As college football enters conference play, I try to keep the momentum going from a 29-16 record vs. the spread in nonconference action.
Without further ado:
#1 Alabama at Vanderbilt (+19.5)
Alabama never runs up the score and Vanderbilt’s defense is lights out; take the points.
— Pick: Vanderbilt
Boston College at #2 Clemson (-34.5)
The Eagles lost to Notre Dame last weekend by 29. This will be worse.
— Pick: Clemson
#3 Oklahoma at Baylor (+28)
Baylor played inspired ball against Duke last Saturday but this is still the team that has lost to Liberty and UTSA at home.
— Pick: Oklahoma
#4 Penn State at Iowa (+13)
Never bet against Iowa during a night game at Kinnick Stadium. Never.
— Pick: Iowa
#5 USC at Cal (+16.5)
USC played down to an inferior opponent last week in Texas and the Golden Bears are a surprising 3-0.
— Pick: Cal
#16 TCU at #6 Oklahoma State (-14)
Oklahoma State’s offense looked down-right scary last Saturday — but so did TCU’s.
— Pick: TCU
#7 Washington at Colorado (+11.5)
Colorado is the defending Pac-12 South champion and 3-0 and still doesn’t get any respect.
— Pick: Colorado
#8 Michigan at Purdue (+10)
Michigan’s offense has been in a slumber to start the season and Purdue has been a pleasant surprise under new head coach Jeff Brohm.
— Pick: Purdue
UNLV at #10 Ohio State (-40)
Ohio State continues to underachieve but UNLV lost to FCS Howard; it doesn’t get much worse than that.
— Pick: Ohio State
#17 Mississippi State at #11 Georgia (-4.5)
Ride the hot hand of QB Nick Fitzgerald after a dominant 37-7 win over LSU last week.
— Pick: Mississippi State
NC State at #12 Florida State (-13)
I just don’t trust Florida State with that big of a spread and true freshman QB James Blackman making his first career start.
— Pick: NC State
Old Dominion at #13 Virginia Tech (-28.5)
ODU lost to North Carolina by 30 last week and Virginia Tech is a much better team.
— Pick: Virginia Tech
Toledo at #14 Miami (FL) (-13.5)
Toledo is a surprising 3-0 but the Rockets haven’t seen anything like “The U” yet.
#15 Auburn at Missouri (+19)
Both teams are coming off ugly performances last week but at least Auburn’s season is still salvageable.
— Pick: Auburn
Nevada at #18 Washington State (-28) — Washington State
Nevada is a horrendous 0-3 and about to be obliterated by Wazzu’s Air Raid offense.
— Pick: Washington State
Kent State at #19 Louisville (-44)
Yes, Louisville looked awful against Clemson; but this is the kind of game where Lamar Jackson scores 7 TDs.
— Pick: Louisville
#20 Florida at Kentucky (+3)
Florida has beaten Kentucky 30 straight times. Coming off the magical Hail Mary finish vs. Tennessee, make it 31.
— Pick: Florida
Temple at #21 USF (-20.5)
USF finally looks like it’s hitting its stride under new head coach Charlie Strong.
— Pick: USF
#22 San Diego State at Air Force (+3.5)
San Diego State has beaten Arizona State and Stanford in back-to-back weeks. As long as they stay focused, the Aztecs should cover.
— Pick: San Diego State
#23 Utah at Arizona (+4)
After last year’s 3-9 debacle, Arizona still has a ways to go to prove they are a legit football team this season.
— Pick: Utah
#24 Oregon at Arizona State (+14)
Arizona State stinks and Oregon’s got its old mojo working on offense again.
— Pick: Oregon
Syracuse at #25 LSU (-21)
LSU looked dreadful vs. Mississippi State and star running back Derrius Guice is hurt. The ‘Cuse will cover.
— Pick: Syracuse
Week 1 Record: 11-4
Week 2 Record: 8-5
Week 3 Record: 10-7
Overall Record: 29-16
