previous Weeks
UCLA vs Pittsburgh
The Bruins have moved up to -6 in the Sun Bowl and have to believe that’s the way to go in this one. The transfer portal and player opt-outs have changed the way people handicap bowl games and the Panthers are a good example of a team that’s been hit pretty hard. The Bruins are a better team than Pittsburgh when both are at full strength and the Pitt losses are going to have an impact on the product Pittsburgh rolls out.
The Panthers’ passing game shouldn’t be as effective, which in turn will hurt the running game a little bit. The Panther defense is taking a hit and you don’t want to be facing the Bruins’ offense when you’re less than full strength. Some of the value on the Bruins is gone, as the line has moved upwards a little bit but still have to think UCLA is at least a touchdown better than the Panthers.
Penn St vs Utah
The Nittany Lions are catching 2.5 points against Utah in the Rose Bowl and I don’t think the Utes should be favored in this one. Penn State played a tougher schedule than Utah and the team’s numbers are just as impressive if not better than Utah’s when you factor in the level of competition played. Penn State’s only two losses this season were to Michigan and Ohio State and the Nittany Lions did cover the number against the Buckeyes.
Utah lost to Florida, UCLA and Oregon, and you can forgive the loss to Florida a bit, as it was the season opener at a tough place to play. Still, Michigan and Ohio State are both better than anybody who beat the Utes and Penn State didn’t embarrass themselves, giving Ohio State all it wanted. The Nittany Lions have the better defense of the two teams and are one of the teams who can probably slow down the Utah running game, as Penn State allows 3.3 yards per rush. The Utes averaged 4.5 yards per carry or less on four occasions this season, going 0-4 against the spread in those games, so have to take Penn State +2.5 here.
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo
Georgia Southern is favored by 3.5 and the total on the game is 66.5, so there should be plenty of points scored in this one and that Georgia Southern scores the majority of them.
Offense hasn’t been a problem for the Eagles, who are scoring 33.7 points per game against teams allowing 27.7 points. The Eagles can run or throw the ball. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease, who transferred from Buffalo for his final college season, threw for 3,900 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was sacked just six times all season but did throw 15 interceptions, so there are times he should just eat the ball instead of putting it up for grabs. The Eagles threw 47 times a game and ran 29 times, where they averaged 4.9 yards per carry against defenses allowing just 3.9 yards per rush.
The Georgia Southern defense doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence, allowing 32.3 points to teams scoring 26.3 points per game. The Eagles’ weren’t good against the run or the pass, allowing 5.8 yards per carry. But Buffalo doesn’t run the ball particularly well, gaining just 3.5 yards per attempt. Georgia Southern’s pass defense was better than the rushing defense, although teams did keep the ball on the ground more due to the problems the Eagles had stopping the run.
Few teams limped into the bowl season worse than Buffalo. The Bulls were 5-3 but lost three straight games and had to play a make-up game against a dismal Akron team to get its sixth win for bowl eligibility. Buffalo isn’t a good running team and its passing game wasn’t great, yet the team managed to score 29 points a game against teams that allowed 28.7. On defense, the Bulls allowed 27.2 points to teams scoring 26.6 but Buffalo was a better team in the middle part of the season.
Georgia Southern did play a tougher schedule than Buffalo and picked up a couple of nice wins against Nebraska and James Madison. The Cornhuskers aren’t what they were, but it’s still a big deal for a Sun Belt team to big one of the Power 5 schools.
It’s about a five-hour trip for Georgia Southern fans to the game and have to believe they’ll have some supporters who show up. At least more than Buffalo, since it’s hard to imagine people traveling 1,000 miles for this game. Will take Georgia Southern -3.5.
Marshall vs. Connecticut
Marshall and Connecticut meet in the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Monday, Dec. 19, and PointsBet has the Thundering Herd as 10-point favorites with a total of 41. The Thundering Herd doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence as a double-digit favorite since they don’t score that many points. Marshall averaged just 24.2 points per game during the season. But in Connecticut, Marshall gets a foe that is worse offensively than they are. The Huskies averaged just 19.8 points per game and their passing attack is almost non-existent. Connecticut averaged just 107 passing yards per game and threw the ball 20 times. It’s not as though the Huskies are a service academy team that throws seven or eight times.
The Huskies have to run the ball to be successful but find themselves going up against one of the top rushing defenses in the country. Marshall allowed just 2.8 yards per rush this season. The best way to beat Marshall is through the air and don’t think the Huskies have the people who can do that. It’s likely to be an ugly game but think the Thundering Herd can muster enough offense to get the cover in this one and will take Marshall -10.
San Jose State vs. Eastern Michigan
DraftKings has the Spartans -3.5 with a total of 54.5 in this game, which will be played Tuesday in Boise Idaho. The Spartans just fell apart down the stretch and not so sure that a trip to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is the thing to wake them up from their skid. No matter how you look at it, this game has to be a bit of a disappointment for San Jose State, who started the season 6-2 but lost two of its last three games and comes into the contest on an 0-6 ATS run. Eastern Michigan is a pretty average team but have to think they’ll be a little bit more motivated in this one. In the college bowl games motivation often has more influence on the final score than talent, as some teams are simply going through the motions. Eastern Michigan is playing its best football of the season and is 4-0-1 against the spread over its last five games. Will take the points with EMU.
Army vs Navy
The weather is expected to be cool and partly cloudy with a high of 44 degrees. There is less than a 5% chance of rain, so weather shouldn’t play much of a factor in this one.
Navy is favored by 2.5 points and the total is 32.5 at Draftkings and by now everybody knows the game has gone under the total 16 straight games, but this is the lowest total yet. Between 2010-2015 the total was in the 50s every game but as the under trend materialized, sportsbooks have been steadily dropping. So, could this be the year where we finally see an over?
Navy averages 22.4 points per game and has played teams that allow an average of 24.6 points. But the Midshipmen have played a tougher schedule than Army. Navy finished the regular season with Cincinnati, Notre Dame and UCF. Army’s last three games were against Troy, Connecticut and Massachusetts. So it stands to reason Army is going to have better stats.
Navy’s defense wasn’t bad this season, allowing 24.7 points to teams that averaged 30.2 points per game. The Midshipmen allowed 20 points to the Bearcats and held Central Florida to 14. Navy was especially strong against the run, allowing just 3.1 yards per carry.
Army ran the ball better than Navy this season, gaining 5.6 yards per carry against teams that allowed 5.2 yards per rush. But Navy was much better defending the run, allowing 3.1 yards per carry for the season and holding their last three opponents to 210 yards combined. Considering the competition, that’s not bad for any team, let alone a mid-level program like the Midshipmen.
Both teams went over the total more often than not this season, with Navy going 6-5 and Army posting a 7-4 record. It’s tempting to take the over 32.5 in this one but instead will go ahead and take a shot on Navy and lay the small number here.
Troy vs. Coastal Carolina
Troy is favored by 8.5 points here and the total is 48 at SI Sportsbook. The Trojans are hosting the Sun Belt title game for the first time after going 10-2 during the season and won the Sun Belt West Division with a 7-1 conference record. Coastal Carolina captured the East Division with a 6-2 conference record.
The teams may look even on the surface but there are some things to like about Troy in this one. Coastal Carolina gets a slight edge on offense but Troy is much better defensively and should be able to slow down the CC offensive attack. The Trojans are allowing just 16.8 points per game, which is 9.7 fewer points than teams average. Troy allows just 3.4 yards per carry and then played Army and Ole Miss. Against Sun Belt foes, the Trojans are allowing 2.9 yards per rush. Coastal Carolina runs 40 times per game and that helps open up its passing game. But if they’re unable to move the ball on the ground Troy should be able to wear them down. Will take Troy -8.5.
Clemson vs North Carolina
The Tigers are favored by 7.5 and the total here is 63.5 at DraftKings in what’s expected to be a high-scoring contest. Clemson was upset by South Carolina last week after a dismal passing effort but can still land a spot in the Orange Bowl with a victory here. Clemson thinks college playoffs each year and fell short of that target so will try to take the ACC title and head to Florida.
There isn’t a huge difference between the teams offensively, but the Tigers get a massive edge on defense. The Tar Heels are especially poor against the pass but not so sure the Tigers are going to be the team to exploit that after DJ Uiagalelei’s brutal outing a week ago. Still, the Tigers should be able to run the ball against the UNC defense, which is nothing special against the rush.
The Tigers had a big advantage against common opponents during the course of the season and should be able to dictate the flow of the game here. Just to play it safe, will go ahead and buy the half-point on the Tigers at DraftKings and take Clemson -7 (-125).
USC at UCLA:
DraftKings has Southern California -2 and the total on the game is 76, so obviously there isn’t expected to be a lot of defense played. The Bruins got caught looking ahead to this one by the Arizona Wildcats, who pulled off a 34-28 upset as 20-point underdogs, handing the Bruins their second loss of the season. It was the Bruins’ pass defense that let them down against Arizona and they’re about to get another test this week in the form of Caleb Williams. Williams has thrown for 31 TDs and been intercepted just twice this season. But that’s been part of the Trojans’ success this year, as USC is +17 in turnovers, while UCLA is +3. But it’s also a stat that can’t always be counted on continuing.
The Trojans are going to throw the ball and throw it a lot, especially with leading rusher Travis Dye now out for the season. Dye averaged 6.1 yards per carry and scored 9 touchdowns. He was also decent coming out of the backfield, although he was being utilized less as a receiver this year than he was a year ago. The Trojans need to have some sort of rushing attack to keep the Bruins from teeing off on Williams. While Williams has mobility, he’s also been sacked 20 times. The Bruins will do what they can to disrupt him and keep him from getting too comfortable in the pocket.
When UCLA has the ball, you’re going to see plenty of rushing attempts. When you average 6.3 yards per rush, you have to stick with it until the opposition shows it can stop you. USC allows an average of 4.5 per carry to teams who average just 4.2 yards per rush. That could spell trouble for the USC defense.
It’s not as though the Bruins are slouches in the passing department themselves. UCLA completes more than 70% of its passes and is throwing for 264 yards per game. Southern Cal is pretty strong against the pass, but the Bruins will look to throw if USC makes too much of an effort to stop the run and crows the box. This one looks like it could go either way but think the matchups favor the Bruins and will take UCLA as small home underdogs in this spot.
UCF at Tulane
Good game in the American Athletic Conference, as the Central Florida Knights visit Tulane. Tulane is leading the conference with a 5-0 AAC record, while UCF is 4-1 after losing to East Carolina. The Green Wave is favored by 1.5 and the total on the game is up to 54.5.
The Knights could be without quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who will be a game-time decision. Last year’s starter, Mikey Keene, will be ready to go if Pumlee can’t. UCF is averaging 35.7 points per game against teams allowing 29.1, while the Knights’ defense allows 18.8 points to teams who average 27.3.
The Green Wave average 32.9 points against teams who allow 32.2, while the Tulane defense is allowing 16.9 points to teams which average 25.2 points. Tulane has played one of the easiest schedules in the country, with Jeff Sagarin rating the Green Wave’s schedule as the 96th-most difficult in the country. UCF has played the 68th toughest in the nation.
The Knights can run the ball and that will be the best way to take the Tulane crowd out of the game and UCF should be able to wear down the Green Wave defense. Will take UCF +1.5.
Indiana at Ohio State
The Buckeyes are favored by 40 in this one at DraftKings and the total on the game is 58.5. The Buckeyes shouldn’t have to worry about the wind like they saw at Northwestern last Saturday, but they will have to deal with rapidly dropping temperatures. After seeing 72 degrees on Thursday and 60 degrees on Friday, the high Saturday is expected to be 42 degrees.
Not that is should really make much difference, as Ohio State should roll in this one. The Hoosiers have no rushing game, averaging just 2.7 yards per rush against teams who allow 3.9 yards. Now they’ll face an Ohio State team that holds foes to 3.0 yards per carry. Indiana can throw a little, but the Buckeyes are solid defensing the pass.
On offense, the Buckeyes are averaging 45.8 points against teams allowing an average of 23.8 points, which could be trouble for an Indiana team allowing 32.2 points per game. The number is big, but will take the Buckeyes -40.
Clemson at Notre Dame
Clemson comes into this one averaging 37.1 points per game while playing a soft schedule for the most part. Jeff Sagarin has the Tigers as playing the No. 65 schedule. Of teams in his Top 25, only Michigan (No. 69) has played a softer schedule. Clemson’s opponents allow an average of 27 points per game, so the Tigers are getting the job done offensively. The Tigers are a run-first team, which is to be expected with Will Shipley in the backfield. Clemson runs the ball 40 times per game and throws 32.
Defensively, the Irish are pretty solid, especially against the pass. Notre Dame holds opponents to a 56.9% completion rate, which is solid considering their opponents average 65.4% completions. Notre Dame allows 3.9 yards per carry to teams averaging 4.5 yards per rush attempt.
When Notre Dame has the ball, the Irish are going to want to run. Notre Dame averages 42 rushing attempts per game and throws the ball 27 times a game. Yardage is almost even, with the Irish averaging 187 yards on the ground and 196 yards through the air.
Clemson allows 19.9 points per game to teams who average 25.9 points per game, so Clemson isn’t quite as dominant defensively as their numbers may appear at a quick glance. The main reason for this is the Tigers have shown some weakness against the pass this season, allowing 244.3 passing yards per game. The Tigers are solid against the run, allowing just 3.1 yards per attempt.
This game is one of those where the matchups appear to favor the Tigers. Clemson doesn’t have to throw the ball to be effective, as they’re a decent running team, and won’t have to depend on going straight on into Notre Dame’s strength on passing defense.
Clemson’s rushing defense should be able to slow down Notre Dame’s running game and force the Irish to throw the ball some and that’s not their strength.
The line is cheap in this one and while Clemson might be a trap, have to take the Tigers here and lay the points.
Cincinnati at Central Florida:
The Bearcats opened as slight favorites at BetRivers and now the Knights are favored by 1.5. UCF put forth a dismal effort against East Carolina last week, as they likely had an eye on this game and it cost them. The Knights turned the ball over far too many times and you’re not going to beat an above-average team like that. Cincinnati comes into the game averaging 36.9 points per game, but when you consider the teams they’ve played allow an average of 35.5 points, they don’t look quite as impressive. UCH is averaging 37.3 points against teams allowing 29.3 points for comparison. Defensively, the Bearcats allow 22 points to teams averaging 25.3, while UCF allows 17.1 to teams who average 23.5 points. Cincinnati’s run defense has been solid, allowing 2.9 yards per rush, although their opponents average just 3.8 yards per carry. The Knights are averaging 5.4 yards a rush against teams who allow 4.5 yards per carry. The Bearcats have pulled out a couple of close wins their last two games and think they run out of luck a bit in this one and I’ll go ahead take Central Florida -1.5.
Rutgers at Minnesota:
The Gophers are favored by 14 and the total has climbed a little bit to 41 in this one and Minnesota is simply better on both sides of the ball here and should be able to wear down the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers is averaging 23 points a game, but the teams they’ve played have allowed an average of 30 points. Rutgers’ defense is allowing 21.3 points a game, but their foes are only scoring 22.2, so it’s not as though Rutgers is a defensive powerhouse. They’re just slightly better than average. Minnesota is scoring 32 points a game against teams who allow 30, so the Gophers are slightly better than average, but Minnesota’s defense is allowing 16.4 points a game to teams who average 22.6. So we have a solid defense against an offense that scores 7 fewer points than their foes allow and the Gophers should be able to shut down Rutgers offensively. The line is 14.5 at a few places including my favorite Caesars sportsbook, so make sure to shop for the best odds. I’d lay -120 if forced to in order to lay 14.
Duke at Miami Hurricanes:
Miami is favored by 9 points over Duke at DraftKings and it’s time for the Hurricanes to get serious and start playing up to their potential. The loss at Texas A&M is forgivable, but the same can’t be said for the loss to Middle Tennessee. The ‘Canes played better than the final score indicates last week against Virginia Tech, picking up 460 yards of offense and allowing only 257. Miami had a comfortable 20-0 lead but led the Hokies get the backdoor cover with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.
The Blue Devils are off to a 4-3 start, losing their last two games and need to have the rushing attack going to be at their best. The one problem for the Blue Devils here is stopping the run is the strength of the Hurricane defense, as Miami allows just 3.0 yards per rush. The Hurricanes don’t run the ball that well, which may actually serve them well here, as Duke is better against the rush than the pass. The matchups appear to favor the Canes and think they can get the job done, so will take Miami -9.
Boise State at Air Force:
The line is down to Air Force -3 at FanDuel and believe that the Broncos will get the win, so will grab Boise +3 in this one. Air Force was favored by 4 or 4.5 earlier in the week, but Boise State has been a bit of a popular play. It’s easy to see why people like the Broncos in this one, as Boise State is allowing just 2.9 yards per rush on the season.
The Broncos have seen Air Force’s offense plenty over the years and is coming off a bye week, which gave them a little more time to prepare for this game. The Broncos have played a tougher schedule, which has included Oregon State and Fresno State, while the toughest team Air Force has faced has probably been Navy. The Falcons have been favored by double digits in all of their games so far, so this is their first true test of the year. Both teams have lost games they shouldn’t have this season, but believe Boise can get the job done here.
Stanford at Notre Dame Pick
The Irish are favored by 17 over the Cardinal at FanDuel and the total of the game is 53.5. Stanford comes into this one with just a 1-4 record, having dropped all four conference games after winning their opener against Colgate. The Cardinal did cover the spread last week against Oregon State, which was the first time they’ve managed to cover the number all season.
Offensively, the Cardinal are scoring 29 points a game against teams that allow 28.5 points, so Stanford is pretty much an average team in that regard. The Cardinal average 4.2 yards per rush against teams that allow 4.5 yards per carry and throw for fewer yards than their foes allow, but go gain slightly more than average per pass than foes allow.
The big problem for Stanford has been stopping the run, allowing 5.9 yards per carry to teams who average 5.0 yards. That could spell big trouble against Notre Dame, which averages 4.3 yards per rush against teams who allow 3.7 yards per carry. If the Irish get the ground game going, it will open things up through the air and keep the Cardinal defense off-balance for most of the game.
The Irish are scoring 25.6 points per game, but their foes have allowed an average pf 22.5, while the Notre Dame defense has played well and is holding foes to 12.5 fewer points than they score on the season.
The Irish appear to be getting better offensively as the season goes on, scoring 73 points their last two games after scoring 55 through their first three games of the season. Notre Dame has rushed for 511 yards the last two weeks, which has also helped the passing game, as they’ve thrown for 551 yards those two games as well.
The Cardinal have allowed more than 40 points in three of their five games and it doesn’t look like they’re going to match up particularly well against the Irish, who should have some big plays on the ground.
Stanford can move the ball a bit through the air but can’t see them having a lot of success on the ground against a Notre Dame defense, allowing just 4.2 yards per carry to teams who average 5.1 yards a rush.
I can see the Irish putting up a fair number of points in this one and think the Cardinal will get on the board a few times, so will take the over 53.5.
South Florida at Cincinnati Football Pick
The Bearcats are favored by 27.5 and the total on the game is 59.5 at BetMGM Sportsbook. USF is a difficult team to figure out at times. They gave the Florida Gators all they could handle a couple of weeks ago and then have been thumped their next two games. The 41-3 loss to Louisville is understandable, as it came on the heels of the Florida game, but last week’s 48-28 loss to East Carolina is a bit of a head-scratcher. Still, the dismal showing of the Bulls has this line a little higher than it should be. South Florida can put some points on the scoreboard. Other than the loss to Louisville, USF has scored at least 21 points and that includes games against Florida and BYU, so think they can keep this one a little bit closer than the public thinks and will take USF +27.5.
Wyoming at New Mexico Football Pick
The Cowboys come into this one favored by 3.5 and the total on the game is just 36.5 at PointsBet, one of two games with a total that low this weekend, with Iowa vs. Illinois the other. New Mexico has been able to put a few points on the scoreboard when not facing top-notch opposition. LSU shut the Lobos out, while New Mexico could just muster 14 points against Boise State. They have scored 88 points in their other three games, although the level of competition is a little suspect. Wyoming has also scored some points after being held to six by Illinois to begin the season. Both teams are scoring and allowing more than 20 points on the season and are going to run first, while throwing the occasional pass to keep the defense guessing. The Cowboys do throw the ball 25 times a game, while rushing 35, while New Mexico rushes 37 times and throws the ball 19 times a game, so neither team is completely one-dimensional. The number is low, so will go ahead and take a shot on the over 36.5 and hope to see enough points to push it over the number.
Cincinnati at Tulsa Pick & Prediction:
The Bearcats are favored by 9.5 and the total on the game is 60 and like a few others, I’ll be on Tulsa here even though a little bit of the value is gone on the Hurricane. You can still find Cincinnati -10 at PointsBet, but 9.5 is the most common number, so we’ll use that one.
The Bearcats come into this one with a 3-1 record, having beaten Indiana last week to make it three straight wins after a season-opening loss to Arkansas. Cincinnati did play Miami, Ohio and Kennesaw State in their other two games, in which they cruised to victories as 24-plus point favorites. Cincinnati is 2-2 against the spread this season.
Eastern Michigan transfer Ben Bryant has done a solid job at quarterback for Cincinnati and the team is averaging 328 passing yards per game. They have thrown for at least 293 yards in every game, so it’s not a case of padding the stats against the weak foes on the slate. The Bearcats are averaging 42.5 points per game, although their foes are allowing an average of 36 points per contest.
Tulsa’s quarterback, Davis Brin, was injured in the first half against Ole Miss last week, so redshirt freshman quarterback Braylon Braxton may get the start here. He struggled a little against the Rebels, but also made some nice plays. The Tulsa World listed Brin as “day-do-day” and Braxton is getting the majority of reps in practice, which can only help. Coach Montgomery isn’t going to tip his hand too much here and leave the Bearcats guessing.
The Golden Hurricane have been a solid team as underdogs the past few years, going 14-4 ATS as a dog since 2019 and they easily covered the 21-point spread against Ole Miss in what was really Braxton’s first significant playing time in a game. Ole Miss had been tough against the run, but Tulsa ran the ball for 262 yards against them and the Bearcats could see plenty of rushing attempts Saturday.
The Golden Hurricane showed some character last week, trailing 35-14 with their quarterback knocked out of the game, but Braxton led them to a pair of field goals and a 97-yard touchdown drive to make it a one score game. Given Tulsa’s record as an underdog the past few years have to take the Hurricane +9.5 in this one.
Baylor at Iowa State Pick & Prediction:
The Cyclones are back down to 2.5-point favorites and the total is 45 at PointsBet. I grabbed the Bears +3, but still think there’s decent value on Baylor +2.5 here, as I have them winning the game. Both teams have played some weak foes, along with one tough game. The Cyclones beat offensively challenged Iowa 10-7, while Baylor lost at BYU in overtime.
As the Hawkeyes continue to struggle with the ball, it’s looking as though Baylor’s effort against the Cougars is more impressive than the Cyclones beating Iowa. These teams have played some close battles, with two of the last three games decided by 2 points, so will take the better team as underdogs here and take Baylor.
Clemson at Wake Forest Pick & Prediction:
Clemson is favored at BetMGM by 7 over the Demon Deacons and the total on the game is 55.5. This is obviously a huge game for Wake Forest, who finds itself undefeated and in the Top 25, while it’s just another game for the Tigers. But Wake Forest struggled with Liberty last week and while there may have been a little bit of a look-ahead situation to this one an ACC team shouldn’t be struggling in a game like that.
The Tigers haven’t really played anybody yet, but are looking a bit like Clemson teams of the past. The offense, which really struggled at times last year, is getting the job done even if the defenses they’ve been playing are a little suspect. Huge talent gap here and the price is pretty cheap on the Tigers, so will go ahead and lay the 7 points with the Tigers.
Wisconsin at Ohio State Pick & Prediction:
The Buckeyes are favored by 18.5 and the total is 55.5 at Caesars Sportsbook. This is another game where there’s a huge talent difference between an upper echelon team and a good team, so will go ahead and take the Buckeyes -18.5 in this one.
The line seems high, but this Wisconsin team lost to Washington State. Beating up on the likes of Illinois State and New Mexico State is one thing, but going into Columbus and playing the Buckeyes is something entirely different. Ohio State has also played a couple of weak foes and their win over Notre Dame doesn’t look that impressive any longer but have to believe Ohio State’s passing game is the difference here and the Buckeyes roll.
