This week on Wolfpack Wager, we’re going to shake things up with a trio of spread picks and a bonus parlay for those who enjoy rolling the dice.
No. 14 Iowa at No. 19 Michigan
This is probably the game of the week in college football. I’m always a big fan of home teams going up against higher-ranked teams, and especially so in this matchup, given Michigan’s history. The Wolverines have a tough schedule ahead of them, with matchups against Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State through the rest of the season, and given the team’s blowout loss at Wisconsin, it’s going to have something to prove against Iowa. Head coach Jim Harbaugh’s seat is getting hotter as Wolverines fans grow frustrated with their inability to beat good teams, which gives me confidence that Michigan wins this game, and wins convincingly.
The pick: Michigan -3.5 (-105)
For the bold: Michigan -6.5 (+130)
No. 11 Texas at West Virginia
Texas is another good team that still has a chip on its shoulder. The Longhorns lost earlier in the year, hosting LSU and falling 45-38, but responded well, winning their next two games a combined 84-43. The Longhorns host Oklahoma next week, but have to travel to Milan Puskar Stadium first to take on a West Virginia team that started slowly but has won two straight against NC State and Kansas. Make no mistake with this game — Texas is the better team, and this one shouldn’t be close. Still, give the home team its due credit when deciding whether to bet on this one.
The pick: Texas -10.5 (-110)
For the wary: Texas -6.5 (-200)
Purdue at No. 12 Penn State
Penn State has been a bettor’s dream team this season. Excluding its rivalry game against Pittsburgh, Penn State has won every game it’s played by at least 30 points, and by as many as 72. Coming off a big victory against an overhyped Maryland squad, Penn State has earned trust even against large spreads. Purdue has had a tough year thus far, going 1-3. Starting quarterback Elijah Sindelar recently underwent surgery on his broken clavicle, and star Rondale Moore is nursing a hamstring injury. The Nittany Lions should win this one, and win big.
The pick: Penn State -28 (-110)
Parlay
I’m a big believer in betting bold, and parlays are no time to play it safe. Alternatively, you can think of this as taking all the dumb bets you shouldn’t even think of touching and throwing them into one pot instead of hitting them all individually. Either way, we’ve got a big parlay for Wolfpack Wager, and it starts with Boston College at Louisville. Yes, Boston College lost to Kansas. Yes, Louisville almost beat Florida State on the road. But the Eagles still have AJ Dillon, and until he’s gone, Boston College will have a shot against the bottom tier of the ACC. We’re taking that moneyline.
Next up is No. 7 Auburn at No. 10 Florida. This is a game you shouldn’t touch, for any reason. But I love home dogs, and Florida’s moneyline is just too enticing. Though the Gators are down their starting quarterback, backup Kyle Trask has had two strong games in his absence, and I think the home crowd will be enough to propel them to a victory. Take the moneyline again.
North Carolina at Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech is terrible, with a 27-24 loss at home to The Citadel and a 24-2 loss at Temple. UNC-Chapel Hill almost beat the No. 1 team in the country, and they’re only favored to win this game by 10.5. Take it to 12 and get that plus money, ladies and gentlemen.
The pick: Boston College +180, Florida +125, and UNC -12 (+110)
Parlay odds: +1223
Last week, Technician sports editor Camden Speight had the first 3-0 week on Wolfpack Wager as Florida State dominated NC State, Duke scored 45 to hit the over and Colorado State covered.
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