Taking Bets | Weeks Like This, Shit Happens | Week Ten

2024 ATS Record
Blaine Duncan: 20-15 (Week Nine: 3-1) 
TD Wood: 14-20-1 (Week Nine: 1-3)
Mallory McCormack: 16-19 (Week Nine: 2-2)
Greg Bosworth: 14-21 (Week Nine: 2-2)

Each Friday evening, the “Taking Bets” column readies all sports fans for their football weekend with keen ideas on the bets to make or those with potential to avoid. It’s host of The Staredown Mallory McCormack, host of Takin’ On Sports TD Wood, editor-in-chief Blaine Duncan, and co-host of Takin’ On Sports Greg Bosworth! Find the bets, which includes one NFL game per week, on the site each Friday evening at 6:30!

Blaine Duncan 
In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare writes, “Be not afraid of greatness.” I reckon I am and so are my cohorts in the weekly column. We can hit 3-1 sometimes, but the nice 4-0 week still eludes us.  

Indiana (-8) at Michigan State - In case no one’s told you, the Hoosiers can play football, too. Google them. This feels like one of those weekends where the unexpected happens, but head coach Curt Cignetti also seems like a guy who doesn’t let things sneak up on his team and has them focused on what’s in front of them. That’s what creates winners. You don’t stay undefeated into November without taking care of football one week at a time. The Spartans, while at home, lose by twelve this week. 

UCLA at Nebraska (-7) - It’s taken Matt Rhule some time – at least in our day and age – to get the Cornhuskers on the right track, but they are trending in the right direction for now. A home game to start November against a 2-5 Bruins team that hasn’t done anything this season should help Rhule and his team continue to get better. 

North Carolina (-2.5) at Florida State - North Carolina has been one of the worst performing teams this season as far as expectations go and I’d suspect that Mack Brown is going to retire for good after this season. These Tarheels look as if they are done. But what’s the worst performing team in the nation when you take into account expectations? The Seminoles. Regardless of the home game, they’ll lose by a touchdown at the minimum here. 

NFL Game of the Week: Commanders (-4) at Giants - The Giants, Patriots, and Titans may all be circling the drain in order to get that top draft pick, so I don’t see much improvement from the New York squad this weekend. The only concerning thing is that Daniels is questionable, but you still have to like Washington’s chances to get a touchdown win on the road this Sunday. 

TD Wood
Alright, gambling gods, message received. I got too full of myself, too confident in my abilities. But, by damn, I will claw my way back into the green by season’s end.

Minnesota at Illinois (+3) – The Fightin’ Bret Bielemas are home dogs?!? Sign me up. The Golden Gophers had a perfect October, going 3-0, but I like Luke Altmyer and the Illini to end that run at home.

Vandy (+7.5) at Auburn – As Greg and I noted on this week’s episode of Takin’ On Sports, the real takeaway from Auburn’s win over Kentucky was that Hugh Freeze remembered Jarquez Hunter was on the roster. This week, though, noted Freeze-killer Diego Pavia comes to town. While at New Mexico State, Pavia beat Freeze-led teams at both Liberty and Auburn. We know this Vanderbilt squad is tough, and we know the Tigers have struggled to find their identity all season long. Without a passing game, I don’t see Auburn beating the Commodores by more than a touchdown.

Duke (+20.5) at Miami – This one jumped out at me when looking over this weekend’s schedule. Duke plays everyone tough, Miami likes to play down to their opponents’ level, and Manny Diaz might have a bone to pick with the school that fired him in 2021. I’m not saying the Blue Devils are going to go into Hard Rock Stadium and end the Hurricanes’ perfect season, but that’s a lot of points and I’m more than willing to take them.

NFL Game of the Week: Broncos at Ravens (Over 46.5) – Lamar Jackson is having another MVP-like season, and Derrick Henry is on pace to win another rushing title and maybe even get his second 2,000-yard season. On the flip side, the Baltimore defense that was so stout last year had been abysmal this season, and Denver is gaining confidence with every passing week, led by rookie QB Bo Nix. The Ravens should pull away late, but either way I like the scoreboard to light up in this matchup.

Mallory McCormack 
Well the good part about last weekend was I went .500. The bad part about last weekend was I went .500. I need to break .500 otherwise I look like the Yankees not trying to make plays in the World Series (I said what I said). We’re saying NO to .500 and less for November! Are you ready? Let’s hit it and score like the Grove Squirrel did on Saturday at Ole Miss. 

Vandy (+7.5) at Auburn - in Diego I trust! And he’s obviously gotten under H*gh’s skin (good lord, the jokes I could make here) and a flustered Fr**ze…well I’ll just stop there. 

Wisconsin at Iowa (-2.5) - Bucket list item: go wave at the kids at the children’s hospital after the first quarter. So I gotta go with the Hawkeyes by more than a field goal.

Tulsa at UAB (-2.5) -  So, I know UAB is bad. Like really, really bad. But my friend Jeff is being honored on the field in memory of his sister who passed away earlier this year. Jeff will be there to be recognized for her wonderful giving spirit and therefore, Blazers by a million! Cheers, Linda!

NFL Game of the Week: I laughed when I first saw this because what?! But I’m here for Kirky Kirk and the Dirty Bird Bunch over Jerry Jones and the richest group of underachievers. 

Greg Bosworth 
It’s November and it’s time to make an epic run! 😂😂 Don’t count me out yet! 🤞

Pitt at SMU (-7.5) - Who would have thought this game would have both playoff and ACC implications going into the season? Should be a great crowd in Dallas Saturday night. Kevin Jennings has been cleared and I don’t see six turnovers this week. Ponies roll.

Texas A&M (-3) at  South Carolina - It’ll be a great atmosphere at night in Columbia and this is the biggest game for the Aggies maybe since the R.C. Slocum days. Should be a battle of two of the best defenses in the SEC, but the difference is that Gamecocks  offensive line gives up a lot of sacks. Aggies find a way late to win by more than three.

Ole Miss at Arkansas (+7.5) - An early start in Fayetteville with the Rebels fighting to stay in playoff contention and the Hogs looking to become bowl eligible. These two teams have had some doozies over the years and I expect an entertaining one to start Saturday. wouldn’t be shocked if Lane Kiffin’s team finds a way to win but by more than 8 seemed a little much on the road.

NFL Game of the Week: Cowboys at Falcons (-3) - The Cowboys don’t know how to win at home or the road. The Falcons have a prolific offense when they get going and the Dallas defense is still a MASH unit. Expect the Falcons to break the losing streak against Dallas and cover the spread.  

Note: All games are against the spread. Odds are taken from MGM Grand Sportsbook.