Some things I learned from last week’s College and NFL games, like don’t bet on UNLV.
Also, Michigan State has no offense to speak of, Idaho is one of the few teams worse than the Rebels, Texas was totally put to shame by BYU, Florida has no offense, Georgia more offense than it can stand and Northwestern is no longer a golf school. The Cats are for real.
Oregon is rated way too high with two wins at the hands of Nicholls State and Virginia, and the Pac 12 is very soft. Look at what USC did last week. Sometimes when betting (well, more than just sometimes) we need the help of the zebras to get the win.
Just ask Michigan who got two pass interference calls to help them score late in the fourth. Both were borderline to say the least. I was on Michigan with the ACC officials calling the game and Big Ten officials calling the replays.
And, Alabama will still be No. 1 come next week.
In the NFL we saw the first two scores on the board as safeties and another came a few minutes later. The Steelers may be able to beat UNLV and Idaho, but don’t ever make an OVER bet on them. What a putrid offense! That offensive coordinator should have been gone last year.
The AFC North got no wins. Take the big points when you can get them. The Seahawks are very good. We’ll see if they are great this week against the 49ers.
In college games last week I went 8-5 with my best bet winning; that ran my record to 15-7 in college games. I was 1-1-1 in the NFL and was lucky, so let’s see what’s cooking this week.
Thursday
TCU -4 at Texas Tech: Big revenge game for the Frogs who lost a barn burner last year in Fort Worth 56-53. They played a very good game against LSU in their opener, losing by just 10. It won’t be as high scoring as last year. TCU.
Saturday
Ga. Tech -7½ at Duke: The Yellow Jackets handled Duke very easily last year, 42-24, and have the offense to duplicate that score. GEORGIA TECH.
Mississippi +4½ at Texas: Would not want to be in Austin this week as head coach Mack Brown, who is in his 16th season, was not happy, to say the least, with the Longhorn defense last week. His players will be ready to rebound at home or it will be lights out for their season. TEXAS.
Iowa -2 at Iowa St.: The Hawkeyes will be in double revenge mood as they have lost to the Cyclones the last two years. IOWA.
Alabama -8½ at Texas A&M: This is the game of the week as the Crimson Tide and “pretty boy” A. J. McCarron, who has great taste in women, get big time revenge from last year’s 29-24 home loss that cost them their undefeated season. You just don’t beat a Nick Saban team two years in a row. The number came higher than expected as I was looking for -6½. Tide will be on all my teasers at -2½ as my key team even though I really don’t like teasing a college game. I will make this an exception. ALABAMA (BEST BET).
No. Illinois -27½ at Idaho: Lay the lumber on the road. Idaho lost last week, 42-10, against Wyoming and the prior week, 40-6, vs. North Texas. NO. ILLINOIS.
Oregon St. +2½ at Utah: The Utes have won both of their games this year, including a huge win over Utah State. They lost in Corvallis last year, 21-7, as a -10 point dog. They get revenge in Salt Lake. UTAH.
Sunday
Rams +6½ at Falcons: Atlanta almost pulled it off late last week in New Orleans. They are the better team, especially at home. FALCONS.
Redskins +6½ at Packers: The Pack will not lose two straight, especially with the Skins losing a day of rest. PACKERS.
Vikings +6½ at Bears: This is my best dog play of the week. Chicago is not this good and will be lucky to win by a field goal. The Vikes have a shot at the outright win. VIKINGS.
Have a great week, and remember, make those 10 team parlays. You could be walking around lucky and not even know it!
Record
Last Week
9-6-1
NFL
1-1-1
NCAA
15-7
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GamingToday’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Follow Richard on Twitter @SabesBet. Contact Richard at [email protected].
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