College Football Quick Picks Week 14
Syracuse @ Boston College – Line: Boston College (-11.5) O/U- 41 – Boston College joined the ranks of the “We Almost Kinda Beat Florida State” division last weekend, and they’d love nothing more than to celebrate by improving their record to 7-5 in their season finale. Syracuse has been riding a faulty quarterback carousel all season, and have yet to find a quarterback that can manage to throw for more touchdowns than interceptions. The Orange can only muster 18 points a game, and that won’t be nearly enough to overcome a strong Boston College team that runs the ball down opponents throats at will. The Eagles should roll in this one, thwarting the Orange enough to keep the point total low. Pick: Boston College (-11.5) UNDER 41[divider]
Pittsburgh @ Miami(FL) – Line: Miami (-9.5) O/U- 56 – The Miami Hurricanes celebrated their “We Kinda Almost Beat Florida State” game by getting blown out by a bad Virginia team last weekend. The Hurricanes managed only seven points of offense despite gaining 327 yards. Pittsburgh is coming off a 30-7 win over Syracuse and need to win this game to become bowl eligible. The key matchup here is Pittsburgh’s ground game versus Miami’s rush defense. The Panthers are averaging 253.6 yards a game, while the Hurricanes are surrendering 136.5 on the ground, good for 30th nationally. Miami should have some success against Pitt’s ground game, forcing the Panthers to turn to their mediocre passing attack. Pittsburgh’s record is actually somewhat deceiving, and they should lay it all on the line in this one. The Hurricanes will win, but it will be much closer than they care for it to be. Pick: Pittsburgh (+9.5) UNDER 56[divider]
Rutgers @ Maryland – Line: Maryland (-8) O/U- 53 – Both of these teams have had varied success in their debut Big Ten seasons. They both come in sporting bowl eligible records, but Rutgers’ conference record is a dismal 2-5. Maryland has fared much better in the conference and have posted a 4-3 record thus far. Both teams share blowout losses to Michigan State and Rutgers, and both teams have close wins over Michigan. Both teams rank no better than 68th in any major statistical category. Both teams rely on their passing games. Both teams have lost the games they were supposed to lose. Both teams like the color red. The main difference is that Maryland has been slightly more competitive in their expected losses. The Terrapins do however come in with a 2-6 record ATS in their last eight home games. Look for Rutgers to keep it close in a very evenly matched game on the road. Pick: Rutgers (+8) OVER 53[divider]
Rice @ Louisiana Tech – Line: Louisiana Tech (-7.5) O/U- 50.5 – This game might seem rather insignificant at first glance, but it will actually decide the West division of the mighty Conference USA, with the winner earning the honor of being annihilated by Marshall in the conference championship game. Both teams enter the season finale with 7-4 records. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are coming off an overtime loss to Old Dominion, who also owns a win over the Rice. The Bulldogs are a good passing team, and that’s enabled them up to average 35.4 points per game, good for 25th nationally. The Owls are much more balanced, but have a slightly harder time finding the end zone, averaging 28.5 points per game. Rice may have gone 7-1 ATS in their last eight games, but they will eventually be disposed of by a high scoring Bulldog team that has fared better on the defensive end. Pick: Louisiana Tech (-7.5) UNDER 50.5[divider]
Purdue @ Indiana – Line: Indiana (-3) O/U- 57.5 – The Indiana Hoosiers started the season with an encouraging 2-1 record that included a win over Missouri on the road. They’ve managed to go an impressive 1-7 since, and are still looking for a conference win. Fortunately for them, they close the season at home against another 3-8 team. Purdue is in the midst of a brutal five game losing streak that saw them match up against top Big Ten teams such as Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Hoosiers running back Tevin Coleman has been the team’s lone bright spot this season, rushing for 1,906 yards and 15 touchdowns. He should have another productive afternoon against a Purdue rush defense that comes in at 94th nationally, allowing an even 190 yards per game. The Hoosiers literally run away in this one, getting a conference win and ending the season on a slightly positive note. Boilermaker and Hoosiers fans, you may now fully turn your attention to your basketball teams, if you haven’t already. (You have.) Pick: Indiana (-3) OVER 57.5[divider]
BYU @ Cal – Line: Cal (-4) O/U- 72 – BYU’s season has been defined by streaks. More specifically, a four game win streak, a four game losing streak, and a three game win streak, respectively. The Cougars hope to cap off their second four game win streak against a high scoring Cal team that has provided plenty of excitement this season. Sophomore quarterback Jared Goff has thrown for an impressive 3,580 yards and 31 touchdowns this season, helping anchor a Golden Bears offensive attack that ranks 13th nationally with 38.5 points per game.
That offense has sure come in handy for Cal, considering the fact that they rank dead last in the entire FBS defensively. Even so, Cal has fought valiantly against several superior teams, losing to Arizona, UCLA, and USC by a combined 14 points. BYU ranks 100th nationally in passing defense, allowing 255.2 yards per game. Look for Goff and company to exploit the Cougar secondary, eventually pulling away in a high scoring affair that will send the Golden Bears to a bowl. Pick: Cal (-4) OVER 72
