Year to Date: 6-6 (-0.85 units)

Last week was a really solid week of gambling personally. I went 7-4 overall on college football, and yet I still found a way to go into the negatives with my bets given out to you lovely readers. That simply isn’t going to cut it. Unfortunately, I don’t love the board this week, but I’ve still dug deep enough to find what I think will be some winners. Let’s get to work.

Mississippi State vs Alabama Over 59.5 points -110

It is a crime that this game is being played at noon on Saturday. Two elite talent at quarterback will face off as Keelon Russell leads the Crimson Tide into Starkville to play a very game Mississippi State team led by Kamario Taylor. The Bulldogs will have the home crowd behind them, but if Alabama can come in and set the tempo from the jump I have concerns that their defense might not be able to hold up. When playing against a quick tempo two weeks ago in South Carolina and offensive coordinator Kendall Briles, the defense gave up 34 points.

Russell and the Tide pose a much bigger threat at practically every position, they can put up points in a hurry. If that’s the case, Taylor and the Bulldogs offense are going to be forced into a quicker pace as well. With big weapons to lean on like running back Fluff Bothwell and receiver Anthony Evans I do believe they can keep up and make this a back and forth high scoring game. I will make sure I am seated for this matchup, it’s going to be a good one.

BYU -6 vs TCU -110

To put it plainly, I think this TCU team isn’t very good. The offense has received some help with star wide receiver Jordan Dwyer returning from injury for the conference play portion of the Horned Frogs schedule, but outside of him there is nothing to write home about. Quarterback Jaden Craig had high expectations after transferring from Harvard, and while his stat lines have looked better as of late, they’re extremely inflated after matchups against Grambling and Arkansas State. The defense has been their saving grace, but they can’t do everything. BYU on the other hand has looked solid all around. None of their wins so far have been stand out, but they have proved they can hold their own against other Big 12 contenders after beating Arizona two weeks ago.

Bear Bachmeier has looked comfortable in his sophomore season, improving in the pocket and relying less on his legs in order to stay healthy for a hopeful deep postseason run. Even for a kid that’s only 20 year old, he has matured before our very eyes in just one year. That’s what gambling is all about, putting blind faith in a 20 year old you’ve never met to make enough plays to win you some coin. I already have a future on the Cougars, let’s get a cover here to make the pot even sweeter.

Oregon State Team Total Over 34.5 vs Colorado State

One of the most fun offenses to watch in college football resides in the state of Oregon, and it’s not the Ducks. Out in Corvallis, the Oregon State Beavers have quietly put together a fast paced, high powered offense that can go toe to toe with some of the big boys of the sport. Sophomore quarterback Braden Atkinson has shown up big time after transferring from Mercer, showcasing his big arm on the way to being ranked fourth in the sport in pass yards so far this year (1,421 yards, 11 TD’s). One of the big reasons he feels so comfortable in the pocket is that he has one of the best receivers in the sport making plays for him.

Freshman Jesse Legree has taken the sport by storm, and is finally getting some recognition for his work. Already posting a 23-585-6 line in just four games, Legree is now facing double coverage and giving his teammates open space to produce. Colorado State’s defense has proven to be a complete sieve so far this year, the secondary is a mess and the defensive line has gotten no consistent pressure on the opponent all year. Having given up 59 points just last week against UTSA, that is not a good omen for what’s to come this Saturday. And a little extra sweetener for this bet? Both teams rank Top 40 in the country in tempo, so their should be plenty of possessions to go around and score points.