Spread Options: Dr. Saturday's Week 13 picks against the spread
Another 5-5 week makes us 51-68-1. If we go 19-1 over the next two weeks, .500 is possible!
Northwestern (PK) at Purdue, Noon ET: Letdown line after Northwestern's win over Notre Dame? Purdue is an improved team from last year, but we'll take the Wildcats with potential bowl eligibility at stake. To get to .500, Northwestern has to beat Purdue and Illinois. It's doable, but not guaranteed. Because you've seen Northwestern play this year, right?
Minnesota at Nebraska (OVER 56.5), Noon ET: Minnesota is a very good running team, similar to the one that, uh, ran all over Nebraska last week. Well, OK, it was Melvin Gordon, but still, the point stands. And Nebraska should be able to move the ball on the Gophers as well. This is a game that will come down to Tommy Armstrong and Mitch Leidner, which is why we're not necessarily confident in picking a winner.
SMU (+28.5) at UCF, Noon ET: We've reached the point in the season where we're pity-picking teams. Congratulations, Mustangs? Yes, the average score of an SMU game still has a greater margin than four touchdowns, but the Mustangs are trending in the right direction with 10-point and one-point losses in the last weeks. We're being optimistic.
Western Michigan (PK) at Central Michigan, 1 p.m. ET: Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck called the rivalry between the two a "civil war" and while we're not so sure that's accurate, we'll roll with it for now. Both teams have seven wins and this is one of the weekend's sneaky good games. We're going with WMU, one of the most improved teams in the nation. After all, there's a countdown clock to the game in the Bronco locker room.
New Mexico at Colorado State (-21.5), 1:30 p.m. ET: Colorado State has to start pouring it on. The Rams could currently be in the best spot of any non-Power Five conference schools for a New Year's Bowl berth, but the Rams need some help. There's a chance that CSU could end up tied in the MWC with Boise State, who beat CSU earlier in the year. If Boise gets in the MWC title game and wins, the extra (out of conference) loss may not matter and the Broncos could be playing in a New Year's Bowl. Style points are worth something for the Rams.
Virginia Tech at Wake Forest (+15), 12:30 p.m. ET: What to make of the Hokies? The win over Duke was nice, but but is the roller coaster going to trend downwards again? While we don't think Wake wins this game outright, the Deacs kept it close against Boston College and was in the game against Clemson before the Tigers broke it open.
Ole Miss (-3.5) at Arkansas, 3:30 p.m. ET: This line is the sign of respect for Arkansas. A 3.5-point line between a team once ranked in the top 5 and still in the top 10 at a team with one conference win is pretty rare. While Arkansas should be able to run some on Mississippi's defense. the Hogs won't be able to keep this one close enough to make a killer mistake near the end, a script that's been played many times this season.
Texas Tech at Iowa State (-1), 3:30 p.m. ET: Pity pick No. 2! The Red Raiders have looked absolutely uninspired and Iowa State has shown flashes of good football, a loss to Kansas notwithstanding. It'd also be crazy to see a Bermuda Triangle in the bottom of the Big 12 with Tech, Iowa State and KU all with one win and those wins coming over each other. We want chaos.
Louisville at Notre Dame (-3), 3:30 p.m. ET: This is a much tougher pick with Will Gardner at quarterback for Louisville. The thought of picking the upset because of Everett Golson's turnovers against Louisville's defense, but Notre Dame is due for a bounceback and they'll get it at home before the USC game.
Fresno State at Nevada (-7), 10:30 p.m. ET: Even though Fresno State is 4-6 overall, this game is for first place in the Mountain West West division. We're going with the home team, which has been the better team throughout the season. Depending on the outcome of San Diego State's game against Air Force on Friday night, the winner controls its own destiny too.
- - - - - - -
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!
