#2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-0) at Boston College Eagles (5-3)
Saturday November 14th, 3:30 p.m. – Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA
After an incredible overtime win vs Clemson last weekend, Notre Dame (now #2) is hoping to avoid a letdown game against a sneaky Boston College squad that held Clemson to within six points just two weeks ago. Notre Dame are currently 13.5 point favourites with a 49.5 total (Odds from 888sport.com).
The Eagles are coming off a win themselves, squeaking past Syracuse 16-13. Boston College relies heavily on quarterback Phil Jurkovec (2083 yards passing, 15 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) and a defense that has amassed 22 sacks and forced 14 turnovers. With crossover in opponents already this year, Notre Dame is 4-0 in those games and B.C. 3-1, the only difference being their results vs Clemson. So, Boston College isn’t a team to be overlooked.
The Fighting Irish also arrive trying to avoid repeating history. In 1993, the last time Notre Dame was #1, they subsequently lost outright to Boston College a week later, ruining any championship aspirations they had.
Notre Dame Quarterback Ian Book has looked impressive thus far, throwing for 310 yards last week and adding to his season total of five rushing TD’s. Flanked by running back Kyren Williams (10 rushing TD’s this season), the Irish have been consistently running the football all over the field and scoring points at will.
We like Notre Dame to remain the only undefeated ACC team after this game, but don’t feel confident enough in the spread to bet it. The total is where we are going to place our money, taking the over (49.5 on 888sport.com).
Free Pick: Total – OVER 49.5 (-115 on 888sport.com).
#9 Miami (Florida) Hurricanes (6-1) at Virginia Tech Hokies (4-3)
Saturday November 14th, 12:00 p.m. – Lane Stadium/Worsham Field, Blacksburg, VA
In a game that may determine the fate of the Coastal Division, two teams undefeated in ACC play this season will square off in Virginia on Saturday. Virginia Tech is currently a 2-point betting favourite and the total is set at 67 (Odds from 10bet.com).
When these teams met last season, the Miami Hurricanes won handily at home 30-12, and hope to do much the same this time around. Coming off a comeback 44-41 win against NC State last weekend, Miami is in for another tough test and will lean on quarterback D’Eriq King. King had a monstrous performance last weekend, compiling 536 yards and five touchdowns to build on a 16 touchdown, four interception stat line for the season.
Virginia Tech’s strength comes from their running game. After a tough last-second 38-35 loss to Liberty last weekend they will look to bounce back by handing the ball off to star running back Khalil Herbert. That is, if he can suit up. Herbert missed most of last week’s game after an injury sustained during the opening kickoff. His status will be a big factor in this one as he is a large part of the Hokies 5th ranked rushing offense that’s averaging 277 yards per game.
Home favourites are 5-1 against-the-spread in this matchup. Despite that, we are going against the trend and taking Miami +2 (-110 on 10bet.com). With the uncertainty of Herbert for V-Tech and the Hurricanes current momentum, we like Miami as two-point underdogs.
Free Pick: Miami +2 (-110 on 10bet.com).
#13 Wisconsin Badgers (1-0) at Michigan Wolverines (1-2)
Saturday November 14th, 7:30 p.m. – Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
With just one game under their belts and three weeks off due to COVID, the Wisconsin Badgers head to Ann Arbor to take on the struggling Wolverines in the Saturday night primetime game. Wisconsin are currently four-point favourites and the total is at 54.5 (Odds from Betway.com).
Coming off two straight losses in which the Wolverines were heavily outplayed, they need this game about as bad as anyone in college football needs one. Things will need to change on both sides of the ball for there to be any chance of that, though. Last week against Indiana the Wolverines managed just 13 rushing yards, and in the last two games they have allowed 665 passing yards.
Wisconsin on the other hand, should come in rested and feeling confident after an impressive 45-7 win in their opener against Illinois. Quarterback Graham Mertz looked fantastic, completing 20 of 21 passed and scoring five touchdowns.
We’re not going to overthink this one. The oddsmakers have been way off on Michigan so far this year and it looks to us that they have done so again. Take Wisconsin -4 (-110 on Betway.com).
Free Pick: Wisconsin -4 (-110 on Betway.com).
Bonus Pick – 6 Point Teaser
After going 4-0 with our picks last weekend (is that good?) we’re going to add another wrinkle to this week’s slate; a teaser.
If you’re new to teasers, they basically work like parlays, but you pick an amount you’d like to “tease” the number you’ve bet on either up and down. It will make more sense in a moment.
This week’s teaser that we recommend is a six-point teaser. It goes as follows:
Wisconsin +2 (Moves 6 points from -4)
Notre Dame & Boston College OVER 43.5 (Moves 6 points from 49.5)
Miami +8 (Moves 6 points from +2)
