10/17/2015
Ball State Cardinals -12.5 (-110), 1 unit: Tough to back a 2-4 team giving double digits. However, looking at their losses they've played a brutal schedule and are very tested. On the other hand the Panthers aren't ready to go on the road after getting blown out at home by Liberty and App. State and stay close to the Cardinals.
Northwestern Wildcats +1.5 (-110), 1 unit: The Hawkeyes have one impressive win, at Wisconsin. Keep in mind the Badgers dominated that game and Iowa only won due to the 4 crucial turnovers. The Wildcats have played a tough schedule and their win over Stanford keeps looking better and better. Two very good defenses but Northwestern has the best weapon on the field in Jackson and the home crowd behind them.
Oklahoma Sooners -4 (-110), 1 unit: Good number here due to the absolute collapse last week by the Sooners. If Oklahoma won last week this number is 3-5 points more. The Wildcats left everything on the field against Oklahoma State and TCU, and they lost both. They can't have anything left in the tank to face a Sooners offense that has talent all over the field.
Michigan State Spartans +7 (-110), 2 units: Anytime the Spartans are being overlooked and under appreciated it's a great time to back them. The Wolverines are much better than I thought but they haven't faced a QB like Cook. The Wolverines have faced a relatively soft schedule and I don't think they're as good as everyone thinks they are. Combine that with the Spartans recent dominance of the series and it looks to me like the wrong team is favored. In fact....
Michigan State Spartans (+240), 1 unit
USC Trojans +7 (-125), 1 unit: Finally this team can go out and just play football. They can more than match the Irish from a talent perspective and they've rallied around Helton before. The Irishare going to find a very focused, very determined Trojans team and while it would not surprise me if Notre Dame won the game it would surprise me if it was by more than a TD.
Memphis Tigers +10.5 (-110), 1/2 unit: Taking a shot here that the Rebels have a little bit of a look ahead with A&M on deck. Really like getting double digits with a home squad that can score with anyone. This game is huge for the Tigers and the crowd will absolutely be into it. Can't make it a full play as there is still some debate as to how good Memphis is due to their soft schedule.
Louisville Cardinals +7 (-110), 1 unit: Quite simply I don't buy the Seminoles at all. They're consistently getting out gained by inferior teams. The Cardinals were a mess to start the year but had a great effort last week and Jackson seems to make their offense run better. Possible let down spot for FSU after their win over a big rival last week. Look for Louisville to force Golson to beat them by stacking the box against Cook. It won't surprise me if the home team wins but it will surprise me if it's not close the entire way.
Ohio State Buckeyes -19 (-110), 1 unit: The Buckeyes offense seemed to figure some things out last week and the new dimension of Barrett as the running QB is a nice twist. The Nittany Lions have played one good team thus far, Temple, and got crushed in that game. Their offensive line isn't ready for Bosa and company and this is the time of year where Urban starts running up the score so he can make a statement in the polls.
Texas A&M Aggies +4 (-110), 1 unit: Not sure what to make of the Crimson Tide. One week they destroy Georgia, the next they struggle for 3/4 of the game with Arkansas. One thing that has consistently given them trouble is a mobile QB and a spread offense. The Aggies have had an extra week to prepare and I'm happy to take the home team getting more than a FG.
Arizona State Sun Devils +7 (-125), 1 unit: Zero problem with anyone saying the Utes are the best team in the country. They've played a tough schedule and won every game. However, after a closer look they're surviving on turnovers which has a real element of luck. Their offense and their defense are nothing special. The Sun Devils seem to have gotten it together after the debacle against USC. Every time these teams play it's close and even on the road I like the idea of grabbing a TD in this one.
