I went 13-6-1 with my picks against the spread last week. I am now 124-71-8 on the season. At this point in the season, I’m completely running on Pumpkin Pie and McRibs (not at the same time). I’m feeling great about the season and have a nice feel for what teams will do on Thanksgiving weekend.
I like a lot of home teams in Week 14 of the 2013 college football season (November 30th to be exact). Rivalry games fill the slate of games this weekend. This is the most anticipated weekend in college football. The outcomes of Auburn/Alabama, Ohio State/Michigan and Florida/Florida State will further paint what the BCS Championship game may look like. If you’re not excited about this weekend’s games, you’re not a college football fan.
We pick against the spread for all the big college football games on Saturday, plus a few games in the MAC and American Athletic Conference as always…and a Thursday night game. Enjoy!
Texas Tech at Texas (-4.5) – My pick is Texas
Mack Brown may not be back in Austin next season. If he’s retiring, Texas players want to send him out a winner in his last game. The Longhorns have been very good since upsetting Oklahoma. Texas Tech has stumbled and has only beaten Texas once in the last decade. I just think Texas has their number.
Oregon State at Oregon (-21) – My pick is Oregon
As bad as Oregon looked against Stanford and Arizona, they are still undefeated at home. They are a different team on the road. I liked the Beavers early in the season, but they’ve now lost four games in a row. The Ducks will cover at home in their regular season finalé.
Alabama at Auburn (+10.5) – My pick is Alabama
I know 90% of the my readers are looking at this game to bet. Auburn has an explosive offense, but it relies heavily on their running game. Alabama has only allowed one 100-yard rusher this season (Virginia Tech’s Trey Edmunds in Week 1). Auburn’s running back duo, Nick Marshall & Tre Mason, will have a difficult time moving the ball against Alabama’s line. I know the crowd will be hostile in Auburn, but I just don’t see it. Alabama’s RB T.J. Yeldon will have an easier time against Auburn. The Tigers have allowed over 200+ yards rushing a few times this season. I like Alabama to cover, but it will be close.
Duke at North Carolina (-6) – My pick is Duke
North Carolina scored 80 points against Old Dominion last week, but don’t read too much into that. Duke still isn’t getting respect from Vegas or the public. The Blue Devils are 9-2 against the spread and yet they are nearly a touchdown underdog just a dozen miles from their campus. I like Duke in this game and I may put a few jellybeans on the moneyline.
Arizona at Arizona State (-13) – My pick is Arizona State
I’ve been up and down on both teams this season. They both have records against the spread around .500, so the home team would be the smart bet. The Sun Devils are perfect at home and the Wildcats are 3-2 on the road. I like Arizona RB Ka’Deem Carey, but he ran the ball over 40 times last week. He’s a young guy, but that’s a huge load to carry. I like ASU to cover and play in the PAC-12 Championship game next week.
Texas A&M at Missouri (-4) – My pick is Missouri
Johnny Manziel had his shot to leapfrog a few other Heisman candidates last week against LSU, but A&M played poorly. They are going into Columbia, MO with their tail between their legs. Mizzou’s defense will give Manziel a headache. Vegas and the public have overvalued A&M all season (5-6 ATS) and Missouri has flown under the radar (9-1-1 ATS). I love the Tigers in this game.
UCLA at USC (-3.5) – My pick is USC
UCLA looked like a Rose Bowl candidate until injuries hit them hard. They’ve been lucky that guys like LB/RB Myles Jack have stepped up. USC is playing for interim head coach Ed Orgeron’s job. He turned the program around after they fired Lane Kiffin during the season. USC has more to gain with a win here and I think they cover.
Clemson at South Carolina (-5) – My pick is Clemson
Clemson has burned me a few times this season, but I love them against South Carolina. The Gamecocks haven’t played a good team since they upset Mizzou in overtime at the end of October. Clemson has bounced back since getting destroyed by Florida State. I’ll take Clemson here and may put a few jellybeans on the moneyline.
Ohio State at Michigan (+14.5) – My pick is Ohio State
You can’t explain the level of hate between Ohio State and Michigan without living in Columbus or Ann Arbor. I lived in Columbus for half a decade and the hate is legit. Michigan was supposed to be a Big Ten Championship contender, but they hit a few landmines on the way there. Ironically, Ohio State fans actually wanted Michigan to do well this season, so when they beat them in Ann Arbor, it would help them in the BCS. Ohio State has failed to cover the spread the last two weeks, but have been consistent throughout the year. I like Ohio State to cover big on the road.
Miami (Ohio) at Ball State (-34.5) – My pick is Ball State
This is the section of the post where I pick a non-BCS conference game (I watch a ton of football and have actually watched both teams many times this season). I’ve done very well with Ball State games this season. I’m actually undefeated. They are 9-2 against this season and I picked against them in both games. Miami is currently winless and Ball State wants to wipe the Northern Illinois loss out of their memory. I like Ball State to cover at home.
QUICK HITS
Rutgers at Connecticut (+3) – My pick is Rutgers
Kansas State at Kansas (+16.5) – My pick is Kansas State
Minnesota at Michigan State (-14.5) – My pick is Minnesota
Baylor at TCU (+11.5) – My pick is Baylor
Boston College at Syracuse (+2.5) – My pick is Boston College
Notre Dame at Stanford (-14.5) – My pick is Notre Dame
Georgia at Georgia Tech (+3) – My pick is Georgia
Purdue at Indiana (-21) – My pick is Purdue
*These picks are for entertainment purposes
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.