Friday, September 12, 2014

Spread Options: Dr. Saturday's week 3 picks against the spread



Fade these picks.


After a horrible week one, we followed it up with a carbon copy 1-9 in week two. You can do the math as to what our season total is. It's gross. Based off the limited evidence available, pick against us and you'll be rich.


Which picks will be wrong in week three?


Toledo at Cincinnati (-9.5), 7 p.m. ET FRIDAY: Here begins the Gunner Kiel era as Cincy's QB. The line here seems low because Cincinnati has had bye weeks the first two weeks. We don't know what the Bearcats are. However, they're a presumptive favorite in the AAC and we do know that Toledo QB Philip Ely is out for the season after tearing his ACL against Missouri. We'll go with a good start for the highly-touted Kiel.


Georgia at South Carolina (UNDER 59.5), 3:30 p.m. ET: As we mentioned yesterday, the games in Columbia, S.C. have tended to be low scoring. However, that doesn't have any tangible bearing on future results. What does is an 80 percent chance of rain. The game was likely going to be the Todd Gurley and Mike Davis show, but the focus could be enhanced and the tempo slowed down if the game is in the midst of a deluge.


Iowa State (+11.5) at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. ET: We're fully aware we went against Iowa State last week and they suprised us. Iowa, meanwhile, beat Ball State by four. This is an intense rivalry game, though the national cachet isn't too strong. Based off the fight Iowa State put up against Kansas State, we're not giving up on the Cyclones just yet and Iowa has been far from impressive.


Arkansas at Texas Tech (-1), 3:30 p.m. ET: Is this the biggest game in Bret Bielema's tenure at Arkansas? We ask this seriously too. After the disaster of last year, going to Texas Tech and winning would be a statement for the program, even if Tech has struggled in its first two wins. However, we're going to take the home team in a virtual pick'em game.


Kansas at Duke (-14), 3:30 p.m. ET: Kansas looked like a competent football team in the first half against Southeast Missouri State on Saturday. Then the second half came and the Jayhawks had to hold off a rally. Then during the week, Kansas coach Charlie Weis said his players should shut up instead of commenting about the crowd or the team's focus. Duke isn't the team that went to the ACC Championship game last year, but it's hard to be optimistic about the Jayhawks.


Illinois at Washington (-13), 4 p.m. ET: What a difference Cyler Miles makes. Washington's QB was suspended against Hawaii and the Huskies offense struggled in a 17-16 win. With Miles back, Washington scored 59 against Eastern Washington. There's just one problem, however. Washington's defense gave up 52. It's why the O/U on this game is so high (65), but we'll take a bounceback game from the Washington defense. EWU's offense is better than many FBS programs' offenses.


Purdue vs. Notre Dame (-27.5), 7:30 p.m. ET: Did anyone expect the beatdown Notre Dame put on Michigan? Well, the Wolverines are tiers above where Purdue is. The Boilermakers lost at home on Saturday to Central Michigan. The Irish may not shut out Purdue, but it's not going to be pretty. (The game is at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.)


Kentucky (+18.5) at Florida, 7:30 p.m. ET: We're not going to side with Kentucky RB Jojo Kemp and think the Wildcats are going to beat the Gators and end a 27-game losing streak, but we're buying an improved Kentucky team that can hang around with Florida. The Gators ultimately win the game, but it's not a blowout. Kentucky ends the streak next year in Lexington.


Tennessee (+21) at Oklahoma, 8 p.m. ET: Each team is 1-1 against the spread by a hair. Tennessee just msised covering against Arkansas State last week while Oklahoma missed against Louisiana Tech in week one. We're going to roll with the Volunteers here. Much like Kentucky, it's not an upset bid, but Butch Jones' team and its myriad of freshman should have the confidence to not be intimidated at Memorial Stadium.


UCLA (-7) vs. Texas, 8 p.m. ET: This is an incredibly enticing line on the surface. Texas has the cachet of its brand recognition working in its favor while UCLA has had two single-digit victories to open the season against Virginia and Memphis. But we're going with the Bruins because of the incredible advantage at QB. UCLA may not steamroll Texas like BYU did, but it'll finally cover a point spread.


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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!


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From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Spread Options: Dr. Saturday's week 3 picks against the spread


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