by It’s the best time of the college football regular season as rivalry week is knocking on the door. It’s also crunch time in the Gameday Journal standings and I’ve got five juicy plays that are destined to fatten the bank account before the holidays.
Northwestern +5.5 at Illinois
The Illini need to win to go bowling, but David Braun has made the absolute most out of this season for a very persevering Northwestern squad. The Wildcats are one of the friskiest teams in the country right now, and they have covered in each of their last five games. I think they make it six in-a-row against an Illinois team that has dominated them as of late but has strangely underperformed in Champagne this year.
#11 Penn State -21.5 at Michigan State
PENN STATE COVERS AGAINST BAD TEAMS! I REPEAT, PENN STATE COVERS AGAINST BAD TEAMS!
Colorado at Utah -21.5
The Buffs are in complete shambles as that Wazu game absolutely took the wind out of their sails. Throw in the fact that Shedeur is doubtful to start on Saturday, and they’re in big trouble. Deion hitting the panic button and demoting Sean Lewis as OC was a poor decision, as Colorado has averaged just under 300 total YPG and only converted 29% of its third downs ever since.
Whittingham and Utah never have back-to-back miserable efforts either, as evidenced by a 55-3 win over an outmatched Arizona State team after getting blown out by Oregon the week before. I confidently lay the points with Utah in what should shape out to be a 45-10 type of outcome.
Miami (FL) at Boston College +10.5
This is a Miami team who I was high on early in the season as they looked super sharp through the first four weeks. However, I just don’t know how much fight is left in them, especially for going 2-5 since that “shoulda taken the kneel down” game vs GT. It’s a noon kick in a cold climate that warm weather teams like the Canes obviously don’t particularly thrive in. It’s also a meaningless game for Miami and a Super Bowl for a somewhat inferior Boston College squad who is craving a win over a blue blood program. I love the Eagles to catch the Canes snoozing and keep this one close tomorrow afternoon.
#17 Iowa at Nebraska Under 25.5 (LOCK)
Whether you like it or not, you know what is going to happen. Both offenses are lifeless and are anchored by tremendous defensive play that has kept them in toss-up games all season. This is my Game of the Year for a reason. Don’t overthink it.