SEC Mike joins us as our guest picker this week and just in time. The winless guest streak has been broken. Thank you @sickoscommittee for breaking the curse.
As you all can see, @bamawill06 had himself a week, going 3-0 and bringing his overall record back to mediocrity. For the record, had Iowa called their game after the second lightning delay (when I had stopped watching), I’d have that fancy “winning record” also.
Alright, let’s get to the picks!
Missouri +7.0 at Auburn
Whew boy, the postgame festivities on The Plains could be more entertaining than the actual game set to be played in Jordan-Hare Stadium. This game features arguably the two worst offensive lines in the conference and the two least experienced quarterbacks. I’m not kidding when I say first one to 10 could win it.
Missouri 10 Auburn 9
Alabama -40.5 vs Vanderbilt
The Commodores are one of the best stories of 2022, having gone 3-1 out the gate and going over on their preseason over/under win total during the first month of the season. If you don’t know the name now, AJ Swann could be a future star QB in the SEC. It’s a great story but Alabama will be able to pick their score in this game.
Alabama 58 Vanderbilt 13
Tennessee -10.5 vs Florida
It appears to be a new era on Rocky Top under Josh Heupel (or at least that’s what I keep telling myself), but it won’t be officially a new chapter for Tennessee Football until the Vols knock off the Gators. This is a nightmare matchup for Florida considering the Gators lack of depth on defense and the offense’s issues to generate points. Meanwhile, Tennessee has yet to play up to its potential on offense and the Vols are averaging 55 points per game. If Tennessee doesn’t win this game, they should petition the SEC to never play it again.
Tennessee 38 Florida 17
Oregon State +6.5 vs USC
I hope I’m wrong but this line absolutely stinks. This game will be played in a quiet Reser Stadium of 26k with half of the bleachers demolished due to renovations; it’s being played at 6:30 pm on the Pac 12 Network; and the line didn’t move after Oregon State announced TE Luke Musgrave will not play. The only thing stopping me from unloading on this game is the fact that it won’t be played in fog.
On paper, USC should win 55-24. In reality? I think USC scrapes out a tough road win vs a scrappy Oregon State opponent.
Oregon -6.5 at Washington State
Running with the Oregon schools this week. I don’t believe Washington State has what it takes to upset the Ducks on the Palouse. I don’t think the Cougs are as good as any of their advanced metrics are making them out to be. Ducks expose that and win by 10+.
Utah -15.5 at Arizona State
This game has no right being this close after Arizona State fired head coach Herm Edwards, especially not after interim head coach Shaun Aguano used the word “family” in his letter to Sun Devil nation like he was some sort of Vin Diesel clone. Utes win by 30+ here and Arizona State gets closer to pulling the trigger on Prime Time.
Wake Forest +7 vs Clemson
Wake Forest’s offense hasn’t kept pace with last year’s squad, averaging 434.3 yards a game as opposed to 467.9 in 2021, but QB Sam Hartman’s return should add some punch for the Demon Deacons. Clemson’s offense struggles against good defenses, which Wake Forest’s isn’t. Last year the Deacs finished 88th in total defense last year. Wake Forest is 3-0 ATS as a home underdog since 2019 according to ESPN’s stats masters. It’ll be a shootout, so also take a look at the over at 56.5, but Wake competes in a close game.
UCLA -21.5 vs Colorado
The Bruins are currently averaging 506 yards per game while the Buffaloes average only 245.3 points per game. UCLA is currently 26th in total defense but that should improve after Saturday. I have a soft spot for CU for some random reason so I really hope they pull it together. I’d love to see them do well again. It’s not going to happen this weekend. Chip Kelly unleashes the UCLA offense and big numbers will soon follow.
Minnesota -3 vs Michigan State
PJ Fleck might’ve rowed the boat enough to catch a strong current as Minnesota’s averaging a whopping 554.7 yards per game, potent enough to rank second in the nation for total yards gained. Defensively, the Golden Gophers only allow 170.3 yards per game, also strong enough to rank second in the nation. Has the competition Minnesota’s faced so far been solid enough to warrant those rankings? Hardly, but success breeds success. The Spartans paid for facing strong competition last weekend and Minnesota is set up to take advantage of the damage left in the wake. Gophers win.
Maryland +17 at Michigan
Yes, I do think Michigan is for real and I’m not just saying that on the off chance that my wife (a passionate Wolverine fan) reads one of my articles. However, this is the first game Michigan has played against a non-high school team. It’ll be close at halftime and Michigan pulls away in the fourth, but not by enough to cover.
Minnesota -3.0 at Michigan St.
I still don’t think Michigan State is particularly good.
Minnesota, despite not really playing anyone yet, is a much better team that, unlike the rest of the B1G West, can actually throw the ball effectively. That doesn’t bode well for the Spartans, who would likely have difficulty defending against my two year old daughter.
Iowa at Rutgers UNDER 34
I know this is a stretch, but I’m taking under 14 for the Iowa at Rutgers game.
*Rereads the over/under
Wait, 34? Seriously? A shootout between these two teams would somehow end in a 19-11 final score, so I’m pretty confident in the under unless they start issuing points for punts.
Arkansas +2 at Texas A&M
I want to see more Fire Jimbo posts! An Arkansas win will give us plenty.
Kansas -7.5 vs. Duke
Lance Leipold is auditioning for every job in the country. Kansas stays unbeaten.
Utah State +2.5 vs. UNLV
Nobody cares about this game but me, and I can’t remember the last time UNLV beat USU. Aggies by 90!
Follow @fightonrusty, @bamawill06, @boardgeniuses, and myself, @hawkguymatt, on Twitter for more insightful college football content.
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