SportsTalkATL’s College Football Gambling Locks: Week 5

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Turner Skehan (5-6-1)

Preamble: I might as well make this a staple because I expect I’ll have some bitching to do every week. Can we talk about UCF? What the hell was that? Terrible call by me. To my credit, Wiscy wasn’t a bad call. Picking against Harbaugh in big games is too easy. I digress. I promise I will be less long-winded this week because being so doesn’t win my bets and you likely don’t read my *evidently* incorrect analysis of most games anyway. Onto the picks.

Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma over 73.5.

Oklahoma can score, and their defense still isn’t great. Texas Tech can score. Their 14 point outing against Arizona likely suppressed the o/u. Take the over.

SMU (-7) vs. USF

SMU coming off a big win vs. TCU is riding high. The Bulls aren’t, but they are at home. Don’t get it confused; I don’t care about SMU traveling. USF isn’t Death Valley, and I am not scared. SMU covers.

Delaware (+28) vs. Pitt

I may be picking against Pitt out of spite for what they did to me last week (or was it UCF’s fault? Who cares) but I’m sticking to my guns – Pitt isn’t good. Twenty-eight points is a lot to give up, and Delaware is a sneaky good FCS team. They can compete. Pitt likely overlooks them and lets them hang around too long. UDel cashes +28.

Harrison Coburn (5-7)

USC (+10) vs. Washington

Don’t get me wrong; I think Washington is the better team. Jacob Eason has looked great, and he and Justin Fields’ performances to start the season have to make you wonder if Georgia chose the right QB. But USC has remained solid and has played well despite losing their starting QB to injury. I think they can easily keep this one within a margin of 10.

UVA (+11.5) vs. Notre Dame

Notre Dame is the better team, but Virginia has put together an excellent product for 2019. Bryce Perkins led the ACC in all-purpose touchdowns last season. I expect a Notre Dame win but for this one to be tight enough where 11.5 points should be comfortable. UVA will put up a fight.

Wake Forest (-6.5) vs. Boston College

This pick is all about Wake Forest QB Jamie Newman, who is incredible at putting up points on the board. Wake Forest is 6-1 in its last seven road games as well, and in recent memory, they are 12-3 in September games. Newman also has a nice ACC game under his belt on the season already in the team’s win against UNC.

Chase Irle (4-7-1)

Oklahoma State (-5) vs. Kansas State

I have yet to bounce back from my 0-3 start, trading blows in each of the last three weeks, but it is coming – hopefully. Don’t let the rankings fool you; Kansas State is nothing to write home about. There only semi-decent win came on the road against Mississippi State, but Mississippi State isn’t a good football team – even if they are in the SEC. Oklahoma State put up a valiant effort against a very good Texas team a week ago on the road. There might be a worry about a let down this week, but I wouldn’t bet on it considering Kansas State has won the last two games in this series. With revenge on their minds, the Cowboys should cover this number at home.

Washington (-10) vs. USC

I still think Washington is the best team in the Pac-12, and USC is the definition of an enigma – you never know what to expect.  I do know the Trojans can’t tackle and will be relying on a third-string quarterback who lit up Utah’s defense last weekend. However, most of those yards came on plays of 50+ or more. Chris Peterson is too good of a coach to let that happen consistently. Coming into a hostile environment off a huge win over the Utes at home, I’m expecting quite the letdown from USC.

Wisconsin (-23) vs. Northwestern

I mean, why not. After embarrassingly picking Michigan last week, I’m officially sold on the Badgers. And this week, they are up against a Northwestern team that is not nearly as good as they have been in recent years. The Badgers have had no problem scoring points behind Jonathan Taylor, and the Wildcats will be lucky to reach double digits the way their offense has performed this season. The only thing that worries me about this matchup is a potential let down after a big win over Michigan.

Ohio State (-17.5) at Nebraska

I’ve fallen a bit in love with Ohio State’s team, so I’m putting an extra pick in here for you guys. It’s going to be a wild night in Lincoln, Nebraska, but I think the Buckeyes have all the tools to put this one away early. I’m not sold on the Huskers and think this line is too low.

 Jake Gordon (4-8) 

Texas A&M (-23.5) vs. Arkansas

I like A&M to rebound at home after a tough loss against Auburn. And yes, Arkansas is that bad.

Alabama (-35.5) vs. Ole Miss

Ole Miss has actually played a little bit better defense this year, but their offense has been horrid. On the road, this is going to be a hard one to keep within 35.

Kentucky (+3) v South Carolina

Kentucky may be injured but they have shown fight all season. That’s more than you can say about Will Muschamp’s squad. I like the Wildcats to win straight up, but I will take the points.

 

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