Each week, The State News’ degenerates who are 21 and older will be helping you try to earn some money with three picks of their own every Friday morning. Each week, we will update our records from the last week, so you can see who is really helping you cash in.
We’re getting back to our bread and butter this week with college football after introducing our NBA futures last week. While the Spartans are not playing this week, we have some bets that should be able to keep up your interest this Saturday.
Eli McKown, Sports Editor (3-3)
With the Golden State Warriors taking down the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night, I already feel great about my NBA stuff, but let’s get back to business this week. While my parlay didn’t hit from last week, I feel confident that I will propel back above .500.
UTSA (-6.5) vs Louisiana Tech
I’ve continued to ride the Roadrunners, I won’t quit now. While Louisiana Tech is truly better than their record would suggest at 2-4, UTSA is the second-best non-power five team in the nation, second only to Cincinnati.
They can beat you in multiple ways on offense whether it's on the ground with junior running back Sincere McCormick or in the air with senior quarterback Frank Harris. Not to mention their defense being as elite as they come for the Conference USA. This team is incredibly experienced as they have returned all of their starters from a season ago.
Don’t be shocked if the Roadrunners finish the season 12-0 with their remaining schedule.
Northwestern (+23.5) vs Michigan
It’s been a rough year for Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald after he took the Wildcats back to the Big Ten title game a year ago. However, this team has played better as of late.
I like Fitzgerald to scheme up and slow down Michigan’s run attack in this one and keep it close as the Wolverines may get caught looking ahead to a potential undefeated showdown with you know who.
North Carolina State (-3) vs Miami (FL)
North Carolina State may very well win the ACC this year and Miami may very well be the biggest disappointment in college football this season. With their quarterback D’Eriq King out for the year along with a plethora of other injuries, this is a Miami fan base that has completely checked out.
The Wolfpack is going to travel down to Coral Gables and make it a home atmosphere for their squad, and I like their hot stretch to continue as I think they easily roll over the Hurricanes.
Jared Ramsey, Football Beat Reporter (3-3)
I was close to winning my football parlay last week but Nebraska continued its fall and sunk my bet. On the NBA side of things, the Bucks and Hawks look good out of the gate and I feel good about them all year. For the bets this week, we are looking for some singles that’ll get us back above the profit line.
Oklahoma State (+7) at Iowa State
Oklahoma State’s defense is legit. The Cowboys have quietly snuck out to an undefeated start on the back of a tough front seven. It doesn’t feel right for Oklahoma State to win on the back of its defense instead of scoring 40 points a game, but it's working for them so far. I think the Cowboys should be able to stay close with an underwhelming Iowa State team. The under (line is at 47) should be in play as well.
Wake Forest (-3) vs. Army
Army has been a wagon this year. The Black Knights were undefeated and running through teams before falling in a close game to Wisconsin last week. I hate myself for picking against a team that has been fun this year and disrespecting the troops, but I’m riding with Wake Forest.
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The Demon Deacons should have enough talent offensively to crack through Army’s front seven to outscore Army’s slow march of an offense. Wake Forest is quietly in contention to win the ACC and/or make a New Year’s bowl game and cannot afford to lose to Army this weekend.
Kai Havertz to score a goal (+140) against Norwich City
On the other side of the pond, I’m looking at the matchup between Chelsea and Norwich in “traditional football." The Blues have Premier League title aspirations while Norwich is trying not to get relegated after a slow start to the year. I think Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will have Chelsea prepared to get an easy three points against the Welsh side.
Chelsea should win by at least two goals. They have feasted against lower competition so far and that should continue against Norwich. I think a lot of Chelsea players can end up on the score sheet Saturday but my money's on midfielder Kai Havertz. The young German is often the point man for Chelsea’s aggressive counterattack at the No. 10 spot and I think he will have a lot of space to work within the middle of the field consistently to create scoring opportunities.
(Bonus: The game starts at 7:30 a.m. EST Saturday morning. It’ll probably be over before you wake up. It’s a stress-free bet.)
Sean Reider, Sports GA (3-3)
With one of the most “meh” slates in college football all season, it’s no wonder Jared picked somebody to score in a soccer game over other fine options like Illinois versus Penn State! Washington versus Arizona! Western Michigan versus Toledo!
You get the point. It’s a real drag of a board before going into a Halloween weekend that’s set to make or break some great seasons across the country. But, as always there’s money on the table for the taking, so let’s try and pick up a couple of bucks despite our boredom.
Wyoming (-19.5) vs New Mexico
The Lobos haven’t tallied a single win against the spread this year but Wyoming has lost two straight (Air Force and Fresno State) and let a particularly bad UConn team play them pretty close. In a battle of statistically bad versus downright mediocre, I’ll take the underachieving Cowboys to cover against a New Mexico team that’s plenty accustomed to getting blown out by any and all opposition.
Oklahoma (-38.5) vs Kansas
Since starting Caleb Williams at quarterback, the Sooners are finally playing up to their national championship-caliber expectations, bringing them firmly into the heart of the playoff race after weeks of persistent doubt. Kansas ... has done nothing even close to that and is doomed to close out another abysmal season mired in misery.
Give me the Sooners in a complete rout and watch Williams’ Heisman stock improbably skyrocket once again.
LSU (+9.5) vs Ole Miss
LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron is officially out of Baton Rouge at season’s end and the clock is ticking on this final rodeo before one of the best jobs in college football opens up to what certainly won’t be an insane or over-the-top selection process.
Everybody is looking ahead—except for maybe LSU? Orgeron’s always coached well with his back against the wall and only an uncertain future ahead; while Ole Miss is as talented as anybody in the SEC, I like the Tigers to come into Oxford and kick off the farewell tour by playing it close or maybe being a bit of a spoiler. Take LSU and the points and sprinkle on the moneyline if you’re feeling so daring.
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