If you happen to’ve been with me for years on the ten greatest school soccer picks, you understand that 1) there’s completely no whining allowed, and a couple of) I whine.
Let me put it this manner. Too lots of my picks have been on Scott’s at all times fantastic Dangerous Beats phase. (No, I didn’t have something going with NC State-Vanderbilt final week, however I’m nonetheless nauseous over the way in which the North Carolina-Clemson underneath collapsed.)
I’m ridiculously overdue for one thing large a method or one other, like 8-2 or 2-8, so both approach … let’s have some enjoyable.
Outcomes So Far: 23-22
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10. New Mexico at New Mexico State
Line: New Mexico -11
ATS Decide: New Mexico
It’s by no means an amazing signal when I attempt to rationalize certainly one of these – you may’t make a choose occur – and right here’s the problem. That is a kind of funky rivalry video games that at all times appears to defy logic and purpose.
From 2019 to 2024, New Mexico State both received, or it battled arduous and misplaced by 11 or fewer. However final yr was the Lobos’ first season underneath Jason Eck, they usually received by 18.
New Mexico State throws a ton, New Mexico runs a ton, and the large distinction might be within the time of possession. The Lobos – who’re a lot, significantly better than the Aggies – may have the ball for properly over 40 minutes.
8. and 9. Oklahoma State at West Virginia
Line: Level Complete 61.5, West Virginia -1.5
ATS Decide: Over, West Virginia
This labored final week once I picked Michigan to wallop UTEP, and the over, and each occurred with ease. So like all good issues. I’m going to spoil it by making an attempt to repeat the magic.
The road appears too good to be true, so it’s. Nevertheless, I’ll take a shot that West Virginia is simply that good, particularly at house. Oklahoma State was terrible when it needed to journey only a few miles to play Tulsa, and now it’s coping with Michael Hawkins and a Mountaineer assault that’s buzzing.
Getting previous 61.5 is a heavy raise, however the forecast requires good circumstances. These two offenses will commerce physique blows all sport lengthy.
Sorry I’ll choose up the tempo.
7. Texas at Tennessee
Line: Texas -4.5
ATS Decide: Tennessee
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It’s a complete toss-up sport, however this yr I promised myself I’d choose the one huge sport of the week it doesn’t matter what. I’ve been shut.
Ohio State didn’t beat Texas, however it coated, and I’ll nonetheless take LSU once more – it was 24-24 late, folks – over Ole Miss in the event that they performed one other 9 instances. The offenses might be on show, however I’m in deep love with the Tennessee move rush bothering Arch. (Prefer it at 4.5, LOVED it when it was 6.5.)
6. Oklahoma at Georgia
Line: Level Complete 44.5
ATS Decide: Beneath
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If this doesn’t work, tip your hat and transfer on, as a result of meaning this Oklahoma offense discovered some gear that it hasn’t had over the previous couple of weeks.
The Michigan and New Mexico defenses are good, however the Sooners ought to’ve put up greater than 23 mixed factors towards these two. If you happen to’re making an attempt to determine your assault, going towards the Georgia protection isn’t a good suggestion. The OU protection will assist the trigger – it allowed simply 23 factors within the final two video games.
5. TCU at UCF
Line: TCU -3.5
ATS Decide: TCU
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Show me unsuitable, Scott Frost. Blowing away Bethune-Cookman and rolling by Georgia State at house isn’t doing it for me. TCU has been enjoying properly for the reason that Eire loss to North Carolina. Quarterback Jaden Craig and the offense have settled in. They’ll maintain the ball for a lot of the sport.
4. USF at Bowling Inexperienced
Line: USF -17.5
ATS Decide: USF
Bowling Inexperienced was 50 toes under terrible in blowout losses to Nebraska and Iowa State, and it opened the season by shedding to Tarleton State (okay, positive, the Texans are 4-0, however you don’t lose at house to the FCS workforce).
USF has been rock-solid thus far underneath new head coach Brian Hartline. It’s not turning the ball over, it doesn’t commit penalties, and … okay, I’m a tad scared that it took numerous work to place away FIU in a ten-point win, and the win over Military was solely by 4. No matter – the Bulls will run all around the nation’s worst run protection.
3. Iowa at Michigan
Line: Level Complete 38.5
ATS Decide: Beneath
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I cannot imagine I’m choosing two unders this week. I despise unders. Unders are for the unhappy, the cynical, those who assume AI will kill us all in six months as an alternative of 12. However when you’re shopping for that the Iowa offense is about to begin cranking it up simply because it hung 55 on Northern Iowa, or Michigan figured it out as a result of it let free on UTEP …
(I actually do despise unders – it’s positive by me, Iowa and Michigan, when you select to attain factors.)
2. Ole Miss at Florida
Line: Level Complete 58.5
ATS Decide: Over
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That is a kind of video games – just like the Iowa-Michigan underneath – that if it doesn’t work, simply chalk it as much as a nasty day on the workplace, quick reminiscence, make the following play.
Florida hasn’t been stopped but. The Ole Miss protection couldn’t cease Louisville, and it wouldn’t have stopped LSU if Sam Leavitt was sharper.
I’m not asking for the 44-39 Gator win over Auburn final week, or the 41-38 Insurgent win over Louisville, however I’m. I’m asking for these two offenses to tear it up.
1. Oregon at USC
Line: Level Complete 61.5
ATS Decide: Over
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Are my No. 1 picks terrible? Sure. Sure, they’re.
Do I lose these in new and creatively catastrophic methods? Sure. Sure, I do. (Final week, Kansas State -20.5 was up 31-13 early within the fourth after which determined to take a nap in its 31-20 win.)
USC’s protection is best than the one which made the journey to Rutgers, however it’s creaky. Oregon’s protection is best than the one which didn’t appear inquisitive about enjoying school soccer in Stillwater towards Oklahoma State a couple of weeks in the past, however it has to show it – and no, 84-0ing Portland State doesn’t depend.
Final yr, the Geese took down USC 42-27 for a mixed 59 factors. In 2023, USC and Oregon mixed for 63 factors. The 2 scored 55 within the 2020 Pac-12 Championship, however Caleb Williams harm his hamstring early within the first quarter.
They mixed for 80 factors in 2019. 65 in 2016, 76 in 2015, 113 in 2013 (sure, 62-51 Oregon), 73 in 2011, 85 in 2010, and 67 in 2009.
Oregon and USC, simply rating factors.
Consensus line based mostly on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Sport odds refresh periodically and are topic to vary. If you happen to or somebody you understand has a playing downside and needs assist, name 1-800-GAMBLER.