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College Pick Em’ is back! We’ve seen an absurd amount of upsets in the first two weeks of the season and something tells me that trend is here to stay. This week we have three top 25 matchups as well as a few true test games for those on the outside looking in.
Our game of the week features two SEC brutes as #1 Alabama faces its first true test of the season against the #11 Gators in Gainesville. We’re in for a potentially high scoring affair out west to cap off Saturday night with a 7:15 start time between Arizona State and BYU.
The sharps out in Vegas look to take advantage of some major point spreads with a ton of Power 5 schools facing mid-lower D1 competition, below are our games to watch out for with full picks and predictions.
#8 Cincinnati (2-0) @ Indiana (1-1)
Cincinnati -3.5 O/U 49.5
Patrick: Cincy -3.5
Ryan: Cincy -3.5
Vince: Cincinnati -3.5
Cincy is looking to show the rest of the FBS that they are legit contenders for the playoff. This will be the first test with an away game at Indiana. Michael Penix Jr. is a very good QB, but I think that Indiana has been exposed by Iowa early on as an over-hyped team.
#15 Virginia Tech (2-0) @ West Virginia (1-1)
WVU -3 O/U 50.5
Patrick: WVU -3
Ryan: VT +3
Vince: Over 50.5
Virginia Tech has been one of the hottest teams to start the season. After a surprising upset against UNC at home they destroyed Illinois last week. I think that this will be a tough match-up for the Hokies going to Morgantown. West Virginia has one of the best RB duos in the nation with Garrett Green and Leddie Brown. I think being at home with those backs gives WVU the advantage.
Penn State -5 O/U 53
Patrick: Penn State -5
Ryan: Auburn +5
Vince: Penn State -5
I used to be a huge Bo Nix fan, but it’s been increasingly more difficult to see him as a good QB in the SEC. They travel to Happy Valley this week against one of the top defensive units in the country in Penn State. I think Penn State’s defense along with a White Out game will be too much for Auburn. The wild card will be Sean Clifford-- if he can limit the turnovers against a SEC defense and get the ball into John Dotsons hands, they should win this match-up.
Alabama -15 O/U 60
Patrick: Florida +15
Ryan: U60
Vince: Florida +15
If there is any team to beat Bama this year I think it’s Florida this week at home in The Swamp. Florida has been looking sharp to start the season. I think if they involve Anthony Richardson more in the offense he can cause some problems for the Alabama defense. The key will be limiting the turnovers on offense so that Alabama doesn’t get easy looks.
ASU -4 O/U 51
Patrick: O51
Ryan: O51
Vince: ASU -4
BYU lost a lot of weapons last year to the draft including, of course, Zach Wilson. The program is still really strong and loaded back up with Jaren Hall who is an excellent QB himself. I personally am a big fan of Jayden Daniels. BYU’s defense has not been great giving up an average of 383 yards a game. I think this will be a high scoring matchup on BYU’s own White Out night.
Tulane (1-1) at #17 Ole Miss (2-0)
Ole Miss -14 O/U 76
Patrick: Ole Miss -14
Ryan: U76
Vince: Ole Miss -14
Ole Miss’ defense has taken a tremendous step up this year. Matt Corral is looking like a Heisman candidate by the way he’s been throwing and running the ball. I don’t love the over because when it gets past 70 points you can’t really have a lull in scoring and any punt may be the nail in the coffin. Ole Miss’ team total may be worth a look as well.
- Patrick McPartland / Upside Play
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