Mercer Bears @ Army Black Knights -30.5 (1.92)
October 24th, 12:00, Michie Stadium
A 30.5 point spread is a little bit too steep for my taste, but the Black Knights have been lights out defensively this season, allowing just 10.8 points per game so far. Since the Bears are an FCS team you can expect them to get thumped by Army, but that may play into the hands of us under bettors, because Army may take their foot off the gas once their lead gets to real blowout levels.
Army has hit the under in five of their six games so far this season, and in every one of those five games the final score total was under 50, which is the number at which oddsmakers are putting this game’s total. They’ve won in blowout fashion, but they’ve never embarrassed an opponent the way, say, Clemson might do. Until they do me wrong, I’m going to keep trusting the Black Knights to shut opponents down and keep their own scoring to reasonable levels.
Pick: Game Total Points Under 50 (1.91) (888sports)
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide -21 (1.89) @ Tennessee Volunteers
October 24th, 3:30, Neyland Stadium
The undefeated Crimson Tide are coming off of their biggest win of this young season, beating the #3 Georgia Bulldogs soundly in a 41-24 victory last Saturday. They will surely be riding high after such a resounding win in a rivalry game. Meanwhile their opponents, the Volunteers, are reeling right now after two straight losses, one of which was a 44-21 beatdown at the hands of those very Bulldogs that Alabama just beat. The 21-point spread that betting sites are giving is high, sure, but Alabama has been putting up gaudy offensive numbers on the backs of quarterback Mac Jones and tailback Najee Harris.
They’re averaging 48.5 points during their 4-0 start, which doesn’t bode well for a Tennessee outfit that has given up 78 combined points over its past two outings. The Tennessee offense will definitely be in tough trying to keep up with the high-powered Tide unit as well, as they’ve failed to top 300 yards in both of their last two contests while managing a truly meager -1 yard rushing against the Bulldogs. Expect Jones, Harris, and wideout Jaylen Waddle to have a field day.
Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide -21 (1.89) (888sports)
#17 Iowa State Cyclones @ #6 Oklahoma State Cowboys -3.5 (1.94)
October 24th, 3:30, Boone Pickens Stadium
In one of the juicier matchups of the weekend, I see the Cyclones putting together an upset or at least covering the small 3.5-point spread. As one of just a quartet of games featuring two ranked teams this weekend, there will be a lot of eyes on this matchup. The last time these two schools faced off, Iowa State was able to leave Stillwater, Oklahoma with a 48-42 win in a heart-pumping shootout.
The Cyclones have looked great since losing their opener this season, with wins over #18 Oklahoma and Texas Tech over the past couple of weeks. OSU, meanwhile, hasn’t played for two full weeks since their last game got postponed, so they’ll probably be itching and antsy to get back out there, which could lead to turnovers and mistakes. You’ve got to love Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard, but I think the Cyclones’ Breece Hall steals the show in this one as Iowa State gives the Cowboys all they can handle and then some.
Pick: Iowa State Cyclones +3.5 (1.88) (888sports)
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