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I had a modest week with a score of 6-5 against the spread. The good: pulling off another surprise special by picking Mizzou to beat K-State. The Bad: Expect Colorado to crush Colorado State. The Ugly: Picking the Vols to beat Florida by double digits. On the season, I now have six games over .500 against the number.
Here are this week’s guesses.
Check out Stewart Mandel’s selection.
(All point spreads are from BetMGM, click here for live odds, all kickoff times Eastern.)
Rutgers at No. 2 Michigan (-24), Noon, Big Ten Network
Greg Schiano’s team has given Michigan some problems since returning to RU. In 2020 and 2021, the score was within seven points, and last year Rutgers led in the third quarter before being eliminated. This is probably Schiano’s best team in his second appearance there, and I think the Knights stick around for a while.
Michigan 38, Rutgers 17
The selection: Rutgers +24
No. 4 Florida State (-2.5) at Clemson, Noon, ABC
The Noles might have hoped for this game and narrowly escaped with a win from BC. I think FSU has a big advantage in the passing game and can handle a difficult road environment.
Florida State 28, Clemson 17
The selection: Florida State -2.5
No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon (-20.5), 3:30 p.m., ABC
Losing Travis Hunter hurts CU’s offense a lot, but it will hurt the defense even more. The Ducks have an experienced, play-making QB and are much better and deeper on both lines, and there’s a feeling they’ll pull away in the second half.
Oregon 49, Colorado 24
The selection: Oregon -20.5
No. 22 UCLA at No. 11 Utah (-4.5), 3:30 p.m., Fox
The Utes have been tested more than the Bruins, and UCLA has a lot of freshmen and an inexperienced quarterback heading into a really tough situation.
Utah 24, UCLA 23
The selection: UCLA +4.5
No. 15 Ole Miss at No. 13 Alabama (-7), 3:30 p.m., CBS
Lane Kiffin’s team wasn’t ready for its final trip to Tuscaloosa, losing 28-0 at halftime. However, this Tide team is nowhere near as good as that one. But the guess here is that Nick Saban’s defense will force some turnovers, especially late, and sneak away with a win.
Alabama 30, Ole Miss 28
The selection: Ole Miss +7
No. 18 Duke at UConn (-21.5), 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
The Huskies aren’t as competitive as they were last season, and this Duke team is playing with a lot of confidence and should beat Jim Mora’s group.
Duke 38, UConn 7
The selection: Duke -21.5
No. 12 Arkansas at LSU (-17.5), 7 p.m., ESPN
Going to Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night is a difficult task for a Hogs team that just lost a close game to BYU. Plus, the Tigers were really strong last weekend in Starkville. Their offense appears oiled and ready to get going at home.
LSU 40, Arkansas 17
The selection: LSU-17.5
No. 14 Oregon State (-3) at No. 21 Washington State, 7 p.m., Fox
Jonathan Smith probably has the more physical team, but the Cougars are really good on offense, and that won’t be easy for DJ Uiagalelei and Co. Smith is 0-2 at Washington State since taking over his alma mater, but I think his team is strong enough to come away with a win this time around.
Oregon State 28, Washington State 27
The selection: Washington State +3
No. 24 Iowa at No. 7 Penn State (-14.5), 7:30 p.m., CBS
Big test for Drew Allar. I think he fits because he has enough weapons to make some plays and the defense and home court are too much for the Hawkeyes.
Penn State 24, Iowa 10
The selection: Iowa +14.5
No. 5 USC (-34.5) at Arizona State, 10:30 p.m., Fox
The Sun Devils are currently reeling. Last year, Arizona State got within 10 points midway through the fourth quarter. This game ends in a loss before halftime because one team has perhaps the most explosive offense in the country – and the other team has one of the worst.
USC 54, Arizona State 9
The selection: USC-34.5
Feldman’s Angry Special
No. 6 Ohio State (-3) at No. 9 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m., NBC
The Irish played really hard against Ohio State last year, and that was because the Buckeyes had a big lead at QB. Now the Irish have a significant lead and are the home team. I think Marcus Freeman’s defense is athletic enough to slow Ohio State down, and Notre Dame has enough firepower to pull off its biggest win in years.
Notre Dame 31, Ohio State 27
The selection: Notre Dame +3
(Photo Audric Estime: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)