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Better to start late than never. Fake Teams is providing College picks on both the straight line and spread for anyone who is in a Pick’em league. Let’s be honest, this is when the league starts to get interesting (not that Alabama vs. Middle Tennessee in Week 2 wasn’t exciting…). This list should be contentious and I hope it provokes some fun combative chatter as that’s what College Football does each week.
New Mexico State Aggies @ Ole Miss Rebels (Miss -43.5)
Straight: The Ole Miss Rebels will come out amped to win big after a rough loss last week. Chad Kelly has thrown for over 250 yards in 4 of their 5 games this year.
Spread: New Mexico State is struggling to find themselves, they will lose by just over 45 points as Ole Miss covers.
Baylor Bears @ Kansas Jayhawks (Bay – 44)
Straight: Baylor wins this one easily.
Spread: Kansas has lost to South Dakota State, Memphis, Rutgers and Iowa State – each of the last three by at least 13points. I think Baylor covers here.
Oklahoma Sooners @ Texas Longhorns (Okla -17)
Straight: Texas has to be looking around their state at Baylor, Texas Tech and TCU wondering what has happened. Oklahoma wins. Oklahoma's kicker Austin Seibert is 3/3 with kicks over 40 yards. The Sooners are looking good all around.
Spread: Here’s the caveat – Texas is struggling but in this matchup at home I think they lose within 17 points in a "semi-close" matchup.
Illinois Fighting Illini @ Iowa Hawkeyes (Iowa -11)
Straight: Big win by Illinois last week but Iowa saw the win and will be ready. Kirk Ferentz has done a good job guiding Iowa.
Spread: Iowa finds ways to win this season but when the opponent is decent, it’s a close win, Illinois with the points.
Maryland Terrapins @ Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU -54.5)
Straight: Ohio State will yet again find a way to win.
Spread: I don’t see Ohio State covering a spread that large, if it was in the 40’s they could do it. Maryland with the points.
Kent State Golden Flashes @ Toledo Rockets (Tol – 15)
Straight: Toledo stays undefeated against an overrated Kent State team.
Spread: Toledo will cover and then some, potential 20+ point win. Watching Phillip Ely mature as a QB from week to week has been quite the journey.
South Carolina Gamecocks @ Louisiana State Tigers (LSU –13.5)
Straight: LSU will win but this will be a close battle.
Spread: LSU covers the spread, they are playing well at home, but on the road they are struggling (average 23 points loss).
Navy Midshipmen @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish (ND -14.5)
Straight: Notre Dame will be amped after that rough loss on Game Day.
Spread: Navy’s offense is a tough thing to handle even with a full game plan for it, they will keep it close.
Northwestern Wildcats@ Michigan Wolverines (Mich – 7.5)
Straight: Our first ranked matchup of the week. It’s at the big house and I think Harbough will make his first statement win of his Michigan tenure. Both teams have great defenses.
Spread: Northwestern will cover as Michigan wins by 3 points in a dog fight at Ann Arbor.
Georgia Bulldogs @ Tennessee Volunteers (UGA -3)
Straight: Georgia will rebound after the embarrassing loss to Alabama.
Spread: Georgia will cover and confound with their up and down play.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ Clemson Tigers(Clem – 7)
Straight: Clemson plays well at Death Valley as evidence against Notre Dame last week, they win vs. Georgia Tech.
Spread: Clemson covers the spread as well, Georgia might confuse a bit like Navy but Clemson will pull a late TD to cover by 10-14.
Arkansas Razorbacks @ Alabama Crimson Tide(Ala – 16.5)
Straight: Alabama continues to dominate now that the beast is awake.
Spread: Arkansas has been struggling since Bielema talked about schedule differences, Alabama will cover 16.5 points.
Oklahoma State Cowboys @ West Virginia Mountaineers(WVU – 7)
Straight: Upset special potential at Morgantown? The only test on either team was the 44-24 drubbing that Oklahoma put on WVU last week. Rebound week, Mountaineers win.
Spread: They don’t cover the 7 though, they win by 4. Take Oklahoma State.
Boise State Broncos @ Colorado State Rams (BSU -16.5)
Straight: Boise State sails past this matchup. Jeremy McNichols is on fire.
Spread: Since the loss to BYU, the Broncos have been alert, take Boise State to cover the points.
TCU Horned Frogs @ Kansas State Wildcats (TCU -9)
Straight: Upset special here, Kansas State wins. Joe Hubenerpassed the concussion protocol and when healthy he’s been great at QB. Maybe I’m a sucker for what this team has done despite plethora of injuries.
Spread: Kansas State fought Oklahoma State tough, it’s tough to do this in back to back weeks but I think Kansas State is up for it with the resolve they’ve shown they will pull the win at home this week.
Florida Gators @ Missouri Tigers(Fla -5)
Straight: Florida rides high after the big win vs. Ole Miss. Jim McElwain and Will Grierare working as a good duo, Florida wins.
Spread: Florida covers the 5 point spread on a Missouri team who has been minimally tested this season.
Miami(FL) Hurricanes @ Florida State Seminoles (FSU – 9)
Straight: This could be a tough matchup but the home field advantage helps FSU win. Brad Kaaya is not shy about airing the ball all game.
Spread: They barely cover the 9 point spread as FSU wins by 10. They won their first two home matchups (vs. subpar opponents) by a combined 63points.
Michigan State Spartans @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights(MSU -14)
Straight: Michigan State wakes up after a close Purdue matchup and wins convincingly. Connor Cook looks the part of a professional prospect already.
Spread: Spartans win by 20 as divisional schedule progresses.
California Golden Bears @ Utah Utes (Utah -7.5)
Straight: IF this was in California I’d be big on the Bears but Utah comes home to a night game in front of their amped up home crowd and wins their second consecutive ranked matchup.
Spread: Utah covers this but it will be close as they falter early and rally late behind the crowd to win by 10.