(All betting odds provided from various sportsbooks)
Peter Cornell (4-3-2 record)
Wake Forest +7.5 vs Clemson
This is the biggest game in Wake Forest Football history. The Deacs will look to lean on veteran quarterback Sam Hartman to finally get past the big bad Clemson Tigers. This is the year that they have a chance to do it. This is strength on strength with the defense of Clemson going against the offense of Wake. Wake is on a 11 game win streak in Winston but haven’t beaten the Tigers there since 2008. The Deacs will look to an improved defense under DC Brad Lambert to keep this subpar Clemson offense at bay. I think this is the year the Deacs get it done and take down the Clemson Tigers. Take Wake +7.5 and also a little on the ML with a final of 27-24 Wake.
Tennessee -10.5 vs Florida
The Florida Gators have absolutely dominated this series of late beating the Vols in 16 of the last 17 meetings. The reason that I am laying the bigger number with the Vols is the simple fact that this isn’t your typical Tennessee-Florida matchup. This Tennessee team is different than in years past. Josh Heupel has this team playing on a different level especially on the offensive side of the ball. Hendon Hooker and the Vols are in the business of hurting the opposing team’s defenses feelings and running it up. The defense has been pretty solid so far this year and that’s all I need to cover this number. The Florida Gators are the most fraudulent team in the country. They are ranked 20th in the country and are 2-1 with 3 home wins. I could argue that they are 1 or 2 plays away from being 0-3 to start the year with 3 home loses. What would the line be if that were the case? My bet is it would be closer to -21 than -10.5. Anthony Richardson has proven that he is below average through the air. Him and I have the exact same amount of passing touchdowns this year, you guessed it! 0. Take the Vols to win this one in a route for pent up anger from taking it on the chin the last 17 years from the Gators. Final 42-24.
Texas A&M -2 vs Arkansas (Arlington)
This is a big game for both of these programs when looking ahead to the season as a whole. I know most people are saying that the Aggies season is over after the home loss to Appalachian State. Jimbo and company don’t look at the rest of the season that way due to the crazy schedule the SEC has to offer. I know it’s a long shot but if they went undefeated from here on out, they are in the playoff no doubt. The point of all of this talk is Texas A&M is still a motivated team to win games. They would love nothing more than to win against rival Arkansas in Jerry World. I think the Aggies defense has found a new gear that it showed last week against Miami. They can shut the water off at any point and not allow the offense anything. The offense is still a massive question mark but I believe the move to Max Johnson will be beneficial in the long run. Arkansas can't help but say “man if we beat A&M then we are hosting Alabama as both undefeated teams”. It's hard to look past a school like A&M but an A&M team that lost to App State? It's possible. Give me A&M in a close one 24-20.
Henry Porter (6-3 record)
Air Force vs Nevada under 46.5
This total has dipped from 49.5 but I still like it at this number. Nevada is an abysmal 119th in the nation in total offense after four games. They are going to have some serious offensive issues this season and I don’t see them getting right this week at Air Force. The Falcons suffered a minor upset at Wyoming last week in a game they were never really in. I don’t think Nevada scores more than 14 points and the Air Force rushing attack will burn enough clock to where it doesn’t give the Falcons enough time to score enough for the over. Final prediction is 30-13, Air Force takes it.
LSU vs New Mexico over 45.5
We’re getting obscure with this one but I have to include it in my best bets when I think LSU can cover this over on their own. LSU has put up 96 points in their two games since suffering that tough loss to Florida State. Brian Kelly doesn’t strike me as the kind of coach to take it easy on inferior teams until the game is well in hand. They did put up 37 points in the first quarter against Southern. He’ll want to have the offense clicking going into next week at Auburn and the SEC schedule. New Mexico hasn’t had the easiest time on offense this season but they did put up 14 on Boise State so I think they have the ability to get a score or two in Tiger Stadium. LSU comes out on top 44-10 as the over easily cashes.
Liberty - 26.5 vs Akron
Liberty is coming off a tough one point loss to a very good Wake Forest team on the road and they will be looking to bounce with a convincing win versus the Zips at home. Akron should be glad they beat FCS St. Francis because another win may be hard to come by. They have had a brutal non-conference schedule getting walloped at Michigan State and Tennessee. You have to wonder if they’re just too banged up and tired to even put up a fight in this one. Liberty has been known for scoring points the last few seasons but they have an underrated defense that can stifle the Akron offense which has scored 6 points combined in the last two games. I like the Flames to put this one away by halftime and coast to an easy cover. Liberty wins 44-9.
Roger Murdock (5-4 record)
Florida +10.5 @ Tennessee
The Anthony Richardson storyline has been incredible to watch in the media. When Florida wins, he's a Heisman candidate. When Florida loses, he's the worst QB in the SEC. On the other side, I'm used to Tennessee hype every year that they never live up to, but this year is getting out of hand. Wins against Ball State, Akron, and Slovis-less Pittsburgh in overtime hasn't impressed me much. This is by far the best opponent UT has faced and they are laying double digits. UF has won 5 straight in this matchup, and 4 of those by double digits. I'll fade the Tennessee hype. Gators 35-31.
Syracuse -9.5 vs. Virginia
Syracuse has been one of the surprise teams of the season thus far. They are 3-0 straight up and 3-0 against the spread. Cuse hasn't scored less than 30 in a game yet. On the other hand, UVA is 0-3 against the spread and has not been able to put up points; they've scored 19 combined the last two weeks against Illinois and ODU. I don't think it gets much easier for UVA here. The Carrier Dome will be rocking and Syracuse should cruise. Cuse 30-10.
Wake Forest +7 vs Clemson
This is the first ACC game for Wake Forest and arguably the biggest game in the history of their program. Clemson has dominated this matchup due to their ability to blow up Wake's "slow-mesh" offense and that will be the narrative leading up to this game; but Wake has actually been reluctant to run the slow-mesh over the first few weeks of the season. If Wake can get the ball out fast and establish a rhythm, the over the top throws to AT Perry will open up. I have no faith in Clemson's offense being able to keep up. They will have to force turnovers to keep it close. Wake 40-17.
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