I went 15-9-1 again last week. I struggled with some of the marquee games, but was near-perfect picking smaller conference games.
SEC game outcome are going to start to get weird. Upsets start to happen at this point ever season. They start devouring each other to make way for ACC and Big Ten teams to jump up in the polls.
I stayed away from a lot of the SEC games this weekend. I feel like the conference is basically ‘Alabama’ and then ‘everyone else.’ Teams like Texas A&M, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, etc are just going to feed on each other.
We at ‘America’s White Boy’ pick against the spread for all the big college football games on Saturday (October 29th, 2016) and a few Thursday games. We also pick five extra games as a bonus.
Clemson at Florida State (+4.5) – My pick is Clemson Tigers
Clemson nearly fell to NC State in a trap game two weeks ago. QB Deshaun Watson and company clearly overlooked them and had eyes on the Seminoles. Florida State is a work in progress, but can still beat good college football teams. I wish they could get more out of QB Deondre Francois, but he’s only been average at best. I think the Tigers will go down to Tallahassee and cover.
California at USC (-16.5) – My pick is California Golden Bears
I realize USC has won three-straight games, but this line seems a bit inflated. Cal QB Davis Webb can shred secondaries and has recently taken care of the ball. USC Freshman QB Sam Darnold has thrown 11 touchdowns with only on interception during their streak. USC may pull away and win this game, but I think this will be a shootout. I have to take the points.
Nebraska at Wisconsin (-9) – My pick is Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska come into this game undefeated, but hasn’t played any good Big Ten teams yet. Wisconsin may win this game, but I don’t feel the Cornhuskers are getting much respect with this point spread. Give me Nebraska QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. and the points.
Miami (FL) at Notre Dame (+2.5) – My pick is Miami Hurricanes
I can’t trust Notre Dame right now. They’ve lost two-straight games that they should have EASILY won. I expect Miami QB Brad Kaaya to carry Miami to a cover in South Bend.
Baylor at Texas (+3.5) – My pick is Baylor Bears
Baylor will be in Austin for some payback. They lost to them last year in Waco. Baylor had issues stopping QB Tyrone Swoopes on the ground and in the air. Texas will use Swoopes in packages, but will start QB Shane Buechele. Baylor should be able to deal with Buechele better as a pocket passer. Bringing Swoopes in will just tip the Longhorns’ hand. I have to take Baylor to cover in Austin.
Texas Tech at TCU (-9.5) – My pick is Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes II threw for 734 yards last week in a loss to Oklahoma. It was a back and forth game with little to no pass coverage. It was a fun game to watch. TCU isn’t the same quality of team as year’s past, but this game will be tight. TCU has issues hanging with West Virginia and I’m not sure if TCU’s offense is built to go against high-octane passing teams. I have to take the points.
Northwestern at Ohio State (-26.5) – My pick is Northwestern Wildcats
Ohio State lost a heartbreaker against Penn State last week. Ohio State has a lot of tough games left on their schedule. They may have gotten caught loooking ahead to games against Michigan and Nebraska. I think this point spread is a little too high as Northwestern is a solid Big Ten team. I have to take the points.
West Virginia at Oklahoma State (+3.5) – My pick is West Virginia Mountaineers
I love WVU QB Skyler Howard. He has been great this season. He doesn’t turn the ball over and is also able to work within the pocket to make extra time. The Mountaineers wouldn’t be as good without him. When Oklahoma State RB Justice Hill is able to get into the second-level and gain yards, the Cowboys win games. I don’t see Hill dominating WVU’s front-seven. I’m taking West Virginia to cover.
Kentucky at Missouri (-5) – My pick is Kentucky Wildcats
I’m not a huge fan of either team, but there’s something about UK QB Stephen Johnson that makes Kentucky edge out wins against the basement of the SEC. The Grambling-transfer is the only highlight on offense for the Wildcats. I’m taking the points.
Georgia State at South Alabama (-5.5) – My pick is Georgia State Panthers
This is when we pick a game with smaller conference teams. This game will be won on the ground, even though these teams are more passing teams. South Alabama is God awful against the run and I think the Panthers will be handing the ball off more in this game. I’m taking the points.
QUICK HITS
Kansas at Oklahoma (-40) – My pick is Kansas
Boise State at Wyoming (+13.5) – My pick is Wyoming
Ohio at Toledo (-17) – My pick is Ohio
Duke at Georgia Tech (-7) – My pick is Georgia Tech
Michigan at Michigan State (+24.5) – My pick is Michigan State
Tulsa at Memphis (-7) – My pick is Memphis
SMU at Tulane (-3) – My pick is SMU
Army at Wake Forest (-6) – My pick is Wake Forest
Washington at Utah (+10) – My pick is Utah
Appalachian State at Georgia Southern (+6) – My pick is Appalachian State
BONUS PICKS!
Washington State at Oregon State (+13) – My pick is Washington State
UNLV at San Jose State (+3) – My pick is UNLV
Old Dominion at UTEP (+4.5) – My pick is Old Dominion
Middle Tennessee at Florida International (+17) – My pick is Middle Tennessee
Rice at Louisiana Tech (-28.5) – My pick is La Tech
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: 111-83-6
*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.