I went on a sabbatical two weeks ago away from this blog. It clearly showed with my atrocious picks last week. I’ll own up to it.
Just like Kevin Durant owns up to every response he thumbs out to troll accounts on Twitter. I love KD.
As for his beloved Longhorns, perhaps we fade them?
Let’s dive into Week 4.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Record to date (3-1-5).
Texas Longhorns at Texas Tech Red Raiders (+7)
Steve Sarkisian has won over his players. 6th street is popping off. Texas almost shocked everyone two weeks ago when they almost upset Alabama as home dogs. In what I believed to be a sure trap game against UTSA last week, UT handled business easily. With Quinn Ewers out, Bijan Robinson is the catalyst for this offense.
Although Texas is 9-3 ATS in their last twelve, I’m riding with Texas Tech (+7) at home. These two combined for 105 points last year. I respect a solid Texas defense but another high-scoring contest is in play and I’m riding with Tech’s Donovan Smith to keep this close.
Clemson vs Wake Forest o55.5
DJ Uiagalelei has finally shifted his focus from Dr. Pepper commercials to chunking opposing defenses. The spread in this game is shifting as we speak. Does DraftKings offer odds on Sam Hartman being a better professional quarterback than Uiagalelei one day?
If so, sign me up. Hartman was a Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist last year. He’s passed for 600+ yards this season with seven touchdowns. Did I mention he also had 11 rushing touchdowns last year?
Wake Forest is 4-1 ATS in their last five September games. Inversely, Dabo and the Tigers are 4-0 in their last four ACC games. Expect…Points! Points!! Points!!! Clemson will win but anticipate scoring. Jot me down for o55.5 in this game.
USC vs Oregon State (+5.5)
I’m kicking myself over this matchup. This game rules for a variety of reasons. The total is sitting at 70.5 (-110) (seventy-point-five!!!). USC’s laying 5.5 points in Corvallis. Conventional wisdom says to take the Trojans who are backed by Caleb Williams, Jordan Addison, and Travis Dye dominating thus far.
USC will NEVER reach the pinnacle of the Bush-Leinart-Carroll era. But this current squad is the most entertaining bunch in LA outside of the Kanye West-Pete Davidson-Kim Kardashian sex triangle in seventeen years.
According to ESPN, since 2019, Oregon State is (16-6) ATS as an underdog with ten outright wins. In the same three-year span, Beavers HC Jonathan Smith has more wins as an underdog than any other coach. If you’re feeling it, parlay the over with either spread. Ughhhhhhh, okay - BEAVERS (+5.5).
Wisconsin at Ohio State (-18.5)
One of these days I’ll write a piece where I strictly pick underdogs. But that day is not now. CHALK. Who doesn’t love favorites?
In good conscience, I dabbled between a few monster favorites. Alabama (-40.5) over Vanderbilt? Ehhh. Georgia laying 45 on the mighty Kent State Golden Flashes - likely cover. Western Kentucky (-31) favorites over FIU?
WKU vs FIU is the type of game at the sportsbook that’s paired next to the dog races, cornhole, and seabass fishing competition. Being broadcasted on the smaller screens where some strung-out, 64-year-old is watching like his mortgage is depending on it. He's also getting berated by a security guard for smoking cigarettes inside. I still love Hilltoppers fans!!!
Wisconsin is getting waxed. They can’t compete in the Horseshoe; Buckeyes (-18.5).
We all know that friend in the group who sends the, “You up?” or “Wyd” text at 2:53 AM once a weekend like clockwork. The guy who courageously fires off mischievous DM’s like Detective Allen Gamble discharging his pistol for his annual Desk Pop.
Is The Other Guys the most criminally underrated comedy of the 2010s?
CHRISTINITH!!! Let's fire off some more picks:
Iowa-Rutgers u34.5
Duke vs Kansas (-7)
Arkansas vs Texas A&M (-1.5)
Florida vs Tennessee (-11)
James Madison (+7) vs Appalachian State → FUN BELT!
Oklahoma (-13) vs Kansas State
TCU vs SMU (+2.5)
Utah 1H (-9) vs Arizona State
Oregon-Washington State u57.5