8 LSU vs. #14 Texas A&M (-2.5)
It’s one of the biggest games of the weekend as two SEC teams try to stay in contention to play in the conference championship game as both teams have won 6 straight. Aggies QB has rebounded after a Week 1 loss to Notre Dame. He has the offense buzzing putting up 34 or more points in consecutive wins against Missouri and Mississippi State. On the other side, QB Garrett Nussmeier has been just as good, scoring three or more touchdowns in six straight games. He’s also thrown for 280 yards or more in 6 of 7 games. LSU run defense has allowed just one rushing touchdown in the past four and are primed for the upset.
THE PICK: LSU Moneyline +120
12 Notre Dame (-12.5) vs. #24 Navy
Navy is in the top-25, a perfect 6-0 and have put up an average of 42 points in the last three games. Yet, they’re almost a two-touchdown underdog against Notre Dame. Navy is No.4 in the country at running the ball averaging almost 275 yards per game and the fourth most rushing touchdowns with 23. But the Midshipmen have had one of the easiest schedules in FBS, ranking 127th compared to the Fighting Irish’s 22nd most difficult schedule. Notre Dame should be able to contain Navy’s offense as they’ve surrendered under four yards per carry and allowed just three touchdowns on the ground all season. Both teams like to keep the ball on the ground and that means chewing the clock.
THE PICK: Under 52.5 (-115)
SMU (-11) vs. Duke
Duke beat Florida State last week but it wasn’t a breathtaking performance. The Seminoles gifted the Blue Devils though, turning the ball over on three straight plays, including a pick six. Now they face an SMU team that is on fire averaging 46 points in the last four games. The defense also played well sitting fourth in success rate allowed. The Mustangs should be able to dominate Duke’s offense, an offense ranked 132nd overall in third and fourth down success rate. Duke hasn’t faced an offense like SMU’s this season, and will be overwhelmed and run over by the Mustangs.
THE PICK: SMU -11
17 Boise State (-3) vs UNLV (Friday)
This is a great matchup between two teams who love the ground and pound. The Broncos average 290 yards a game while the Rebels put up 251 YPG. An interesting note, both teams have two of the best run defenses in the Mountain West Conference. UNLV QB Hajj-Malk Williams averages 5 yards per carry while Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty has a mind boggling 10 yards per carry. That should be the difference in a series that has seen the Broncos win seven straight.
THE PICK: Boise State -3
