Arkansas

I Talk Sports Picks- NCAAF

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After a few tough weeks of NFL I have decided to separate my NCAA picks.  Last week I went 7-2 with a lot of late picks cashing, including Michigan State, Stanford and Wisconsin.  Here are the five picks I that jumped out to me first.

Syracuse at Clemson -25

Syracuse enters this matchup at 4-0 for the first time since 1991.  Matching up with the beasts of the ACC the Clemson Tigers on Saturday will be a true test to see where the program is.  While Clemson deals with the semi-distraction of the transferring Kelly Bryant they can’t look past this he Orange. The Orange are trying to prove that last year’s win over Clemson wasn’t a fluke and that they’re a legitimate ACC contender. A win this Saturday would most certainly do that and potentially land them in the Top 25 for Week 6.

You can be bold here and take Syracuse to upset Clemson, but I am not that bold.  I do think this spread is a bit large for this matchup.  Syracuse is good and they should keep this close.

PicksSyracuse +25

Indiana -16.5 at Rutgers

Rutgers got blown out by Kansas.   That’s Kansas Football.  With basically no passing game.  After a nice start to the season against Texas State Scarlet Knight quarterbacks have combined to complete just 44% of their passes with no touchdowns, five interceptions, and absolutely nothing happening down the field.

This is more about how bad Rutgers is then how good Indiana is.  Don’t worry about where the number goes right now you have to fade Rutgers no matter what.

PicksIndiana -16.5

Oklahoma State -17 at Kansas

I have picked on Kansas all year.  It finally paid off versus Baylor.  This weekend it will pay off again as the Cowboys come to town.  This is a simple case of to much offense for Kansas to stay afloat in this one. Oklahoma State quarterback Taylor Cornelius has thrown for 1,229 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Justice Hill leads the Cowboys in rushing with 388 yards and five touchdowns. The leading receiver is Tylan Wallace with 442 yards and two touchdowns. Tyron Johnson has 206 receiving.

This is the best offense Kansas has seen and they will have no answers for it.  Oklahoma State literally doubles total yardage both rushing and receiving on a game to game basis.  OK State takes over early and never looks back.

PicksOklahoma State -17

Arkansas vs Texas A&M -21 (Neutral Site)

Arkansas has been down right embarrassing to start the season scoring just 47 points over their last 3 games while giving up 112 to opposing offenses.  They now get a matchup with a Texas A&M team that has been averaging 300 passing yards and 250 rushing yards a game.   The Aggies have also covered in its last five games.

This will be a chance to Texas A&M to run up a score on a team that looks to have all but given up any chance of winning this season.

PicksTexas A&M -21

Pittsburgh at Central Florida -13.5

In last weeks game against North Carolina, the Panthers defense stayed home and allowed 476 total yardage against a North Carolina squad that had been struggling and battling injuries.  They now face arguably the best offense in college football when they face the “National Champion” Central Florida Knights.

I am going to keep it simple here.  Central Florida at home steamrolls a struggling defense.  Mac Milton throws for 330yards and 4TD’s.

PicksCentral Florida -13.5

 

Weekly Picks- NFL, NCAAF

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Pittsburgh Steelers -3.5 at Cleveland Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a major problem but the Browns are not that problem.  Despite the absence of LeVeon Bell the Pittsburgh Steelers should be in a great place to cover on Sunday.  The lose of bell has moved the line to 3.5.  The Browns are improved with Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry and a healthy Josh Gordon should allow them to put points on the board but the Steelers still have a dominate offense that will be able to pull this one out by a touchdown.  I think the Browns will win at least 6-7 games this season and surprise a lot of teams, but the Steelers offense feels like they have something to prove on Sunday and the Cleveland defense will not be ready for James Conner and Big Ben.

The Steelers are 13-4 ATS vs Cleveland over their last 17 games.  Cleveland has not one a season opener since 2004.

PicksSteelers -3.5 (Like the over at 44)

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts -2.5

The return of Andrew Luck makes the Bengals and Colts makes this a much more interesting matchup then it would have been in 2017.  The Colts sitting at a 2.5 point favorite stills surprised us.  The Bengals may not be world beaters but they have veterans all through the offense and a defensive front that features studs Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson.

Luck hasn’t played in a year and that Colts line hasn’t gotten much better.  I can’t buy that Luck is ready to step in right away and look like the Pro Bowl player that he was right away.  Look for Luck to make some plays that reminds us of his greatness but he will have some first game jitters.

Picks Bengals -2.5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints -9.5

In two games against the Buccaneers last season, the Saints averaged 30.5 points per game, Drew Brees averaged 254 pass yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, the running back corps averaged 121.5 rushing yards, and receivers caught 44 passes for 505 yards with three touchdowns. The Buccaneers have not made big improvements on the defensive end.  Why would they be able to stop the Saints in 2018??

Jameis Winston will be serving the first game of his 3 game suspension which means veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick will step in to try take down the great Drew Brees.  9.5 is a lot of points for the first game of the year, but when you have a veteran like Brees and dynamic players like Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas the Saints should control the the game on offense and the ball hawking defense should cause plenty of turnovers i

PicksSaints -9.5

Air Force at Florida Atlantic University -9

FAU was embarrassed in their opener versus Kyler Murray and the Oklahoma Sooners in week one.  Air Force is not Oklahoma.  It’s time for people to jump back on the Lane Train in week 2.

Florida Atlantic will come out throwing the ball early, jumping ahead and not looking back.  Air Force dominated a Stoney Brook but Stoney Brook is does not have the talent level of Florida Atlantic.  Being at home and most likely going to be very motivated I like Florida Atlantic to turn the table and blow out Air Force.

PicksFlorida Atlantic -9

Arkansas -14 at Colorado State

The Colorado State defense stinks.  Giving up 45 and 43 to Hawaii and Colorado.  They now are staring at an incoming SEC team in Arkansas.  Arkansas threw for 343 yards in game one against Eastern Illinois.  Colorado State has given up a 373 yards per game in the first two games of the season.

Arkansas will score and they will score and they will score.  That was not a typo.  I see Arkansas putting up a lot of points and silencing any potential home field advantage.  I would take Arkansas by 21 if it went that high.

PicksArkansas -14

James “Why Not” Pick of the Week

PicksHouston Texans +6.5

The Patriots gave up a lot of yards in 2017.  The Texans will have back their second year QB Deshaun Watson who was putting up MVP like numbers before his injury.  Watson is good and his receivers are good.  The Patriots historically have come out of the gates sluggish until Belicheck figures everything out.  Look for a high scoring game where the better defense makes a big play.  Houston has the better defense.  Houston may not only cover but I could see them knocking of the AFC Champs.