Every week, Rock M Nation will post the SEC betting lines for that week’s slate of games. DISCLAIMER: Rock M Nation is not an online gambling operator, nor a gambling site of any kind. We are simply here
to provide information about sports betting for entertainment purposes only. None of the staff will be using this information for gambling purposes and are not liable for any losses incurred due to the analysis contained within.
Friends, this season certainly has been an adventure here at Best Bets. We’ve had our ups and our downs. Our wins and our losses. Week 12 was a first though, we went a brilliant o-fer in the Best Bet picks but nailed all three of the other picks. You could blame bad luck, but I think it’s probably just because I’m a coward who lacks conviction. I knew I should have switched a few of those picks up to my Best Bets, but I didn’t and I am living with the consequences. Best Bets now sits at 17-19, the first time in two years of making picks that we’ve dropped below .500. Our overall picks are still right at .500 at 36-36, so it’s not like this season has been a total disaster… but we’re running low on time to get back into the black. Three weeks left to regain glory. Let’s get to it.
Best Bets
BYU (-2.5) @ Cincinnati
BYU bounced back last week in a blowout against TCU following their first loss of the season against Texas Tech the week before. Cincinnati hasn’t responded as well after their long winning streak ended a couple weeks ago. They’ve lost two games in a row and welcome in a BYU team that is still very much in contention for the playoffs. This one should be a fun, close game but BYU will pull it out late.
Southern Miss (-2.5) @ South Alabama
Charles Huff has done a remarkable coaching job in his first season in Hattiesburg. The former Marshall coach has revitalized a once-proud-but-recently-inept program and has them 7-3 and bowling for the first time in several years. South Alabama, on the other hand, is having a dreadful season. At 3-7 they have no hope for a bowl and are just riding out the end of the year. Give me the Golden Eagles in a fairly easy win.
TCU @ Houston (-1.5)
I’ve picked (wrongly) TCU quite a bit this season and I’m finally done with them. Houston, on the other hand, is having a resurgent year and still has an outside shot at a Big 12 Championship Game bid if they win out. With such a small spread and the fact that Cougars are hosting, I’m picking Houston to beat their old Southwest Conference rival by at least a field goal.
Worth a look
Louisville @ SMU (-2.5)
We’ve ridden with the Mustangs a lot this year and it usually has worked out pretty well for us. They are still very much alive in the ACC race while the Cardinals tanked their shot at the championship game (and the playoff) by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory multiple times against Clemson last week. I expect them to be feeling that pain as they travel to Dallas. Give me the SMUers.
Kentucky (+9.5) @ Vanderbilt
Believe it or not, Kentucky is smack dab in the middle of a three-game win streak where they’ve outscored their opponents 90-20. Their offense has finally found some consistency under QB Cutter Boley and their defense remains stout. Vanderbilt has seemingly fallen off the national radar despite being 8-2. They still have an outside shot at the playoff, so they have a lot to play for here. I do think the Commodores will win this game, but Mark Stoops will find a way to muck it up and keep it close, so give me Kentucky to cover.
Baylor @ Arizona (-6.5)
I’ve done pretty well this season picking against Baylor and I think I’m going to jump back on that train again. The Bears are 5-5 and pretty close to possibly firing Dave Aranda. Arizona is quietly having a really nice season at 7-3 and find themselves right in the middle of the pack in a pretty decent Big 12. The Wildcats host this match up and have all the momentum. I’ll take Arizona to win by at least a touchdown.
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See sportsbook.fanduel.com for details.
