We got some NBA and a lot of College Football today. Picks are in, let’s see who we like!
College Football:
#2 Ohio State (-15.5) at #13 Penn State:
Penn State does not do well against top five teams. Their game against Michigan a couple weeks ago was proof of that. Now they are facing off against the Buckeyes and their high powered offense. They will not be able to keep up with the Buckeyes. This game has all the makings of a blowout, and we think Ohio State will cover. Pick: Ohio State 48 Penn State 17
#7 TCU (-7.5) at West Virginia:
TCU is still undefeated and West Virginia has only won one conference game, a three point win against Baylor. TCU has played four straight games against ranked teams and won them all. Only one of them has been by less than seven points. We like the Horned Frogs to cover. Pick: TCU 37 West Virginia 24
Notre Dame at #16 Syracuse (-1.5):
We know that Notre Dame has been bad this year, but this is still a team that was ranked in the top ten to start the year. Syracuse has been a nice story, losing their first game last week to Clemson. That Syracuse Clemson game was a tough one in which the Orange had the lead on the road, and let it slip away. We think they will have a hangover in this one and the Fighting Irish will pull off the upset. Pick: Notre Dame 31 Syracuse 28
Florida at #1 Georgia (-23):
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party has lost a lot of luster, with Georgia joining the upper echelon of teams and Florida falling by the wayside. This is still an intense rivalry, and Florida is going to play like they have nothing to lose. Because they don’t. We think Georgia will win, but it will be by less than three touchdowns. Pick: Georgia 34 Florida 20
#8 Oregon (-17) at California:
Oregon has looked really good since their opening day loss to Georgia, and now is the only undefeated team (in conference) in the Pac 12. California is terrible, having just lost to one of the worst teams in major College Football in Colorado. This game will not be close. Pick: Oregon 45 Cal 13
#9 Oklahoma State at #22 Kansas State (-1.5)
One of only three games involving two ranked teams, the Cowboys and Wildcats square off with something to play for. The winner of this game is in good position to make the Big 12 Championship game. Both of these teams have only one loss in conference, and they were both to TCU. TCU needed double overtime to get past Oklahoma State, but beat Kansas State by double digits. Give us the Cowboys in a close one. Pick: Oklahoma State 31 Kansas State 28
#10 Wake Forest (-3) at Louisville:
Wake Forest is a double overtime game against Clemson away from being undefeated. No one is really talking about the Demon Deacons, but they are a good football team. They head west to face a Louisville team that has won two straight. It won’t be a third. Pick: Wake Forest 38 Louisville 30
#17 Illinois (-7.5) at Nebraska:
Nebraska has righted the ship a bit since firing Scott Frost, having won two of their last three games. Now they host the Fighting Illini, who’s lone blemish this year is a 23-20 loss to Indiana in week 2. They have won three straight Big Ten games, and have done it with a solid all around team. We like Illinois to cover here. Pick: Illinois 30 Nebraska 20
#20 Cincinnati at UCF (-1.5):
We get that this game is in Orlando, but we don’t understand why UCF is favored in this game. Cincinnati has lost two games the last two years, and they were both to SEC schools. UCF is solid, but they are not an SEC school. Give us the Bearcats to pull off the “upset” in this one. Pick: Cincinnati 34 UCF 24
Missouri at #25 South Carolina (-3.5)
South Carolina has won four games in a row, including an upset over #13 Kentucky, and they are doing it despite the play of quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler has thrown only five touchdowns to eight interceptions this year. They have a solid defense and a good running game, and that will win them the game today. Pick: South Carolina 24 Missouri 17
#19 Kentucky at #3 Tennessee (-11.5):
The third and final game featuring two ranked teams takes us to Knoxville, Tennessee where the Volunteers are looking to get to 8-0. Kentucky is a solid team, but they are not on the level of Tennessee. We like Hendon Hooker to have another big day and for the Volunteers to win big. Pick: Tennessee 38 Kentucky 20
#10 USC (-14.5) at Arizona:
Jayden De Laura is frustrating to watch as quarterback of the Wildcats. He will make some plays that will make you go “wow”, and then others will have you shaking your head. He has to be consistent today for Arizona to have any chance, and consistency isn’t his game. We think he will have a couple turnovers and that is why the Trojans will cover. Pick: USC 41 Arizona 23
Michigan State at #4 Michigan (-23):
We know Michigan State isn’t very good, but this line is too high. This is one of those rivalry games where something weird always happens. Michigan is a good team and will win this game, but it will be by less than 23 points. Pick: Michigan 34 Michigan State 20
#15 Ole Miss (-1.5) at Texas A&M:
Ole Miss is coming off their first loss of the season, and now faces an underwhelming Texas A&M squad. The talent is their for the Aggies, they just haven’t put it together yet. We know that Jimbo Fisher’s team has face a lot of turmoil this season, but something about this game screams upset. Give us the Aggies to get the win. Pick: Texas A&M 33 Ole Miss 30
Pittsburgh at #21 North Carolina (-3):
North Carolina has to be kicking themselves that they lost that game to Notre Dame. If they could have found a way to get it done, they would be undefeated and in the top ten of the rankings. Their quarterback play has been very good, and that will continue today as they cover the three points against Pitt. Pick: North Carolina 27 Pittsburgh 17
Stanford at UCLA (-16.5):
Stanford has struggled to score the ball this year. Their last two games were a 16-14 win over Notre Dame and a 15-14 win over Arizona State. UCLA will have no problem scoring more than 14 points. We expect a big game from the Bruins, coming off their first loss of the season to Oregon. The Bruins will cover with ease today. Pick: UCLA 44 Stanford 17
NBA:
Miami (-4.5) at Sacramento:
The Heat are just 2-4 this season, and are coming off a loss to the Warriors. The Kings are still looking for their first win of the season. It won’t be today as Miami not only wins, but covers. Pick: Miami 114 Sacramento 106
Golden State (-10) at Charlotte:
The Hornets are still without LaMelo Ball, and now have to face a Warriors team in the second game of a back to back. Charlotte lost to Orlando by 20 yesterday. They will lose by double digits today too. Pick: Golden State 124 Charlotte 111
Indiana at Brooklyn (-10):
Brooklyn shouldn’t be favored by double digits over anyone right now. This team has yet to learn to play together, and that will continue today. We like the Nets to get the win, but it will be by single digits over a Pacers team that plays hard, but isn’t quite there yet with the talent. Pick: Brooklyn 116 Indiana 109
Philadelphia (-2) at Chicago:
Certain teams we stay away from in second games of back to backs. The 76ers are one of them, because we don’t trust the conditioning of James Harden or Joel Embiid. Yes, Chicago played last night as well, but we like them to turn it around better then Philadelphia. Give us the Bulls to get the win in this one. Pick: Chicago 127 Philadelphia 119
Atlanta at Milwaukee (-5.5):
Milwaukee is one team we won’t stay away from in back to backs. The reason why is because often times Giannis doesn’t play many minutes when they win big. That was the case yesterday, so he will be ready to go today. Give us the Bucks to cover. Pick: Milwaukee 123 Atlanta 110
Oklahoma City at Dallas (-10):
The Thunder are coming off of back to back wins over the Los Angeles Clippers, while Dallas’ last game was an overtime win over Brooklyn. We like the way Oklahoma City is playing. Not well enough to get the win, but enough to cover the spread. Pick: Dallas 118 Oklahoma City 111.
Memphis (-2.5) at Utah:
Utah played yesterday. Memphis did not. For that reason alone we are picking the Grizzlies. Pick: Memphis 120 Utah 107
Happy picking everyone!