Happy Friday everyone. Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.
And we’re back for some Week 14 picks. Last week was one of the roughest weeks of the season with a 3-7 mark. That drops my season mark right back to the Mendoza Line at 64-64-2. Time to get that back up into the black.
As usual, all lines are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
And now, on with this week’s picks.
Miami at SYRACUSE +10.5
This line really should be in the 4-5 point range. I don’t trust Miami to go to the (formerly known as) Carrier Dome and put a beating on the Cuse. Kyle McCord is perhaps the best QB Miami will have faced this year, and the Orange passing attack clashes with the Canes’ weakness: the back end of their defense. Points will be a plenty, but I don’t see Miami winning this big. A nailbiter, one that I hope Miami walks away from at 11-1, but I have my worries.
Miami at Syracuse; OVER 67
Speaking points a plenty, I’ll back that up by taking the over here. 35-32 would be enough to get to that mark. I definitely see that score in play here.
Tennessee at VANDERBILT +11
Like Miami, Tennessee can punch their ticket to the playoff with a win (yes, I believe that about Miami; they’re not keeping an 11-win Miami team out). However, the Dores have been tough at home this year, beating Bama and taking Texas to the wire. While Vandy has been sliding the last few weeks, this will be a four-quarter fight. Vols win, but it’s a one score game, I feel.
Notre Dame at USC +7.5
Yes, I’m on the home dog kick here, and I think this interregional rivalry will also be a thrilling contest. The Trojans are the most talented roster the Irish have faced since probably Texas A&M, so the possibility for an upset is there.
Arkansas at MISSOURI -3
Vegas is trying to tell me something here, as this line should be higher for a ranked team at home. Alas, I’ll take the bait and lay the 3. The Tigers simply have the far better roster and are at home.
MISSISSIPPI STATE +24.5 at Ole Miss
I really don’t feel good about anything with the Bulldogs this year, but Ole Miss just got handed the ultimate gut punch by being bounced from the CFP picture with a loss to Florida. Will they be up for the Egg Bowl? At this point, the Bulldogs have more motivation.
Minnesota at WISCONSIN +1.5
This could go either way, but at home, I like the Badgers to claim the Paul Bunyan Axe Trophy. Wisky’s been tricky at Camp Randall, as Oregon found out a couple of weeks ago.
MICHIGAN +19 at Ohio State
This line was in the low 20s earlier in the week. Hope you got on that. This is way too many points for my liking in a rivalry matchup that the Wolverines will surely be motivated to play. If they can repeat last week’s performance in a 44-point win over Northwestern to get bowl eligible, they’ll cover here.
DUKE -4 at Wake Forest
Manny Diaz gets to an incredible 9-3 in his first season in Durham, with the Devils moving into the CFP rankings next week.
LOUISVILLE -4 at Kentucky
I think the Cardinals have the offensive firepower to get ahead and stay ahead in Lexington to reach win #8 and help wash some of the stink off of that ridiculous loss to Stanford. Like Duke, Louisville winning would only help the Canes’ resume, and I think it happens.
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
(Remember to wager responsibly. I am not responsible for your choices. These are simply how I see things playing out.)