Last week’s top picks dropped to eight with two games postponed. At 3-5 over eight games, it was a rough week for a few of my favorites with straight-up losses. I did win big on the Georgia at Alabama game going OVER the closing line.
The Big Ten joins the party in Week 8 with a few interesting season openers. Here is a look at all my top plays for Saturday’s NCAAF schedule.
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(#23) NC State Wolfpack at (#14) North Carolina Picks: NC State + 16½
I have been burned twice this season going with North Carolina as a heavy favorite. I like the fact that NC State has covered in four of their first five games. This is a bitter in-state rivalry that will stay closer that two touchdowns.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio State Buckeyes Picks: Ohio State -26
This is a great way to get the season started in the Big Ten. Too bad Nebraska is not in the same class as Ohio State. I have the Buckeyes getting off to a strong start in the Big Ten standings, as a way to impress the national polls right out of the gate.
Florida Atlantic Owls at (#22) Marshall Thundering Herd Picks: Marshall -16½
There is quite a bit of value in this Mid-Major play. The Owls only have one game to their credit because of COVID-19 issues. If they can play this game, I do not think it will be close. Marshall has been able to cover in all four of their SU wins.
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(#2) Alabama Crimson Tide at (#18) Tennessee Volunteers Picks: OVER 61½
Alabama proved that once again this is the class of the SEC. What the Tide have not proved is the ability to play defense this season. The total has gone OVER in the last five meetings in Tennessee and its going OVER again this Saturday.
Baylor Bears at Texas Longhorns Picks: Baylor +10
Baylor is an early college football consensus pick as a road underdog for good reason. You cannot trust Texas to play to expectations week after week. The Longhorns are 1-3 ATS in four games and there is a good chance they lose this game SU.
Florida State Seminoles at Louisville Cardinals Picks: OVER 57½
I am not quite sure which team wins this game with Louisville favored by five points at home but its going OVER the total line. The total has gone OVER in five of the last six meetings in this ACC clash.
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Penn State Nittany Lions at Indiana Hoosiers Picks: Indiana +6½
Penn State has a SU five-game winning streak against Indiana. However, the Hoosiers are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games against the Lions. The road favorites may salvage the SU win but this game is going to much closer than expected.
South Carolina Gamecocks at LSU Tigers Picks: South Carolina +6½
At 3-0-1 ATS, the Gamecocks continue to play tough as underdogs. Last week’s upset over Auburn sets the stage for another SU win this Saturday against another highly overrated SEC East team. South Carolina is 12-6 ATS in its last 18 road games.
Syracuse Orange at (#1) Clemson Tigers Picks: OVER 59½
There was a time when Syracuse would keep its annual game against Clemson close. I am not going to bite on the current 45-point spread but I do believe that the Tigers will score more than 59 points on their own.
Wyoming Cowboys at Nevada Wolfpack Picks: Nevada +3½
These Mountain West teams will be making their season debut on Saturday night. Given each team’s extended layoff, I really like Nevada getting the 3½ points at home. The Wolf Pack are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games closing as underdogs.
