Jake Gordon’s Locks
I’ve come back down to earth (a little) after my blistering 17-8 start with a 2-2 week. I don’t love the board this week, but there are a lot of exciting games.
BYU v Boise State (o60.5)
Friday night lights — exciting game between two very good football teams. Points, Points, and more points.
Arkansas (+2) v Tennessee
Tennessee is so hit or miss, but I believe in Sam Pittman & Arkansas. After losing a big rivalry game, I think they come out and hit Tennessee in the mouth.
Liberty (ML +375) v Va Tech
You can lay the points if you want, +15 is quite a big underdog. However, I’m letting them hang this week and taking Liberty outright. I’ve ridden them all year, time to see if the wheels finally fall off. We’ve seen Va Tech stumble against James Madison at home; maybe Liberty can shock the world.
Oklahoma (-18, 1H) v Kansas
Oklahoma has been wildly inconsistent, but Kansas is BAD. Hopefully, this proves to be my “safe” pick of the week.
Season Record (19-10)
Chase Irle’s Locks
Michigan (-3) at Indiana
Another opportunity for the Hoosiers to knock off a Big 10 power, but I like the Wolverines to bounce back this week. Their backs are against the wall after an embarrassing loss to their in-state rivals. Take Michigan to cover the three points.
UGA (-3.5) vs. Florida
It’s going to come down to Florida’s offense versus Georgia’s defense, and Kirby Smart seems to always have Dan Mullen’s number. I’m taking the Dawgs to win by a touchdown in this clash of bitter rivals.
Rutgers (+38) at Ohio State
Remember, Rutgers beat Michigan State in Week 1. They are better than they have been, and there’s no reason to expect Ohio State to put together the perfect performance a week after their biggest game of the regular season.
Season Record (16-13)
Turner Skehan’s Locks
Tell the bookie he can buy the weekend for 5k. Otherwise, we’re taking him for 10k! No extended prelude, let’s get to it…
Army (-5.5) vs. Air Force
Army is 6-1, 5-2 vs. spread and at home. Air Force is 1-2. If we know anything, it’s the more games, the better (especially in this shortened season). Army.
Michigan (-3) vs. Indiana
I happen to think Indiana is good. They shouldn’t have beaten PSU, but being in the game *and winning* on the road against PSU is still a feat. However, I don’t think they are unbeatable and fully expect Harbaugh knows what is on the line here after a bad loss to in-state foe Michigan State.
Georgia (-3.5) vs Florida
UF has no defense. Georgia has little offense. A true case of an immovable object vs. an unstoppable force. Or… what… whatever. Smart has Mullen’s digits. I like the Dawgs.
Maryland (+25) vs. Penn State
Have very little faith in both teams. They’ve both burned me. However, if Maryland can put up 14-20 points, they can cover. Expecting they can.
No elaborate analyses or exquisite opera of syllables will make me any more correct, so I’ll save that shit for my girlfriend’s love letters. All I want is COLD-HARD CASH. In the famous words of BTO, “you ain’t seen nothing yet”!
Season Record (4-7)
Blaine Irle’s Locks
Alright, alright, 1-2 to start the season isn’t terrible, but I was built for greatness. Since I started posting my picks last week, let’s bet 10 games, get over .500, and take our bookies for all their worth! You know who is also built for greatness? That’s right, BYU.
BYU (-3) at Boise State
The Mormons are not playing around this year, and Zach Wilson would win the Heisman if the season ended today. This is probably the least amount of points they will lay all year until they play in the CFP. Yes, you heard me, so don’t overthink it and take BYU on Friday night.
SMU (-17.5) at Temple
BOOOOO!!! TEMPLE SUCKS!!!! BOOOO!! Not much more to this pick. SMU wins by 20 easily.
NW (-3.5) vs. Nebraska
Is there a more undeservedly arrogant fanbase in college football than Michigan? Yes, and their name is the Nebraska Cornhuskers. If you’re a Nebraska fan, buckle up because Scott Frost is not the answer, and I have Nebraska going sub .500 for the fourth year in a row. NW by a touchdown.
Boston College (-13.5) at Syracuse
BC is a team I am riding all year. Jeff Hafley has the Golden Eagles coming out every week looking like a legit competitor in the ACC. I am a little scared the rest of America has caught on after watching that Clemson game last week, but it helps that Syracuse stinks out loud.
Rutgers (+38) at Ohio state
Justin Fields is good man, like really good. I know it’s early, but he has an 87.3 completion percentage with a 214.0 passer rating in 2020. David Pollack said this week that Fields may give Trevor Lawrence a run for the number one overall pick in this year’s draft. But guess what you should never do even if your Justin Fields? GIVE THE SCHIANOMAN 38 POINTS!!!
Coastal Carolina (-18) vs. South Alabama
I was going to put Louisville here and tell you how frisky I thought they were. But their matchup with UVA got postponed, so let me tell you about another team that I think is just as frisky: The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. They are F-R-I-S-K-Y, FRISKY! Take the Chants and enjoy some Sun Belt football on Saturday night as God intended.
Clemson (-5.5) at Notre Dame
When asked this week if Notre Dame was among college football’s elite programs ahead of their Saturday night game against Clemson, Brian Kelly responded with “We’re 29-3 in our last 32 games. We’ve won 22 consecutive games at home. We’ve won 12 in a row. I don’t know. You guys decide.” Thanks, Brian, I will go ahead and decide.
Notre Dame is not elite. They’re the same overblown teak they have always been. Let’s take a look at those three losses in the past 32 games shall we? A 23-17 loss to Georgia and a 45-14 loss in 2019, and a 30-3 WHOMPING by Clemson in the 2018 CFP semifinals. In that span, Notre Dame has failed to carve out a win against a top-15 team and have padded their stats by bullying the bottom feeders of the ACC. Clemson covers this easily.
Liberty (+14.5) at Virginia Tech
LIBERTY LIBERTY LIBERTY! The jingle has been stuck in my head for over a month now, and it doesn’t help when Hugh Freeze keeps covering. Give me eagles in a close one with Virginia Tech.
Cincinatti (-13.5) vs. Houston
I have spent my whole life shouting from the rooftops that the Cincinnati Bearcats are frauds to whoever would listen. Not this year though, Bearcats win by two touchdowns at home this weekend.
Oregon State (-1.5) vs. Washington State
I don’t know much about Oregon State this year, but I do know Nick Rolovich is no Mike Leach. No matter how good your scheme is, it is hard to implement one with no spring practice and a true freshman quarterback. Throw on top the fact that their star wide receiver Kassidy Woods has opted out along with a handful of studs on defense, and you’re in for a rough season opener. Give me some beaver tail Saturday night, please.
Bonus late night parlay: Washington ML, Oregon State ML, Hawaii ML
Season Record (1-2)
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Photo: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire
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