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I had a modest week, going 6-5 against the spread. The good: nailing another upset special by picking Mizzou to beat K-State. The bad: expecting Colorado to crush Colorado State. The ugly: picking the Vols to beat Florida by double-digits. On the season, I’m now six games over .500 against the number.
Here are this week’s guesses.
Check out Stewart Mandel’s picks.
(All point spreads come from BetMGM, click here for live odds, all kickoff times Eastern.)
Rutgers at No. 2 Michigan (-24), Noon, Big Ten Network
Greg Schiano’s team has given Michigan some problems since he returned to RU. The score was within seven points in 2020 and 2021, and last year Rutgers led in the third quarter before getting blown out. This is probably Schiano’s best team in his second act there, and I think the Knights hang around for a while again.
Michigan 38, Rutgers 17
The Pick: Rutgers +24
No. 4 Florida State (-2.5) at Clemson, Noon, ABC
The Noles might’ve gotten caught looking ahead to this one and narrowly got out of BC with a win. I think FSU has a big edge in the passing game and will handle a tough road environment.
Florida State 28, Clemson 17
The Pick: Florida State -2.5
No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon (-20.5), 3:30 p.m., ABC
Losing Travis Hunter hurts CU’s offense a lot, but it’ll hurt the defense even more. The Ducks have a seasoned, playmaking QB and are a lot better and deeper on both lines, and the feeling here is they’ll pull away in the second half.
Oregon 49, Colorado 24
The Pick: Oregon -20.5
No. 22 UCLA at No. 11 Utah (-4.5), 3:30 p.m., Fox
The Utes have been tested more than the Bruins, and UCLA has a lot of newcomers and an inexperienced QB going into a really hard place to play.
Utah 24, UCLA 23
The Pick: UCLA +4.5
No. 15 Ole Miss at No. 13 Alabama (-7), 3:30 p.m., CBS
Lane Kiffin’s team was not ready for its last trip to Tuscaloosa, going down 28-0 at halftime. This Tide team isn’t anywhere near as good as that one, though. But the hunch here is that Nick Saban’s defense will force a few turnovers, especially late, and sneak out with a win.
Alabama 30, Ole Miss 28
The Pick: Ole Miss +7
No. 18 Duke at UConn (-21.5), 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
The Huskies aren’t as competitive as they were last season, and this Duke team is playing with a lot of confidence and should rout Jim Mora’s group.
Duke 38, UConn 7
The Pick: Duke -21.5
Arkansas at No. 12 LSU (-17.5), 7 p.m., ESPN
Going to Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night is a tough ask for a Hogs team that just lost a tight game to BYU. Plus, the Tigers were really sharp last weekend in Starkville. Their offense looks oiled up and ready to roll at home.
LSU 40, Arkansas 17
The Pick: LSU-17.5
No. 14 Oregon State (-3) at No. 21 Washington State, 7 p.m., Fox
Jonathan Smith probably has the more physical team, but the Cougars are looking really good on offense, and this won’t be easy for DJ Uiagalelei and company. Smith is 0-2 at Washington State since taking over at his alma mater, but I think his team is tough enough to get out with a win this time.
Oregon State 28, Washington State 27
The Pick: Washington State +3
No. 24 Iowa at No. 7 Penn State (-14.5), 7:30 p.m., CBS
Big test for Drew Allar. I think he passes it because he has enough weapons to make some plays and the defense and the home-field edge are too much for the Hawkeyes.
Penn State 24, Iowa 10
The Pick: Iowa +14.5
No. 5 USC (-34.5) at Arizona State, 10:30 p.m., Fox
The Sun Devils are reeling right now. Last year, Arizona State pulled to within 10 midway through the fourth quarter. This one turns into a rout before halftime as one team has perhaps the most explosive offense in the country — and the other team has one of the worst.
USC 54, Arizona State 9
The Pick: USC -34.5
Feldman’s upset special
No. 6 Ohio State (-3) at No. 9 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m., NBC
The Irish played Ohio State really tough last year and that was with the Buckeyes having a big edge at QB. Now, the Irish have a sizable edge, and they’re the home team. I think Marcus Freeman’s defense is athletic enough to slow down Ohio State, and Notre Dame has enough firepower to get its biggest win in years.
Notre Dame 31, Ohio State 27
The Pick: Notre Dame +3
(Photo Audric Estime: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
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