Spread Options: Dr. Saturday's Week 13 picks against the spread
A 6-4 week takes us to 60-54-6. Could be worse.
Missouri at Arkansas (Over 44.5), 2:30 p.m. ET FRIDAY: Taking the Tigers and an over pick seems crazy. But we're going to go with it. Arkansas' defense has given up a lot of points recently (Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State) and its offense has been piling up the points too. The Hogs are favored by two touchdowns and that line seems right. We just have a feeling it could end 30-20 or something.
Iowa at Nebraska (+2.5), 3:30 p.m. ET FRIDAY: Upset alert. After calling for the upset for the past six weeks, we have to stick with our guns here. It's nothing against Iowa at all. The Hawkeyes are a very good football team and worthy of consideration for the College Football Playoff with an undefeated season. But Nebraska is the master of playing teams close. Just ask Michigan State.
Washington State (+7.5) at Washington, 3:30 p.m. ET FRIDAY: The Cougars with more than a touchdown? Yes please. The line is inflated because of the status of Washington State QB Luke Falk. If Falk doesn't play, Peyton Bender will be the Cougars' quarterback. We trust coach Mike Leach's offensive system enough that no matter the QB, Washington State keeps rolling.
Oregon State (+35) at Oregon, 4 p.m. ET FRIDAY: A five-touchdown line in the Civil War doesn't seem right. Yeah, Oregon State is starting yet another freshman quarterback -- the third on the season. Marcus McMaryion is the Beavers' starter. But since this is a rivalry game, we're hesitant to take a team giving five touchdowns. Come on Oregon State, this is your bowl game.
UMass at Buffalo (-7), 4:30 p.m. ET FRIDAY: We like Buffalo's chances to get to six wins and a bowl berth. The Bulls are 5-6 heading into Friday's game and are in the midst of a two-game slide. After starting the season 1-4, Buffalo got to 5-4 before losses to NIU and Akron in back-to-back weeks. We like Joe Licata to have a big game.
Clemson (-17) at South Carolina, Noon ET: Just as we used the rivalry justification to pick Oregon State, we're taking Clemson giving a lot of points. The Tigers are much better than the Citadel (sorry, people who hate stating the obvious South Carolina) and in a position to blow teams out to stay at the top of the College Football Playoff.
Virginia Tech (-3.5) at Virginia, Noon ET: Different year, same situation for Frank Beamer and the Hokies. Virginia Tech needs to win to get to a bowl game. And will this be Mike London's last game at Virginia? If we were coaching the Cavaliers, London gets one more year. With the glut of coaching opportunities already available, Virginia isn't too desirable.
North Carolina (-5.5) at North Carolina State, 3:30 p.m. ET: Another road favorite. It'd be quite North Carolina for the Tar Heels to drop a game before playing Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. We're betting against it. And so is the ACC, which would like to have a matchup of top 10 teams for it's title game. And if UNC wins, the Tar Heels are eyeing a New Year's Six bowl berth.
Northwestern (-3.5) at Illinois, 3:30 p.m. ET: The Illini need to win to get to a bowl. And possibly to keep interim coach Bill Cubit in the running for the permanent job. No matter what happens, Cubit has done an admirable job as the coach this season after Tim Beckman was fired. And Northwestern has been one of the season's biggest surprises. Don't you think the Wildcats want that game against Iowa back?
Kansas State at Kansas (+20), 3:30 p.m. ET: Let's end this being nice to the Jayhawks. Kansas has shown flashes (ok, not against West Virginia) and Kansas State needed a miracle comeback to beat Iowa State. The Wildcats win the game, but it's going to be fairly close.
LOCKS OF THE WEEK:
Nick Bromberg: Florida State (-2.5) at Florida, 7:30 p.m. ET: It's time to take the better quarterback in this one. Treon Harris didn't have a good game against the Seminoles last year and while he'll have a better showing on Saturday, it won't be enough. FSU also has the best player on the field in Dalvin Cook.
Sam Cooper: UConn (+13) at Temple, 7 p.m. ET: Temple can clinch the AAC East with a win, but UConn is riding high after upsetting previously unbeaten Houston last week. The Huskies have been gradually improving under Bob Diaco and have a really solid defense. They will give the Owls a really tough game. Temple wins, but UConn covers the 13.
Graham Watson Miami at Pitt (-7), Noon ET FRIDAY: The Panthers have really hit their stride in the past couple weeks against conference opponents and will want to cap off its regular season and send its seniors off in style. Miami has been good against bad opponents and bad against good opponents. We’ll see more of the same in this contest. Pitt wins this one by a few scores.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
