5 best predictions for this week’s college football slate. What appear to be the best bets and picks for the Rivalry Week games on Saturday?
5 Best College Football Predictions Against the Spread Rivalry Week Saturday
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Results So Far: 74-63-1
So where did this all go wrong yesterday when I went 1-4 with the 5 Best Rivalry Picks Against the Spread, the Friday version?
I got the one I really wanted – Florida +9.5 against Florida State – and after not worrying about the hook with Arizona giving up 3.5 to Arizona State, I got caught on it in the 38-35 Wildcat win.
The other three? Mountain West games that I knew were flaky, but went there anyway. And no, I’m not over Utah State not covering the 16.5 against Boise State.
There are more to choose from in the Saturday selection, so I’m setting the bar higher. Friday was about as crazy as it gets – it seems like almost all the underdogs played up, with the regrettable misfires of my Utah State and Wyoming picks.
So read on at your own risk. And why?
Did you see Iowa blowing its shot to play for the Big Ten Championship by gagging against Nebraska?
Friday was weird. Saturday should be even zanier, so I’m going to try to control the uncontrollable starting with …
Click on each game for the game preview
5. Army at UMass
LINE Army -19.5
ATS PICK UMass
When in doubt, fall back on the research and what’s staring you in the face. Even if it doesn’t make any sense, at least you can rationalize the pick.
I’m stalling. I don’t want to pick UMass. Ever.
It has yet to beat an FBS team, the passing attack is painfully inconsistent, and the offense scored more than 13 points just three times all year.
Here’s the thing, though. The 34-7 loss to Buffalo was the only time in the last seven games the Minutemen lost by 20 or more.
It’s not like it played all lightweights, either – it lost at Texas A&M by 16, to Liberty by 18, and to UConn – don’t laugh, it’s going bowling – by 17.
Here’s the other glaring thing. Army stinks away from home.
It’s partly because the home slate was so light, but the Knights were 4-2 at West Point. The strongest win was over UConn, they were rocked by Georgia State by 17, and they lost in a shootout with UTSA. Two of the wins were to FCS teams, and one was a 24-point blowout over ULM.
Away from home? 0-4.
The offense only scored more than ten in the 38-28 loss to Coastal Carolina, and now it’s going against a team that’s not totally miserable at running the ball, controlling the clock, and making this a fast game.
Okay, fine. So you’re not going to spend part of your Saturday worrying about UMass. I don’t blame you.
Let me try again with another lousy team vs. another team that can’t play on the road and see if that does it for you …