Utah -4.5 over BYU
Saturday, Nov. 7 12:00 P.M.
The Utes followed up their win over Houston with a dominating 49-25 victory on the road against Cincinnati. Devon Dampier and the Utah offense scored 42 points in the first half and finished the game with 534 total yards. BYU survived another upset scare with a 27-20 win over Arizona State. The winner of this game will likely be on their way to the Big 12 Championship game, with a chance to clinch a CFP berth. With the Cougars not looking the same after defeating Notre Dame a few weeks ago, Utah will take care of business at home behind another strong offensive performance.
Texas -3.5 over Missouri
Saturday, Nov. 7 12:00 P.M.
Texas cruised to a 31-3 win against Mississippi State in Austin. After back-to-back losses, the Longhorns seem like they are back in form as games are starting to hold a bit more weight. Missouri bounced back from its loss to Ole Miss with a 34-10 victory over Arkansas in the Battle Line Rivalry last weekend. While the Tigers are undefeated at home this season, Texas is trending in the right direction on both sides of the ball and desperately needs this win if they want to avoid another season outside of the CFP. Sark gets the road win before heading to Baton Rouge to face Lane Kiffin’s Tigers.
UCLA -6 over Minnesota
Saturday, Nov. 7 TBD P.M.
The Bruins remained one of the nation’s last undefeated teams after a 27-0 home win over Nevada. While the schedule has not posed too many threats, Bob Chesney’s team is quietly emerging as one of the nation’s most consistent teams while the rest of college football crumbles around them. Minnesota suffered a heartbreaking loss to Indiana after the Hoosiers forced overtime on a 60-yard field goal at the end of regulation. The Golden Gophers’ defense has been very impressive recently, but I do not see them coming out hot after last week’s defeat. UCLA keeps its amazing season rolling with a blowout win in Minneapolis.
Alabama +4.5 over LSU
Saturday, Nov. 7 3:30 P.M.
Alabama and LSU both enter this matchup coming off a bye week. These two teams were victorious in their last game, with the Tide beating Texas A&M 31-20 and the Tigers beating Auburn in Jordan-Hare 38-17. With how hectic the SEC standings are at the moment, neither team can afford a loss if they want to make the trip to Atlanta. Many people across the country are considering LSU a sleeper to make a CFP Playoff run, but I do not see a world where Kalen DeBoer loses a third straight ranked matchup. Keelon Russell spoils Kiffin’s chance for a signature home win and keeps Alabama in the Playoff conversation.
Tennessee -5.5 over Kentucky
Saturday, Nov. 7 6:15 P.M.
Tennessee’s three-game winning streak ended two weeks ago after a 27-24 loss to South Carolina in Columbia. Kentucky continued its magical season with a 34-17 victory over Vanderbilt. Coach Will Stein is emerging as the best hire from the coaching carousel last offseason with how quickly he has the Wildcats in the national spotlight. They have been one of my favorite teams to follow this season, but a matchup against a tough Tennessee defense is where the magic ends. The Volunteers dominance against Kentucky continues in Neyland and Heupel’s team keeps their CFP hopes alive.
Miami +3.5 over Notre Dame
Saturday, Nov. 7 7:30 P.M.
The Hurricanes defeated Chapel Bill’s Tar Heels 38-35 to remain No. 1 in the nation. Heisman hopeful Darian Mensah had over 300 yards of offense and three passing touchdowns in the win. The Fighting Irish responded from their loss to BYU with a 35-13 win over Navy before returning to South Bend for what seems like a must-win. I find it hard to believe that Notre Dame will have much for the CFP Committee to see if they cannot add this signature win to their resume. However, Miami’s trio of Mensah, Toney and Fletcher Jr. will make enough plays to pull off the road win and cement themselves as the nation’s top team.
Record Against the Spread – 27-20-1
