Spread Options: Dr. Saturday’s Week 12 picks against the spread
It's a momentary relapse, promise.
Last week Doc Sat's picks were a resounding 5-5. Overall, that brings the picks this season to 59-51-2.
We're going to get back to the land of 7-3s this week. Let's go.
Washington at UCLA (-3), 9 p.m. ET FRIDAY: The road hasn't been too kind to the Huskies and we don't expect that to change Friday night. In its three trips outside the state, Washington has beaten (an eventually terrible) Illinois by 10 and lost to Stanford by three and Arizona State by 29. The Huskies may keep it close against UCLA, but Pasadena magic prevails.
Cincinnati (PICK) at Rutgers, Noon ET: This is a pivotal game for third place in the AAC behind UCF and Louisville, and with no points either way, we like the Bearcats to get win No. 8 on the year. Since a horrendous game at South Florida, Tommy Tuberville's Bearcats have won four in a row and make it five in ugly fashion.
Maryland at Virginia Tech (-16.5), 12:30 ET: This feels really dangerous to pick Virginia Tech, doesn't it? The Hokies are coming off a big win against Miami and have already lost at home this year to Duke. Trap game? Maybe if Maryland was playing well. Since losing 63-0 at Florida State, the injury bug is back for the Terps. They've beaten a struggling (at best) Virginia team by one and lost three in a row by double digit margins. It'll be four.
Washington State at Arizona (-11) 2 p.m. ET: This is the same Arizona team that was a favorite at home against UCLA last week. We saw how that turned out. The Wildcats bounce back this week as Mike Leach's offense accumulates yards and puts up points but doesn't stop Arizona enough on defense to make it competitive. The over of 65.5 is enticing too.
Miami at Duke (+3.5), 3:30 p.m. ET: We covered it Thursday in Hot Seat, but a reeling Miami team at a Duke team looking for its eighth win for the first time since 1994 is really enticing. After Georgia Tech's loss last night, the Coastal is Duke's for the taking if the Blue Devils win out.
Michigan State (-5.5) at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. ET: Despite the underdog status of the Cornhuskers, is this the game that seals Bo Pelini's fate as the Nebraska head coach? Michigan State's rush defense will stifle the Cornhuskers and finally adds Nebraska to the complete list of Big 10 teams its defeated since 2011. This game also serves as the defacto Legends Division championship game. Start getting ready for Ohio State, Michigan State.
Georgia at Auburn (-3), 3:30 p.m. ET: Is Auburn the Rodney Dangerfield of college football? It's the third single-digit spread in favor of the Tigers in three weeks, and the first two weeks Auburn has won by 18 and 32. Though let's give Georgia some credit; even as wounded as they are, they're a far better opponent than Arkansas and Tennessee are. But Auburn continues its roll.
TCU at Kansas State (-10.5), 3:30 p.m. ET: This is a Kansas State team that has blown out West Virginia, Iowa State and Texas Tech the last three weeks. This is a TCU team that's lost to West Virginia (at home) and beat Iowa State by less than a touchdown last week. Yes, there's the Gary Patterson and Bill Snyder effect and you never know when Kansas State will methodically crank out a seven-point win, but the Cats seem like an easy choice here.
Houston (+17) at Louisville, 7 p.m. ET: Both your Doc Saturday honchos are in agreement on this one. Since demolishing Florida International, Louisville has covered just one spread (against South Florida). They're not going to cover this one either. Houston's two losses this season are by one to a good BYU team and by five last week to UCF, the likely AAC champions who beat Louisville.
Stanford (-4) at USC, 8 p.m. ET: We're sold on Ed Orgeron's works at USC, but not to the point of taking them with such a small point spread against Stanford. Maybe we're crazy, but this feels like it'll end up being similar to Stanford's 24-10 victory over UCLA.
