Alabama actually lost yesterday, which tells you all you need to know about how crazy Saturday was in college football. Most games went to form, but when you have the No. 1 team in the nation losing to an unranked foe and Massachusetts actually winning a game, it wasn’t an easy day for bettors.
Hopefully, Sunday will be more of a return to normalcy. Here are my top picks for spreads on October 10.
RAIDERS -6.5, +105
I got torched by a -5.5 line on Saturday when Mississippi gave up a late touchdown to Arkansas and the Razorbacks went for two and missed, keeping the game out of overtime and giving the Rebels a win without a cover. I don’t think the Raiders will do the same to me, and I’m bumping this up a point because I think Vegas is in a great spot at home against Justin Fields. The Raiders should bounce back nicely here.
TITANS -4.5, -110
After the mess of a week that the Jaguars have had thanks to Urban Meyer’s foolish decision to go to a bar in Columbus over the weekend, I can’t see Jacksonville putting up much of a fight here. This is a bad team that’s going nowhere, and Tennessee should see plenty of opportunity here to put up a huge number against a rival.
BRONCOS -1, +105
Pittsburgh does not look like a good team by anyone’s definition right now, as the Steelers appear to be old and injury-prone, which likely leaves them last in the AFC North. Pittsburgh’s punchless offense shouldn’t be able to keep up with Denver, even in western Pennsylvania. The Raiders came here and won already, and the Broncos should be able to do it too.
GIANTS +7.5, -115
Big Blue is a little better than people think this year, and Dallas isn’t quite as good as its record suggests. Do I love taking Daniel Jones on the road? I do not, but I think this game could be tighter than people expect. Both games last year were decided by four points or less, so I like my chances with the +7.5 hook.
BUCCANEERS -10, -110
I tortured myself last week with the Dolphins, and I have no intention of doing that again. Miami isn’t getting much of anything done with Jacoby Brissett, and if Carson Wentz was able to lead the Colts to 27 points on two bad ankles, Tom Brady should have no problem in a bounce-back game at home. The Bucs should be anxious to prove themselves after getting wrecked by the Rams and barely surviving the Patriots, so look for a big number here.
