I’m not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I’m just a college student who watches too much college football and places bets he can’t afford — like most of y’all. This weekly column is where I will give you my best bets for the week in college football. I am not responsible for any money lost, so don’t request money from me on Venmo.
Last Week: N/A (Bye Week)
Overall: 10–2
No. 11 Texas at West Virginia(-11.5)
In Tom Herman’s two years at Texas, the Longhorns are 2–0 the week before Oklahoma and 1–1 against the spread. Does that really tell us anything? Nope. But it does show that Herman makes sure Texas isn’t caught looking ahead the week before the Red River Rivalry. He’s also going up against a West Virginia team that escaped from Kansas with a five-point victory. The only thing worse than Dana Holgorsen’s hair was the shape he left the Mountaineers’ program in after he left. The Longhorns won’t publicly say it, but they definitely want payback for last year’s loss.
Pick: Texas(-11.5)
Marquee Matchup of the Week
No. 7 Auburn(-3.5) at No. 10 Florida
Is Bo Nix the best Auburn player since Bo Jackson? He is certainly the best “Bo,” as the freshman quarterback has picked up two wins against Top-25 opponents this year. Florida is also unbeaten, but does not have the résumé the Tigers have. The Gators’ best win this year is at Kentucky, who is currently riding a three-game losing streak. Florida has to play Auburn, LSU in Baton Rouge and Georgia within the next month. Auburn might be in the upper tier of SEC teams along with Alabama, Georgia and LSU, but Florida is most likely a pretender.
Pick: Auburn(-3.5)
No. 3 Georgia(-24.5) at Tennessee
Okay, at this point can we even consider Tennessee a Division I football program? While Georgia is 2–2 against the spread this year, Rocky Top is 1–3 against the spread with their only cover coming against the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. The only takeaway from that game is that the Volunteers are not the worst team in Tennessee. The Vols lost by 31 to Florida last week, and I think the Bulldogs are going to do something similar in Knoxville this weekend. Georgia beat Tennessee by 26 last year and 41 the year before, and are coming off a bye week.
Pick: Georgia(-24.5)
Degenerate Gambler Pick of the Week
Baylor vs. Kansas State(-2)
At what point will it switch from “Is Texas back?” to “Is Baylor back?” I guess that would mean Baylor was a top-tier program at one point, so never mind. But head coach Matt Rhule showed last week that the Bears are far removed from the 1–11 season two years ago. Does that mean they are ready to compete for the Big 12 title? Probably not, but underdogs against Kansas State? Don’t get me wrong, Chris Klieman looks like a home run hire for the Wildcats, but *whispers* just because they beat an SEC team doesn’t mean they’re ready to be one of the best teams in the Big 12 either. Baylor was also a two-point underdog last week against Iowa State.
Pick: Baylor(+2)
