Well, Week 7 resulted in a return to the winning side of the ledger for a week after a long slide. I managed to go 6-4, bringing my season mark up to 34-35-1. As close to the Mendoza line as I can get. Time to break through back to the positive side of things.
As usual, I’m using the lines from DraftKings Sportsbook.
And now, on with this week’s picks…
MIAMI -5 at Louisville
I’m really looking to buck a big trend here. It’s the game after a bye week, and everyone in the Miami Hurricanes fandom knows that spells disaster almost like clock work each year.
However, I’m going to say this team is different, and talent trumps whatever’s happened in the past. It’s not going to be pretty for much of it. Louisville has two wideouts averaging over 19 yards a catch. The Cardinals get theirs.
However, Cam Ward and the Miami passing game has a field day against a susceptible Louisville secondary. Canes come out on top after a high scoring affair 38-31.
Florida State at DUKE -3
I mean….everything these two teams have done this season screams Duke by double digits. I’ll take Manny Diaz’s team to send the Noles to Hard Rock Stadium at 1-6 next week.
OREGON -29.5 at Purdue
I don’t care that Oregon just won a massive game last week against Ohio State. I don’t care that Purdue just took Illinois to overtime. Oregon is far, far, far better than the Boilers, and that will show on Saturday.
East Carolina at ARMY -16
Alright, man. I guess I’m sold on the Black Knights. They’re rolling through teams right now like a tank (pun intended). That continues on Saturday against the Pirates.
Virginia at CLEMSON -21
The Tigers are looking the part of a machine lately (albeit against truly putrid competition) and I think they find a way to continue that dominating performance against the Wahoos. The Tigers’ defense imposes its will, and Clemson wins comfortably.
Alabama at TENNESSEE +3
I’m not sure what Bama has done to early the benefit of the doubt in Knoxville after a loss to Vandy and a 2-point win over South Carolina at home. But then again, Tennessee hasn’t showered itself with glory lately either, struggling the last two weeks. I think this is the week that Tennessee’s passing game wakes up a bit. Add in the home field advantage, and I’ll take the points here.
NC State at CALIFORNIA -10
A truly putrid NC State team heading across the country to take on a Cal team who’s proven to be scrappy and looking for their first-ever ACC win? Yeah, I love the Bears here.
GEORGIA +5 at Texas
Really? We’re giving the Georgia Bulldogs almost a touchdown? Uh, ok. Sold. This is going to be a true slugfest, and it’s one that I think UGA is set to handle. Odds are – to me – they keep it really close, if not outright win it.
Kentucky at FLORIDA +1.5
Why the oddsmakers keep making Florida a home dog to mediocre competition is surprising to me. Kentucky surely can win this game, but they have been a hot mess for much of the season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Meanwhile the Gators’ defense has figured it out lately. Give me Florida here.
TEXAS A&M -17.5 at Mississippi State
It’s pretty incredible how bad Jeff Lebby’s team is this year, last week’s decent effort against Georgia notwithstanding. If the Aggies are legit, they’ll go to Starkville and roll up the Bulldogs. I think they do.
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.)