Last week’s uninspiring 4-3 performance had me reconsidering this segments name. I merely brushed by the bookie with those picks and likely dropped a Canadian “sorrey” after the nudge. Nonetheless, the last column marked the 3rd week in a row with winning picks. So give it a read below to see how to actually BULLY your bookie this week, because I am about to stuff him right into a locker after a good old fashion swirly.
YEAR TO DATE BULLY THE BOOKIE RECORD
NCAAF: 9-3 (2-2 last week)
NFL: 4-3-2 (2-1 last week)
Maryland Terrapins (4-2, 4-2 ATS) @ 19 Iowa Hawkeyes (5-1, 5-1 ATS)
Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City , IA, Saturday October 20th, 12 P.M EST
Line: Iowa -9, O/U 47.5
The greatest college football tradition started last year and it occurs every Hawkeye home game in Kinnick Stadium. The Kinnick Wave is so simple, yet, so heart-warming. Get ready to start chopping onions readers.
Incredible football fans with a beautifully orchestrated gesture. Tip your cap to Iowa fans, including the little football fans they wave at in the Sick Kids hospital. But hey, these Iowa players deserve a tip of the cap too.
The Hawkeyes hopped into the Top 25 rankings for the first time all year, after back to back dominating wins vs conference opponents; Minnesota and Indiana. Iowa’s lone loss came to a higher ranked Wisconsin Badgers in a game that was much closer than the score entailed. This is a major game for the Hawkeyes. The west side of the BIG10 conference is completely up for grabs and Iowa is only half a game back of west leaders, Northwestern.
As for the opposition, Maryland is significantly weaker and hasn’t proved themselves on the road this year. The destination factors into this game as well; 1500 KM into the prairies doesn’t bode well for an already lesser opponent. The Terps been inconsistent all year and that style of play will not win in Kinnick Stadium.
Quick Stats
- Iowa is 4-1 straight up and ATS in their last 5 home games
- Maryland is 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games
- Saturday is Iowa’s 2018 homecoming game (rowdy alumnus in attendance)
PICK: IOWA -9
PREDICTION: HAWKEYES 34 - TERRAPINS 17
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Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3, 4-2 ATS) @ Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-6, 2-4 ATS)
Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE, Saturday October 20th, 3:30 P.M EST
Line: Nebraska -4, O/U 54
Last year was a memorable one for Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost. In his second year at head coach, he led UCF to and undefeated season followed by a self-claimed national title.
Instantly, after that season, he was offered his dream job coaching in his hometown and Alma Mater - University of Nebraska. Ever since Frost fell short of playing in the NFL, after an illustrious college career with the Cornhuskers as starting QB, he took a position as grad assistant with Nebraska. That was followed by several coaching stints around the country until Scott got the opportunity to come back home behind the clipboard.
Now, in 2018, Frost is amidst a football nightmare.
Nebraska is 0-6 for the first time in program history, and the media is hastily calling for Coach Frost’s head.
It’s a great story line and I had to put it on paper this week because the narrative is going to burn on Saturday. 3 of their 6 losses this year came within less than 7 points. Everyone knows he’s a talented coach and his players can play the game at a high level, too.
Nebraska is due for a win and Sin City knows it marking them 4 point favourites. However, don’t be fooled by the spread. Huskers by 21. Jump on Nebraska and Scott Frost this weekend.
PICK: NEBRASKA -4
PREDICTION: CORNHUSKERS 38 - GOLDEN GOPHERS 17
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EXTRA COLLEGE PLAYS
#9 Oklahoma Sooners @ Texas Christian Horned Frogs
PICK: Oklahoma -8 as they lost a heartbreaker two weeks ago to the Longhorns and had a bye last week. OU is 7-3 SU and ATS in their last 10 games coming off a bye week with an average winning margin of 19. Enough said. Boomer Sooner! 38-21 Oklahoma
PICK: Spartans +7 as Vegas GIVES a touchdown to the Spartans at HOME against a Michigan team that is 0-10 against the spread (ATS) in the last 10 meetings between these two teams. 24-20 Wolverines.
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Dallas Cowboys (3-3, 3-2 ATS) @ Washington Redskins (3-2, 3-2 ATS)
FedEx Field, Landover, MD, Sunday October 21st, 4:25 P.M EST
Line: Washington -1.5, O/U 41.5
Two NFC East rivals meet in a showdown with the division still open for the taking. Currently, the Redskins are sitting in 1st, primarily because the reigning super bowl champs are a middling 3-3. But if the Skins want to stay atop of this competitive division, they’ll have to take down the Dallas Cowboys - a team that has finally found their groove.
Dallas BULLIED the defensively superior Jags last week 40-7 by running a heavy ground attack. Their option running style led to Zeke Elliott gaining 106 and QB Dak Prescott picking up a career high 86 rushing yards. The Cowboys offense started slow in the first 5 weeks, which has led them to their current .500 record.
However - the Dak attack is back .
Quick Stats:
- Cowboys have won last 4 meeting by average score of 11.75
- Cowboys have won last 5 games playing at FedEx Field
- Dak Prescott is 4-0 against the Redskins in his career (0 turnovers)
PICK: DALLAS +1.5
PREDICTION: COWBOYS 27 - REDSKINS 17
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Cincinnati Bengals (4-2, 4-2 ATS) @ Kansas City Chiefs (5-1, 6-0 ATS)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO, Sunday October 21st, 8:20 P.M EST
Line: Kansas City -6, O/U 58.5
This game is my LOCK of the week. So sell a kidney, flip some bricks, mortgage your house; do whatever it takes to exponentially profit off this game.
An offensive unit oozing with swagger, talent and criminal records. QB Maholmes, RB Hunt, WR Hill and TE Kelce are all top 5 at their respective positions - and they all play in Kansas City.
The team they’re hosting is very much alike. Bengals have high powered offensive weapons as well. Cincy’s two stud wideouts, Tyler Boyd and AJ Green. These two should be able to run free against a secondary who’s ranked at the bottom of the NFL.
Last week, KC played the Pats on SNF, and with a similar over/under total, the game finished 43-40. I’m predicting a similar score in this one.
Quick Stats
- KC is 2nd in scoring offense, 27th in scoring defense
- Cincy is 6th in scoring offense, 23th in scoring defense
- Only 5 O/U have been over 58 points since 2005 in NFL history, OVER 5-0
PICK: OVER 58.5 TOTAL POINTS
PREDICTION: CHIEFS 35 - BENGALS 30
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EXTRA NFL PLAYS
Tennessee Titans @ Los Angeles Chargers 9:30 AM EST START
PICK: Titans +7 as they play one of the annual London, England games. Titans defense is heavy and if their offense can put up a TD or two they’ll cover this spread. I’ll even pick them to win this one. 20-17 TITANS
New England Patriots @ Chicago Bears
PICK: Patriots -3 as Vegas is giving too much love to the Bears at home. Brady is 4-0 against the Bears lifetime and he has put up 30+ points last two outings at Soldier Field. 31-24 PATS