The picks four through seven of the 10 Best College Football Predictions Against the Spread include a number of significant games and anticipated shootouts.
These are Week 9 picks 4–7, ranging from Penn State at Wisconsin to Nebraska at Ohio State.
7. Nebraska at Ohio State
Line: Ohio State -25.5
Pick: Ohio State
I simply do not believe that Nebraska will score.
The defense will be tested after failing to get into the Duck backfield, Ohio State has had two weeks to recover and get back into the swing of things after their loss to Oregon, and a Nebraska squad that is fine but beginning to show some signs of its true self is poised to suffer a setback.
You won’t be dominating these Buckeyes if you can’t score more than 14 points against Rutgers and seven against Indiana. The notion that it’s statement time is one that I wholeheartedly support.
6. Southern Miss at James Madison
Line: Point Total: 52.5
Pick: Over
Together, we will embark on this adventure.
James Madison has been incredibly erratic.
It put up 13 against Gardner-Webb then hung up 70 on North Carolina and 63 against Ball State. It failed to score against Georgia Southern and thrashed a strong Coastal Carolina squad. But Southern Miss is terrible.
Southern Miss has given up 44 points or more in three of its last five games and 38 in another, supporting my theory that if there’s a realistic chance for one team to score the majority of the points on its own, go over.
Again, JMU has been strange, so proceed with some caution, but 52.5 isn’t asking for much.
5. Penn State at Wisconsin
Line: Penn State -6.5
Pick: Penn State
This one comes with a warning: I know people who tell me that Penn State isn’t that good. I don’t think this Wisconsin metamorphosis into 1999 is real, and I’m sure as hell that I don’t either.
Yes, the offense is performing well overall, and the Badger running game is performing well. Playing Purdue, Rutgers, and Northwestern results in that.
What my deceitful eyes have been seeing for the past few weeks, I just don’t believe. After nearly losing the USC game, Penn State enters this game rested and focused.
After all the own-goal PR drama this week, the squad will continue to push with another score just for the sake of it. It may take some time—you’re going to have to work for this—but a late score should get you there.
4. Kansas at Kansas State
Line: Point Total 54.5
Pick: Over
Despite their lackluster play this season, Kansas is content to score points.
Kansas always loses versus Kansas State, therefore it will lose, but it should still be good for at least 24 points. With the Jayhawk defense giving out scores like M&Ms, that ought to be more than sufficient.
Before defeating a poor Houston team 42–14, KU had given up 32 points or more in three consecutive Big 12 games. With the exception of the BYU 38-9 anomaly, Kansas State has scored 31 points or more in every game.
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