It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through the college football season. What is even harder to believe is that although we are halfway through the season, the Big10’s season is just beginning. In case you forgot, the Big10 originally cancelled their season in hopes of getting the other conferences to join them. When the rest of the conferences said, “Nah, we’re playing” the Big10 came out looking pretty stupid.
In the end, they decided to bring back football with a reduced, conference only schedule. That schedule begins tonight as Wisconsin battles Illinois in the first Big10 game of the year. I am not going to sugarcoat anything, my picks have been somewhat lackluster compared to last season. However, shooters shoot, and now more games to pick from means more chances to be right!
Here are my college football week 8 gambling picks:
Illinois (+20) @ 14 Wisconsin: First game of the year for both teams being played on a Friday. 20 points is a lot for a team’s first game of the season. Roll with Illinois.
Nebraska @ 5 Ohio State (-26): I know I just said 20 points was a lot for a first game, but Ohio State is a different breed. The Buckeyes dominate.
Kansas @ 20 Kansas State (-20): This pick is more so because Kansas is so bad. 20 points doesn’t feel so bad when playing Kansas.
23 N.C. State (+15) @ 14 North Carolina: The Tarheels are coming off their first loss of the season. I expect a bounce back win for them, but the wolfpack keeps it close.
Syracuse (+45.5) @ 1 Clemson: Clemson is a team I have yet to figure out this year. I do know Clemson has struggled against the Orange in years past, though. Take ‘Cuse.
Florida Atlantic @ 22 Marshall (-17): The Thundering Herd from Marshall have been a pleasant surprise this year. QB play has been outstanding, so I am riding with the Herd.
Florida State @ Louisville (-4): The Seminoles did pull off a major upset last week, but I do not expect that to carry over. Cardinals win big.
Auburn (-3) @ Ole Miss: Auburn has been a big disappointment in 2020. That being said, I think they figure out how to win in Oxford this weekend.
Oklahoma @ TCU (+6): TCU has already pulled off one big upset this year and are looking for another one. OU might not be ranked, but beating them is still huge for any BIG12 team.
8 Penn State (-6) @ Indiana: Penn State has high hopes for this season. If they cannot beat Indiana by 6, they have bigger issues to worry about.
17 Iowa State @ 6 Oklahoma State (-3.5): OSU is the surprise team from the BIG12. They know they have a path to the playoffs but they’ll need to win this weekend.
3 Notre Dame @ Pittsburgh (+10): This has potential to be the best game of the weekend. I do think the Irish win, but Pitt keeps it close.
19 Virginia Tech (-9.5) @ Wake Forest: Not much to be said about this game. Tech is the better team and should show that on the field.
2 Alabama (-21) @ Tennessee: Tennessee hasn’t come with 22 points of beating Alabama since 2015. I don’t expect that to change this year either. Tide wins big.
Baylor (+9) @ Texas: I am a little surprised to see this line so high for Texas. I do think Texas wins this game, but only by a touchdown.
Kentucky (-4) @ Missouri: This has potential to be the best SEC game of the weekend. Kentucky is riding high right now and they carry that momentum into Missouri.
South Carolina @ LSU (-6): LSU has looked really bad this year compared to their Championship season last year. Regardless, the Tigers hold on and beat the Gamecocks.
18 Michigan (-3) @ 21 Minnesota: Honestly, this game can go either way. I am giving Michigan the benefit of the doubt though, and riding with them this weekend.
Virginia @ 11 Miami (-12.5): Miami might have lost to Clemson last week, but that is nothing to be ashamed of. The Hurricanes bounce back with a huge win.
9 Cincinnati @ 16 SMU (-2): I know Cincinnati is ranked higher, but this won’t be an upset. SMU is favored, and for good reason. SMU wins a close one.
Texas State @ 12 BYU (-28): BYU has been one of those teams that just seems to have it this year. I know they haven’t faced elite competition, but they are winning and winning convincingly. BYU wins huge.