9/8/2018 (6-5, -1.85)
Eastern Michigan Eagles +16 (-110), 1 unit: Tough spot for the Boilermakers. They lost a heartbreaker to Northwestern and have Missouri next week. Purdue doesn't have much of a running game to control the clock so even if they get ahead the backdoor should be open. Eagles have a strong D that should help keep them in this thing all day.
Houston Cougars -3 (-130), 1 unit: Something looks off with the Wildcats. Tate looked disinterested last week as they lost to a mediocre BYU squad. The Cougars D Line will harass Arizona all day and King will have enough time and options to keep the offense moving. I also like playing against a West Coast team playing an early game.
Nevada Wolfpack +10 (-110), 1 unit: I don't always go against West Coast teams playing early. Especially when their opponent is in a sandwich spot. Last week the Commodores crushed in state rival and headache MTSU. Next week they head to Notre Dame. I expect Vandy to keep it vanilla, try and keep everyone healthy and escape with a win. With the Wolfpack's high powered offense I will gladly take double digits in this spot.
South Carolina Gamecocks +10.5 (-110), 1 unit: This one is going to go up and down the field and I like the idea of getting double digits with a home team in that case. The Gamecocks impressed me by not looking past Coastal Carolina last week. With Bentley, Dowdle and Samuel South Carolina has weapons. The Bulldogs are incredibly talented and incredibly tough on both sides of the ball but this will be the first road game for a relatively inexperienced D and I can see the home team hanging around all game.
Arkansas State Red Wolves +36.5 (-110), 1 unit: The Crimson Tide are amazing. They also have a tendency to let down against non Big 5 opponents the second week of the season after playing a big name team the first week. If Alabama has any questions it is in the secondary and I'll take 5+ TDs with Hansen under center against the Bama DBs.
Iowa Hawkeyes -3 (-130), 1 unit: Big advantage for the Hawkeyes with the Cyclones having a cancellation last week. Iowa started slow but turned things on in the second half. They neutralized a top D Lineman in Smith and did so with their backup tackles. They get their OL back in tact this week and I expect them to move the ball relatively easily against an Iowa State team that faded dramatically down the stretch last year.
Bowling Green Falcons +15 (-110), 1 unit: Tough to see the Terrapins being focused for this one after their win last week. It was easy for them to have an "us against the world" mentality with all the controversy in the program but that has to have faded. Trying to get the players fired up to go to the middle of nowhere and play a MAC team is a tough challenge. Pelini always has tough defenses and I think Maryland is in for a fight in this one.
Wyoming Cowboys +19.5 (-110), 1 unit: As Drew Lock goes, so goes the Tigers. Taking a deeper look, he plays well against bad defenses. This Cowboys team is not a bad defense. In fact, they're a good defense. Missouri has Purdue next week and it's easy to see them looking past a team that got crushed last week.
Northern Illinois Huskies +11 (-110), 1 unit: Situational play. The Utes have Washington next week and are traveling to DeKalb, Illinois to play a tough, experienced Huskies squad. I'll take the double digits with the home team.
Fresno State Bulldogs PK (-110), 1 unit: This line stinks. A B10 team is at home coming off a big win and are pick 'em? Taking a deeper dive it makes sense. The Bulldogs were the surprise of the MW last season and return 15 starters . The Gophers are starting a freshman walk on QB and I expect him to struggle against a tough D in front of an apathetic crowd.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane +23 (-110), 1 unit: Another situational play. Longhorns off a tough loss and have USC and TCU on deck. Golden Hurricane can move the ball and should score enough to keep themselves within the number against a Texas team that is not exactly an offensive juggernaut.
