Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Nine

We are not experts. If you go by these picks, you’re bound to be lose money. But you know what?! It’s entirely possible that you’ll finally be able to pay off all those student loans! You never know! Ride the snake! Play these lines! Each week, two crazy, lazy writers at The Alabama Take give their best guess at the best bets with the lowest stress. It’s our college football picks of the week!

2018 ATS Record
Blaine Duncan: 14-9 (Week Eight: 2-1)
T.D. Wood: 12-12 (Week Eight: 1-2)

Blaine Duncan
The homer in me caused a loss last week when I foolishly thought that Oregon State would be more eager for a home win than Cal was for a road victory. But, alas. With my overall picks for the season sitting right around 61%, I’m satisfied for now. As for this week’s games, I’m not feeling hardly any of them, but these teams are where I’d put my money.

Purdue (+1.5) at Michigan State: This game is practically a pick ’em, and I’ve no idea which Michigan State team will show. Purdue, however, has been scrappy all year (and have helped me with some wins here and there). Their 4-3 record shouldn’t be held against them. They very well could go into East Lansing and pull out a big win. It’ll be tough, but I’m banking on the Boilermakers once more.

Duke (-2.5) at Pittsburgh: Here are two ACC teams that rarely do anything spectacular, but I feel like Duke has put together a better season overall. They’ve been playing tighter football than Pitt, and I’m of the opinion that the Blue Devils will win by a touchdown or more. Go Big Blue.

Texas A&M at Mississippi State (-2): Whoa, does this line feel low.  It’s a little like the folks in Vegas know something that we don’t. Neither team is playing horribly, per see, but I could see State getting a large-margin victory here.  If it was in College Station, I would think differently, but this one feels a lot more like a six-point win (or more) for the Bulldogs in the home game at night. It’s gross to type, but clanga anyway.

 

T.D. Wood
Ouch, rough couple of weeks for me. We’re getting to that crazy part of the season, where we’re starting to get the true colors of teams, in both good and bad ways (depending upon your allegiance.

Clemson at Florida State (+17): I may be suffering the same fate as last week, here, but 17 just feels like too much for the Seminoles at home. They have a solid defense, and the Doak will be intense. Their offense won’t be able to do much, barring a miraculous discovery of their identity, but that D should keep them in it for a bit.

Kentucky (+7) at Missouri: Kentucky may not exactly set the world ablaze on offense, but they sure aren’t getting much respect for being 6-1 and ranked 12th. Missouri’s defense is… not good, and although their offense can go, a whole touchdown us a lot to give to a good, hungry Kentucky team. The Wildcats are still playing for a division crown, after all.

Iowa at Penn State (-6.5): I think this will be something of a statement game for the Nittany Lions. I’m not saying they’re going to win this by 30 or anything, but this has the makings of a solid, two-score victory that’s never in doubt.

Note: All games are Against the Spread. Odds are taken from the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.