After a less than stellar week 2, we look to bounce back in week 3. When I golf, I usually don’t warm up. I use the first 3 holes as warmups and then really lock in after. That applies to betting too. These first 3 weeks are going to be used for feeling teams out. So after a nice week 1, and then a not so nice week 2, week 3 will make or break the warmup weeks. I tried shrinking my card to only 11 total plays, but with more research and thought going into these picks. Let’s win the week!
Starting with straight bets, I like North Western laying 3 points against Duke. A battle of the nerds. North Western has done nothing to impress me the first 2 weeks. However, Duke is very very bad. I love coach Fitzgerald and the program he has built over in NW. Laying 3 is essentially the same as a picket, and I would be shocked if the Wildcats did not come away with a win.
A Wildcat that I am going against this week is Kansas State. Nevada is laying a small 2 points here. People need to start paying attention to Nevada. QB Carson Strong is the real deal. He is going first overall in many mock drafts. Elijah Cook and Romeo Doubs are two of the top receivers in the country. The Wolfpack was a team who’s win total I hit on preseason, and they have only exceeded expectations through the first 2 weeks. Back the Pack -2.
My last straight bet is the best team in the state of Ohio. That’s right, the Cincinnati Bearcats! Cinnci is again a small favorite at -3.5 against Indiana. Prior to the year, due to last season, Indiana was getting a lot of hype. I was not buying into it without seeing proof. Many teams had the ability to thrive in COVID due to other programs struggling. Cinnci is by far the best G5 team, and even though this game is on the road, I love the Bearcats to win this game in somewhat convincing fashion.
Getting into teasers, I have a great Friday night teaser. First is teasing UCF down to -1 against Louisville. UCF is a good program with an impressive come back win against Boise St. Gus is an amazing coach. And on top of this, Louisville is not looking too sharp. The other end to this teaser is Maryland down to -1 against Illinois. After beating Nebraska week 1, Illinois went out and got shit on week 2. Maryland has an impressive offense and will be pointing up points with ease.
I got a nice teaser between 2 traditional powerhouses. Notre Dame coming down to -1 against Purdue is a lock. I guarantee ND wins this game. The Irish have not looked strong through the first 2 weeks. FSU and Toledo are games the Irish should win easy. However, Purdue is not good and ND will win easy. Next is Stanford at -6 against Vandy. Stanford showed show balls and killed USC last week. Vandy may be the worse power 5 school in the country. Stanford by a billion.
We have a rare underdog teaser this week! Michigan St is getting 6.5 points, so the teaser is 12.5. Miami is not good. The obviously got killed week 1 against Bama. In week 2 the Canes barley beat AP St. I think Michigan St could even win the game, as you will see later, but I love getting the 12.5. Next we have Virginia Tech who is a 2.5 point dog against West Virginia. The teaser gets this above a TD to +8.5. I have been wildly impressed by the Hokies this season. WV has been lack luster. Gobble Gobble.
I have ND in this next teaser with another dog. Florida baby. The Gators come up to +21.5 at home against Bama. Obviously Bama is good. Very good. But at home, getting 3 TDs, I think the Gators can hang close enough. The QB situation is a mystery for Florida. They need to start Mr.Jones. I think if they do that, there is a chance we see an upset in the Swamp.
I have VT and Michigan St in another teaser each with Liberty. Liberty comes down to a 20.5 point favorite against Old Dominion. Liberty is really good. They covered easy against Troy last week. Maleik Willis is so so good, and Hugh Freeze is a great coach. Old Dominion is fat trash and got blown out by Wake Forest earlier this year.
Full slate
VT +8.5 Liberty -20.5
Michigan St +12.5 Liberty -20.5
ND -1.5 Stanford -6
Michigan St +12.5 VT +8.5
ND -1.5 Florida +21.5
UCF -1.5 Maryland -1
Cincinnati -3.5
NW -3
Nevada -1.5
VT Money Line
Michigan St Money Line
