The last couple of weeks have resulted in 6-8 records. I’m embarrassed. The cold streak has to end at some point and now that Oregon is no longer on my brain it should clear everything up for me. Some have suggested that I start “fading” my own selections. Sorry, that’s not going to happen. I have confidence in my picks. I’m an irrational confidence guy!
All lines according to 5dimes.eu
Thursday
Clemson -10.5 v. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech has screwed us all year. The Triple-Option attack has confused me as much as it has opponents. This week we finally nail down GT. Clemson is a much better team in Death Valley then they are on the road. Tahj Boyd hasn’t been quite as excellent as we expected he would be this season; however, he is still one of the best QBs in the country. Any Clemson pick comes down to how much you trust their defense against any opponent. Will they be able to stop the triple-option? The questions are legitimate. Clemson’s defense will be tested but so will Georgia Techs. Expect a high scoring game with a huge 4th quarter from the Tigers.
Prediction: Clemson 42 – Georgia Tech 28
Friday Special
UCLA -2.5 v. Washington
The Bruins are coming off a very impressive win in Tuscon against the Wildcats. UCLA hadn’t won in the desert since 2003 and finally closed out a close game to keep their PAC 12 South Championship hopes alive. If they are going to beat out Arizona State for a place in the PAC 12 Championship game then they are going to need to go undefeated the rest of the way. The Bruins are breaking out some sick Midnight Blue jerseys for this one and the Rose Bowl should be packed on Friday night. Washington, with its high-octane offense, has fallen off a bit during the season and is in desperate need of a win. Is Steve Sarkisian’s job in jeopardy? I’m not saying, I’m just saying. Brett Hundley should find success throwing the ball against UW and the UCLA running attack has looked better in recent weeks. Look for UCLA to pull out a tight one.
Prediction: UCLA 31 – Washington 27
Saturday
Duke +3.5 v. Miami
David Cutcliffe has to be the coach of the year right? Duke is ROLLING right now at 7-2 and has a chance to reach the ACC Championship game. The interesting thing about Duke is that they are undefeated on the road and have two home losses. That is a bit disconcerting against a solid Miami team. Miami, however, has dropped its last two games and clearly is still reeling from the Florida State game. This is Duke’s biggest home game of the season and they should be ready to go. Miami clearly has the superior talent but Duke is the team to beat in this matchup.
Prediction: Duke 27 – Miami 24
Wisconsin -20.5 v. Indiana
The Hoosiers can score the football. That is a fact. They also don’t know how to play defense at all! Wisconsin’s offense isn’t too shabby itself and they have one of the best defenses in the country. On top of that, the game is being played at Camp Randall, which is one of the most difficult stadiums to play in in the country. The Badgers should be able to steamroll the Hoosiers on Saturday.
Prediction: Wisconsin 48 – Indiana 24
Rutgers -1.5 v. Cincinnati
This is not the Rutgers team of 2012 that was 9-1 ATS in games that we wrote about. That doesn’t mean that they can’t surprise a 7-2 Bearcats squad in Piscataway on Saturday. Let’s call this one a throwback sick to last season. Rutgers clearly shouldn’t be favored in this game but I have a gut feeling that Cincinnati isn’t ready this weekend, despite winning their last four games, and Rutgers will take advantage early and often.
Prediction: Rutgers 28 – Cincinnati 20
Georgia +4 @ Auburn
Auburn has turned it around this year in a big way behind Gus Malzahn. The new Auburn coach has turned back the clock to 2010 and has developed a potent offense behind Nick Marshall, the Tigers QB. On top of that Auburn has one of the best special team units in the country. The thing that I question about the Tigers football team this season is the suspect defense. They will be tested in a big way this weekend against the now healthy Georgia Bulldogs. Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley are back together and the Bulldogs are a totally different team when those two are healthy. This is going to be a barnburner. Auburn might take this one in the end but it’s a field goal game. Thanks to Vegas for the extra point!
Prediction: Auburn 48 – Georgia 45
Michigan + 3 @ Northwestern
Remember when Northwestern was a contender in the Big 10 and were an unblemished 4-0? Well, the real Northwestern football team has shown itself the last five weeks. The Wildcats have lost five straight, albeit they have experience a string on incredibly bad luck in the fourth quarter of four of the five games. Northwestern has to be mentally destroyed. Michigan should be able to take care of this vulnerable Wildcats squad and score the victory in Evanston.
Prediction: Michigan 30 – Northwestern 23
Colorado -2.5 v. Cal
If you enjoy horribly played football this is the game for you! Seriously, this may be the worst conference game of the entire season. I’m excited! California is a broken team. So is Colorado. I’m going with the home team only because I love Boulder more than I do Berkeley. Last weekend I was in Berkeley for a day and almost died and was awoken to a fire alarm. Sorry, I’m not cool with that Berkeley. NEVER AWAKE ME WITH A FIRE ALARM!
Prediction: Colorado 24 – California 16
Oregon State +14 @ Arizona State
Arizona State is a fantastic team and is even better in Tempe. Oregon State has lost its last two games to Stanford and USC; however, they are coming off a bye week and should be well prepared to match ASU’s potent offense. Sean Mannion is having one of the best seasons in the history of Oregon State football. I don’t expect him to slow down this weekend against a subpar ASU defense. If the Over isn’t above 90 you should take that also.
Prediction: Arizona State 52 – Oregon State 43
Oklahoma State -3 @ Texas
I am of the opinion that Texas’ 6-0 conference record is a sham. This is still the team that got waxed by BYU. Oklahoma State, on the other hand, is a strong 8-1 and has been blowing out opponents for the past month. I believe that Oklahoma State is going to be the BCS representative from the Big 12 and will be the team to take down Baylor, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. OSU is simply the better team in this game and will be on Saturday.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 45 – Texas 28
Michigan State -6.5 @ Nebraska
Lincoln isn’t the toughest place to play these days. MSU has one of the toughest defenses in the country. Nebraska doesn’t exactly have one the best offenses around. MSU is going to win this game and will stay on track to matchup up with Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship game.
Prediction: Michigan State 25 – Nebraska 17
Alabama -25.5 @ Mississippi State
It’s Bama. I’m betting on them. No explanation needed.
Prediction: Alabama 48 – Mississippi State 10
Stanford -3.5 @ U$C
I really don’t want to discuss this game, it makes me too sad. $C has been very impressive under Ed Orgeron. He has absolutely energized the Trojans and their fan base. Stanford, on the other hand, now has the inside track to the Rose Bowl and an outside shot at the National Championship. Look for Stanford to shut down the $C offense and put together their classic run the ball down your throat game. This won’t be that close even if the score doesn’t reflect that.
Prediction: Stanford 28 – U$C 14
Arizona -12.5 v. Washington State
The Wildcats are a better team than their record would indicate and are especially good in Tuscon despite the UCLA loss last weekend. Washington State won’t be able to compete with the Wildcats in Arizona. It’s just not going to happen.
Prediction: Arizona 37 – Washington State 21
Last Week: 6-8
2013 Season: 70-65-1
2012 Season: 57-39-7
Jason Gold is the Founder and Co-Editor in Chief on SportsMoneyLife.com. Follow Jason on Twitter @TheSportsGuy33.
