SportsTalkATL’s College Football Gambling Locks: Week 8

Chase Irle’s Locks

After another 2-1 week, we are finally back to .500 on the season after starting an abysmal 0-6. I’ll try to keep the train rolling for you guys this week, and I have a lot of picks that I like. 

OSU (-12) at Penn State

Was Penn State caught looking ahead to Ohio State, or were they wildly overrated coming into the season? I’m going to go with the latter. If this was a packed house in Happy Valley, perhaps I would take the points, but since the crowd shouldn’t be THAT much of a factor, I like the Buckeyes to roll for the second consecutive week.

Arkansas (+12) at Texas A&M

The Hogs are a perfect 4-0 against the spread this season. Sam Pittman has done a wonderful job with that team, and they’ve been competitive every time out. I think that continues on Saturday. Texas A&M seems to always have trouble with Arkansas — even when they are terrible — and they are much better this season than they have been recently. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Razorbacks found a way to win straight up.

Virginia Tech (-3.5) at Louisville

The Hokies have been one of the most up and down teams so far this season, but I just think they are a much better than Louisville. For some reason, the public is heavily favoring the Cardinals, making me even more confident to lay the 3.5 points.

Georgia (-14.5) at Kentucky

Georgia had a rough outing against Alabama, but they still possess one of the best defenses in the country, and they should be able to suffocate Kentucky for sixty minutes. Their offense still has a ways to go, but they should be able to do enough to cover this number.

Ole Miss (-16.5) at Vanderbilt

Vandy is undoubtedly the worst team in the SEC. Their defense is the only respectable part of their team, but they don’t have enough defense to slow down the Lane Train, and their offense isn’t good enough to keep up.

Season Record (12-12)

Jake Gordon’s Locks

After a 4-1 week, it’s safe to say I am on a heater. I’m now 17-8 on the year, and while I don’t love this week’s board, I’m too hot not to keep it going.

Minnesota (-20) at Maryland

These teams are coming off embarrassing losses, but one is better coached and has way more talent. Take the Gophers to cover this spread easily.

Arkansas (+12) at Texas A&M

I could be wrong, and this week might prove it, but I am still not a believer in Texas A&M. Take the Hogs and the points.

OSU (-12) at Penn State

Penn State proved last week they are frauds, and I think we all know OSU is not. The Buckeyes roll in this rivalry game.

Mississippi State at Alabama (Over 63.5)

Bama might get this by themselves, but if they can’t, the Bulldogs should present enough of a problem for the Crimson Tide defensively, allowing this to go well over the total.

Season Record (17-8)

Turner Skehan’s Locks

Ok… 3-4 ain’t too hot but hear me out. UNC… that second half… Jesus.

“Rule 76: No excuses! Play like a champion!”

Purdue (-7) vs. Illinois

This lock is so juicy that when I called Chase to tell him about it, he tried to steal it! Typical! Illinois has struggled since losing star offensive lineman Richie Petitbon to Petitbon Alarms, bypassing what would have been a Mahomes like payday in the league for a shot at executive status in the family empire. Purdue big.

LSU vs. Auburn (o62.5)

Points. Points. Points. Auburn’s offense is embarrassing (as noted last week), but LSU’s defense is quite possibly, dare-I-say-it, just as bad. If it’s even close, it’s over.

Oklahoma State (-3.5) vs. Texas

Never like the hook, but hell, against the Horns, we’ll let em have it. I don’t like Herman in big games (who does?) and think Bedlam will be rocking.

OSU (-12) vs PSU

Last week I told you PSU vs. Indiana was binary: win big or lose to a shit team. I just ended up on the wrong side of the binary. Won’t make that mistake again. OSU is going to toast the Pussy Cats from State College.

Minnesota (-20) vs Maryland

Maryland is… well Maryland. Tua’s brother is… not Tua. Makes you wonder how much glue the Tuscaloosa fans were sniffing when they were looking to trade Mac Jones out for Tualia. After what Michigan did to Minnesota, I expect Minnesota to make a comeback statement against an overmatched team.

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In the immortal words of the Black Eyed Peas….

 

I gotta feel

I gotta feeling, that tonight, that tonight

That tonight’s gonna be a good, good, good, good, good

Good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good

Good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good

Good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good night

I feel it, woohoo

I feel it, woohoo

 

Season Record (3-4)

 

Blaine Irle’s Locks

 

East Carolina team total under 22

Start your weekend out with a win and put your trust in the Tulsa defense. Tulsa held Chubba Hubbard and Oklahoma State’s offense to just sixteen points in their season opener and then went on to only let up 26 against UCF on the road. They are allowing only 18.3 points per game and have forced nine turnovers through three games. Tulsa dominates on a short week against an East Carolina offense that struggles to take care of the football.

LSU (-3) at Auburn

No, this is not the same LSU team from 2019. Yes, LSU lost fourteen starters to the draft this offseason. But LSU has also won ten of their last thirteen games against Auburn, and it’s hard to even call their annual meeting a rivalry at this point. 

LSU is heading into an empty Jordan Hare Stadium Saturday with an electric new quarterback in TJ Finley, who will be playing in the place of an injured Myles Brennan. The Auburn defense does not have a lot of tape on Finley and will be forced to respect what he brings to the run game. I predict LSU will open up the offense as we saw against South Carolina last week, and the defense continues to improve as they grow accustomed to Bo Pelini’s scheme. I seem to remember another LSU quarterback that walked out of Auburn with a victory during one of his first starts for a Coach O led tigers. Plus, it’s a fire Malzahn year in the plains, meaning Auburn has to lose to LSU. Give me LSU and lay the points.

Ole Miss (-16.5) at Vandy

Lane Kiffin did not inherit much when he accepted the head coaching job at Ole Miss, but his offensive weapons aren’t terrible, and can put up points on anyone. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt will be throwing out an offense that struggles to score on anyone and is averaging a whopping eight points per game. If Ole Miss gets the ball moving early, they will pull away and never look back. Kick your feet up and have another four o’clock game ready to watch because this thing should be done by halftime.

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Other games that entice me:

OK State -3.5

OSU -12

TCU team total under 25.5