Spread Options: Dr. Saturday's Week 13 picks against the spread
Inching closer to .500. Can we pull off the miracle comeback over the next two weeks? Overall record: 55-63-2
Navy (+4.5) at Houston, Noon ET FRIDAY: Houston struggled last week in a surprise loss to Tulane. Navy, meanwhile, kept it competitive against Notre Dame. We’re going to take the Midshipmen with the points for a second-straight week.
Missouri at Arkansas (UNDER 70), 2:30 p.m. ET FRIDAY: What will Arkansas have to play for now that the Razorbacks aren’t going bowling? Is the new “rivalry” with the Tigers enough for Arkansas to get up for what could be the final game of coach Bret Bielema’s tenure? While Missouri’s offense has turned into one of the best units in the country, the Tigers’ turnaround is largely thanks to its defense.
South Florida at Central Florida (OVER 63), 3:30 p.m. ET FRIDAY: This is Friday’s best game and one of the best of the weekend. Both teams excel running the football and UCF’s McKenzie Milton has developed into one of the most dangerous passers in the nation. Milton completes nearly 70 percent of his passes, averages over 10 yards an attempt and has thrown 26 touchdowns to five interceptions. Give us a Black Friday shootout please.
Iowa (-4) at Nebraska, 4 p.m. ET FRIDAY: Here’s another “rivalry” game where it’s hard to bet for the home team given the circumstances. Much like Bielema, this could be the last game for Nebraska coach Mike Riley. The Huskers aren’t going bowling either and Nebraska’s defense has been abysmal recently. It could make Iowa feel like it’s facing Ohio State again.
Cal (+7) at UCLA, 10:30 p.m. ET FRIDAY: UCLA’s got an interim coach in offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch. The winner goes to a bowl game. Is Cal really a touchdown worse than UCLA? The Bruins have a quarterback edge with Josh Rosen, but you can make the case the Bears match up well elsewhere. This should be close.
Alabama at Auburn (OVER 48), 3:30 p.m. ET: Auburn should be able to move the ball against a depleted Alabama front and Alabama QB Jalen Hurts is going to be a guy who gets some Heisman votes down the ballot. If he has a great game against the Tigers, those votes may be in the top five. Hurts’ seemingly weekly improvement and Auburn’s offensive diversity mean this won’t be a 20-17 slobberknocker.
Iowa State (+3) at Kansas State, 3:30 p.m. ET: Remember, Kansas State is on its third quarterback of the season. The Cyclones’ defense is well equipped to stop the Wildcats, though so is Kansas State. The Wildcats give up just 122 yards a game on the ground. Can Iowa State running back David Montgomery top the century mark? Either way, we like the Cyclones to win outright.
West Virginia at Oklahoma (UNDER 68), 3:45 p.m. ET: We’re interested to see how long Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield sits out vs. the Mountaineers. Our guess is two series. We also think that Oklahoma jumps out to a sizeable lead and sits on it in the second half, much like it did against TCU a couple weeks ago.
Texas A&M (+10) at LSU, 7:30 p.m. ET: Kevin Sumlin’s last stand? The Aggies coach is reportedly expected to be fired after the game. It’s a similar situation to two years ago, when LSU was reportedly set to fire Les Miles after the game. The Tigers didn’t, and ended up canning Miles in the middle of the 2016 season. A&M should keep this close.
Washington State (+9.5) at Washington, 8 p.m. ET: Washington State wins the Pac-12 North with a win. A Washington win gives the north to Stanford, even though the Cardinal lost to the Cougars. Thank you, three-way tiebreaker. Washington State is entering the game off a bye and we think Mike Leach will have something up his sleeve. Washington State wins the game and the North.
– – – – – – –
Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
