Spread Options: Dr. Saturday’s Week 8 picks against the spread
Another week, another week under .500. Should we put the fade alert back on? After going 4-6 last week , Spread Options is a healthy 26-43-1. Ugh. Let’s see what’s in store for Week 8.
Western Kentucky (-4.5) at Florida Atlantic, Noon ET: It’s been a weird season for WKU. The Hilltoppers beat Bowling Green (the team that beat Indiana, the team that beat Missouri) by 28 in the first week of the season. But since then the only other win is against Navy, a team that’s also pretty good. And of the three losses, one was to Illinois (where a pick-six turned the game) and another was in three OTs against Middle Tennessee. We’ll take the Hilltoppers as they’re the better team.
Baylor (-7.5) at West Virginia, Noon, ET: Should we expect a repeat of the 2012 game in Morgantown, W.V., where West Virginia won 70-63? And last year, Baylor won 73-42 in Waco, Tex. So there’s a reason the over/under is set at 80. We’re going to go out on a limb and say that the winner of this game does not hit 70 and that Baylor wins it by 10. TCU’s offense is a tick above West Virginia’s, and it’s defense is better too.
Iowa at Maryland (+5), Noon, ET: Will we have another offensive explosion from Iowa? The Hawkeyes scored 45 against Indiana last week after a previous season-high of 31 against Northern Iowa. We’re going to chalk that up to Indiana’s defense. But even if Iowa continues its high-scoring ways, Maryland QB C.J. Brown is healthy after a bye and the Terps have a great chance of pulling the upset.
UCLA (-6.5) at Cal, 3:30 p.m. ET: Another road favorite? It looks dicey, but we like the Bruins by more than a touchdown. Cal was throttled by Washington at home last week and while a bowl game may be in the offing this year for the Bears, win No. 5 isn’t happening on Saturday.
Clemson at Boston College (OVER 45), 3:30 p.m. ET: Cole Stoudt is making his first start for Clemson since he was replaced by Deshaun Watson against Florida State. Will he take advantage of his second crack at the starting gig? Boston College has scored 30 or more points in four of its six games. This is a low number, and while the Clemson offense without Watson isn’t as potent, Stoudt plays well as a counter to BC QB Tyler Murphy.
Georgia at Arkansas (+3.5), 4 p.m. ET: Here’s the upset special for the week. Not only are we taking Arkansas and the points, the Razorbacks will beat the Bulldogs straight up. And who will run the ball more? Will Georgia give RB Nick Chubb over 40 total carries? We’re going with no. Arkansas will jump out to a lead and force QB Hutson Mason to throw downfield, something he hasn’t been good at this year.
Oklahoma State at TCU (-10), 4 p.m. ET: Oklahoma State has teetered a little bit in its last two conference games, both of which were against the two worst teams in the conference. The home game against Iowa State was close before the Cyclones started making mistakes and the Cowboys simply didn’t put Kansas away last week. Cast or not on his left wrist, Trevone Boykin is a superior QB to Daxx Garman and TCU wins by two touchdowns.
Missouri (+5.5) at Florida, 7 p.m. ET: Florida coach Will Muschamp says his team is going with a two-QB system Saturday night. It’s hard to feel optimistic about it. And while it’s hard to feel optimistic about Missouri QB Maty Mauk after a five-turnover game against Georgia, Mauk won’t play that poorly two weeks in a row. Couple Missouri possibly being a better team straight up and Swamp that’s not as intimidating as it used to be and we’ll take the points.
Notre Dame (+12) at Florida State, 8 p.m. ET: There are questions about Notre Dame’s defense after the Irish gave up 43 to North Carolina last week. But this isn’t the same caliber of Florida State defense that the Seminoles had last year, either. There’s no over/under for the game posted, but we expect a pretty high-scoring affair. Even if Everett Golson turns the ball over once or twice, Notre Dame should be able to hang with the Seminoles.
Stanford at Arizona State (+3.5), 10:30 p.m. ET: Could Arizona State QB Taylor Kelly play? He’s been making progress from a foot injury he suffered in September against Colorado, but it looks like Mike Bercovici will get the start again. Arizona State’s defense hasn’t played well, but can Stanford take advantage of it? With or without Kelly, we like ASU to spring the upset at home.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
