College Football Week 6: Predictions Against the Spread
A terrible 5-10-1 record last week leaves a ton of room for improvement. There are several playable lines on this weekends’ stuffed college football betting board, but figuring out which spreads to take can become extra convoluted during conference play.
Most teams are already two games deep into playing their regular conference foes and now is the time for the contenders to take extra strides towards that championship crown.
Let’s dive in and check out the spreads for AP’s Top 25. There has to be more wins this weekend than last.
Last Week's Record: 5-10-1
Overall Record: 49-43-4
No. 1 Alabama (-6.5) @ No. 19 South Carolina
1 of 20
The Crimson Tide is riding an unbelievable 19 game winning streak, covering 14 spreads in the process.
While South Carolina’s offense will definitely be an upgrade from what the Tide saw last week, Alabama seems to be on a level way above the rest right now and a big win against a ranked team on the road is completely plausible.
Pick: Alabama -6.5
No. 2 Ohio State (-22.5) Vs. Indiana
2 of 20
The Buckeyes have covered nine of their last 10 spreads in Columbus, ranging from plus-seven to -44.
Indiana’s offense is not a joke, though, thanks to senior quarterback Ben Chappell. They currently rank 12th in scoring offense (39.8).
However, Ohio State’s 18th ranked passing defense (161.8 yards/g) should force Chappell to make several mistakes and keep Indiana completely out of this game.
Pick: Ohio State -22.5
No. 3 Oregon (-36) @ Washington State
3 of 20
Covering the spread on the road in the Pacific Northwest has not been a problem for the Ducks, handily beating every line the past five trips.
The last time the Ducks landed in Pullman, they squashed the Cougars, 63-14.
Oregon’s explosive offense should once again have a field day against the Cougars’ worthless defense.
Pick: Oregon -36
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 4 Boise State (-38.5) Vs. Toledo
4 of 20
It is highly improbably that Toledo’s offense (ranked 92nd in scoring) will keep up with the ferocity of Kellen Moore and the Broncos’ offense.
The Rockets lost to Arizona by 38 points in Toledo and it is extremely likely that Boise State can increase this spread on the blue turf.
Pick: Boise State -38.5
No. 5 TCU (-34.5) Vs. Wyoming
5 of 20
TCU has been a difficult team to figure out this season, posting a 2-3 ATS record.
Wyoming, on the other hand, has covered four of five spreads this season, only failing to do so against Boise State.
TCU seems to be missing that extra “umpf” that they have had in previous seasons and covering this plump spread might be slightly difficult.
Pick: Wyoming +34.5
No. 7 Nebraska (-12) @ Kansas State
6 of 20
Nebraska has had a week off since their unimpressive win over feeble South Dakota State and they should be looking to quickly explode all over their final Big 12 Conference opener.
Although Taylor Martinez’s last performance doesn’t spark confidence in Nebraska’s offense, don’t be surprised if the Cornhuskers return to the form displayed in the Washington game.
The Wildcats are definitely out of their league in this one.
Pick: Nebraska -12
No. 8 Auburn (-6) @ Kentucky
7 of 20
While Kentucky’s 21st ranked passing offense will be hoping to take advantage of Auburn’s weak secondary, the Wildcats should be playing catch up for most of this game.
If Auburn’s defense can dig deep and control Kentucky’s passing game, Cameron Newton and Auburn’s dangerous offense should not have a problem covering this spread.
Pick: Auburn -6
No. 9 Arizona (-8) Vs. Oregon State
8 of 20
Over the past nine games, Arizona has failed to cover the spread against Oregon State seven times.
This definitely could be a trap game for the Wildcats. Oregon State is better than many might think and they have been known to go on a winning streak at about this time during the season.
Pick: Oregon State +8
No. 10 Utah (-6) @ Iowa State
9 of 20
Utah owns a demanding 4-0 record against Iowa State.
Although those games happened over more than three decades, the outcome this season should be fairly the same. Utah’s sixth best scoring offense (44.3 p/g) will roll.
Pick: Utah -6
No. 11 Arkansas (-6) @ Texas A&M
10 of 20
Texas A&M has surrendered only four touchdowns this season, but Ryan Mallet could match that total this weekend.
The Aggies’ offense has also put up flashy numbers early. However, a stubborn Arkansas defense (12th in scoring defense with 15.5 pts/g) should keep their scoreboard totals to a minimum.
Razorbacks win by at least 10 points.
Pick: Arkansas -6
No. 12 LSU @ No.14 Florida (-7)
11 of 20
After last weeks’ debacle in Arkansas, it is hard to take Florida again.
But, after watching LSU barely sneak away with another win, it is hard to believe that these Tigers can survive any Urban Myer coached team.
Florida rebounds and rebounds big.
Pick: Florida -7
No. 13 Miami (-6.5) Vs. No. 23 Florida State
12 of 20
Miami has a definite edge in this cross-state rivalry, winning seven of the last 10.
This year’s matchup will eventually come down to which quarterback can actually live up their preseason hype.
Christian Ponder’s only performance against a Top 25 team this season is slightly troubling and makes me believe that the Hurricanes will cover.
Pick: Miami -6.5
No. 16 Stanford (-9.5) Vs. USC
13 of 20
Pete Carroll may be gone, but Harbaugh’s hatred for USC is still pretty strong.
Stanford can’t fall into this trap game, though. If they are not careful, it could be the Trojans’ year to play the upset role.
However, USC’s passing defense is pretty pathetic, and Andrew Luck should make Swiss cheese out of it.
Pick: Stanford -9.5
No. 17 Michigan State @ No. 18 Michigan (-4.5)
14 of 20
Michigan State has taken home the Paul Bunyan Trophy the past two seasons, but this year the Wolverines have a pest name Denard Robinson.
Robinson will expose the weaknesses in the Spartans’ 78th ranked pass defense and he should put up a plethora of points. Michigan wins by a touchdown in a barn burner.
Pick: Michigan -4.5
No. 20 Wisconsin (-22) Vs. Minnesota
15 of 20
Wisconsin has owned this rivalry the past six years, winning every single meeting. Yet, the Badgers have only won by seven points or less in the previous three games.
Something seems a little off with Wisconsin this season and Minnesota should keep this game fairly close.
Pick: Minnesota +22
No. 21 Nevada (-39) Vs. San Jose State
16 of 20
Nevada will be the fourth ranked team that San Jose State has faced this season and the result of this weekend’s game should not be any different than the rest.
Colin Kaepernick and Nevada’s deceptive pistol offense will annihilate these exhausted Spartans.
Pick: Nevada -39
No. 22 Oklahoma State (-24) @ LA-Lafayette
17 of 20
LA-Lafayette ranks 94th or worse in rushing yards (101.3 y/g), points for (20.0 p/g), and points against (35.0 p/g).
The Cowboys second ranked offense (52.3 p/g) should drop bombs all over these mild Ragin’ Cajuns. Even if LA-Lafayette finds ways to score, OSU will win by a ton.
Pick: Oklahoma State -24
No. 24 Missouri (-13) Vs. Colorado
18 of 20
Missouri has outscored Colorado 149-27 the last three years, but, for some reason, the buzz feels different this season.
Colorado enters this game with a winning record for the first time since 2005, and while Missouri should win this game, the Buffaloes may stay within striking distance for a lot longer than many expect.
Pick: Colorado +13
No. 25 Air Force (-25.5) Vs. Colorado State
19 of 20
Air Force’s No.1 rushing offense (373.6 y/g) should completely flatten Colorado State’s 104th ranked rushing defense (203.5 y/g).
The Rams’ offense is not capable of keeping anywhere close to the point totals that the Falcons’ running game should rattle off in this game.
Pick: Air Force -25.5
UCLA @ California (-7.5)
20 of 20
The Bruins are coming off a huge win in Texas and the Bears are coming off a depressing loss in Arizona.
Logic says to take the team riding high and stay completely clear of the extremely volatile California Bears.
Bruins should cover and could even emerge as the victor.
Pick: UCLA +7.5
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
