By Jonathan Lee and Bart Lopez
College football picks have gone 14-5-3 over the past month, and have been profitable for each of the past 4 weeks.
JON’S EXPERT PICKS
Iowa (+4) at Penn State
Penn State can play defense. What it can’t do is play offense. Whether it’s Matt McGloin or Robert Bolden, the Lions don’t have a real quarterback that can consistently lead the team to points. Iowa has the best passing offense in the Big 10 which leads AccuScore simulations to project this game as a virtual toss-up with the official line being Iowa -1. So far this season Penn State has yet to cover the spread (0-4) while Iowa is 2-1. AccuScore is also 4-0 ATS in Penn State games this season. The four point cushion for the Hawkeyes is a nice cushion.
LSU (-13.5) vs. Florida
AccuScore simulations have LSU covering this line 49.9 percent of the time so basically this is a toss-up according to the computer. In my opinion though, LSU should be giving a couple more points. Florida can basically only do one thing on offense, and that is run the ball. Now this week the Gators are without starting quarterback John Brantley who isn’t good, but is a veteran player. Instead the Gators will be playing true freshman Jeff Driskel. Going up against the LSU defense isn’t how you want to start a career. The Tigers will be extra salty going up against the rival Gators, and will have the extra advantage of stacking up against the run. LSU by two touchdowns or more.
Rice vs. Memphis UNDER 59 Points
The computer sim line is 53 points giving you nearly a full touchdown cushion. Both teams are incredibly poor on offense. Rice ranks 109th in total offense while Memphis ranks 113th. Neither team ranks in the top 95 in scoring offense either. Simulations have the under coming through over 62 percent of time. The combined ATS record for games involving either team is 5-2 making this a 4-star pick.
BYU vs. San Jose State OVER 47.5 Points
Neither team is ranked in the top 60 in scoring defense with San Jose State especially poor at 93. The Spartans have senior quarterback Matt Faulkner healthy, and he threw for over 300 yards last week. BYU’s offense moved much better once Riley Nelson took over for Jake Heaps last week. Nelson isn’t quite polished, but he adds a running and playmaking dimension for the Cougars. AccuScore’s over-under line is 51 points, and AccuScore’s record is 8-2 combined in games involved either of the two teams.
For a limited time try AccuScore membership Free for 7 days or get 50% off our annual rate from a year ago...sign up for ALL-ACCESS membership now!
BART’S EXPERT PICKS
Army (-2.5) at Miami (OH)
My first college football pick is Army covering the spread on the road against Miami (OH). This is a two star pick and AccuScore hot trend. Neither team is very good, but I’m going with Army because of Miami’s weak offense and run defense. The Red Hawks only average 13 points per game on about 311 yards of total offense. Army averages 368.4 yards per game on the ground alone. The real kicker is that Miami’s run defense gives up, on average, 168 yards. I’m expecting Army to run the ball all day and win with a comfortable lead.
Georgia Tech (-14) vs. Maryland
My second pick seems a little daunting because 14 points is a sizeable spread. I’m going with Georgia Tech to cover not only because it has one of the best offenses in the nation, but because its strength, running the ball, is Maryland biggest defensive weakness. The Yellow Jackets, led by backs David Sims and Orwin Smith, average 378.2 yards per game on the ground. The Terrapins give up 177.5 yards per game to opposing running games and have relinquished 10 touchdowns on the season. In addition, home field advantage should give Georgia Tech the edge it needs to completely blow out Maryland.
Ohio State at Nebraska OVER 43.5
My last pick this week is for Ohio State and Nebraska to score over 43.5 points combined. Nebraska, on average, scores 37.6 points per game and allows 27.2 points per game. The total points are even higher when Nebraska is playing at home. The main issue here is whether or not the Ohio State defense, which only gives up 14.6 points per game, will be able to contain the Nebraska offense. The Buckeyes have only played one game on the road this year, and they gave up the most points all season in a 6-24 loss to Miami. 43.5 points is not a lot, so I’m banking that Nebraska will be roaring after an embarrassing loss and the final score will be more than enough to cover.
Follow Jon on Twitter @thejonlee
Follow Bart on Twitter @bartlopez1216
Stay up to date with AccuScore on Twitter as well @AccuScore
Go to the college football betting page for game forecasts and previews for every game of the college football season
