I went 12-12-1 after my bonus five picks decided to turn against me. I did have a few moneyline successes and hit on last week’s big game at Clemson.
This weekend has a full slate of great college football games. There are some games this weekend with massive implications. Some are rivalry games like Oklahoma vs Texas and Miami vs Florida State…and others are just good conference games that could factor into conference titles like Tennessee vs Texas A&M.
Could Charlie Strong’s job be on the line when Texas faces Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl?
We at ‘America’s White Boy’ pick against the spread for all the big college football games on Saturday (October 8th, 2016) and a few Thursday games. We also pick five extra games as a bonus.
Alabama at Arkansas (+14) – My pick is Alabama Crimson Tide
At first glance, this line might seem a little high. Arkansas has been moving the ball pretty well on the ground…but Alabama’s defense has been crazy good this year. I think this game could end up looking more like Arkansas’s loss to Texas A&M two weeks ago. I’m taking the Tide to cover on the road.
Florida State at Miami (-3) – My pick is Miami Hurricanes
Florida State has appeared to fall back down to Earth after a few years on top. They were destroyed by Louisville and then lost a close game to North Carolina last week. Miami QB Brad Kaaya has pushed Miami to an undefeated record so far. They haven’t faced much competition yet, but their defense has improved from a year ago. I have to go with Miami to cover at home.
BYU at Michigan State (-6) – My pick is BYU Cougars
BYU is probably the best 2-3 team in college football. All three of their losses were all by a field goal or less…but their two wins were also only by less than a field goal each. Honestly, they could easily be an extremely unlucky 0-5 at this point, or undefeated on the other side of luck. BYU’s offense is potent and Michigan State’s offense has only limped by in their back-to-back losses. I like the points in this game…with a possible jellybean or two on the moneyline.
Washington State at Stanford (-7) – My pick is Washington State Cougars
This line opened up at -12, but after last week’s beating Stanford took by Washington, it was justly bet down to a touchdown. I still think it’s a little too high. I wouldn’t rule out this line getting hit even more before kickoff. I’m taking the points.
Tennessee at Texas A&M (-7) – My pick is Tennessee Volunteers
You know how there’s always a team every year in college football that just seems to have everything go their way late in games? I think Tennessee Volunteers are this year’s team. The Vols are a very good team, but boy do they stink in the first half of games. Texas A&M have taken care of business from whistle to whistle this season. They are a balanced team with an above average defense. I have to take the points in this game. I think A&M is a bit overvalued.
Virginia Tech at North Carolina (-2) – My pick is North Carolina Tar Heels
This will be a fun game to watch. Tech should be undefeated right now if they hadn’t collapsed late against Tennessee. They haven’t played an extremely tough schedule, but has taken care of business. North Carolina’s offense is on a roll, but their defense is especially weak against the ground game. This game will be close, but I have to go with the home team to cover.
Indiana at Ohio State (-29) – My pick is Indiana Hoosiers
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been great all year. It’s really hard to put a point spread high enough for them every game. They have been cover spreads with ease. Indiana is better than some of the opponents the Buckeyes have plastered this year. Ohio State should easily win, but this line is a little too high. I’m taking the points.
Auburn at Mississippi State (+2.5) – My pick is Mississippi State Bulldogs
I’ve been down on Auburn a lot this year and their blowout win against UL-Monroe didn’t change my opinion. They are a flawed team and will struggle against talented SEC teams during their conference schedule. I’m taking the points and possibly the MSU moneyline.
Texas at Oklahoma (-10) – My pick is Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma smells blood in the water. If they embarrass Texas, the fate Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong’s job is sealed. Oklahoma’s defense will stop Texas and the Sooners will ultimately end the Charlie Strong era in Austin.
Toledo at Eastern Michigan (+17.5) – My pick is Toledo Rockets
This is when we pick a game with smaller conference teams. Eastern Michigan is off to their best start in years, but they have always played poor against Toledo. There’s only one game in the past decade that was within a touchdown. Toledo’s offense is extremely talented and will be too much for Eastern Michigan. Toledo should cover on the road.
QUICK HITS
Vanderbilt at Kentucky (-3) – My pick is Kentucky
Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh (-7) – My pick is Pitt
Maryland at Penn State (+1.5) – My pick is Maryland
Notre Dame at NC State (-2.5) – My pick is Notre Dame
LSU at Florida (+2.5) – My pick is Florida
Cincinnati at UConn (+3) – My pick is UConn
Clemson at Boston College (+17) – My pick is Clemson
Houston at Navy (+17) – My pick is Houston
Bowling Green at Ohio (-11.5) – My pick is Ohio
California at Oregon State (+13.5) – My pick is California
BONUS PICKS!
Washington at Oregon (+9) – My pick is Washington
Utah State at Colorado State (+6) – My pick is Colorado State
Marshall at North Texas (+10) – My pick is Marshall
Michigan at Rutgers (+27.5) – My pick is Michigan
Colorado at USC (-4.5) – My pick is Colorado
Sweetbob’s college football picks against the spread record in previous seasons:
2013: 134-79-8
2014: 148-118-4
2015: 149-118-3
2016: 57-42-1
*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.