The final week of the regular season means a short list of bets before bowl season begins.
All wagers at -110 odds unless otherwise noted. Visit Odds Shark for updated lines throughout each game week.
Season record: 168-158.
Championship week doesn’t seem all that exciting, with the SEC Championship a foregone conclusion and the Big Ten contest not featuring the best teams in the league. But winning bets pay the same regardless of game quality.
Some much-needed close-game luck finally came my way last week, though losing an under bet on Michigan at Ohio State in double overtime stings quite a bit. On the year, I am 22-30 in wagers decided by a field goal or less. That means I am 146-128 in games decided by more than a field goal.
Let’s get to it. I don’t pick every game, so on a weekend with so few games, this is a quick list.
1. Florida vs. Alabama -24: Florida is terrible for a division champion right now. The Gators had 150 yards before garbage time against Florida State, and their only touchdown came on a fumble return. A 31-0 shutout would not surprise me. Alabama has not allowed a touchdown in the last 17 quarters, and Florida has scored one in its last 10.
2. Virginia Tech vs. Clemson -10: Clemson seems to be clicking on all cylinders now, and I do not know if Virginia Tech can throw it well enough to keep up.
3. Oklahoma State +12 at Oklahoma: Twelve? Really? Who has Oklahoma defeated this year? West Virginia? So has OSU. The Cowboys can keep this within 12 points.
4. Kansas State at TCU -4: Kansas State failed to blow out a bad Kansas last week. TCU handled Texas fairly well. If Kenny Hill is healthy, I think the Horned Frogs close on a high note.
5. New Mexico State at South Alabama -11.5: New Mexico to Mobile is a long road trip, and the Aggies are not good.
6. Troy -7 at Georgia Southern: I just do not believe Georgia Southern can score enough to keep up with the Trojans.
7. Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky -10: The Hilltoppers are absolutely rolling. I would not be surprised to see another 60 points hung up on Tech.
8. San Diego State at Wyoming +7.5: Wyoming has fallen off, but getting a touchdown at home is just too much.