Penn State (-5.5) vs USC
USC is coming off a loss to Minnesota and playing at home after that loss, there is value with this price. Facing a top ranked team, the Trojans will be jacked up for this game as a win would keep their playoff hopes alive. The long travel for Penn State won’t be easy and the rambunctious crowd could be a distraction. The Nittany Lions are allowing just 11 points a game, fourth best in the nation but USC is averaging 31 points per outing, and being at home, the Trojans should keep this close.
THE PICK: USC +5.5
Minnesota (-5.5) vs UCLA The Gophers pulled off the big upset last week but now have a quick turnaround and have to travel cross country to take on a Bruins team that has lost 4 straight. But UCLA gave Penn State a good run last week, covering the big 28.5 spread and losing by 16. It would be hard to trust Minnesota as a road favorite after a monumental win and this feels like a perfect letdown game. UCLA not only covers, they could pull off their first Big Ten win at home, in the Rose Bowl.
THE PICK: UCLA +5.5, M/L +180
Texas (-14.5) vs. Oklahoma It’s the first Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma as members of the SEC. The Longhorns conference hopes will be determined in the next two weeks as they face Georgia after this, and if they sweep, it pretty much guarantees Texas a spot in the SEC title game. Quinn Ewers is expected to reclaim the starting role for No.1 Texas while freshman Michael Hawkins has been exciting thus far for the Sooners. This is a game where Texas could be thinking about next week and three scores seems to be a lot of points. The Longhorns win, but the Sooners keep this close.
THE PICK: Oklahoma +14.5
Florida vs Tennessee (-15.5)
Tennessee is coming off an upset loss at Arkansas but with Alabama’s loss to Vanderbilt, that means the SEC title game will have a team with at least one-loss. So the Volunteers are back in it and will look to make amends of last week. Vols quarterback Nic Iamaleava needs to find his game as Florida struggles against the pass. Tennessee’s defense should dominate here and the Vols will get back into the national title mix.
THE PICK: Tennessee -15.5
