Taking Bets | Wasn't This Supposed to be a Cupcake? | Week Thirteen

2024 ATS Record
Blaine Duncan: 27-20 (Week Twelve: 4-0) 
TD Wood: 19-27-1 (Week Twelve: 2-2)
Mallory McCormack: 23-24 (Week Twelve: 1-3)
Greg Bosworth: 18-29 (Week Twelve: 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 
The season doesn’t feel right until I put together an 0-4 week and a 4-0 week. Who knows what’ll happen going forward, and this week's games have an air of mystery, too, in what used to be a cupcake week for teams before some big rivalries. 

SMU (-10) at Virginia - Who knew that this was the first time these two teams have played? Well, no matter. You have to appreciate what Rhett Lashlee has been able to do with the Mustangs. They sit atop the ACC and have more to play for than the Cavaliers. It’s a matter of pride then: does Virginia hang in there for a final home game of the season? They could, but I’m betting that SMU pulls away with a second touchdown late in the fourth. 

Sam Houston at Jacksonville State (-6) - I was a little surprised that this line was only six. Another coach who seems to be a good fit with where he is now is Rich Rod. Remember him? He has the Gamecocks undefeated in Conference USA play, and while the Bearkats have a quiet 5-1 record in conference, they aren’t playing as well as Jax State. It feels too obvious that Jacksonville gets a seven-point win here, but I’ll still go with it. 

BYU (+3) at Arizona State - So the Cougars finally get the one loss – by a mere four points – and that’s it? We lose all faith in them? Nah. It’s a long road trip, but the winner here likely plays Colorado for the Big 12 title. Do you sense a theme I’ve got going? I like the teams who have a lot to fight for this week with their conference titles within reach, and since BYU is an underdog in this one, I’ll take them. 

NFL Game of the Week: Patriots at Dolphins (-7.5) - Are Tua and the Dolphins trying to piece together a respectable season now? It looks that way. And one team to do that against is the Patriots this season. Drake Maye isn’t quite up to task as a starting QB yet, so I’ll claim Miami gets a ten-point win at home. 

TD Wood
Good grief. I need two straight 4-0 weeks to get to even on the season before Championship Week. One thing I’ll do to try and attain that goal: stop picking against Kansas. The Jayhawks are finally looking like the team we thought they were in the pre-season. Other than that…who the hell knows, man. 

Boise State (-22.5) at Wyoming – Boise State good, Wyoming bad. That’s pretty much my thinking here. The Broncos need to keep their standing in the CFP, so I’m not too worried about them taking their foot off the gas at this point in the season.

Texas A&M (-2.5) at Auburn – Sometimes when you see a line you think is crazy, your first thought is “what does Vegas know that I don’t?” Other times, you see a team that has a chance to play for a SEC title and get into the CFP going against a team that has looked like dog shit all season long, and you jump on the former.

Wisconsin at Nebraska (-1.5) – On paper, this is the dumbest pick I can make. Nebraska was 5-1 at one point this season and has yet to get that sixth win. In his two seasons in Lincoln, Matt Rhule’s squad is 0-8 when trying to get to a sixth win. The Huskers haven’t been to a bowl since 2016, and Wisconsin has been in 21 straight seasons. And that’s exactly why I’m picking Nebraska. Why the hell not? Most of my instincts have been wrong this season, so screw it.   

NFL Game of the Week: Lions (-7.5) at Colts – Detroit has a case for being the best team in the league, and Indianapolis has yet to find any consistency. The Lions are still playing for home field in the NFC, I like their high-flying offense to carry them in this one.

Mallory McCormack 
I can’t believe there are only two weekends left in regular season play for college football. This is probably my favorite part of the season because teams get knocked out of championship game considerations, the playoff picture is starting to take shape, and it’s almost rivalry week! But before we get to rivalry week, we have one more week to worry about. So save your money and stash it away for possible playoff travels instead of making these bets…

New Mexico State at Middle Tennessee State (-3.5) - I like the Blue Raiders at home and honestly I thought it would be fun to take a game that no one is probably thinking about. Except me. Because we beat MTSU in week two, and well, I want our win to look better if they win!

Florida International at Kennesaw State (+8.5) - I saw the story last week where the recently fired head coach for KSU, Brian Bohannon, stepped down but still went and greeted his players as they went into the stadium. It was sweet. Now Mike MacIntyre is apparently a walking episode of Jerry Springer. Go Google it and see what’s happened this week (seriously, it’s wild!!). I think KSU gets closer than 8.5 points, and heck, they may even win!

Colorado (-3) at Kansas - I hope I’m not in trouble with this type of pick like I was last year (but hooray, down went BYU!). I just feel like the Buffs are gonna make a statement. 

NFL Game of the Week: Tampa Bay (-6) at NY Giants - I mean I gotta state the obvious, two QBs who have not played for David Cutcliffe in college are now the only remaining choices in NY. That hasn’t happened since 2004. But maybe some of our demons will be exercised now that DJ is gone. Just don’t expect it to happen this week… Giants, Giants, help us god!!!

Greg Bosworth 
Geez, it has been a rough season, and just like TD, I'm looking for some late season magic to try and get to .500 - lol. But the second-to-last regular season week should be a lot of fun for the college football fans. 

Texas A&M (-2.5) at Auburn - I don’t understand why Vegas keeps believing in this Auburn team. I get it there is some voodoo at times in Jordan-Hare Stadium but this isn’t the year for it. We’ve seen them take several losses at home and this won’t be any different. The Aggies have a lot to play for, and even with next week being the game, everyone is looking at them. The Aggies defense will be ready to go.

Wisconsin (+1.5) at Nebraska - What an interesting game with both teams trying to get to six wins for bowl eligibility. Nebraska has been trying to get to that magic number, it seems, for nearly a century now and I am not sure if they get it. Both teams come in after losses but the Badgers at least looked good against number one last week. I expect a slow, low-scoring Big 10 sleeper, with a lot of action in the final couple of minutes. With that being said, I have no faith in the Huskers.

BYU +3  at Arizona State - Last week was very disappointing to me, as I really wanted BYU to run the table on the regular season. This game is a huge game for the Big 12 and I think it will be a fun one. That being said I still believe in the Cougs.

NFL Game of the Week: Lions -7.5 at Colts - Detroit is explosive, and when playing bad teams, they blow them out. They will be fast in the Dome and I expect this Lions team to boat race the Colts. Gibbs, Williams, et al. -- expect a highlight reel and a huge win for everyone’s new favorite team in the NFL. 

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