College Football betting picks against the spread October 26, 2019 We have another heavy college football betting Saturday with 53 of the week’s 55 games happening today. Only last Saturday was bigger. Hopefully this treats me better than last Saturday. Whether you are betting all 46 of them or not, they will all be picked here for you. I will provide my point bets so you know how confident (or not) I am in the pick. Not all college football betting picks are created equal. I had a solid week 8 in points, but I finished well under .500 thanks to my two point picks last week. I’m starting in a big hole tonight thanks the SMU coming up flat late in the game last night. For those of you that are new to this, I pick every college football game every week. Not a top five. Not a top ten. All of them. Big deal, right? Lots of people make picks. Well, I do them all against the spread! I take the odds of each game and average them out at all the Vegas casinos and round to the nearest half. There will be no ties here. Ties are for the other football. The place to see all those Vegas odds is The Action Network. They also let you know where the public is betting. Don’t underestimate the value of that tool. As we all well know, this is not an exact science. Due to the volatile nature of college football betting in general, this is for entertainment purposes only! I cannot be responsible for the loss of money, possessions, spouses, or limbs because of my picks. I can’t have that on my conscious.<doc-sep>LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 18: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals runs for a touchdown against the Syracuse Orange during the game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Clemson Football: When will Trevor Lawrence first take the field? Clemson Football: When will Trevor Lawrence first take the field? by Shawn Spencer After the longest wait, College Football is finally upon us. Here are our spread predictions for some of the top match ups around the country. Ladies and gentlemen, College Football is here. After waiting nearly eight months without a game, we had some solid action in “Week Zero” of the 2018 season. Now, we get to the main course. This week, Clemson will be taking on Furman to open up the season. Tiger fans should be able to enjoy a stress-free weekend with an early end time, meaning that they’ll have the rest of the day to do some tailgating and watch some football. Here are our spread predictions for some of the top match ups from around the country in College Football for week one. College Football 2018 Week One Spread Predictions: Washington vs. Auburn (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta) Spread: Auburn -1.5 When I look at this game, I see 1,000 scenarios that could play out. The main question, for me, is the health of Jake Browning. Can Browning return to his old self from a couple of years ago? If he can do that, with a backfield featuring Myles Gaskin, Washington has a chance to go and win what basically will be a road game for them. Auburn, led by Jarrett Stidham, has to replace some guys as well. This spread has gone back and forth in Vegas, so I’m going to put my trust in Browning and give the edge to Huskies to not only beat the spread, but win the game outright. Spread Prediction: Washington +1.5 Tennessee vs. West Virginia (Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte) Spread: West Virginia -10 West Virginia is led by Heisman candidate Will Grier at quarterback. That 10-point spread is a lot to cover, though, even for a Mountaineers team that is clearly more talented. Teams tend to have a little trouble in the first game of the season and I think the final score ends up being right around that spread number. I’m going pick West Virginia to cover, but I don’t feel good about it. Spread Prediction: West Virginia -10 Michigan at Notre Dame Spread: Notre Dame -2 You want a game where I have no clue what’s going to happen? This is it. While there have been many national analysts to praise both Notre Dame and Michigan in some aspect or another, I just can’t see it. Notre Dame is at home, so I’m going to go with the Fighting Irish to win Game One and cover that two-point spread. Spread Prediction: Notre Dame -2 Louisville vs. Alabama (Camping World Stadium in Orlando) Spread: Alabama -24.5 Can Louisville keep this game anywhere close to respectability? The Cardinals are 24.5 underdogs and it may not even be that close. Alabama is better basically at every single position and the only way this one stays close is if Nick Saban elects to put Jalen Hurts in the game. Even then, this one could get ugly pretty fast. Can Alabama cover the huge spread? Maybe they can’t, but I’ve learned to never bet against the Crimson Tide until otherwise proven wrong. Spread Prediction: Alabama -24.5 Miami vs. LSU (Cowboy Stadium in Arlington on Monday) Spread: Miami -3.5 Talk about a battle of teams that use to be significant in College Football and now are trying to return to prominence. To me, Miami is very soft on the lines of scrimmage. LSU is very low on skill position players. So, the question is if the Hurricanes are strong enough to get the job done up-front or at least compete with LSU up-front. I don’t know the answer to that question yet. I’ll give LSU the benefit of the doubt, but overall I’m just not that impressed with either of these teams. Spread Prediction: LSU +3.5 To recap, here are our picks for this week:<doc-sep>Week 2 of the college football season is here, and the schedule leaves much to be desired. That won't stop us from picking the games. There are only two matchups between teams ranked in the AP Top 25, but they're good ones. The SEC East race gets its first marquee matchup when No. 3 Georgia travels to No. 24 South Carolina. Then, No. 10 Stanford travels to No. 17 USC in a Pac-12 crossover matchup with major Playoff implications. From there, seven top 25 teams play FCS opponents this weekend. MORE: Week 2 picks, straight up Here is a look at our record from last week's Top 25 games: Straight up: 18-3 Against the spread: 10-7 With that in mind, here are Sporting News' picks against the spread for Week 2 (odds reflect VegasInsiders' consensus picks as of Sept. 5): Friday No. 16 TCU (-22.5) at SMU 8 p.m., ESPN2 Shawn Robinson led a balanced TCU offense in Week 1, and that continues against an overmatched SMU defense that simply won't be able to stop the Horned Frogs. This gives TCU momentum heading into Week 3 against Ohio State. TCU wins 56-27 and COVERS the spread. Saturday New Mexico at No. 5 Wisconsin (-35) Noon, ESPN New Mexico scored 62 points on Incarnate Word in Week 1, but the defense also allowed 566 yards. Expect Wisconsin to come out more focused after an uneven performance against Western Kentucky. Jonathan Taylor, who averaged 8.1 yards last week, could break 200 yards here. Wisconsin wins 55-14 and COVERS the spread. Western Michigan at No. 21 Michigan (-27.5) Noon, Fox Sports 1 The Wolverines' offense sputtered at Notre Dame, but Michigan gets back on track against a defense that allowed 334 rushing yards last week. Western Michigan will keep it right on the line with a big-play offense that averaged 9.6 yards per play against Syracuse, but the Wolverines will limit those chances. Michigan wins 42-14 and COVERS the spread. No. 18 Mississippi State (-8.5) at Kansas State Noon, ESPN The Bulldogs dominated their opener, but it's a trip to unfamiliar territory against the Wildcats, who survived an upset bid from FCS South Dakota last week. This is Joe Moorhead's first big statement at the Bulldogs' coach. Mississippi State wins 34-24 and COVERS the spread. William & Mary at No. 12 Virginia Tech (No line) 12:20 p.m., ACC Network The Hokies bounce back on a short week against the Tribe, which slipped past Bucknell 14-7 in Week 1. Figure in Josh Jackson for a big day in the home opener, which the Hokies make clean and quick. Virginia Tech wins 41-7 with no spread. UCLA at No. 6 Oklahoma (-30.5) 1 p.m., Fox It was a rough opener for UCLA in the loss to Cincinnati, and it won't get any easier against a Sooners team that proved life after Baker Mayfield is doable with Kyler Murray and Rodney Anderson. Oklahoma averaged 10.0 yards per play in Week 1, and that's something Chip Kelly can show the Bruins moving forward. Oklahoma wins 41-14 but FAILS TO COVER the spread. MORE: Sporting News Week 2 Power Rankings Portland State at No. 23 Oregon (No line) 2 p.m., Pac-12 Network Justin Herbert completed just 10 passes in Week 1, but five went for touchdowns and the Ducks beat Bowling Green 58-24. Expect the Ducks to concentrate on efficiency in the passing game and improving the rushing attack in another tune-up before Pac-12 play. Oregon wins 55-13 with no spread. Arkansas State at No. 1 Alabama (-37.5) 3:30 p.m., ESPN2 Justice Hansen is one of the best quarterbacks in the Sun Belt, and he's coming off a six-touchdown performance against Southeast Missouri State. That's a long way from Tuscaloosa. Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts account for six touchdowns in this one, and it doesn't matter the order those come in. Alabama wins 51-10 and COVERS the spread. No. 3 Georgia (-9.5) at No. 24 South Carolina 3:30 p.m., CBS An upset here would throw off the entire SEC East race, and South Carolina knows it. This is the biggest spot of the season for Jake Bentley and Will Muschamp, and Williams-Brice Stadium will be rocking. The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings by two touchdowns. This one playa a little tighter. Georgia wins 31-24 but FAILS TO COVER the spread. Rutgers at No. 4 Ohio State (-35) 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network Dwayne Haskins threw five touchdowns in his debut as the Buckeyes' starter, and Ohio State has beaten Rutgers by a total score 219-24 the last four years. Artur Sitkowski threw three interceptions last week. Look for more from Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins. Ohio State wins 59-17 and COVERS the spread. Ball State at No. 8 Notre Dame (-33.5) 3:30 p.m., NBC Is there a risk for the Irish coming off the big victory against Michigan? Possibly, but it's also an opportunity to get Jafar Armstrong and other running backs more involved in the offense. The Cardinals are improved under coach Mike Neu, but they aren't ready for this yet. Notre Dame wins 51-13 and COVERS the spread. MORE: AP, Coaches polls North Dakota at No. 9 Washington (No Line) 5:00 p.m., PAC12 The Huskies must bounce back after a tough loss against Auburn, and it's a chance to get Myles Gaskin going in the run game. Aaron Fuller should add to the big plays in the receiving game. Big win here. The Fighting Hawks won their opener 35-7 against Mississippi Valley State. Washington wins 48-7 with no spread. Savannah State at No. 22 Miami (No Line) 6:00 p.m., ACC Network It's a long road back to contention for the Hurricanes, but Malik Rosier will build on the downfield success he had late against LSU in this blowout. The “Turnover Chain” will return a few times, too. Miami wins 48-3 with no spread. South Carolina State at No. 19 UCF (No line) 6:00 p.m., ESPN3 UCF can't get caught peeking ahead at those nonconference games against Power 5 schools, and they won't.<doc-sep>Week 1 of the college football season is one big guess. After months of no college football, it was suddenly everywhere. Guessing the results can be and often is a mixed bag. Of the five upset alert games, only two -- Wake Forest vs. Tulane and Virginia Tech vs. Florida State -- ended up coming to fruition. Wake Forest needed overtime to hold off Tulane and Virginia Tech unexpectedly handled Florida State 24-3. Week 2 has a sleepier vibe to it with only two games pairing top-25 teams. However, six ranked teams are on the road as favorites. You'll find five on this list. These supposedly less interesting slates on paper have been known to produce some unexpected outcomes. Each week, I'll give you the top five upset alert games based on matchups, injuries/suspensions and other factors. Remember: "upset" is defined first and foremost by the point spread, not perception or rankings, though they are both taken into consideration. On that note, I generally avoid games whose lines are within a touchdown with exceptions being made for cases that warrant them. To make things more interesting, I'm also going on the record with the picks and keeping tabs. The scoring system is exactly the same as it is for our weekly expert picks with season-long tallies against the spread (ATS) and straight-up (SU). Week 1 results Upset picks: 2-3 ATS: 3-2 SU: 2-3 Picks to date: 2-3 ATS to date: 3-2 SU to date: 2-3 On to this week's picks ... When: Saturday, Noon ET | Where: Manhattan, Kansas | Line: Mississippi State -9.5 Why it's listed: While Kansas State's 27-24 come-from-behind win over South Dakota was uncharacteristic, it's not concerning just yet. If we know one thing about Bill Snyder, it's that his game-week prep is as good as any coach in college football. Playing K-State is typically one of the least-fun things to do; whether you win or lose is kind of irrelevant. Kansas State's key to the game: The Snydercats were oddly sloppy in Week 1, losing the turnover battle by a mesmerizing -4. The Wildcats obviously can't afford to be that careless with the ball again. Otherwise, there won't be a come-from-behind win. Mississippi State's key to the game: This will be the first game of the season for Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald after serving a one-game suspension. Will he show up a little rusty -- remember: he's also coming off of a devastating season-ending ankle injury -- or is he better than ever in Joe Moorhead's offense? If Fitzgerald is a difference-maker, Mississippi State probably covers. Pick: Mississippi State has an outstanding defensive front and weapon at quarterback. The fact it's nearly a double-digit favorite on the road says something. However, if you give me Kansas State as a home dog, four out of five times I'm taking Kansas State to cover. ATS: Kansas State, SU: Mississippi State No. 3 Georgia at No. 24 South Carolina When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET | Where: Columbia, South Carolina | Line: Georgia -10.5 Why it's listed: Isn't it obvious? It's a top-five team going on the road against a divisional rival, one that just so happens to be good. South Carolina's key to the game: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel needs to be the dude for which Georgia simply doesn't have an answer. The play here should be to keep Samuel in the slot often and utilize him out of the backfield where he's not constantly paired up on first-team All-SEC corner Deandre Baker. The more creative, the better. Georgia's key to the game: Georgia doesn't get knocked off keel that often. While the Bulldogs proved last year they could win in a shootout -- against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, of all teams -- that's not typically their game. When the defense excels, it's only a matter of time before the offense starts taking over. It sounds simple, but defense really is key. Pick: The Gamecocks have just one win vs. a ranked team under Will Muschamp. Analysis: not great. They're certainly good enough to win this game, but between Georgia's defense and the weapons on offense, there are too many problems. ATS: South Carolina, SU: Georgia No. 13 Penn State at Pitt When: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET | Where: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Line: Penn State -8.5 Why it's listed: Without overreacting, Penn State's defense was porous against Appalachian State. Was that a matter of game plan and/or readiness, or do the Nittany Lions have some real problems? Pitt's offense has a couple of playmakers to test them. Pitt's key to the game: Quarterback Kenny Pickett is a fun player. When there's a play to be made, he'll make it. If this game is close in the fourth quarter like Penn State's opener was, Pickett becomes a player to watch. Penn State's key to the game: Finishing the fourth quarter defensively. That sounds cliche, but the Nittany Lions have had a hard time with this over the past year or so. Last season, Iowa, Ohio State and Nebraska all had big offensive showings in the fourth. So did App State, and it nearly cost Penn State the game. Pick: Who knows yet if quarterback Trace McSorley will win the Heisman. However, he's proven both at home and on the road that if Penn State needs a throw, he's going to make it. ATS: Pitt, SU: Penn State No. 17 USC at No. 10 Stanford When: Saturday, 8:30p.m. ET | Where: Palo Alto, California | Line: Stanford -5.5 Why it's picked: This falls inside the touchdown rule, but the line has moved again by another point towards Stanford as of this writing. And, well, with a shortage of notable games on Saturday, this one is important enough that it'll do. Look at it this way: USC at best would be a pick 'em at home. So, yeah, this would be a big deal and there are some conference race implications to show for it. USC's key to the game: This is not the first time defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has faced this Bryce Love/J.J. Arcega-Whiteside combo before.<doc-sep>
College football betting picks against the spread December 6-7 After the disaster that was my college football betting week last week, we have the lightest week of the year. It is Conference Championship Week! For those of you wanting Playoff expansion, wake up! These are playoff games! Just like me, you want to pick the best spots to make money this week. Anything can happen here. Parlays are a lot more difficult with only ten games to choose from. Would I bet al ten of them? Not a chance. It’s not just because of my bad rivalry week. Upsets always happen. Even if the upsets don’t happen, a lot of these are closer than advertised. For those of you that are new to this, I pick every college football game every week. Not a top five. Not a top ten. All of them. Big deal, right? Lots of people make picks. Well, I do them all against the spread! I take the odds of each game and average them out at all the Vegas casinos and round to the nearest half. There will be no ties here. Ties are for the other football. The place to see all those Vegas odds is The Action Network. They also let you know where the public is betting. Don’t underestimate the value of that tool. I also assign a point value based on the confidence I have in each pick. 1 means that I have little to no confidence. 5 is one I would place a decent wager on. I keep track of my record and my points from year to year. As we all well know, this is not an exact science. Due to the volatile nature of betting in general, this is for entertainment purposes only! I cannot be responsible for the loss of money, possessions, spouses, or limbs because of my picks. I can’t have that on my conscious. Without further delay, lets get the college football betting for Championship Week!