YEAR TO DATE BULLY THE BOOKIE RECORD
NCAAF: 15-5 (3-1 last week)
NFL: 8-7-2 (2-2 last week)
Overall: 23-12-2 (5-3 last week)
California Golden Bears (5-3, 3-4-1 ATS) @ 10 Washington State Cougars(7-1, 8-0)
Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA, Saturday November 3rd, 10:45PM EST
Line: Washington State -9.5, O/U 50
This week my ‘team to watch’ plays a late one. Kick off will be after dark on the west coast, so for all the regular people in the eastern time zone - we can catch the 2nd half post pub hours. Great way to win that bar tab right back.
The Cougars have never been a prolific football program, but their ESPN Gameday traditions compensate for that. Former alumnus Tom Pounds was fed up that ESPN Gameday rarely, if ever, took visits to Pullman, WA for the ESPN Gameday feature. So in 2003, he took it upon himself to get the cougars noticed, passionately waving the flag in front of ESPN cameras wherever they decided to set up shop for the weekend.
Now, the Washington flag never misses a Saturday ESPN College Gameday camera appearance. There is a group of devoted Cougar fans on FB who orchestrate the logistics of how they are going to send this flag to the next town. The moment ESPN announces the site, they figure out which alumni member will be in that town bearing the flag for Saturday's show and mail it straight to him.
Sure, traditions don't win football games. But strong team spirit does. That combined with these quick facts will show you why the Cougars are the team to go all in on.
Quick Stats:
- WSU is the only remaining undefeated ATS team
- Cal is 3-11 in their last 14 on the road
PICK: WASHINGTON STATE -9.5
PREDICTION: COUGARS 34 - GOLDEN BEARS 20
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7 Oklahoma Sooners (7-1, 4-4 ATS) @ Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-3, 5-3 ATS)
Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX, Saturday November 3rd, 8PM EST
Line: Oklahoma -13.5, O/U 77
A historic shootout occurred the last time these two teams faced off at Jones AT&T Stadium. In that game, two current NFL stars had career days in an unfathomable production of offense. Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes put on a show in their 2016 matchup. A handful of FBS records smashed, including a mind-blowing 1708 offensive yards combined in the game.
As for the 2018 matchup this Saturday, Baker and Pat are obviously frying bigger fish in the NFL, but these offenses haven’t skipped a beat.
Both teams are in the top 10 offensively. Oklahoma averages 48 points per game to go along with 548 yards, while Texas Tech puts up 42 points and 528 yards per game.
Quick Stats
- These two teams have gone OVER a combined 11 out of 16 games
- In the last 7 matchups between these programs, the OVER has hit 6 times
- Oklahoma has gone OVER 5 of their last 6 road games
- When they played in 2016, the Over/Under was 86… it went OVER
PICK: OVER TOTAL 77
PREDICTION: SOONERS 48 - RED RAIDERS 38
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Extra College Plays
University of Texas at El Paso Miners @ Rice Owls
PICK: UTEP +1 as this may be the worst FBS game of the year. DON’T watch it, but DO bet it. Last week I picked SJ St’s first win of the year and the week before we got Nebraska’s first of the year. UTEP gets their W this week. 24-18 MINERS
Louisville Cardinals @ 2 Clemson Tigers
PICK: LOUISVILLE +39 as they will take advantage of the Tigers resting players in the 2nd half to stay healthy for significantly more important games to come. Clemson 0-3 ATS when favourites of 21 points or more. 45-13 TIGERS
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Kansas City Chiefs (7-1, 7-1 ATS) @ Cleveland Browns (2-5-1, 5-3 ATS)
First Energy Stadium, Cleveland, OH, Sunday, November 4th, 1PM EST
Line: Kansas City -8.5, O/U 51
As mentioned earlier, last time these two QB's faced off was a historically offensive battle in Texas. Now, as their Alma Maters face off in a grudge match this Saturday, these two appropriately hit the gridiron for their own vengeance in the big leagues.
This NFL-NCAA collaboration has got all the media outlets giddy, but is this the primary narrative of the game?
The Browns are starting to trim the fat from the organization and most recently fired defensive coordinator Todd Haley, as well as head coach Hue Jackson. This came as a surprise to Hue after a 3-36-1 record in nearly 3 years with the Browns.
Wake up, Hue. The only thing surprising is how you held your job for that entire time.
Jackson overall career winning percentage is .205 which ranks 218th out of the 219 coaches who have coached over 40 games in NFL history. The 219th coach; Bert Bell who led the Eagles to a 10-46-2 record from the years of 1939 to 1946. The only reason he lasted so long was because Bert also owned the Eagles. Bert Bell would’ve had to fire himself. Therefore, Hue Jackson is the worst NFL coach in history.
Now for this Sunday’s game; you have to think the Browns are distraught. They’ve given up 30+ in their last 3 and only scored an average of 16 in the month of October. Combine that with losing the staff that has coached them all year and facing one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.
Quick Stats
- Browns are 7-18 in their last 25 home games
- KC is 10-4 after an ATS loss
- Teams that score 36+ are 118-2-4 ATS over the last 3 years (KC averages 36.3)
PICK: KANSAS CITY -8.5
PREDICTION: CHIEFS 38 - BROWNS 20
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Atlanta Falcons @ Washington Redskins
PICK: UNDER 48 as Falcons get out of their dome in some colder weather. Washington has gone UNDER 9 of last 11 with an average score of 38. Falcons have a potent O but mostly, only at home. Matty Ice loves his dome in Hotlanta. His team has been limited to 14.5 per game on the road this season. ATL has also gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 road games. 23-17 Redskins
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
PICK: UNDER 47.5 as these NFC north rivals collide for the 2nd time this season.
- 5 of the last 7 between these two teams have gone UNDER
- Ravens have gone UNDER in 5 of their last 6 with an average score of 37.9
- Steelers have gone UNDER in 19 of their last 25 on the road
These teams know each other and play tough. Expect a low scoring game with a game-winning drive by one of these veteran play callers. My guess - Big Ben. 23-20 Steelers
Tennessee Titans @ Dallas Cowboys
PICK: UNDER 40.5 as two lackluster offenses meet two thriving defenses on Monday Night Football. Out of the 32 teams, the Titans rank 3rd in D and 30th in O while the Cowboys rank 2nd in D and 26th in O. 16-10 Cowboys.