Rivalry games are always unpredictable especially a prospective shootout with two teams on a losing streak. In this scenario, the points is always the academic approach. The Bears are a risk play as this is a Baylor team that was blown out at home last week, coming in to the affair flatlined. The Iowa State loss can certainly scare off Red Raider action as a 66-10 loss to the Cyclones would be classified as embarrassing to say the least. However, it is important to remember here that Texas Tech beat TCU on the road and was within in a field goal of beating Oklahoma State on the road as well. Baylor cannot say the same for the achievements. Baylor lost hideously in their four losses and Texas Tech simply couldn’t hold on. Had they done so they would have been heavily favored here and now. Texas Tech will look to rebound and keep this close under the number.

Nebraska has lost their last two outright away from Lincoln. In the affairs leading up to this, Nebraska squeezed by Indiana by a score of 27-22, mirroring the tendency of a football team that can easily be ensnared when they are not playing in the affable surroundings of their own stadium. Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium will provide no solace or gratuities to the Cornhuskers. As mentioned previously an undefeated Michigan Wolverines could not escape Iowa City unscathed. The environment will be energized and the Hawkeyes will enter this match-up with less expectations and for all intent and purposes less anxiety and stress. Nebraska may very well enter this game tight with what may be on the line for them potentially. With Nebraska focused on playing next week in the Big Ten Championship potentially, it is very likely that the Huskers may get themselves caught up in a late-season trap game.

Let us not forget that the Cougars started off the season at 0-2. Things have drastically changed. Washington State has since bombarded the Pac-12. A win in Pullman for Wazoo puts them in position to play for a Rose Bowl bid, something that this team is not accustomed to partaking in. The Huskies have owned this rivalry series in recent years but they have not faced Washington State this good in any of these previous installments. As is said on a multitude of occasions, rivalry games are where upsets and shockers occur. When you throw in nearly a touchdown and home field advantage, the Cougars bode tremendous value. It is not unreasonable to believe that the Cougars cannot orchestrate a straight-up upset as this is their best chance to challenge the Purple and Gold since their last victory against the Huskies in 2012 in Pullman.

Anytime you are betting on a bitter in-state rivalry, you have to be a bit leery about laying that many points on the home team. The Wolfpack have been trending downward since giving Clemson a scare in a seven-point loss in mid-October, but I would not be surprised to see them give North Carolina all it can handle this Friday afternoon.

What I do like about this matchup is both teams’ defense. They should both be able to dictate the pace of this game enough to keep the scoring UNDER the current 58-point total line.

The Buckeyes are 10-0 and the Spartans are 9-1 with the loss being by just one point. There doesn't appear to be much separating the two clubs at first glance so with a point spread of nearly two touchdowns the public is betting the underdog with two fists. I'll be going the other way here laying the big number and here's why. Michigan State just hasn't played well on the road this season. Sure they're 3-1 as a visitor, but an opening week victory over a MAC team, a last minute win over Rutgers, a fluke win on 38 yard fumble return for a TD over Michigan as time expired and a 1-point loss to Nebraska is far from impressive. The Buckeyes are 6-0 at home this season winning by an average of 22 points will all but one by 14 or more points.

The Wolverines exploded for 97 points in their last two games, but when you consider the competition's defense it doesn't impress and remember that 14 of the 48 points against Indiana came in double overtime. Michigan QB Jake Rudduck passed for 777 yards in the two matches, but he was facing the 128th ranked pass defense of the Hoosiers and the 119th of the Scarlett Knights. This week they'll face the No. 2 ranked pass defense of the Nittany Lions so expect Ruddock to find the coverage a lot tighter in this match. The Run defense is Penn State's weakness allowing large yardage to Army 261, Ohio State 315, Maryland 241 and Northwestern 227, but the Wolverines haven't proved that they can consistently run the ball ranking 67th with 168.8 yards per game.

The Penn St. offense averages a poor 25.2 points per game, but it is on the improve scoring 31 against Maryland at home and 39 against Illinois and 21 on the road against a very tough Northwestern team at home. Michigan's defense in most statistical categories ranks higher that Penn State's, but has really dropped off from their early season dominance. After five game span of holding opponents to an average of 150.2 total yards per game the Wolverines' defense has allowed an average of 399.7 in their last four games. The Nittany Lions have yet to lose at home this season and I believe that streak will continue this week. That said, I'll take the 3.5 points in what should be a close match.

Vanderbilt went toe-to-toe with a list of characters that include Florida and Auburn, teams that were ranked in the top-10 at the time they played either club. Vanderbilt’s much improved and every bit tenacious defense was up to the task of keeping the Dores in the game against strong conference opponents. In fact, the Vanderbilt defense was instrumental in helping the Dores notch wins against both Western Kentucky and Georgia on the road. Now, Vanderbilt gets the opportunity to take on Mississippi at home with post-season hopes still well alive. The Commodores will also be given with the luxury of being able let their defense push their ears back against a freshman quarterback. It is very likely, the numbers in this market reflect a true overreaction to what Mississippi achieved last week at College Station. This contest has all the makings for Vanderbilt to pull a fast one. They are at home, under the lights and likely playing with a chip on their shoulder as they are foaming at the mouth at the thought of a bowl berth. Do not be shocked if Vanderbilt pulls off an upset.

The Monarchs have won five of their seven victories at home and are just 2-3 when they are on the road. Old Dominion has beat up on demoralized opponents and perennial cupcakes to pad their record and the 7-3 mark they sport is a bit misleading. Florida Atlantic has come out on top in their last two outings after losing seven straight. In four of FAU’s losses, the margin of defeat was no more than one score. FAU will enter this game with nothing to lose and everything to prove hoping to atone for an upsetting campaign to say the least. A win against Old Dominion will give the Owls something to cheer about and given the fact these two contests previously were settled by five points combined, plenty of equity on FAU.

Wyoming will not tip-toe in this fixture by any means. The Cowboys have already reached new plateaus, qualifying for a bowl game a rare event in the city of Laramie. The accolades do not end there, if the Cowboys were able to win out, they could finish with 10 wins yet another benchmark Wyoming desperately seeks. As enchanting as the Aztecs may be, San Diego State’s sole defeat on the year is an eye sore to put it mildly. As an 18.5 point road favorite, the Aztecs were routed, losing 42-24 to a marginal opponent in South Alabama. Sure, the Aztecs may have the shiny new CFP ranking beside their name plus six wins since their one loss but Wyoming is honing this event as inspiration to reinforce their emergence on both the conference and national landscape. The Cowboys can score at will when they get their offense going. Given the fact they are undefeated at home entering in an almost identical situation like they did against the Broncos earlier this year, do not be surprised if they once again pull an ace out of their sleeve.

Neither team has been favorites of the betting public this season with losing records ATS. It is this kind of inconsistency from week to week that makes either team tough to bet on. The one constant over the past few weeks has been lower than expected scoring in relation to the closing total line.

I am banking on that trend carrying over in the first-ever meeting between these two teams with a “best bet” play on the UNDER 55.

When UTSA is up against the public like they are here with A&M with an abundance of points they have proven to be a value play. Most takers here are playing on A&M’s perceived supremacy as a better football team combined with the aspect of home field advantage. In recent weeks, the Aggies defense was exposed allowing for UTSA to potentially play keep away as they always try to do. This strategy helped UTSA ravage Middle Tennessee State at home, a couple weeks ago. Look for UTSA to utilize similar strategy to keep this one within reach and reduce Aggie opportunities as much as possible. Arizona State hosted UTSA in an almost identical scenario and nevertheless had to resort to come-from-behind theatrics to get out of Tempe with a win. This situational play has yielded dividends before with UTSA, so there is no point in straying from it now.

This is an obvious must-win game for the Cardinals to keep their postseason plans intact, but Houston still poses some problems covering such a wide spread on the road. Both teams know how to put points on the board which should be able to test the limits of this total line.

I am looking for a high scoring affair that does go OVER 68.5 points, but I am going to lay the 14 points on the road with a “best bet” play on Louisville to turn things up a notch or two to cover.

Though the Hawkeyes are just 5-4 on the year, they have been competitive in three of the four games they have lost. Most recently, Iowa was spanked by Penn State in Happy Valley but at home this year this outfit has been tough to put away. The fact remains that the Hawkeyes have lost three games at home this year but by a small margin of just 17 points. The list of victors over Iowa include North Dakota State (The three-time defending FCS champion entering this season), Northwestern and Wisconsin. The list includes some teams that have had no trepidation going toe to toe with anyone, anywhere and Iowa has certainly employed a similar blue-collar approach. Now Iowa has the chance to get the Wolverines under the lights before a very active and energetic home crowd who are going to be fired up. Iowa has won four of the last five meetings between these two so it’s needless to say this team will not have butterflies in their stomach. For Michigan, the pressure must be building with each win they acquire as their showdown with Ohio State is quickly approaching. Michigan enters as an age old candidate for a scare at the bare minimum in this match-up.

Boise State is likely still reeling from the fact that they may probably have surrendered any prospect of a New Year’s Six Bowl berth or maybe even accolades of a great margin. In fact, the Broncos are more than likely a favorite susceptible to let-downs both against the spread and straight up in any contest they step in to because their psychological state remains nebulous. This team allowed a 31 point pooch to hang around at home last week, escaping by a margin of just 14 points. Perhaps the steam may have been let out from Boise State as their expectations are often much higher than what they have produced even if they only have one loss on the year. If the Rainbow Warriors win out they may be afforded a chance to host a bowl game, especially if they can sell their case with a win over Boise State. Hawaii has looked terrible at times this year and nothing speaks louder in to this than the recent thrashing they suffered at the Aztecs, last week. Nonetheless while Boise State’s motivation and resolve in question, now is a great time to take Hawaii and fade a public favorite in what may be a game that is far closer than forecasted.

This game is a mismatch on paper which should translate to a mismatch on the field. Pitt will not only struggle to score points on offense, it does not have the means to keep the Tigers from going up and down the field at will on the other side of the ball.

After watching the way that Miami manhandled the Panthers last week, I feel confident that Clemson can put up some really big numbers this week to cover that three-touchdown spread.

Oklahoma State is spotting nearly two touchdowns to a very potent offense in Texas Tech. This is rather unsettling news for Pokes players as Oklahoma State has surrendered 30 or more points to the opposition in 6 of their last 8 games. The Cowboys like the Red Raiders approach a live or die by the offense approach to their game. Oklahoma State tries to outduel opponents and banks on their talent to shoulder the Cowboys to victory.

This strategy may work against teams like Iowa State, Kansas State or even Pitt but it has ensnared Oklahoma State against teams with potent offenses such as Baylor. Last year, 123 points were scored between both teams in their annual clash. Oklahoma State fell behind by 17 and then they came back by virtue of accommodations provided by Texas Tech. Nevertheless, this is a new year but the same precept remains this game will be all-offense, no defense thus the points and the Over are the play here.

Auburn has found themselves besieged by the Dawgs when they have been the favorite in recent encounters. There have been numerous occasions where Auburn was heavily favored against Georgia and in that same scenario not only did the Dawgs cover but they would take down War Eagle outright. The Dawgs’ are a team that is dangerous when they are off the radar as they love the playing the underdog as much as any team across the land. A similar narrative can unfold in this contest as Auburn may be stepping in to danger against a Georgia team looking for a statement win that will also gain them bowl eligibility. Auburn should be on upset alert as the Dawgs will likely treat this meeting as their ‘big game’ for this season with Auburn boasting top-ten credentials. Georgia has yet to have a signature win Between The Hedges and Kirby Smart is looking to validate his hiring so far. The Bulldogs may once again pull off the upset and orchestrate a shocking defeat of the Tigers despite being heavy underdogs empowered by a mission to prove themselves on a national stage.

Oklahoma had problems putting away Iowa State, imagine what Baylor can do if the water gets warm for one of the nation’s most prolific offense. The numbers here mirror a classic case of an overreaction. Baylor with points alone is alluring. When you throw in over two touchdowns against a suspect defense and it’s a must-play. The lighter vig suggests there may be a wrench in the works to captivate takers but again, in a shootout the points are usually the move no questions asked. The Sooners and the Bears have the faculties to generate over 100 points and 1,000 yards which means this game can go anyway. If this be the case, the Bears offer more upside as they have won in Norman before and did so last year in Stillwater. Baylor is not afraid of hostile environments and thus the points here are a true treat.

There is no doubt that North Carolina is a much better team than Duke on both sides of the ball, but I never feel comfortable laying that many points on a road favorite in such a heated rivalry. The Blue Devils do have some momentum after almost upending Virginia Tech, but this game still boils down to a ‘must win’ for the Tar Heels so anything can happen.

Even though the total in this matchup has favored the OVER in recent years, I am still looking for a low-scoring affair this Thursday night to make my “best bet” pick the UNDER on the current 59.5-point betting line.

Washington has taken advantage of weak opponents and padded their resume with a couple of fortuitous wins and favorable scenarios. Washington’s schedule so far has not been one of a true 8-0 team. The Huskies own wins against Rutgers, Idaho, Portland State, Oregon State and Arizona. None of these teams by any stretch would pose a threat to a majority of the teams in the FBS. Some will sing the praises of Washington against both Oregon and Stanford, as they have outscored them 88-23. Nevertheless, both teams are having down years and in transition, nothing comparable to what we have seen in years’ past when Oregon and Stanford are at their peak. California is a test and Washington better study. As seasons wear on many undefeated teams fall off because the spotlights begin to burn the back of their necks and most often unsuspecting foes like California lie in wait to take them down. Washington’s weak schedule will finally become a factor in a pivotal contest and California may pull an upset outright.