This week’s college football odds and picks for some under-the-radar games:
Marshall @ Florida International – Line: Marshall (-22) O/U – 55.5 – Marshall has been on a tear this season, and are looking to go 7-0. Their offense ranks 2nd nationally in scoring and 8th in scoring defense. FIU are so-so as a whole, though pretty talented defensively. The Golden Panthers will play well enough to not lose by over three touchdowns, and Marshall will come near to covering the point total on their own, as they’ve scored at least 42 points in every game this season. Pick: Florida International (+22) OVER 55.5
Purdue @ Minnesota – Line: Minnesota (-13.5) O/U – 48.5 – Minnesota rolled over the Boilermakers last season, 44-28 and the Gophers seem to be even better this year. They are coming off of an emotional 24-17 win over a very good Northwestern team thanks to a 4th quarter 100 yard kick return courtesy of Jalen Myrick. The home team ATS and the OVER are both 4-0 in this series the last four. Fans of football in the state of Minnesota are looking for anything positive to latch on to given the Vikings struggles this season, and Adrian Peterson’s embarrassing off field issues. Look for Minnesota to make a statement win and move into the Top 25. Pick: Minnesota (-13.5) OVER 48.5
Georgia Tech @ North Carolina – Line: Georgia Tech (-1) O/U – 70 – Georgia Tech lost to a better-than-expected Duke team last week 31-25, exposing the fact that the Yellow Jacket’s previously undefeated record did indeed come against a lousy schedule. The good news for Georgia Tech? The Tar Heels are not very good. Despite somehow giving Notre Dame a 50-43 scare last week, expect North Carolina to settle back in to being the ACC doormat. The Tar Heels can score some points, but they sure do give up a lot. Seventy points seems a little much for both of these teams. Oh, and cheers to the coming basketball season. Pick: Georgia Tech (-1) UNDER 70
Western Michigan @ Bowling Green – Line: Bowling Green (-2.5) O/U – 70.5 – Western Michigan is 5-0 ATS in their last five games. The thing is, Bowling Green only has to win by a field goal. The Falcon’s defense gives up a lot of points, leaving their offense to bear the brunt of the work in winning games. Western Michigan is decent for a MAC team, but their defense won’t be able to slow Falcons quarterback James Knapke and company from posting their usual big numbers. Both teams will gain plenty of yards, but will fall short in reaching the total. Pick: Bowling Green (-2.5) UNDER 70.5
San Jose State @ Wyoming – Line: San Jose State (-1.5) O/U – 46.5 – Did you know that San Diego State ranks 1st in passing yards allowed with a stiff 89.6 yards per game? No? Unfortunately for them, they rank 117th in rushing defense, which might explain why they are 2-3. Good thing that Wyoming only manages 131.2 rushing yards per contest. Even so, they would be wise to stay on the ground anyways. The Cowboys losses have come by a combined 142-56, while wins have come by a combined score of 54-44. Two of those losses have come to Oregon and Michigan State. Wyoming has not scored more than 20 points in any of their wins. Look for San Diego State to win in a low scoring, ground-based game reminiscent of the 1950’s. Don’t DVR this one, unless you played on a football team that wore leather helmets. Pick: San Diego State (-1.5) UNDER 46.5
New Mexico @ Air Force – Line: Air Force (-10) O/U – 57.5 – Both of these teams love to run the football. That’s about it. The difference between them however, (aside from being able to fly airplanes) is that although they too have a non-existent offense through the air, the Falcons can actually stop the ground game. There’s probably some irony in there somewhere. Anyways, Air Force has some pretty decent wins this year, two of them coming against Boise State and Navy. New Mexico is coming off of a loss to San Diego State in which they gave up 397 rushing yards. Air Force can’t wait for their chance. The point total has not been reached in five of their last six games, and don’t expect that trend to change on Saturday. Pick: Air Force (-10) UNDER 57.5
Hawaii @ San Diego State – Line: San Diego State (-7.5) O/U – 46.5 – This game should be called the Beach Bowl, if that doesn’t already exist. Hawaii has had a difficult road this season, but they pulled out a win at home last week against Wyoming to give them a much needed confidence boost. On top of that, injured starting tailback Joey Iosefa is expected to return for this game. San Diego State is really just an average team who have managed a few wins this season, including a 24-14 win over New Mexico last week that came in spite of four turnovers. Hawaii’s losses have all been somewhat close. Expect a similar result, if not an outright win in this matchup. Both team’s anemic offenses will keep the points low, but still enough for the over. Pick: Hawaii (+7.5) OVER 46.5
