Tyler’s Take Five: Week 14 College Football Betting Preview

Week 13 was a good one for the column as I rode with the big dogs and they came through for me big time. I was on Alabama and Clemson to cover the first half and the game and they did so with ease. Our one loser was North Carolina who just couldn’t seem to keep up there with Notre Dame. I guess maybe the Irish are as legit as they seem.

Now the trouble is keeping that cash rolling into Week 14 in a slate that is best described as,,,well, not the prettiest. Those weeks seem to bring the most chaos though. Let’s hop right into Week 14 and see if we can keep this train moving in the right direction.

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West Virginia @ Iowa State: Under 49.5

Last week I was also on Iowa State ML and they came through right at the end to knock off Texas. Now they have a spot in the Big 12 championship game locked up, but they still have to take on a pesky Mountaineers team. The spread is at 6.5 which feels right on the correct number, but my play here focuses on the under.

Coming into this game West Virginia ranks No. 5 in total defense, yes West Virginia has a top five defense in the country. Iowa State comes in No. 38, but I think they’ve played a little better than what that number indicates. The strength for the Mountaineers has been against the pass as they rank No. 4 in passing yards allowed.

On the flip side Iowa State’s offensive strength has been keeping the ball on the ground and allowing Brock Purdy to make a few key passes here and there. I believe Matt Campbell will see the tape and play to his strength of the ground game and not put his offense in tricky situations by throwing at this secondary. Due to that gameplan, I like the under in this matchup.

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Oregon State (+11.5) @ Utah

Last week Oregon State shocked the Pac-12 on Friday evening after taking out the Oregon Ducks in the battle of the Platypus Trophy. The Beavers look like they have their program headed in the right direction, and now they are traveling to Salt Lake City to take on the Utes.

Utah, like a lot of Pac-12 teams, has had a rough season. They’ve lost multiple games to COVID and had multiple changes to their schedule. It’s been hard for them to get in a rhythm with a lot of new faces, and that’s showed. Their 0-2 and they’ve looked pretty lifeless in both contests. I think the opposite has happened for Oregon State. The Beavers started 0-2 but have since knocked off what many believe to be the two best teams in the Pac-12 North.

For me, I just really don’t understand this line. Tristan Gebbia has been solid at quarterback but not otherwordly. Reports say he is out with an injury, but I still like the Beavers to lean on star tailback Jermar Jefferson. He has been great, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. 11 feels like way to many in this spot, so give me the Beavers to keep rolling here.

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BYU (-9.5) @ Coastal Carolina

In the game of the week, the UNBEATEN Cougars travel to take on the UNBEATEN Chants of Coastal Carolina with serious New Years Six implications. Both teams hope this will help propel them to the college football playoff as well. That’s a pipe dream, but good for them for believing. Regardless, this is an awesome matchup and I give serious kudos for both teams putting it all on the table to play with just 54 hours notice.

I’ve faded both of these teams a lot, but I think this is the week I ride with BYU here. Neither team has played much for a schedule so maybe ten points is too much, but BYU has looked like a wagon in all of their contests. I just feel like that continues here with the more mature team that has a little bit more big game experience.

I hate to do it because I love the story of the Chants who opened the season as seven point dogs to the KANSAS FREAKING JAYHAWKS, but BYU seems so complete and in desperate need to get a big win here.

Quick Hitters?

Penn State @ Rutgers, under 52.5: 16 MPH wins expected in Jersey this weekend. Both teams keep it on the ground in this spot so I like the under.

Ohio State (-23.5) @ Michigan State: Ohio State needs some style points. I am waiting to bet to see if I can get a read on who is playing but I’d lay it here.

Arkansas (+3) @ Mizzou: Barry Odom revenge game as he travels back to take on Mizzou. Three points feels like too many, should be closer to a pick.

Bowling Green (+3) @ Akron: THE REAL GAME OF THE WEEK as the two worst teams in CFB square off. Don’t lay points with bad teams, so hopping on the Falcons here just to say I did.

Alabama (-29) @ LSU: I’m laying points with Bama and Clemson the rest of the way.