Sports Picks & Predictions

First of all I must say I can never feel too comfortable betting an over on such a huge number, but I still think this is the play in this game. The Nevada running attack will get plenty of yards on Boise and as long as they don't turn it over constantly they should score a bunch. Boise will move it through the air at will and will be extra motivated to pour it on in this one. This is one of those games where a score like 52-41 or something of that nature shouldn't surprise anyone. Take the over here.

I know Nebraska has a great defense and I know Colorado isn't any good, but this number just looks too low to me. Colorado plays much better at home and look at the scores from the last two years when the finals were 65-51 and 40-31. I'm certainly not expecting anything like that, but all it takes is a 21-17 game to go over this total, and I think we will see that and more this Friday in Boulder.

*3 Star play* Both Fresno State and Louisiana Tech have great running games. Coincidentally both of the teams also have terrible defenses against the rush. Fresno is giving up 199 yards per game on the ground La. Tech isn't much better at 175 per game. I expect to see a whole lot of long runs in this one and the occasional long pass that will catch the defense off guard. In this match up of the Bulldogs vs. the Bulldogs I think the offenses will put plenty on the board to cover this over.

*5 star top pick* This one jumped out at me as soon as I saw the line. NC State has a huge run of 9-0 to the over in their last 9 games, which is definitely why this line is so high. Virginia Tech is holding opponents to just 11 points per game in their last three games and I sincerely doubt NC State puts up a big number in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech could certainly score plenty against NC State's defense, but it isn't really Frank Beamer's way of coaching to run up the score. The under is 16-5 in the Hokies last 21 games. I look to see the Hokies win this one pretty easily and let off the gas enough for it to stay under this posted total.

*5 star top play pick* I really like the over in this game. Boise State can probably put up 48 points themselves, so we will need 17 from Utah State and they should be able to do that since Boise's defense has been a little weak on the road of late. Just a couple weeks ago Boise allowed 35 points to Lousiana Tech on the road in 45-35 victory. Utah State also has an even worse defense than La. Tech so, Boise could easily get in the 50's if they want to. I think there is a lot of incentive for Boise State to really put the hammer down in this game in hopes of getting more attention for a BCS berth.

This line strikes me as a little strange. Two teams playing each other who average 40 and 34 points and don't have much as far as a defense and the total is set at just 58.5? Maybe this is a sucker's bet, but I have to give this one a try. I think Tech will throw the ball often and have a good amount of success and Oklahoma State will run the ball very well. In the end I see this one ending in the 60's.

The Auburn Tigers have clearly turned their offense around this season. Averaging 35 points per game and 450 yards is a pretty impressive feat, especially for a team with virtually no offense last season. Georgia's offense has also started to get it together after a slow start to the year. Both defenses give up more than 26 points per game and both offenses should be able to exploit the opposing defense in this one. I'll take the over.

The Michigan State Spartans and the Purdue Boilermakers have both shown improvements on the offensive side of the football in the last few weeks. Purdue's Joey Elliot is throwing the ball very effectively and the team is finally taking better care of the football. I expect this to be a very close game, and wouldn't be shocked to see overtime. There should be a lot of big plays from the offense, and 53 seems a little too low in this one. Take the over.

Very quietly the NC State Wolfpack have developed a strong offense. They are averaging 34 points per game and quarterback Russell Winson has thrown 24 touchdowns. We know C.J. Spiller will bust several runs on this Wolfpack defense and Clemson will get their points. The over is 8-0 in NC State's last 8 games. I think this one makes it 9 straight. Take the over.

The weather is definitely going to play a role in this game as the remnants of Hurricane Ida wash onto the east coast. Winds up to 25-30 mph and cold rain are expected throughout the game. Neither offense is exactly dynamic and both defenses average giving up just 17 points per game. With the weather factored in I have to like the under at 44 points.