7 Alabama (-2.5) vs #11 Tennessee
After beating Georgia, Alabama has looked average over the last couple weeks which included an upset loss at Vanderbilt and two point win over South Carolina. But Tennessee hasn’t overwhelmed the college world of late, losing at Arkansas and beating Florida at home in overtime. The Vols defense is good enough to keep games close but Jalen Milroe is capable of making bigger throws and Nico Iamaleava right now. This should be razor tight but the Tide rolls and hands Tennessee its second loss.
THE PICK: Alabama -2.5
2 Oregon (-27.5) vs Purdue
Can the Ducks travel cross-country after that emotional win against Ohio State and handle business? The short answer is yes. While they haven’t covered a couple of 20+ point spreads in Big Ten play, Purdue ranks dead last in the conference in rush defense allowing almost 230 yards per game. And the Boilermakers are 2-5 ATS as home underdogs recently. Oregon isn’t slowing down and keeps on going.
THE PICK: Oregon -27.5
East Carolina vs #23 Army (-16.5)
Army is in the Top-25 and meets East Carolina for the first time in 20 years with the Pirates 8-0 straight up in this series. But East Carolina allows 149 rushing yards per game and last week gave up 311 yards to Charlotte in a lopsided loss. Army is #1 in the nation with the ground game running for a whopping 370 yards a game. QB Bryson Daily continues his impressive season as Army runs away with this one.
THE PICK: Army -16.5
21 SMU (-14.5) vs Stanford
SMU comes in off a bye week for this matchup against ACC newcomer, Stanford. Kevin Jennings has been on fire for the Mustangs completing 74% of his passes and ran for 113 yards and a TD in their big win against Louisville a couple weeks ago. The Cardinals have lost three straight and failed to cover big spreads and now face an SMU offense averaging 41 points per game.
THE PICK: SMU -14.5
24 Michigan (-1) vs #22 Illinois
Michigan had a week off after losing at Washington. The Wolverines have been terrible against the spread, just 1-5 this season. On the other side of the ball, QB Luke Altmyer leads the Big Ten with 14 TDs and just one interception. This game really is a coin flip but it’s tough to side with the home team after Illinois gave up 46 second half points to Purdue last week.
THE PICK: Michigan -1
