NCAAF: QUICK HITS
Just when it looked like his NCAA season was starting to turn around, the uncertainty that is known as college football ended the optimism last weekend.
After handing Cras a winless 0-4 week, he tries to figure out what has been another highly unpredictable college year.
#18 Tulsa Golden Hurricane @ Arkansas Razorbacks
Tulsa has climbed up the college football ranks and into the Top 25 and that has Sportsbook.com bettors backing them to the tune of 72% this weekend. Tulsa is a perfect 8-0 straight up and 6-1 against the spread with some pretty large victories in recent weeks.
My biggest concern is that those victories have come against Central Florida, UTEP, Southern Methodist, Rice, Central Arkansas, New Mexico, North Texas and UAB. That’s not exactly a challenging schedule. Arkansas got off to a slow start to the season but they have a victory over Auburn and a pair of close calls against Kentucky and Ole Miss in the last two weeks. Best of all, they’ve covered their last three spreads.
Pick: Arkansas +7
Iowa State Cyclones @ #9 Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Oklahoma State Cowboys had an impressive game against Texas and are the most profitable team in college football with a perfect 7-0 ATS record this season. That’s a great reason to back them this weekend but this is also the biggest spread they face this season and with the Big 12 and national title out of sight now, they could be primed for an emotional letdown.
That could open the door for Iowa State and open the door for the 13% of bettors backing them this weekend. Iowa State lost to Texas A&M in their last game but outgained them by 65 yards. By comparison, Texas A&M outgained Oklahoma State earlier this season so if the Cyclones can avoid turnovers, they will take the money Saturday.
Pick: Iowa State +30.5
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels @ #13 TCU Horned Frogs
The TCU defense hasn’t allowed more than one touchdown in five of their last six games. The Horned Frogs dominate on defense and that has made them one of the toughest teams to play in the country.
Take out a 35-10 loss to Oklahoma, and only one other team has scored more than seven points against TCU this season and that was back on September 13th when they beat Stanford 31-14. With 41-7, 13-7, 32-7 and 54-7 victories in the last four weeks, it’s easy to see why bettors love TCU this week.
Pick: TCU -14
Florida State Seminoles @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Two of the top teams in the ACC meet in a crucial matchup that has ACC Championship Game implications. The Seminoles, tied for the Atlantic Division lead with a 3-1 conference record, need a win here to stay atop the division and they enter off a victory over Virginia Tech.
Georgia Tech, losers to Virginia last week, are 3-2 in conference play and can’t afford another loss as they sit second in the Coastal Division. That could be a lot to ask against a Florida State team that has improved each week with sophomore Christian Ponder starting at quarterback.
Pick: Florida State +2
