By Tim Zimmer
It’s a big week for football, both in college and the NFL. The LSU Tigers headline the college football slate with their matchup against No. 7 Florida in Tiger Stadium Saturday night at 7 p.m.
In the NFL, a slew of injuries could affect games throughout the league, including the Saints, as Alvin Kamara’s availability is officially questionable.
So far this season, our college picks have been solid and we’ll continue that trend with three best bets and a few leans.
UConn @ Tulane
The Green Wave have put on quite the season entering this week at 4-1. They’ll play one of the worst teams in college football the UConn Huskies. The spread in this game is already (-34) points which is a little too high for me. I do expect the Wave to easily score into the 40s on Saturday.
The Huskies have lost four straight and in those losses they’ve allowed 31, 38, 56, and 48 points to their opponents. Since losing to Auburn three weeks ago, the Wave have averaged 46 points on offense. I see that continuing this week. Let’s hope Tulane can cover the spread themselves, but they’ll likely will give up a touchdown or two which will be enough for the over. (OVER 59)
New Mexico State @ Central Michigan
We’ll continue to hit on the worst teams in college football with the New Mexico State. The Aggies are 0-6 on the season and are allowing almost 500 yards per game defensively. Central Michigan is a team that can throw the ball and score when they need to.
Chippewas starting quarterback, David Moore, has been suspended by the NCAA for a banned substance, but I’m not too worried about that. They’ll rely on the quarterback who entered the season as the starter Quinten Dormady.
If Moore was starting the line would be much higher than (-10). That’s why I’ll take the first half line at (-6.5). The Aggies offense won’t be able to put up points on the road. I would expect Central Michigan to be up by at least 10 at halftime. Central Michigan (-6.5 First Half)
South Carolina @ Georgia
The Bulldogs have positioned themselves once again as a contender for the National Championship. They’re coming off a big win two weeks ago against Notre Dame that showed a lot about themselves. For one, they’re a talented bunch and should be undefeated going to Atlanta later this season.
Secondly, now that Georgia has taken down the Irish, they enter a part of the schedule where they can put it on cruise control. They beat Tennessee last week, but it seemed obvious they didn’t get up for that game like they did the week before against Notre Dame. I expect the same in this one against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
South Carolina has already played three SEC opponents this season and has played hard in each game. While I do see Georgia winning this game, I expect them to put SC away in the 4th quarter. The line is 23 points which is too many. The Bulldogs don’t need style points for big wins as they’ll be judged on their performance against Florida and the SEC West champion. South Carolina (+23)
Leans:
Ball St @ Eastern Michigan (-1)
Toledo (1st half -14.5) @ Bowling Green
BYU (-5.5) @ South Florida
Arkansas @ Kentucky (-6.5)
Hawaii (+12.5) @ Boise St
Georgia St/Coastal Carolina Over (64)
Florida @ LSU (-13.5)
Over to the NFL, it’s been a struggle this season finding the right games. This week we have pretty good slate of games with some questionable lines. The Saints, winners of their last three straight, go into Jacksonville as (+1.5) underdog.
Eagles @ Vikings
The Vikings defense continues to carry the team this season. Only one opponent this season has scored over 20 points on them and the under has hit four out of the last five times. The Eagles defense is the complete opposite.
Philadelphia’s secondary may be one of bottom units in the NFL. Kirk Cousins’ will need to take advantage of this, because the Eagles strength defensively is their defensive line. Dalvin Cook has been running on everyone, but I think that stops this week.
Dallas started the season off 3-0, but since then have losses in the past two weeks. They now go into New York against a Jets team that’s struggled without their starting quarterback Sam Darnold.
I think the Cowboys focus in this game is to not beat themselves and play clean football. This will result in conservative style of play against a pretty good Jets defense. There’s been plenty money coming in on the Cowboys (-7) in this one as well.
I can’t see the Jets scoring much even with Darnold who’s questionable still to play. Cowboys win a close one, in which, I don’t think will be a very fun game to watch. Cowboys/Jets Under (44)
Falcons @ Cardinals
The Dan Quinn hot seat is currently in flames right now as the Falcons have lost three straight and are currently sitting at (1-4). Meanwhile, the Cardinals record isn’t much better, but they came into this season expecting to be in this spot.
Kyler Murray is finally getting his feel for the NFL as we saw last week with a career-high 93 rushing yards. I think both teams are heading in opposite directions in this season. This could be Dan Quinn’s last shot to keep his team together if he hasn’t already lost it.
The Falcons are actually the favorites in this game at (-2). The Cardinals emotions are high right now after a win last week against the Bengals so keep riding the wave and take the money line. Cardinals ML (+120)
Leans:
Bengals (+11)
Bucs/Panthers Over (47)
Bucs (+2.5)
Saints/Jags Under (43.5)
