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. We will also update our records from the last week, so you can see who is really helping you cash in.
Hey, Eli had a winning week. It looks like things are starting to turn around.
Sam Sklar, Sports Editor (9-6)
San Diego State took a 13-0 lead into halftime then was outscored 35-0 in the second half, failing to cover +6.
That was what resulted in my first losing week for me since Week 1. Whatever.
Michigan (1H -13.5) at Indiana
Somehow this game earned the privilege of Big Noon Kickoff. Sure, it’s Indiana’s homecoming, but that won’t matter at all. Michigan is miles better than Indiana. I think the Wolverines get out to a large lead in the first half before mailing it in during the second half as a slight preparation strategy for Penn State next week.
Texas A&M at Alabama (-24)
Normally I hate taking spreads this large, but I love Alabama in this spot. Even if Bryce Young doesn’t play, I feel comfortable with this line if Jalen Milroe gets the start. He looked fantastic last week at Arkansas.
Plus, I think Alabama will be a bit more fired up after losing to Texas A&M last year. Sure, A&M’s defense is pretty good, but that offense is putrid. I think Alabama bulldozes its way through the Aggies.
North Carolina (+3.5) at Miami
This is just taking the better team, with the better quarterback getting points on the road. Drake Maye is legit. I don’t think the Hurricanes can keep up with the Tar Heels’ offense.
And for what it’s worth, North Carolina has won the last three meetings against Miami. I love the hook, but don’t be afraid to sprinkle on the money line too.
Alex Faber, Football Reporter (5-10)
I thought I had turned things around with last week’s 2-1 record. This week’s 1-2 results brought me crashing back down to Earth.
Purdue (+3) at Maryland
Both programs are coming off of pretty solid wins. Maryland just beat the lowly Spartans, showing resilience after a tough loss in Ann Arbor. Purdue handed Minnesota its first loss of the season.
Minnesota has an offense that likes to control the line of scrimmage and control the pace of play. Purdue’s defense stood strong last week, holding the Gophers to just 10 points. While the Boilermakers scored just 20 points against Minnesota, I still have faith in Aidan O’Connell and the offense. My only concern with this game is that O’Connell might still be a little banged up, but Head Coach Jeff Brohm seems confident that he’ll start.
The Big Ten West is still wide open. I think last weekend’s win against Minnesota has the Boilermakers believing that they can make it to Indy. Plus, Maryland seems to always collapse in October. This is a letdown spot for the Terrapins, so give me Purdue in the points (if you’re a tad bolder than I am, consider just betting the moneyline).
Wisconsin at Northwestern (+10.5)
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This is going to be a really, really gross game.
Remember when people were hyping up Rutgers-Iowa as a punting battle? Well, I think we finally get to see that this weekend in Evanston.
With Paul Chryst out, there’s plenty of noise around this Wisconsin program right now. While I don’t necessarily have a lot of faith in the Wildcats this season, the Badgers are spiraling. A week ago, they were embarrassed at home by Illinois.
Plus, with Graham Mertz starting at quarterback, getting to 10 points is not a given for Wisconsin. Give me Northwestern in a nasty 16-9 type game.
South Carolina at Kentucky (-6.5)
Last weekend, Kentucky mostly outplayed Ole Miss on the road. However, a pair of turnovers, dropped passes and handful of fluky plays gave Ole Miss a three-point victory.
Quarterback Will Levis was just OK in the loss and the ground game never really got going. After such a disappointing result, the Wildcats will be looking for revenge this Saturday.
South Carolina is a fine team, but this weekend they are running into a Kentucky squad hungry to prove that last week’s loss was a fluke. Levis will have a stellar day and Kentucky will win this one-handedly.
Eli McKown, State News Contributor (5-10)
2-1 last week sounds nice, but 3-0 this week is going to feel so much better.
Texas vs Oklahoma (Over 65.5)
Red River Rivalry overs are guaranteed. Overs are 6-4 in the last 10 games between these two and 65.5 is far too low for these squads, especially with Quinn Ewers returning for the Longhorns.
Tennessee (-3) at LSU
Unlike Texas football, Rocky Top is back. Hendon Hooker is my Heisman pick right now and I think he gets the win by double digits in Baton Rouge.
Eastern Michigan (+5) at Western Michigan
Not sure Vegas has caught on to this yet, but Western Michigan is a bad football team. I like the Eagles to take over as the second best team in the state with a win here.
