The NCAA’s premier football conference is back into action this week as we are going to finally unleash the SEC in 2020. As of now, we’re going to see some major matchups this Saturday within the SEC and Big 12. The Bulk of the frontrunners from the SEC are going into the season with a “tune up” matchup with 5 of the 7 games having a double digit spread, the highest being Texas A&M’s -30.5 against Vanderbilt. Regardless we're excited for some high level college football and to see some pro prospects take the field. Head Editor Patrick (Patty Props) and I are going to drop our picks below for some of the high radar matchups this week within the college football world.
*All start times are in pacific standard time.
Miss St. (0-0) @ #6 LSU (0-0) 12:30 PM
Current Lines: LSU -16.5, O/U 57
The return of the champs! Coach O is ready to lead his Tigers into 2020 facing off against New Miss St. head coach Mike Leach. Leach was able to turn Washington St. into an offensive power house during his tenure there, Bulldog fans are hoping he can do the same thing in Starkville. The QB Matchup will be exciting as former Stanford QB KJ Costello makes his SEC debut, his opponent will be junior QB Myles Brennen, who will try to replace the 2019 Heisman and NFL #1 Pick Joe Burrow.
Ryan’s Pick: Miss State +16.5
Patrick’s Pick: Miss State +16.5
Duke (0-2) @ Virginia (0-0) 1:00 PM
Current Lines: Virginia -4.5, O/U 46
Virginia’s first two weeks were both delayed related to Covid-19. Duke has had a very underwhelming start to the year as they have only been able to put up 19 points combined heading into their third game with an 0-2 record. We’re getting our first look at Virginia this year as they plan to debut Sophomore QB Brennan Armstrong in this ACC clash. Duke has given up 25+ in the first two weeks so this matchup is going to tell us a lot about them as they prepare to shutdown the Cavalier offense.
Ryan Pick: Over 46
Patrick Pick: Virginia -4.5
Florida St. (0-1) @ #12 Miami (2-0) 4:30 PM
Current Lines: Miami -11, O/U 54
Miami’s offense has been scorching hot so far in 2020 as they have a combined 78 points scored in the first two weeks including 47 against then #18 ranked Louisville. Florida St. has fell off the map the last couple years, junior QB James Blackman has seen multiple offensive coordinator changes in his tenure at FSU and the constant chaos has made it difficult for him to thrive. FSU took a tough 16-13 loss last week to Georgia Tech, the good news heading into their second game is that their defense looked good last week and junior Asante Samuel Jr. came up with two picks.
Ryan Pick: U54
Patrick Pick: U54
#8 Texas (1-0) @ Texas Tech (1-0) 12:30 PM
Current Lines: Texas -17.5, O/U 70.5
The Big 12 is known for producing high scoring games with non existent defense, so the over/under being set at 70 points didn’t surprise me one bit. Veteran QB Sam Ehlinger is in his 9th year at Texas, just joking, but it feels like he has been there since 2013 and he proved he’s elite last week as he threw for 426 yards and 5 TD’s in just 25 completions. Texas Tech almost lost a thriller to Houston Baptist last week as they gave up 33 to the Southland Conference squad. Texas Tech is gonna air the ball out as they threw it over 50 times last week, expect a high scoring battle in Lubbock.
Ryan Pick: Texas -17.5
Patrick Pick: O70.5
Current Lines: Aub -7.5, O/U 48.5
Bo Nix is back for Auburn at QB and poised to have a dominant year for the Tigers as he showed spurts of greatness last year and is ready to be consistent in 2020. Auburn traditionally has a well coached defense as they rarely give up more than 30 in a game. Kentucky took home the coveted Dukes Mayo Bowl last year, no but seriously Kentucky as a program has stepped up significantly this last decade. They have a tough defense year in and year out and use a running back by committee that will attempt to dominate time of possession.
Ryan's Pick: Aub -7.5
Patrick's Pick: Auburn -7.5
Extra Picks:
WVU @ OK ST. O 51
Tennessee -3
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*Photo via TexasSports.com
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