Spread Options: Dr. Saturday's Week 11 picks against the spread
Whoa, we went 7-3 last week. Overall record: 43-55-2.
Florida at South Carolina (-7.5), Noon ET: After last week’s tepid — and that’s being nice — performance by the Gators, it’s hard to believe there’s some fire happening against the Gamecocks. If a team is going to be energized by an interim coach, it’s immediate and not after a lackluster effort, right? South Carolina could win this in a rout.
North Carolina State at Boston College (Under 52), Noon ET: Both teams have exceptional defenses and NC State has thrived when quarterback Ryan Finley doesn’t turn the ball over. Finley has tossed three picks this season and they’ve come in the last two games. Not-so-coincidentally, they were losses to Notre Dame and Clemson. Meanwhile, Boston College has forced 13 interceptions in 2017.
Oklahoma State at Iowa State (Under 62), Noon ET: The Cowboys are favored by a touchdown here and the loser of this game is effectively eliminated from Big 12 title game contention. If Iowa State wins, the Cyclones will have the inside track to a title game spot thanks to wins over Oklahoma, TCU and (obviously), OSU. With losses to TCU and OU, OSU’s chances aren’t as great with a win. Only Oklahoma has scored more than 20 points on Iowa State in Big 12 play this season.
Georgia at Auburn (OVER 47), 3:30 p.m. ET: Both teams’ offenses are rolling and it’s hard to see a defensive struggle breaking out here. Georgia can be beaten deep and Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham is thriving in the Tigers’ offense. An Auburn upset seems quite unlikely, but if the Tigers somehow pull it off then watch out for a climb up the College Football Playoff rankings.
Iowa (+11.5) at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. ET: What’s this line if Iowa loses to Ohio State? The Hawkeyes allow nearly 150 yards per game on the ground and Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor can keep inching his way into the Heisman conversation with a big game. But Iowa should hang around if Wisconsin jumps to an early lead.
Alabama at Mississippi State (OVER 51), 7 p.m. ET: This can be a legitimate test for Alabama’s defensive depth. The Tide have survived despite numerous defensive injuries this season and that’s a testament to the recruiting coach Nick Saban and staff have done. But Mississippi State has scored 34 or more points in each of the last four games. The Bulldogs were probably looking ahead to Alabama last week vs. UMass.
Tennessee at Missouri (-11), 7:30 p.m. ET: Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano is a gametime decision to play against the Tigers with an ankle injury. If he doesn’t play, freshman Will McBride will make his first start. He was a redshirt until last week and completed one pass. Missouri’s passing attack is one of the most explosive in the country. RB John Kelly may not be able to keep up on his own.
Notre Dame (-3) at Miami, 8 p.m. ET: It’s a statement win for the victor of this game. If it’s Miami, Weeks 10 and 11 will have showed the Hurricanes are legitimate national title threats even without running back Mark Walton. If it’s Notre Dame, it’s probably because the Irish’s run game had success against a very good Hurricane defense. We’re taking the better run game.
TCU at Oklahoma (OVER 62), 8 p.m. ET: TCU has the best defense of any Big 12 title contender. Will its offense thrive against an Oklahoma defense that could be the worst of any of the Big 12’s best teams? The Horned Frogs are first in the country in rush defense and sixth in the country in overall defense. But Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is by far the toughest test yet. If Mayfield has a spectacular game and the Sooners win, he could have the Heisman all but sewn up.
Arizona State at UCLA (-2.5), 9:30 p.m. ET: We’re banking on UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen being able to play in this game. Arizona State had to fight back against Colorado at home a week ago, while UCLA was blown out at Utah. The Bruins badly need this one for a bowl and we think they’ll realize that.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
