NFL/NCAA Betting Picks
Degenerates unite, if you’ve been in a slump fear not and follow me into the promised land. If you’re in debt to your bookie worry no more, for I am here to get you back to living your life with both knee caps intact. This weekend I’ll come through with 3 NCAA and 3 NFL games that should bring your account balance back up. Without more nonsense let’s get into it.
NCAA
Kentucky (+7) @ Missouri
This line was a head scratcher. Kentucky comes into this game 6-1, 1st in the SEC East, with their only loss coming in overtime at Texas A&M. Missouri scored 65 in their rout of Memphis last week but was coming off 3 straight losses. Missouri has a potent offense behind QB Drew Lock, but will have to score against a tough defense has given up an average of less than 10 ppg in their last 5. On the other side Kentucky is led by running back Benny Snell who commands a rushing attack that will be the key to this game. Snell ran all over Vandy last week to the tune of 169 yards, and will look to control the clock against a Missouri defense that has given up about 5 ypc this year. Whether Kentucky wins this game or not, Kentucky’s defense and run game force this into a 1 possession game that comes down to a late score or field goal.
Georgia (-6.5) vs Florida (neutral site)
If it’s my money I buy this down to 5.5 but I love the Dawgs today. Georgia came into the season with a national championship in mind and got blasted at LSU two weeks ago. The bad news for Florida? Kirby Smart followed the loss with a bye week coming into a rivalry game that could end the CFB Playoff hopes for Georgia if they lose. Coincidentally Florida also comes off a bye week before the Worlds Biggest Cocktail Party, and has had a great season to this point since an early loss to Kentucky. This ones not about stats, this is about Georgia being the more talented team, hungry after a road loss, not letting their playoff hopes slip this week.
Arizona State @ USC (-3)
Arizona State had a hot start to the year, including a home win against a Michigan State team that came into the year with high hopes. They are now a team that comes into Los Angeles losers of 4 of their last 5. USC got blasted in Utah last week but had won 3 straight before that game, is 3-0 at home, and is still alive in the Pac12 South race. The Trojans won this game 48-17 last year and I expect more of the same. USC by double digits.
NFL
Eagles @ Jaguars (+3)
Take out a second mortgage, do whatever you need to do, bet everything on this game. The Jags own London. They are 3-0 in the last 3 years across the pond, including a 44-7 win last season against Baltimore. Even with a quarterback controversy, their best offensive player battling a hamstring all year, and 3 straight losses, the Jags still have a Super Bowl on their mind behind one of the more talented defenses we’ve seen in some time. While the Jags have struggled a bit this year you may thing it’s crazy to pick them over the Eagles this weekend, but let’s not act like the Eagles look like they did when they took home the Super Bowl last year. At 3-4 they are 1-3 their last 4 games and have struggled to get their mojo back. It doesn’t come back in London, Jags win straight up regardless of who they play at QB.
Ravens @ Panthers (+2.5)
Baltimore travels to Carolina with a 4-3 record and a mean defense. Carolina on the other hand is 4-2, and 2-1 since their week 4 bye. Both teams are in the thick of the playoffs and this should be a close, physical game. Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis lead a Panthers D that will try to stop the run and make Baltimore one dimensional. This should be a low-scoring game that comes down to a couple big plays, and Carolina has a few more play makers in Cam Newton, Christian McCaffrey, and Greg Olsen.
Packers (+8.5) @ Rams
Is it just me or is it crazy to give Aaron Rodgers 8.5 points? The Rams are undefeated, a Superbowl favorite, and look like the best team in the league. The Packers are 3-2-1 and fighting to keep themselves in the hunt to win the NFC North. In a quick turn of events this season, the Packers find themselves with a talented secondary, a huge key against this high-flying Rams attack led by Jared Goff. With Aqib Talib on IR, the Rams still have a very good defense, but will have to rely on their secondary to keep the best quarterback in the league out of the end-zone. Look for a high scoring game that I believe the Rams ultimately win, but by just one possession.