I went 12-11 against the spread last week.
I can’t remember the last time that all of my 25 weekly game picks were actually played. There have been so many cancellations every single week due to COVID-19. It could really mess with some of the Big Ten teams since they made a policy that the games wouldn’t be made up.
There aren’t a ton of top-tier marquee games this week, so I’m going to list Liberty vs Coastal Carolina as the best of the week. I want to give props to those small schools who challenged larger programs during this strange season. The Liberty/Coastal Carolina game was cancelled. It appears that BYU will now step in and play Coastal Carolina.
We at ‘America’s White Boy’ pick 25 college football games against the spread in Week 14 of the 2020-21 NCAA Football season (December 5th, 2020).
Penn State at Rutgers (+11.5) – My pick is Rutgers Scarlet Knights
I think this point spread is more about past outcomes and reputation, Rutgers has been the more impressive team this season. Penn State just picked up their first win of the season last week and it was against a below average Michigan team. Rutgers is far from the top of the Big Ten, but the leap they took in just one offseason is the reason why Greg Schiano deserves from Coach of the Year votes. Rutgers QB Noah Vedral could miss another game, but he’s currently listed as questionable. I think they will be able to manage to keep this within the spread without him. Penn State may squeak out a win, but I don’t see a double-digit victory from the Nittany Lions, so I’m taking the points.
Ohio State at Michigan State (+23.5) – My pick is Ohio State Buckeyes
Michigan State is coming off an upset win over Northwestern, but I still don’t believe in the Spartans offense. They were able to get good field position due to turnovers. Michigan State may only barely crack double-digit points this week. Ohio State’s defense will really make them work for every yard. Ohio State may not need to score 40+ points to cover this spread, so I’m taking tOSU to cover in East Lansing.
Texas A&M at Auburn (+7) – My pick is Texas A&M Aggies
I’ve been heavy on A&M this season and it has been one of my bright spots in a rather ho-hum college football betting season. A&M QB Kellen Mond took a big leap this year (even if he is coming off his worst start of the season against LSU). I think he should bounce-back and get the win against Auburn and cover the spread by a few points.
Texas at Kansas State (+7) – My pick is Texas Longhorns
Kansas State has one of the worst pass defenses in the Big 12 this year. They’ve allowed some big games and this could be one of the better games Texas senior QB Sam Ehlinger will have this season. I just have no faith that the Wildcats will put up much of a fight. KSU has been a better home team this year, but their offense will need everything to go right for them to beat this point spread. I don’t see Kansas State QB Will Howard being able to keep up with Ehlinger in this contest, so I’m taking Texas to cover.
Indiana at Wisconsin (-14.5) – My pick is Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers suffered a horrible setback as standout QB Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL in last week’s 27-11 win over Maryland. Indiana will turn to redshirt sophomore QB Jack Tuttle. He was a highly-regarded recruit, but found himself passed over in his redshirt season at Utah. He transferred last season and his number has been called. He’s a big quarterback and looked good in relief last week. Wisconsin has barely played this season as they’ve had a few games cancelled due to COVID outbreaks. They are coming off a 17-7 loss at Northwestern. Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz looked very pedestrian in that game. Indiana are clearly the underdogs in this game since losing their star quarterback. I think they still have enough weapons to hang with the Badgers. I’m taking the points in this game.
Stanford at Washington (-11.5) – My pick is Washington Huskies
I’m not a fan of Stanford’s offense this year. Washington has better athletes on defense and it could be a long day for the Cardinal. I also think Washington will just bully Stanford at the line of scrimmage. The Huskies backfield should have a big game. I’m taking Washington to cover at home.
Oregon at California (+10) – My pick is Oregon Ducks
The Ducks clearly have their issues on defense this year. They need their offense to play mistake-free football, but Oregon QB Tyler Shough threw two picks last week and they lost to rival Oregon State 41-38. Cal’s offense isn’t among the better squads in the Pac 12, so Oregon might be able to hold them under 20 points this week. If Oregon can play better on defense, I think this spread will be an easy cover…but their defense hasn’t shown me much to think that’s possible. I’m going out on a limb here and I think Oregon will get the job done on Saturday.
Clemson at Virginia Tech (+21.5) – My pick is Clemson Tigers
I honestly thought the Hokies would have one of the better defenses this season, but I was dead wrong. They allowed 47 points to Pitt last week and it’s almost a given that Clemson will score that amount (at the very least). Hell, Clemson is coming off a 52-17 over Pitt just last week. I’m taking Clemson to cover.
Liberty at Coastal Carolina (-11.5) – My pick is Liberty Flames
These two teams have been the best among the smaller conference teams that decided to start the season early. Liberty has only one loss (NC State) and Coastal Carolina is undefeated. This is going to be a run-heavy game from both teams. I think Coastal Carolina is the better team, but Liberty has surprised me over and over again. I just don’t see the Chanticleers being able to stretch a lead big enough to cover this spread, so I’m taking the points.
Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan (-13.5) – My pick is Western Michigan Broncos
During non-COVID season, this is the where I usually pick a MAC game. I decided to go back to that again this week. Actually, this was the spot where I would pick against Eastern Michigan nearly every single week. That was five or six seasons ago and have been a much better team in recent years. I’m going to pick against them now because their defense is awful this season. They’ve allowed some bad teams to put up a lot of yards against them. Western Michigan is one of the better MAC teams and should have a big game this week.
QUICK HITS
Bowling Green at Akron (-2.5) – My pick is Akron
Syracuse at Notre Dame (-33.5) – My pick is Syracuse
Nebraska at Purdue (-2) – My pick is Purdue
Oklahoma State at TCU (+2.5) – My pick is Oklahoma State
Toledo at Northern Illinois (+9) – My pick is Northern Illinois
Kansas at Texas Tech (-27) – My pick is Texas Tech
Rice at Marshall (-23.5) – My pick is Rice
Louisiana-Lafayette at Appalachian State (-2.5) – My pick is UL-Lafayette
Air Force at Utah State (+11.5) – My pick is Air Force
Louisiana Tech at North Texas (-1.5) – My pick is La Tech
BONUS PICKS!
Wyoming at New Mexico (+17.5) – My pick is Wyoming
Oregon State at Utah (-11.5) – My pick is Oregon State
Fresno State at Nevada (-7) – My pick is Nevada
Baylor at Oklahoma (-21) – My pick is Oklahoma
Miami (FL) at Duke (+14.5) – My pick is Miami (FL)
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: 196-145-6
2017: 183-159-13
2018: 177-157-6
2019: 187-141-8
2020: 134-130-2
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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.