With a full slate of college football action already under-way here are a few picks I really like for games later today. Oklahoma State - Oklahoma presents a great opportunity as does LSU's trip to Arkansas, and Air Force at home against New Mexico. So lets get to it:
The first pick I like ...
OKLAHOMA STATE + 21 @ 6 OKLAHOMA
At first glance, one might say, Oklahoma scores a ton of points, they are at home, and are coming off a close shootout in Lubbock last week against the Red Raiders, so they should blow the socks off the Cowboys - right? As Lee Corso would famously say, not so fast my friend, the last 3 editions of the "Bedlam" showdown that have taken place in Norman, were actually much closer than the contests in Stillwater. Two years ago Oklahoma was a big favorite (over 20 pts) and won 38-20, the time before was a 38-35 triumph by State in OT and the time before that was a 51-48 win for the Sooners, also in OT. You can truly throw the records out when these two play, and today should be no different. I like the Sooners to win, but 21 is an awfully big number. Remember, the Sooners were a massive favorite earlier in the year at home against Army and barely pulled out a 28-21 victory. Take the Cowboys at +21.
7 LSU - 12.0 @ ARKANSAS
I see the logic with this spread, LSU just suffered a harrowing thumping last week in a high-emotion, high-energy loss at home to Bama. So maybe they will come in reeling and not that excited to play an Arkansas squad that is just 2-7. However, the Razorbacks have been so awful this season, it's difficult to see them make this a ballgame. Their 2 wins this season are against Eastern Illinois and Tulsa. Furthermore, they've turned in these wonderful performances at home so far this year: a 44-17 blowout loss to North Texas, yes you read that correctly, North Texas, a 65-31 thumping to Alabama that could have been even worse than that, and last week they gave up 45 to Vanderbilt in a 45-31 loss. Meanwhile, the Tigers have played only two true road games, but played well in both- a 22-21 win @ Auburn, and a 19-27 defeat at Florida. LSU gets some frustration out from last week and take care of the Hogs easily. Take LSU to cover -12.0.
AIR FORCE - 13.5 vs NEW MEXICO
While both teams come into this one at just 3-6 on the season, you have to like the Falcons at home. The Lobos have not been all that bad on the road thus far, however their last road game was a 61-19 pasting at the hands of Utah State. Otherwise, a 2-point loss at Colorado State doesn't look all that bad. Air Force is coming off a tough loss at fellow service academy rival, Army, last week 14-17. The Falcons usually play pretty good at home and I think they will be fired up after the tough loss last week. Also, I think Air Force has revenge on their minds as they went into New Mexico last year and were routed 56-38. This one points towards a performance like they turned in against Navy earlier in the year where they won easily 35-7 in Colorado Springs. The Falcons run it, then run it some more and win by the two touchdowns - take Air Force - 13.5
Comments