After a huge week I’m back for one more shot at going deeper into the green – these are the games that have me going for gold in Week 13 of the college season. I’ve put together 8 games and there’s even a showdown amongst by two biggest money makers, the Washington schools (betting against of course). Here goes something…
Illinois Fighting Illini @ Northwestern Wildcats (+2.5): I wasn’t at all impressed with the Illini last week. They should have gotten beat by 20 – and they just don’t have much fight in them. Juice Williams got a hook late in that game, and I’m interested to see how that will effect that young quarterback. I’m not enamored with Northwestern, but a dog at home against this Illinois team seems like a bet too good to pass up.
Florida State Seminoles @ Maryland Terrapins (-1): I guess this pick is for the same exact reasoning as last week. FSU isn’t that great, Maryland is very equal to them at least, and the Terps are playing at home where they are probably the toughest out in the ACC – a 1 point favorite is basically a pick-em, so I have to like the Terps here.
BYU Cougars @ Utah Utes (-6.5): BYU hasn’t played well on the road this year, whether than was a 1 point win at Washington, a 3 point win at Colorado State, or a 14 point win at Airforce, even a 25 point loss at TCU for that matter – they just haven’t been at their best on the road. I know this game is huge for the Utes, and the Cougars really have nothing to lose, but Utah is just the better team. They’ve been better from the get go, and despite everyone’s expectations that BYU would be the undefeated team in this division at years’ end, the Utes are the team to beat. Brian Johnson may not have Max Hall’s numbers, but he does just as much for his team. The Utes have had their close wins, no doubt about that, but the better team should win by at least a touchdown on Saturday – and the better team is Utah.
Tennessee Vols @ Vanderbilt Commodores (-3): I think Vanderbilt’s big win last week, a win that assures them bowl eligibility, will be huge for their confidence going into this week’s tilt with Tennessee. They have that weight off their shoulders now, and I can only imagine they play better because of it. If that’s not enough, the Vols are absolutely brutal -that should do the trick.
Washington (-7.5) @ Washington State: What does a guy like me do in this situation? If you’ve read my picks more than once, you are well aware of my “Bet against Washington Sports” motto, and these two teams are the root of that motto. But there has to be value here, right? Sure, I think so – and I would feel so wrong, after all the money these two teams have made me, just letting this game fall to the wind. Alright, the Huskies should win this game. Believe it or not, they are the better squad. They are bad, just not as bad as the Cougars. The problem is, UW has to win by more than a touchdown to take this game. That’s a lot to ask from a team that hasn’t won yet this year. However, I’m taking the dogs. Winless doesn’t seem like a possibility, especially when it means losing to a terrible rival. I’m taking the Dogs in this one.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (+6) @ Oklahoma Sooners: It may not be the best bet because Oklahoma is dirty at home, and Tech is trying for the undefeated regular season here, and OK is really freaking good – but how can you not like Tech as a 6 point dog? Here it is folks, I would take Tech as a 6 point dog in the depths of hell against the Devils and all his demons. This isn’t a flukey gimmicky Tech team that relies solely on their crazy offense – they are good at everything. Realize that this one goes against my belief that you should always take a lower rated team favored against a higher rated team. Yep. This is the exception to the rule.
Iowa Hawkeyes (-6) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers: Too much of a run game from the Hawkeyes, and too much of a run defense as well. I see Iowa running away with this one.
Mississippi @ LSU (-5): This may be the last time in history that you’ll be able to get LSU at home anywhere close to good value. LSU has struggled this year, never was that more apparent than last week against Troy State – but they showed what they can do in a 4th quarter that got them a victory, and that 4th quarter is enough for me to take them here at home against Miss.