College Football Saturday Handicaps
Photo Credit: Texas Athletics
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College Football Record: 12-10-1 (0.91 units) - Betting 1 Unit to Win X.
11:00am cst: Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Colorado Buffaloes -2.5; Total 58.5
The Colorado Buffaloes are in another prime-time game to start off Week 2 of the college football season. This number opened up Buffs -4 and it has jumped between 2.5 and 3, and I feel like it will settle at 2.5 due to people fading Colorado. Yes, Colorado’s run defense was obliterated, but the TCU coaching staff decided to throw the ball continuously instead of running the ball, which cost them the game. Nebraska can only run the ball, mainly at the QB position with Jeff Sims. Sims cannot throw the ball worth a lick, but Nebraska has a good rushing scheme. Minnesota was able to move the ball easily through the air against Nebraska’s defense. If they had a decent QB, they would have won their game a bit easier. Nebraska struggled with the good Minnesota receivers. Well, Colorado has a few good receivers themselves, not to mention top speed. This is a massive home game for Colorado, so you know Boulder has been waiting for this game and the stadium will be rocking. If you remove the coaches, the school names and just focus on the facts… this number is a complete joke. Even if Nebraska runs for 500 yards, they will still have to make stops on defense, which I do not think they will. These two teams are far apart. I’m laying the points with Colorado without thinking twice. If I am wrong here, I will be the first to admit it.
Pick: Colorado -2.5 (-112) [via DraftKings]
2:30pm cst: Ole Miss Rebels -7 vs. Tulane Green Wave; Total 66.5
I am pretty high on this Tulane offense after seeing what they could do against South Alabama. It feels like this Tulane team has not lost a beat from last season. Ole Miss should also have a high-speed offense as well. This is a huge game for the Green Wave at home, so I would expect a raucous crowd. A New Orleans Super Bowl. Michael Pratt can keep this game close. They will need to cut down on the turnovers if they want to accomplish that.
Pick: Tulane +7 (-110) [via Caesars]
2:30pm cst: Texas A&M Aggies -3 vs. Miami Hurricanes; Total 51
This Aggies team may have something this year with QB Conner Weigman and this receiving corps. Miami, on the other hand, does not have much of an offense with QB Tyler Van Dyke leading it. He always has had the potential, but he did not show any improvement last week. Miami does have a strong running game, but I feel Van Dyke may be holding them back. A&M has some great WRs, and Miami’s are decent. These defenses may be equal, but we need to see them against tougher competition to know more. The Hurricanes have been terrible at home, and I am a big fan of Weigman. I will lay the points here with it down from about 5.5 earlier in the week.
Pick: Texas A&M -3 (-110) [via Caesars]
6:00pm cst: Texas Longhorns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide -7.5; Total 53.5
The main event of the night, and this one should be a doozy. We discussed at length and in depth on the podcast that the Longhorns have just as much talent as any team in the country. They have one of the strongest QB rooms, great young running backs, some of the best wide receivers in the country, and a great defense. Alabama should still have a strong team, but they just are not at the level they have been in recent years. Last year, the spread in this game was about 21 points with UT having a very legit shot at winning the game outright. Now the spread is 7.5, a more realistic spread, but I still feel it is too many points. The Longhorns have the talent and the offensive line that should very much keep them in the game and possibly win. I think the game will rest on the QBs in this game. Can Ewers make the deep throws downfield and not turn the ball over? Will Milroe be able to move the ball through the air? Too many points here. I am taking the Longhorns in a game where they might pull off the upset.
Pick: Texas +7.5 (-115) [via DraftKings]
6:30pm cst: Oregon Ducks -6.5 vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders; Total 69
A night game in Lubbock, Texas, with the Red Raiders coming off a loss to Wyoming. This game just sets up perfectly for the Red Raiders. The ultimate set up for Oregon. Wyoming was able to move the ball all over the field and on the ground with the QB, so that sets up well for Bo Nix. I feel like this game should be a bit closer to 3 or 4 where it opened up. The pressure is high on Joey McGuire in his biggest home game or second to UT last season. Too many points.
Pick: Texas Tech +6.5 (-110) [via Caesars]
6:30pm cst: Wisconsin Badgers -6 vs. Washington State Cougars; Total 58.5
The Washington State Cougars pulled off the road upset last season in Madison and now are a home dog. This Washington State offense should not be slept on, especially with Cameron Ward at QB. Wisconsin started slow against Buffalo but pulled away in the second half. I am still not sure about the new Wisconsin offense, but it’s still early with this coaching staff. I think Wazzu has enough defense and a high-powered offense that may give Wisconsin trouble. I’ll take the points here.
Pick: Washington State +6 (-110) [via Caesars]
9:30pm cst: Stanford Cardinal vs. USC Trojans -29.5; Total 69.5
USC may have Caleb Williams, but they still do not have much for a defense. I don’t think many people watched Stanford play Hawaii, including the bookmakers. Stanford has found a QB in Ashton Daniels. He is very smooth with the football and has great chemistry with his WR. The Cardinal also have a decent defense. It definitely cannot be any worse than USC. I think the Cardinal will be up for this game and could put up some points like San Jose State did.
Pick: Stanford +29.5 (-110) [via Caesars]
9:30pm cst: Oklahoma State Cowboys -3 vs. Arizona State Sun Devils; Total 53.5
The Cowboys from Stillwater struggled at home last weekend with Central Arkansas. ASU had a massive rain delay last week, but new QB Jadon Rashada put on a show. He has a great arm. That is more than the OSU freshman quarterbacks can say. If ASU does miss out on the postseason, this is a huge game for them that is also at home. Woof woof. This dog will hunt.
Pick: Arizona State +3 (-110) [via Caesars]
