After the first losing week of the season in Week 5, Best Bets had to do a little soul searching, a little meditation, and a lot of research. But we bounced back in Week 6, going 2-1 on Best Bets, even if our overall picks landed at an even 3-3 (thanks for nothing, Duke). Those results put us at 11-7 on Best Bets and 20-16 in our overall picks. We’re in the black, but not quite where we want to be, so let’s going to carry that momentum into Week 7. I’ve got a handful of SEC picks as well as other
intriguing match ups in what will be a really fun Saturday of college football.
Best Bets
Alabama @ Missouri (+3.5)
In what is the biggest game in Columbia since the Tigers faced the Aggies in 2013 with the SEC East Championship on the line, Mizzou is coming in fresh with two weeks to game plan for Alabama. The Tide are coming off back-to-back games (at Georgia and vs. Vanderbilt) that took a lot out of the team physically and mentally. This one has all the makings of a back-and-forth one possession game, so give me the home team to cover in such a scenario.
Ohio State @ Illinois (+14.5)
I have been taking Ohio State to cover big spreads in recent weeks, but I don’t think that’ll happen this week. I do expect the Buckeyes to win in Champaign, but Illinois has the ability, especially at home, to slow the game down, run the ball and bleed the clock. Ohio State will have limited possessions which will reduce their opportunities to run up the score. I think they’ll win fairly easily, but the hook makes me feel better about picking Illinois.
Arkansas @ Tennessee (-12.5)
In what is their first game after firing Sam Pittman, the Razorbacks can go one of two ways: they can rally and come out with their tails on fire, or they can quit. The funny thing is, they can come out and play really well in Knoxville and I still think Tennessee will beat them soundly. Arkansas’s defense is that bad. Give me the Vols by at least two touchdowns, no matter who is coaching in red.
Worth a look
Wake Forest (-2.5) @ Oregon State
The Demon Deacons are surprisingly not awful in Jake Dickert’s first season as head coach. Dickert travels back to the Pacific Northwest where he coached last year with Washington State to face off against a truly bad Oregon State team. I think Wake Forest’s competence wins out despite the cross-country travels and they win by at least a field goal.
Oklahoma (+2.5) @ Texas
Yes, John Mateer probably won’t play in this game for Oklahoma, but I really don’t think that matters too much. Texas has looked really bad on offense against teams with a pulse and the Sooners’ defense has pulse in spades. The Longhorn defense also looked vulnerable against a Florida offense that has been pretty bad themselves so far this year. I think the Sooners will be able to move the ball enough to score points with or without Mateer while their defense heats up Arch Manning and forces a few game-changing turnovers.
TCU (-1.5) @ Kansas State
Another week, another pick against Kansas State. The Horned Frogs are playing good football so far this year. They do have to travel to Manhattan, but the Wildcats have looked pretty bleak regardless of whether they play at home or on the road. I’ll take the toads to win and finally put the Kansas State Mildcats to bed for 2025.
