BYU(+9') over Kansas (1*)
- - I have been an interested believer in upstart Kansas since the first time I watched QB Jalon Daniels and a feisty band of brothers taking on and taking down Duke last year. But I have equal respect for the accomplishments of the mature BYU squads under HC Kalani Sitake, consistently earning Bowl bids and never backing down from scheduling tough road challenges as an Independent. I may be an idiot or a sucker, but I certainly expect a strong effort from BYU in their first ever game as a member of the storied Big XII Conference, and I have to rate this disrespected appraisment as my top play on Saturday.
Notre Dame(+3) over Ohio State (1*)
- - I think Notre Dame impresses in this one, but can’t really impress unless they win.
Rutgers(+24) over Michigan (1*)
- - Rutgers has looked dialed in and will compete hard in this one, and I expect they will earn the cash.
Iowa(+14) over Penn State (1*)
- - Penn State games are on a very short list behind Iowa for games I cap and wager on and therefore watch. Right now I have to say Iowa and Penn State have both been underwhelming on the path to 3-0 . . . Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz is Western PA born and raised and does not deny sporting a real hard on for matchups against Penn State and Pitt. Not news to Hawkeye fans that Iowa under Ferentz is 10-8 SU all time against Penn State, with 4 of the last 5 contests decided by 6 points or less. And just for good measure, not surprising that the way the Iowa squad is built has yielded wins in their last six trips to play on grass. A familiar looking Iowa team has had this game circled all year as the toughest game on their schedule, and they definitely have designs on winning it.
Minnesota(-11) over Northwestern (1*)
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North Carolina(-7) over Pittsburgh (1*)
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Oregon State(-3) over Washington State (1*)
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Oregon(-21) over Colorado (1*)
- - Oh Boy. Lots of ways to look at how this game plays out. But I’ll start by saying that Oregon should be ashamed of their performance in this one if they don’t dominate with matchup advantages against an inferior opponent now running on fumes. So even though I don’t see any value with a line I thought would be under 20, I’ll take my chances on the Ducks covering the huge number without even giving up the back door.
Florida State(-2) over Clemson (1*)
- - Even if Clemson is much better than I am seeing and for which they are generally being given credit, for me this is a wager on FSU.
Mississippi(+7)(-115) over Alabama (1*)
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Maryland(-7') over Michigan State (1*)
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UCLA(+3)(-105) over Utah (1*)
- - This wager belongs right here at the bottom of a confidence pool, but I was leaning to UCLA even if QB Cam Rising was being unpacked from mothballs.
GL