Betting Against the Spread: College Football Week 8 Picks – AthlonSports.com
Last week was awful. There is no other way around it.
In one group (top picks) I was 1-5. In the “if you must” group, I was 2-2. And in the Top 25, I went a pathetic 3-11-1. My only comfort is that the rest of the Athlon Sports staff failed you as well.
So all of that hard work over the last month has gone to waste. It’s time to rebound.
Last Week: 3-6
Year-to-Date: 24-23-1
Washington (+21) at Oregon
The Ducks are really good and are getting healthier on offense. But Oregon is 2-4 against the number and Washington is surging after crushing Cal as an underdog last weekend. The front seven for the Huskies is dynamic and should pressure Marcus Mariota. Don’t forget Chris Petersen’s ability to game plan against Oregon — something he did very well at Boise State. Prediction: Washington +21
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Michigan St (-15) at Indiana
Sparty disappointed in a big way last weekend against lowly Purdue. Why go back to the well against a better Indiana team? Because quarterback Nate Sudfeld won’t play. The Hoosiers are 2-4 against the number and Michigan State should be pretty upset after struggling last weekend. Prediction: Michigan State -15
Kentucky (+10) at LSU
The Wildcats are much improved and have been great against the number this season, 5-1 against the spread thus far. LSU is getting better but not by as much as many believe. Mark Stoops will have his team ready to play and could pull the upset outright if Les Miles isn’t careful. Prediction: Kentucky +10
Tennessee (+16) at Ole Miss
The Rebels are unbeaten this season and unbeaten against the spread as well (5-0-1). Ole Miss could score 17 points and cover this spread as the Vols’ horrible OL won’t be able to do much of anything against arguably the best defense in the nation. Beware of the backdoor cover here but Ole Miss should run away with this one. Prediction: Ole Miss -16
Temple (+7.5) at Houston
The Cougars used a bunch of turnovers to upset Memphis last week while Temple keeps surging into relevance in the AAC. Matt Rhule has his team ready to compete with anyone and the Owls could win outright against an inconsistent and overrated Houston squad. Prediction: Temple +7.5
UAB (-1.5) at MTSU
Both programs have played well this season but Middle Tennessee is a home dog here and it feels like the Blue Raiders should win outright. I like the over here as well. Prediction: MTSU +1.5
Iowa (+5) at Maryland
In a game with two hard-nosed coaches, the Hawkeyes look like the better overall team. Yet, somehow, Iowa is an underdog. Call this one a gut feel, but I like the Hawks to win outright against the Terps. Prediction: Iowa +5
Iowa St (+12) at Texas
The Longhorns’ defense is outstanding and finally the offense showed some signs of life last weekend. Tyrone Swoopes had his best game and shouldn’t have much issue with the ‘Clones. Take Texas big in a must-win situation. Prediction: Texas -12
Georgia (-3.5) at Arkansas
The Hogs have been great against the number all season but this is a terrible matchup for Bret Bielema. The Dawgs’ defensive strength is stopping the run and Arkansas’ defense won’t be able to contain the improving Georgia offense. Prediction: Georgia -3.5
Kansas State (+7.5) at Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s offense is struggling right now and Bill Snyder has had two weeks to prepare for their trip to Norman with a defense that was good enough to hold Auburn in check a month ago. Snyder is 3-3 in his last three trips to Norman outright, including a win the last time KSU visited Oklahoma. The Cats’ defense keeps them in the game. Prediction: Kansas State +7.5
Top 25 Picks ATS:
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