Tag: college football free picks (Page 5 of 7)

      Fade Material: College Football Week 1 Predictions

      September 3, 2011 /
      Oregon Ducks LaMichael James laughs after drawing a personal foul on the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter in the NCAA BCS National Championship college football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 10, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      I woke up today with an extra spring in my step because I knew it was the first Saturday of the 2011 college football season. But what really got me going was knowing I would once again be providing quality fade material for bettors around the world.

      It’s about people helping people, folks.

      No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 4 LSU, 8:00PM ET
      The last time Jarrett Lee opened a season as a starting quarterback was in 2006…for Brenham High School. LSU was going to have uncertainty at the quarterback position regardless of whether or not Lee or Jordan Jefferson was named the starter. But where the problem comes in is that Jefferson was assumed to be the starter for months. Now, just weeks before the season, they switch to Lee because of Jefferson’s off-field issues. It’s usually unwise to go against the SEC in a non-conference game but I’m not that bright so I’ll assume the risk. I think LSU’s outstanding defense will tire late in the second half after trying to keep up with Darron Thomas and LaMichael James for most of the game. The Tigers’ D figures to be on the field an awful lot tonight.
      THE PICK: OREGON -3

      No. 7 Boise State vs. No. 22 Georgia
      All the talk in this one has revolved around Aaron Murray but I expect Kellen Moore to once again play mistake free. He has all new weapons this year but the Broncos’ offense rarely misses a beat from season to season. Never go against Boise State in their opener or in their bowl game. These types of games might as well be their freaking Super Bowl…
      THE PICK: BOISE STATE -3

      Continue reading »

      College Football, External Sports, Free Picks

      2010 College Football Week 13 Picks

      November 26, 2010 /
      BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide talks with his team during the game against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 24-21. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

      Finally the tide turned for me in college football. After going 1-11 over the past three weeks, I finally stumbled into some winners last week and went 3-1. Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss were winners, while Michigan State won outright but crapped the bed against the spread.

      Hopefully the darkness is behind me.

      No. 2 Auburn @ No. 11 Alabama, 2:30PM ET, Friday
      What an Iron Bowl matchup we have this year. For the first time in five seasons, the Tigers and Crimson Tide are both ranked heading into the season finale. Everyone knows what’s at stake for the Tigers, whose title hopes are on the line Friday in Tuscaloosa. Cam Newton has been Superman this year, but I think this is it. I think this is the day Newton lays an egg and a defense finally gets the best of him. Nick Saban is outstanding when it comes to taking away an opponents’ key player and there’s nobody more important to Auburn’s chances of victory than Newton. The Tigers have a habit of allowing opponents to hang around in the first half or worse, build a lead before stomping them in the final two quarters. But if they allow the Tide to build a lead on Friday, there may be no coming back for the Tigers. Roll Tide Roll.
      THE PICK: ALABAMA -4

      No. 4 Boise State @ No. 19 Nevada, 10:15PM ET, Friday
      The Broncos have averaged 50 points during a 10-game winning streak over the Wolf Pack and I don’t think their fortunate runs out on Friday. Colin Kaepernick is among the nation’s leaders in total yards, averaging 308.7 per contest. There’s no question he’s a tremendous player, but Boise’s defense showed last week against Fresno State that its often overlooked by Heisman candidate Kellen Moore. The key for me in this game is this: Fresno State nearly pulled off an upset over Nevada three weeks ago in a 35-34 defeat. Boise crushed that same Fresno team last week 51-0 on the “Smurf Turf.” Granted, Fresno played Nevada at home and Boise on the road, but you catch my drift. I don’t think these two teams are in the same class when it gets right down to it.
      THE PICK: BOISE STATE -14

      No. 5 LSU @ No. 12 Arkansas, 3:30PM ET, Saturday
      The line in this game has me leery of a trap, but I’m not going to overthink this one. Ryan Mallett had a difficult time with the Tigers last year in a 33-30 overtime loss. He completed just 17-of-39 passes for 227 yards and an interception and I believe he’ll struggle again on Saturday. LSU’s offense came alive lat week in a wild 43-36 win over Ole Miss. Jordan Jefferson threw for a career-high 254 yards and a touchdown, while also adding his sixth rushing score of the season. If the Tigers can play mistake-free football offensively, they win this game outright.
      THE PICK: LSU +3.5

      No. 17 South Carolina @ Clemson, 3:30PM ET, Saturday
      For all intents and purposes, this game doesn’t mean anything for South Carolina. The Gamecocks have bigger fish to fry next week in the SEC Championship Game, so does anyone really think they’re going to lay it on the line this weekend against a non-conference foe (even if that foe is Clemson)? And it’s not like the Tigers have nothing to play for; a win would enhance their bowl prospects and not allowing South Carolina to win on their home turf is all the motivation they need in this one. Stephen Garcia and Co. have put together a nice season, but I’m playing the emotional angle here. Clemson wins outright.
      THE PICK: CLEMSON +2.5

      Season Record: 17-23. And just think: I had to go 3-1 last week just to get to 17-23. Yikes.

      College Football, External Sports

      2010 College Football Week 12 Picks

      November 19, 2010 /
      AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Ryan Mallett of the Arkansas Razorbacks warms up before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 65-43. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

      If you’re not fading my ass by now, then there’s something definitely wrong with your think tank.

      Over the past three weeks I’ve gone 0-4, 1-3 and then 0-4 again last week. The worst of it is, I wasn’t even close last Saturday. I said the five points that you had to lay with Utah was a gift against Notre Dame and the only gift was my pick of the Utes (who laid down nicely against the Irish). Georgia hung with Auburn for most of the game but then went quietly into the night. Florida and Texas were jokes, as were my picks of them to cover.

      Whatever. I’m now 14-22 on the year with little hope of turning this thing around. If you don’t fade me now, then forever hold your peace.

      No. 13 Arkansas @ No. 21 Mississippi State, 7:00PM ET
      If the Bulldogs can’t get their 18th-ranked running game going then they’ll have a tough time keeping up with Ryan Mallett and Arkansas’ high-powered offense. Mississippi State’s defense has played well this season but its offense lacks that big-play potential. I think the Bulldogs will make a game of it early but eventually the Razorbacks will be too much for MSU to handle. The Hogs are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall and 8-1 ATS in their last eight conference games.
      THE PICK: ARKANSAS –3

      Purdue @ No. 12 Michigan State, 12:00PM ET
      The Spartans are probably overdue for a slip up but with a Big Ten title in their sights, I don’t think they fall this weekend against a punchless Boilermaker team. The home team is 9-2-1 against the number in the last 12 meetings between these two programs and Purdue is just 1-5 ATS in its last six trips to East Lansing. The Boilermakers might have a tough time slowing down MSU’s explosive running game and don’t expect Sparty to let up in the fourth quarter when they’re up big. There’s no time for them to take their foot off the gas when they need two victories to secure a Big Ten crown.
      THE PICK: MICHIGAN STATE –20

      No. 10 Oklahoma State @ Kansas, 12:00PM ET
      Kansas’ wins this season were against the following: Georgia Tech, New Mexico State and Colorado (which they trailed by 28 in the fourth quarter and need a miracle comeback to win). Their victory over the Yellow Jackets was impressive, but this is a team that has largely been blown out against good and even average teams. They lost 55-7 at Baylor, 59-7 against Kansas State and 45-10 against Texas A&M. I know they somewhat held Nebraska in check last week but Oklahoma State’s offense is too explosive for the Jayhawks to keep things close this Saturday. The Cowboys roll.
      THE PICK: OKLAHOMA STATE –24

      Ole Miss @ No. 5 LSU, 3:30PM ET
      I have a buddy who always picks the No. 16 seeds against the No. 1 seeds in the March Madness tournament every year so that if one day it happens, he can claim that he “called the upset.” I feel like him right now when it comes to LSU. For weeks I’ve been saying that LSU will fall to a suspect opponent but every time I pick against them, they win and cover easily. The one time I picked them to cover was against Auburn and – surprise! – that was the Tigers’ only loss of the year. But I’m going back to the well at least one more time: Ole Miss plus the points.
      THE PICK: OLE MISS +16.5

      Season Record: 14-22. I don’t know what to say, so I think it’s best if I don’t say anything and just bow my head in shame.

      College Football, External Sports

      2010 College Football Week 9 Picks

      October 29, 2010 /
      Oct 16, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley (7) gestures during the game against the California Golden Bears at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated California 48-14. Photo via Newscom

      I hung onto my winning record in college football with another .500 effort in Week 8. Utah and UAB hit, but North Carolina never showed up in Miami and I fell into the trap that was Oklahoma at Missouri.

      That 4-0 weekend continues to elude me…for now.

      No. 5 Michigan State @ No. 18 Iowa, 3:30PM ET
      This game and the one I picked below it have trap written all over them, but I have a rule about not picking against underdogs in the top-10. Teams that have climbed into the top-10 got there for a reason and Michigan State is no different. While they very easily could have lost in Northwestern last week, the Spartans are on a mission and they know that if they beat Iowa on Saturday, they have a clear path to a Big Ten title. MSU has a reputation of slipping up every season, but this Spartans team has a different feel to it. Thanks to Edwin Baker, Sparty has the 28th ranked rushing offense in the nation and are 22nd in scoring. They face a stiff test this weekend going up against the No. 8 run defense in the country, but this one will be close. I’m taking the points with MSU.
      THE PICK: MICHIGAN STATE +6.5

      No. 6 Missouri @ No. 14 Nebraska, 3:30PM
      See above. Ever since I watched San Diego State nearly beat the Tigers in Missouri roughly a month ago, I haven’t been a backer of MIZZOU. Yet they keep on winning. Beating Oklahoma was a huge accomplishment and lucky for them, they have no time to celebrate with a trip to Lincoln coming up this Saturday. Nebraska’s defense shouldn’t have as much trouble with Missouri as it did last weekend against Oklahoma State, but they’ll still be challenged by the 16th-best passing offense in the nation. Again, I don’t make it a habit to pick against teams in the top-10 and while I fully admit I may be falling into a second trap (along with Michigan State), I like MIZZOU to cover.
      THE PICK: MISSOURI +7.5

      No. 2 Oregon @ USC, 8:00PM ET
      The idea of backing USC’s defense when it has the task of trying to slow Oregon’s explosive offensive attack makes me want to puke. But the Ducks embarrassed the Trojans last year in Eugene and now USC has a chance to return the favor. The Ducks are averaging 44.3 points per game on the road this year, which is still a lot, but not compared to the 55.1 PPG they’re averaging at home. They’re also allowing almost a touchdown more per game on the road than they are in Eugene and this USC team can score thanks to QB Matt Barkley. Oregon is just 2-5 against the number in its last seven meetings with USC and while I don’t think the Trojans win outright, I like them getting points at home in prime time.
      THE PICK: USC +6.5

      No. 17 Oklahoma State @ Kansas State, 12:00PM ET
      I’ll be honest, this pick was made for me the moment head coach Mike Gundy suspended receiver Justin Blackmon after the receiver was arrested on a DUI earlier this week in Dallas. Blackmon leads the nation in touchdowns and could have done some serious damage against a slow K-State defense. But you take him out of the equation and while the Cowboys’ offense is still chockfull of playmakers, I like the Wildcats’ chances of keeping things close. But they need to keep the ball on the ground with Daniel Thomas (the Big 12’s leading rusher) and keep Brandon Weeden off the field in order to have a chance. I think we see a much slower pace to OK State’s offense this weekend and K-State squeaks out a cover.
      THE PICK: KANSAS STATE +5

      Season Record: 13-11

      College Football, External Sports

      2010 College Football Week 6 Picks

      October 8, 2010 /
      TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Mark Ingram of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his touchdown against the Florida Gators with Preston Dial and Michael Williams at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

      It was a .500 effort last weekend thanks to NC State’s collapse against Virginia Tech. (What the H was that, Wolfpack?) Michigan State and Boise State were winners, while Ohio State and the NC State Chokesalot were losers.

      I’m 6-6 against the number this season, but let’s see if we can’t pull out another 3-1 Saturday like we did two weekends ago.

      No. 1 Alabama at. No. 19 South Carolina, 3:30PM ET, CBS
      The thought here might be to take the points with a 3-1 South Carolina team playing at home – especially after the Tide struggled with Arkansas two weeks ago on the road. But I think the near-loss was good for Nick Saban’s squad, who is at the end of a daunting three-game stretch. Heisman winner Mark Ingram shredded the Gamecocks last season by rushing for 246 yards and I see more of the same this year.
      THE PICK: ALABAMA –7

      Minnesota at No. 20 Wisconsin, 12:00PM ET, Big Ten Network
      I’m going right back to the well against Wisconsin again, which is just 1-4 against the spread this year. Minnesota’s offense has been a little better than people expected and this should be a classic Big Ten battle (i.e. boring football), which will be won down in the trenches. While I don’t see the Gophers pulling off an upset like the Spartans did last Saturday against Wisconsin, 22.5 points is too much for the Badgers to be laying against anyone right now.
      THE PICK: MINNESOTA +22.5

      Toledo at. No. 4 Boise State, 8:00PM ET, ESPN 3
      There typically aren’t any letdown games for a team like Boise State, but if there were, it would look like Toledo. The Broncos waxed New Mexico State 59-0 on the road last Saturday, which is why oddsmakers have hiked up the point spread again this week (Boise covered as a 43.5-point favorite). But the Rockets are 3-0 against the spread on the road this year and have enough weapons to score against a potentially less-motivated Boise defense. Any game involving the Broncos has a chance to get ugly in a hurry, but I think Toledo keeps this contest within 39 points.
      THE PICK: TOLEDO +39

      Oregon State at. No. 9 Arizona, 6:00PM ET Versus
      Is it just me or do oddsmakers continue to slight the Beavers in terms of the spread? They’ve already proven in close losses to TCU and Boise State that they can hang with top-25 competition and yet here they are once again listed as an underdog of more than a touchdown. The Wildcats’ record speaks for itself, but most teams have trouble with the Rodgers brothers and I like for Oregon State to keep this one close, just as Cal did two weeks ago against ‘Zona.
      THE PICK: OREGON STATE +8.5

      Season Record: 6-6

      College Football, External Sports

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑