Tyler’s Take Five: Week 13 College Football Betting Preview

The college football betting season has been up and down for many and last week was another example of the up as the column went 4-1 with it’s picks. Alabama rolled and covered first half and game, UCF was able to hang just within the number and Ohio State was able to cover the first half but Justin Fields liked throwing it to the other team so they did not cover for the outright game, which was my concern. I’ll take 4-1 every time out and twice on Sunday (I went 1-5 on Sunday HAAA yikes).

Now we’re onto Week 13 which feels a bit different knowing this is not the final week of the season. With some games on Friday, I am writing this a little early, so make sure to check out Sports Betting Dime for the latest game odds on college football and other sports like the NFL and college basketball which just tipped off Wednesday! They’ve got all the latest stats and odds to help you make an informed pick. So, without further ado, let’s get into Week 13.

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Notre Dame @ North Carolina (+4.5); Over 66

After a huge win over then top ranked Clemson three weeks ago the Irish answered the bell in a trap game against Boston College. Following that Notre Dame had a bye and now enters another huge game against the Tar Heels of North Carolina. If you haven’t watched North Carolina over the past two years you’ve missed out on the electric factory that is quarterback Sam Howell. He’s been great in 2020 and should have the Tar Heels ready to go in this game.

For me though, the questions still lie with Notre Dame. Just how legit are they? Yes, they beat Clemson so they are definitely a very good team, but outside of that their wins are not very impressive. Their second best win might be beating Boston College. Additionally, the Irish defense has been very good so far ranking No. 11 in total defense, and No. 5 in rushing defense. The problem for them has been in the pass game as they rank No. 47 in passing yards allowed. When you look at their schedule it’s hard to see what team has really played well against their secondary. They’ve beaten Duke, South Florida, Florida State, Louisville, Pitt, Georgia Tech, Boston College and a Clemson team without Trevor Lawrence.

None of those are elite passing teams. Take out Clemson and the teams they’ve beaten are averaging just 2.8 wins on the season. They haven’t faced a team quite this good at throwing the ball, so I think UNC can hang with this number.

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Auburn @ Alabama (-14 1H, -24)

A wise man once said “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Alabama has been a covering machine the last four weeks going 4-0 ATS. The Tide look like a well oiled machine once again and I am going to go back to the well here in this one. Last week Alabama did whatever they wanted against a completely inept Kentucky offense. Auburn and Bo Nix are a better unit but I don’t think that is going to matter in this contest as the Tide defense is starting to look even stronger, giving up just 11 points per game in its last four contests. Additionally, Auburn could be without leading rusher Tank Bigsby and their two starting tackles.

Offensively Auburn is just not that strong in any facet, and Alabama is good in every single one of them. Mac Jones is playing great, Najee Harris looks like the best back in college football, and the lose of Jalen Waddle has not made the Tide miss much of a beat. Add in the fact that these teams and coaches don’t like each other and I think the Tide come out and dispose of Auburn here.

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Pitt @ Clemson (-14 1H, -24)

Oof boy, y’all done poked the bear this week dang gummit. Seriously though, I am concerned for the safety of the Pitt Panthers. The last time Clemson played football was the 47-40 overtime loss to Notre Dame. The last time Trevor Lawrence played football was more than a month ago. Last week they we’re ready to take on Florida State and bam Saturday the game gets canceled three hours before kickoff due to COVID.

If you’ve read the press clippings you’ve seen that head coach Dabo Swinney is none too happy about that, and said Florida State ducked the Tigers in that contest.

He’s received a lot of heat for that, and rightfully so, but the sweet southern soul of Swinney probably doesn’t like that you’re talking bad about him or his team. Due to that, I think the Tigers will come out and have pedal to the freaking medal and try to hang 60 on Pitt. Pitt’s defense is pretty good, but I am not sure it outweighs the spot here for the Tigers. Y’all pissed them off and now the poor Panthers have to deal with the consequences.

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Quick hitters?

Iowa State (+1.5) @ Texas: Just feels like the wrong team is favored here and Iowa State has been playing good football.

Stanford @ Cal, under 52: COVID concerns here for Cal but 52 feels way too high in this game.

Penn State @ Michigan (-2.5): The Sickos Bowl, Michigan should be able to build off the momentum of last week’s triple OT win over Rutgers (LMAOOOOO). Penn State seems like they’ve packed it in here.