Taking Bets: Week 9 – Looking Better All The Time

The weekly betting column is here, but don’t forget that TD and Greg break down all the big sports happenings on Mondays with the podcast Takin’ On Sports, which can be found in any podcast app or streamed from this site. Now, on to the bets that no one should dare make!

2022 ATS Record
Blaine Duncan: 16-15 (Week Eight: 4-0)
TD Wood: 17-14 (Week Eight: 2-2)

Blaine Duncan 
I managed to jump barely over 50% with last week’s bets and it only took half the season. I should be lauded.

Notre Dame at Syracuse (-2.5) — There are four things to like despite the game being at noon: first, Notre Dame is on the road. Second, they have such an unstable footing on their season; another loss feels like a natural progression for 2022. Third, that Syracuse dome, man. Even if the game’s at noon, it’ll feel like night. Lastly, that line is just asking for the Orangemen to get the win and not get fancy. Should the Irish lose this one, I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to fire Marcus Freeman, who should be given one more year in my opinion.

Ohio State at Penn State (+15) — My mind was screaming at me to take Ole Miss-1.5 instead of this game, so we’ll see if my logic pays: I did not like having all favorites as my college picks, and a home team who get points in such a big game — and fifteen points at that! — it’s hard to resist. Ohio State may be the best team in the nation. It’s a noon game. There are factors inside of factors. But I’ll take the Nittany Lions to hang in there long enough at Beaver Stadium.

Missouri at South Carolina (-3.5) — I really like where the Gamecocks are headed. After back-to-back losses against Arkansas and Georgia, which any team could’ve lost, South Carolina has put together a season, going undefeated since the two losses, beating a Top 25 Kentucky and a once-praised Texas A&M (lol). They’re in the heart of their SEC schedule, and this would’ve been a really attractive bet at -3, but I still am good with it at -3.5 as there’s not a lot to say about Missouri this year.

NFL Game of the Week: Cardinals at Vikings (-3.5) — The Vikings could be contenders! They’re undefeated at home! They’re first in the NFC North! The Cardinals aren’t that impressive! Did I just jinx Minnesota? Probs.

***

TD Wood
I’m really kicking myself over last week’s Navy pick — I had Houston all week and changed my mind last minute. I will take no blame for Cincinnati’s collapse, however.

South Florida at Houston (-17.5) — I bailed on the Cougars last week and it cost me. I like them at home this week against one of the worst teams in the FBS.

Ole Miss (-1.5) at Texas A&M — I just do not like anything about the Aggies at the moment. The suspensions aren’t really to key players, but they have a lot on injuries and just some general bad voodoo surrounding the team. Kyle Field is always a tough place to win, but Ole Miss will be looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Baton Rouge last weekend, with the aim of keeping their SEC West title chances afloat.

Pitt at North Carolina (-3) — The Tar Heels are a very quiet 6-1 on the season, and the Panthers have had a disappointing up-and-down campaign. While the Pitt offense will look a little better against a lackluster UNC defense, they just don’t have the guns to keep up with Carolina’s high-powered attack.

NFL Game of the Week: Bengals (-3) at Browns — The reigning AFC champs are starting to heat up, and the Browns have lost 4 in-a-row. I know the Bengals are without Ja’Marr Chase for at least a month, now, but they have plenty of weapons to fill the void — and the Browns give me no reason to suspect they can slow down the monster Cincy offense.

* * *

Note: All games are Against the Spread. Odds are taken from the Caesar’s Sportsbook.